Come step into the vibrant, radical queer history of Kings Cross, inspired by a chapter from Dan Glass’s book of the same title.
We’ll dance, cheer, and maybe even lip-sync together to honour the spirits of Mark Ashton, Mike Jackson, and the unsung heroes who helped shape LGBTQ+ liberation!
You Think The Dead We Loved Ever Truly Leave Us?
This is a 2-hour rollercoaster of queer history and heritage through one of London’s most notorious districts led by our fabulous drag queens, kings and things.
This isn’t a walking tour like you’ve ever been on before – we’re going on a cheeky journey through the streets that once pulsated with underground queer nightlife, radical activism, and scandalous encounters!
From pumping pleasuredomes to historic queer bookshops, we’ll mince through the transformed landscape of Kings Cross whilst uncovering the heart-pumping stories of those who fought, danced and loved here before us.
Get ready to throw some shapes as we take back the streets and reveal the fruity history hiding in plain sight beneath the polished veneer of modern regeneration!
 | This tour will be tracing one of the tour routes from Queer Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London's Fierce History, which you can buy here. This groundbreaking guide will take you through the city streets to uncover the scandalous, hilarious and empowering events of London's queerstory. Follow in the footprints of veteran activists, such as those who marched in London's first Pride parade in 1972 or witnessed the 1999 bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho. |  |
The Sights You’ll See
In this tour we’ll be venturing deep into the fog of time to witness a history of queer partying and activism that existed in and around King’s Cross.
On our fun, fruity and fabulous journey through Kings Cross, you’ll discover the queerest corners of this historic district while we take back the streets in true queer style:
- We’ll start at the Queer Britain Museum where pleasure-seekers once danced till dawn
- We’ll raise our glasses at Central Station and its notorious fetish dungeon
- We’ll scream compliments outside London Friend where queer souls have found their voice since 1972
- We’ll celebrate revolutionary activism at Housmans & Switchboard where volunteers handled everything from crisis calls to cheeky “wank callers”
- We’ll strut past The Bell (now Big Chill) where miners and queers formed a fabulous alliance
- We’ll conjure queer warrior spirits at Kings Cross Station where Section 28 battles once raged
- We’ll spill the tea at the former Conservative Club where drag queen Mary Trashton served pints to unsuspecting Tories
- We’ll finish our journey at Gay’s The Word bookshop where queer literature and history come deliciously alive
Where Will We Meet?
We’ll be meeting outsiide the entrance to the Queer Britain Museum.
The address is 2 Granary Square, London N1C 4BH.
If you are running late and we aren’t at the meeting spot, check your email for the phone number to call to find out where we are!