Clerkenwell and Islington tour guides, the official guides to the Mayor of Islington, are looking for new people who want to learn more about the history of the borough and develop a new skill.

We spoke to Andy Taylor who’s been a tour guide for years on what it takes to complete the course, what he’s done since finishing it and why he’d recommend the course to others looking to explore and learn more about their local area!

What made you want to apply to the Clerkenwell & Islington Tour Guiding Course?

I’ve always had a keen interest in history and had taken friends out on a few occasions, on a very casual basis, pointing out landmarks and the stories attached to them. They all said I “should do it properly”, so when I saw the advert on social media, I decided to take the plunge.

How did you find it?

Challenging, but anything that’s worthwhile should be. A little daunting at first – there were people on the course who were already very experienced, who had a lot of academic qualifications; I’d left school at 16 back in the early 1980s.

Our class varied from those in their 20s to someone in their 70s, from different parts of the world and a variety of backgrounds yet by the end of the course we’d formed quite a tight group who all helped and encouraged each other. We still meet up regularly and friendships have been made that will likely last a lifetime.

The class tutors were also very supportive which was important because, at times, the course was demanding. But it all felt worthwhile when we finally got our badges; we certainly felt we’d earned them – it wasn’t a gimme.

Any favourite stories you learned on the course?

One of my favourites was about the gin craze of the 1700s when half the population of London was in a drunken stupor. Part of the old Booth’s gin distillery is still visible in Clerkenwell. When it was being made illegally the sellers even invented a kind of vending machine to get around the laws!

I also enjoyed looking into Mount Pleasant sorting office on Rosebery Avenue. It was once the site of the country’s most notorious prison. I found out that when it became a postal office it was home to a spy and I’ve included the story on one of the walks I’ve developed.

Did it change your view of the borough?

Definitely! I must drive family and friends mad, because I’m always pointing stuff out as we’re walking around. I live not far from Newington Green and since the course, I’ve found out loads of amazing stories connected to the area.

What have you done since finishing the course?

I’ve taken groups out on my own walks and have set up my own platform where I can market them. I even experimented with a pub walk around the Angel recently which was well received. I’ve also just completed the Hackney tour guiding course and become a founding member of the Hackney Tour Guides Association which is exciting.

Why would you recommend the Clerkenwell & Islington course?

I’ve met some great people – both fellow students and tutors – and it’s enabled me to develop a passion into a skillset, which has the benefit of getting you out and about on your feet, exercising the grey matter and meeting lots of new people.

What are your future guiding plans?

I’ve developed several new walks in the borough which will begin in the autumn.

My colleagues from the course are doing all kinds of stuff: some are full-time guides, others are putting on events for groups of friends.

One of them has just received an award for a music-themed tour, another has started their own website and blog. Another has put together a very successful walking tour based around the popular tv show Slow Horses and others are doing foreign language walks.

Applications are now open for the 2027 Clerkenwell & Islington Tour Guiding Course. The 6-month training programme runs from January-July, with a mix of class-based and practical walkshops. Graduates become official tour guides for the Mayor of Islington.

Want to find out more? Come and meet tutors and past students and enjoy a free walking tour at our Meet the Guides event on Wednesday 9 September from 6:30pm. The event is free but please book a place so organisers know who to expect.