Landmarks & monuments Neighborhood tours Culture & history Guided tours Wheelchair accessible Tours Sightseeing

Journey through Whitechapel with the prominent women of the 19th and 20th century. We showcase key historical sites emphasising contributions of women to the social and cultural fabric of the area.

Highlights

• Highlighting the women seldom mentioned in local history
• Emphasising their roles and contribution
• Highlighting their impact on society even to this day

Description

1. Annie Besant (1847-1933) Annie Besant was a social reformer, women’s rights activist, and supporter of Indian self-rule. She played a significant role in the Matchgirls Strike of 1888, which took place at the Bryant and May match factory in Bow, East London, not far from Whitechapel. This strike was pivotal in improving the working conditions and pay for women workers. 2. Edith Cavell (1865-1915) Though not a resident, Edith Cavell’s legacy is remembered in Whitechapel for her contributions during WWI. She was a British nurse who is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination and helping over 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. 3. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1836-1917) The first woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was a pioneer in medical education for women. She co-founded the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874, which paved the way for women to enter the medical profession. 4. Mary Hughes (1857-1941) Mary Hughes was a social reformer who worked tirelessly to improve the conditions of the poor in Whitechapel. She was a notable figure in the Women’s Labour League and was deeply involved in local community work, advocating for better housing and healthcare. 5. Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) A South African author and intellectual, Olive Schreiner lived in Whitechapel for a period. She was an early feminist who addressed issues of race, gender, and class. Her best-known work, “The Story of an African Farm,” deals with feminist themes and social reform.

Includes

Walking in the footsteps of the match girls employed by Bryant & May, in the heart of Whitechapel, who instigated the famous strike in 1888 kick-starting the birth of modern day trades' union movement. Through to some of the following: The Whitechapel Gallery; Royal London Hospital; St. Mary Matfelon Church (also known as the White Chapel, which gave the area its name). Altab Ali Park; Brick Lane, famous for its vibrant street art, vintage shops, and curry houses; London School of Economics’ Women’s Library; Toynbee Hall, a center for social reform founded in 1884. Wilton’s Music Hall, one of the oldest surviving music halls in the world

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund