Delve into London’s darkest stories in this illustrated talk by Pete Smith about monstrous creatures and historical characters.

The history of London’s monsters and villains is a long one. This talk aims to introduce you to some of the more notable figures, both supernatural and human, that have bedevilled the city. Prepare to encounter ghosts, giants, witches, man-eating rats, beasts from the sewers, a pig-faced lady, and even the Devil himself, as well as some truly evil flesh-and-blood villains.

About the speaker:

Pete Smith is a Cambridge English graduate with a lifelong interest in London. After a career as a university teacher, he retrained as a London guide, and is currently a freelance lecturer and tourist guide, with his own small walking-tour company, London City Walks (www.londoncitywalks.co.uk). Pete is the author of A-Z London Hidden Walks (HarperCollins, 2022), and is a member of the City of London Guide Lecturers Association.

What to expect:

The talk will last approximately 50-60 minutes followed by Q&A.

IMPORTANT: This talk will be taking place in-person only at The London Archives.

About The London Archives:

The London Archives is a free public archive focusing on the history of London, from 1067 to the present day. We preserve and share millions of historical manuscripts, maps, photographs, books which tell the story of the city.

You can find us in central London in Clerkenwell, close to Farringdon Station - details on our Getting to The London Archives webpage.

Visit our exhibition:

Before the talk, you can also visit our current exhibition Londoners On Trial: Crime, Courts and the Public 1244-1924, on display from 9 March 2026 to 25 February 2027. This is free to visit during normal opening hours, please check our website for details.

Description supplied by the event organiser.