The Urban Rambler

16/07/2025

Some of the dreamy objects and interiors that can be seen at the V&A East Storehouse.

This is the bulk of the V&A collection that isn’t on display at any of their museums. There is another store in the country for things that are MASSIVE.

The V&A East - a new museum - is opening in Spring 2026, and its target audience will be 16-24 year olds from East London.

But this storehouse has to be seen to be believed. You could go multiple times and see something new each time. It’s free to all.

A brilliant example of making collections accessible.

14/07/2025

A few snaps from my walking tour on Saturday - “Tales from the Thames Path: Rotherhithe to Tower Bridge”.

1. The site of the first ever tunnel under a major river - the Thames Tunnel by Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, dubbed the 8th wonder of the world!

2. Tower Bridge, the City, and the Downings Roads Moorings - 3 acres of houseboats including 7 garden barges!

3. The River Neckinger - one of the ‘lost rivers of London’ at its mouth where it meets the Thames. This is the only part of the river that flows above ground, and it’s not just a little trickle!

Check out my website for all available tours and talks - link in bio 🔗

10/07/2025

🚨📣 More Roman archaeology to be preserved and displayed in the City of London 🙌🏛️🏺🌇🤓

The Romans founded Londinium soon after they invaded in 43AD. By the time they left in 410AD it was the largest city in Britannia and covered the area of a square mile - what we know today as the City of London 🌃

Ancient references to Londinium are few and far between in the historical record. This means that to understand it we are in the exciting position where we have to rely solely on archaeology ⛏️

Due to the continued success of the City as a place where the world wants to trade, the land is being constantly regenerated 🏗️ 👷🚧 These new building need solid foundations and deep basements - and that’s where the Roman layer of the city lies - between 5 and 10 metres below the modern day street level.

The last decade has seen HUGE discoveries covering the entire timespan of the Roman occupation.

You’ll hear about the Romans in pretty much every walking tour of mine, especially those that take place in the City, but to hear about these discoveries and find out all there is to know about the city’s classical past, book my tour “Secrets of Londinium: Roman rule in London”

You can find all my walks and talks listed on my website: https://theurbanrambler.squarespace.com/walks

The development will include an exhibition showcasing the 2,000-year-old basilica.

03/07/2025

I was lucky enough to be at this historic plaque unveiling yesterday. The first ever blue plaque with the word ‘le****ns’ on it.

Having worked for English Heritage for over 10 years, I was constantly looking for ways to champion the telling of stories that have been hidden or forgotten, whether that be intentionally or un-intentionally.

Q***r histories have always been sidelined due to legal and social acceptance. It’s wonderful to see this work paying off in such a public way.

It was so special to be a part of this, and to speak to some of the le****ns for who this was a sacred safe space.

Here’s to many more blue plaques to q***r spaces 🏳️‍🌈🔵

30/07/2024

I’m leading my newest walking tour, “Walking the Fashion City (West End)” for Jewish Renaissance on Sunday 15th September.

Visit sites pertinent to the incredible contribution Jewish migrants have made to London becoming a fashion capital of the world 👗 👖 👠 🎩 💅

Find out the incredible survival story of famous wedding dress maker Netty Spiegel 👰‍♀️, the household name of this dapper man with a beard 🧔🏻‍♂️, the surprising makers of Jimi Hendrix’s iconic military jackets 🧥 and just why Tom Jones was walking down Carnaby Street with a Bond girl and a Cheetah 🐆…

Booking via:

jewishrenaissance.org.uk/events

12/12/2023

My latest project… Walking the Fashion City: East End

Booking available through the Museum of London

Visit places that tell the personal and moving stories of Jewish fashion in the East End on a walk with Nick Collinson, The Urban Rambler.

17/06/2023

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E80Fl9NsQXc

Another Pride Month celebration post 🌈

This is me and my Head of department - Dominique - speaking in depth about two objects on the q***r history tour I developed with young people at Rangers House in Greenwich. It’s so important to tell these stories for SO many reasons I don’t need to go into here…

(The music level is way too low)

Do visit the house if you get the chance - the collection of art is AMAZING 🤩

Join Dr Nick Collinson and Dr Dominique Bouchard at Ranger’s House in London as they discuss the LGBTQ+ connections of some of the fascinating objects there,...

21/05/2021

Talking about the Lord Beauchamp scandal in 1930 with Michael Portillo on the BBC 📺

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000w7fr

Series 13 Episode 4 - Deal to Margate 🏰🌊

***rhistory

13/05/2021

🌈 🚨 New Q***r Talk 🚨 🌈

• Were Michelangelo and Leonardo the first modern g**s? 🤔 No idea? 🤷🏽 I didn’t either...

• Join me on Sunday to find out what I think...

• Gratuitous nudity guaranteed 🍑🍆 😉

🎫 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michelangelo-and-leonardo-the-first-modern-gay-men-tickets-150316313139

31/10/2020

This week I’ve been mostly looking at the London Wall with
This 3km long, 6m high and 3m wide feat of engineering was built by the Romans in around 200 AD and throws up all sorts of questions about Roman Britain. Like... why did they build a wall???

13/08/2020

Next virtual tour coming up next Sunday with the one and only Dan Vo - creator of q***r museum tours galore (V&A, University of Cambridge museums, and National Museum Cardiff)

🌈 👑 🏰

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/live-like-a-queen-a-look-at-britains-q***r-stately-homes-tickets-114458512492

Join two award winning tour guides for the q***rest look you'll ever get at Britain's stately homes!

01/07/2020

London on Lockdown: Westminster Bridge