Graveyard and street tours in London
Discover a different side to London with Caroline Swan’s evocative tours of the capital’s historic neighbourhoods and burial grounds. Learn about the lives of Londoners of the past, and how the city’s ever-changing landscape has evolved over 2,000 years of history.
About me
My name is Caroline Swan and I’m a qualified and fully-insured tour guide and historian operating in London. I have spent many years exploring this great city and discovering its secrets, especially its old graveyards and ruins. I have been leading tours around many of London’s most historic areas since 2017, using old maps, documents and original research to bring to life the London of yesterday.
Why visit London’s graveyards?
London is full of old burial grounds, from the Victorian city’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ to Roman graves found during construction works and forgotten plague pits.
I believe that old graveyards provide a unique insight into the city’s history and its people, giving us a glimpse into the streetscapes of the past and the lives and attitudes of the people who once called London their home.
Stunning monuments can be found in London’s vast Victorian cemeteries and in little tucked-away churchyards, and so many of London’s parks hide tantalising glimpses of the burial grounds they used to be.
Upcoming events
- I will be leading free guided tours for West Norwood Cemetery’s open day – Saturday 20th May – more details here – this walk is free but booking is essential.
- Hidden Histories of Mortlake: a guided tour – Saturday 27 May, 11am – more information and tickets here
- Stay tuned for more events being scheduled over the summer!
You can also subscribe to my mailing list and my Eventbrite page to be the first to hear about my tours and online events.
Private and bespoke tours
Does my public tour schedule not fit in with your visit to London? Looking for a tour for your organisation or a group of family and friends? I can deliver any of my public tours for private groups, or create a bespoke tour based on your interests. I have worked with organisations such as Southwark Cathedral, London Month of the Dead, Islington Council, and London Historians, and have also devised walks for tourists visiting London and locals looking to learn more about their area. Please get in touch to discuss availability, the areas I cover, and rates.
Walks with Caroline 