Discover these seven audio series dedicated to exploring the capital’s history and culture.

During lockdown, many of us have been kept entertained and informed by some of the tens of thousands of podcasts out there. Whatever your interests, there is guaranteed to be umpteen episodes on offers to whet your appetite.

If you’re interested in London history, trivia or culture, then check out some of these audio discoveries, along with some handy links to get listening straight-away:

Ladies Who London Podcast

Blue Badge tour guides Alex Lacey and Emily Dell started their London history podcast at the beginning of lockdown. Every week they choose a different area of the capital or Londoner. They often highlight lesser-known Londoners, particularly women or people of colour, who have been usually been under-represented by the history books. The Ladies Who London podcast is not all serious though and expect plenty of banter in between the facts.

Open City Podcast

The Open City team – who are famous for organising Open House London – started a radio show platforming conversations about the capital in summer 2020. Exploring everything from its people to buildings to its organisations, from past, present and future. Recent episodes include the Guildhall, Old Kent Road and rethinking London’s green spaces.

Macabre London Podcast

Whether you love Halloween… or are just intrigued by the more sinister side of the capital all-year round, the Macabre London podcast is for you. Host and writer Nikki Druce tells gruesome stories from London’s past so expect murder, mystery, and perhaps the odd ghost or two. Recent episodes include the Central Line, an Edwardian cold case set in Battersea and London’s killer weather.

Historic Royal Palaces Podcast

The independent charity which manages some of London’s most historic buildings has some high-profile experts to hand for its podcast series. Episodes feature talks and lectures by some of the HRP’s curators, as well as guest historians. Familiar names such as Lucy Worsley, Susannah Liscombe, Dame Hilary Mantel, Michael Ohajuru, Miranda Kaufmann, Phillippa Gregory, and Steven Gunn appear.

London Undone

Discover the story behind the City of London’s historic churches (although some other London subjects are also thrown in occasionally), from Blue Badge & City of London guide Catherine Cartwright. Latest episodes include the Salvation Army IHQ Chapel, St Giles Cripplegate and St Clement Eastcheap.

British Museum Podcast

As one of the country’s most famous (and free!) museums, the British Museum is full of treasures with stories to tell. This fascinating podcast series explores a wide range of themes with ties to people or objects within the museum.

London Literary Pub Crawl Podcast

The team behind London Literary Pub Crawl (who celebrate legends of literature and their drinking holes) have created a podcast for lovers of London and literature. Recent episodes include Shakespeare’s Rose playhouse, an interview with Tron writer Bonnie Macbird and the director of the Bloomsbury Festival.

• Check out the London Literary Pub Crawl Podcast on iTunes or PlayerFM.

Follow Metro Girl on Instagram for more photos of hidden London.

For more of Metro Girl’s history posts, click here.

Read more

Ultimate London quiz Part 1 | Test your knowledge of the Big Smoke with 20 questions and answers

A guide to Jane Austen’s London | A walk around ‘town’

Oscar Wilde’s London: Discover the playwright’s haunts

Follow my blog with Bloglovin