A virtual tour about a cholera epidemic that gives a message of hope with a bit of humour and some science
In Victorian times, London was afflicted with a terrible epidemic. No one knew the cure. No understood the science. Except one man. This is his story. The story of London’s hygiene starts 2,000 years ago with a look at how things started to go pear shaped. We take a humorous look at waste from the first toilets in London (Roman of course) and why we got the term ‘loo’.
We’ll look at the evolution of public loos on London Bridge, the human caped ‘bucket loos’ and the flushing loos of the Victorians. We’ll learn about people who made money from the waste of Londoners, the toshers, grubbers and night-soil men, the creation of the flushing toilet and why it’s called a John in the USA.
Finally the important bit: How a lack of understanding of not ridding of our waste correctly led to awful cholera outbreaks, the ‘Great Stink, and how a man of science collaborated with a man of religion to solve it.
Tour details:
- 70 minutes virtual tour via Zoom
- Multiple dates
- £10 per person
- Book your tickets via Eventbrite
- We’ll email you the meeting ID and password on the morning of the tour
Google reviews of our Epidemic virtual tour
“Engaging, humorous and very knowledgeable”
Loona was really engaging, humorous and very knowledgeable but without coming across as arrogant or dismissive to suggestions we made. The online virtual tour offered lovely relief to lockdown life, full of interactive slides and locations. Loona clearly showed his passion as the time ran over the estimated slot to welcome questions and impart more wisdom. I would highly recommend and look forward to the next!
Luke Gregory
Let's Discover London guided tours 