Women in the City Walk

Throughout history, women have played vital roles in shaping society, yet their achievements have often been overlooked or forgotten. This walk aims to shine a light on the extraordinary women who founded charities, fought for workers’ rights, and paved the way for future generations.

Discover unknown stories of women
Walk amongst iconic buildings in the City
Qualified London tour guide

Book with confidence:

On this walk we will uncover the stories of some of the amazing and tenacious women in the City of London.

This 90 minute walk will cover some of the well known and some of the not so well known women
who changed things for the better – whether that be for women in their shared professions or by
improving the conditions for those who were less fortunate and whose voices were being ignored.
The list of fabulous women in the City is endless – and I am constantly adding to my list but the
start and end spots always remain the same.

On our walk we will learn about the suffragettes – many of whom risked their lives and health in
their tireless battle to get votes for women – hear of the Ju-Jitsu trained suffragette who taught
suffragettes the area of self defence and was Emmeline Pankhurst’s bodyguard.

We will hear of the women who had to work under a male name – or an initial rather than using
their first name in order to be treated seriously in business – and of one woman’s tireless fight to
be accepted into her profession – and how she finally succeeded at the grand age of 75.
What has Agatha Christie got to do with a secret garden belonging to a church in the City of London?

The woman was responsible for buying Temple Bar – one of the oldest and most important gates
in the City of London – when it had been dismantled and was lying forgotten in a warehouse – she
also played the banjo and helped fund the Second Boer War – and famously made Whistler so
furious when she was sitting for a portrait that he tore the painting up in front of her!
We will hear stories of a woman’s fight to train as a doctor and her eventual acceptance into the
Medical Profession.

A wonderful woman who brought back a cure for smallpox after travelling to Turkey – but whose
knowledge was dismissed by doctors in London as ‘the ramblings of an ignorant woman’.
The entrepreneurial women who had their own businesses in the City of London and whose
detailed business cards can be seen in the British Museum.

The woman who was arrested for daring to publish a pamphlet on birth control and who was
responsible for setting up the first Trade Union for women and girls in the country.

We may visit some of the secret parks in the City and hear the tales of a woman pantomime artist
who died on stage when her costume caught fire and whose death paved the way for safety.
A pocket garden which is said to be haunted by two warring women who are buried there – plus
the women whose skills were used to help rebuild the City of London after it was devastated by
the Great Fire of London in 1666.

This tour reveals the hidden stories behind these amazing women – campaigners, heroines,
entrepreneurs and warriors whose narratives are woven through the 2000 years history of this
amazing City of London.

Start: M&S at Cannon Street Station
End: St Paul’s Cathedral

Your Guide: Jenny Funnell

Your Guide: Sylvia McNamara

Women in the City Walk Reviews

What a very interesting and enjoyable 90 minutes. Jenny was an outstanding guide. A very warm and welcoming with an extensive knowledge of the "Pioneering Women in the City". She brought all of them to life. Her tales of their endeavours were so well-told that we were hanging on her every word and they are certainly names and stories I will not forget.

Who knew that so many extraordinary women were trailblazers over the centuries most of whom we are not even aware of? A thoroughly professional and entertaining walk with Jenny, who obviously enjoyed revealing all the extensive knowledge she has learned about true pioneering women. Highly recommend and Jenny, please continue with the research in order that we can enjoy another fascinating walk focused on other fabulous females!!

A fascinating and informative walking tour covering the subject -The Pioneering Women in the City. Jenny was a very professional and enthusiastic guide. She was very welcoming , friendly, had an extensive knowledge and great sense of humour, could hear every word she said. I appreciated that she incorporated shady and seated areas for it was very sunny and hot today. I would highly recommend this tour.

Well presented and very enjoyable. I learnt a lot.

City walk was excellent . The tour guide was confident & informative and walked at a good pace. She communicated historical information about pioneering women with clarity and , at times, humour. It was a nice sized group. I would definitely recommend this tour and others lead by the walk lead.