Put your hand out on a busy London street and you might get picked up by one of today’s guests. Danny McIntyre and Greg Smith are licensed hackney carriage drivers. They are part of a tradition that goes back centuries, commonly known today as ‘black cabs’. As well as transporting people across London, Danny and Greg also take curious visitors to the top historical sites and regale them with stories of the city’s past.

On this episode, we uncover how they earned their prestigious licence, including taking an exam that involves memorising 25,000 London streets. They share how they expanded their roles into tour guiding, and we learn about the taxi trade’s longstanding culture of benevolence, including an annual trip that takes children from London’s hospitals on an exciting day out. Finally, we hear about the array of people they have driven around, and how there’s more to being a London cabbie than meets the eye.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(02:36) Backstories of Danny & Greg

(13:00) Cab tours vs walking tours

(17:24) A tradition of benevolence

(20:40) More than driving

(23:32) Quirky & famous passengers

(28:03) Outro

Links: THE CHILDREN’S MAGICAL TAXI TOUR

Website: https://magicaltaxitour.com DANNY MCINTYRE

Website: https://traditionallondontours.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Lifeofalondoncabbie

Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifeofalondoncabbie

GREG SMITH

Website: https://cityoflondonguides.com/find/gregsmith

Instagram: https://instagram.com/greglondonguide

JEREMY JOHN: Tours: https://historyupclose.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Ten years ago, Charley Harrison founded Totally Tailored, one of London’s most successful private tour companies. On this episode, she takes us back to the beginning, from working on London’s open-top buses to creating the groundwork for her company during slow shifts at a gift shop. Along the way, Charley reveals what the Totally Tailored private tour guides have in common, how she expanded her business into Edinburgh and why bigger is not always better.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro (01:52) Backstory of Charley (07:45) Growing a small business (14:18) What ‘tailoring’ entails (22:29) Expanding to Edinburgh (25:10) What Next? (28:03) Outro

Links:

CHARLEY HARRISON: Website: https://totallytailored.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/totally.tailored

JEREMY JOHN: Tours: https://historyupclose.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Head to central London and you might find Jess Brownrigg and Louise Cooley regaling visitors with true tales of the city’s past. Both these tour guides are passionate about making history compelling for all ages, and their enthusiasm for London’s heritage is contagious.

On this episode, we uncover what led them to this role, and find out more about the different tours they give, from Dr Who to the Tudors. They reveal their methods for bringing history to life, including a technique that Louise calls “laying seeds for the birdies”. They finish by sharing stories of tours not going to plan, from London’s annual naked cycle ride blocking the streets, to rain causing royal guards to march at double speed.

Chapters: (00:00) Intro (03:08) Backstories of Jess & Louise (08:53) Dr Who & Tower of London (14:25) Changing of the Guard (18:39) Things not going to plan (22:38) Outro

You can join one of Jess’ tours by booking through Fun London Tours (https://funlondontours.com) and requesting him as your guide.

Jeremy's Tour Instagram: https://instagram.com/londonwithjeremy

Jeremy's Tour Website: https://www.historyupclose.com