How much do you know about London? Whatever you think you know, there’s always more to learn about the people and places that make the city. Read on to discover some of London’s best podcasts.
Words by Sam Jean
There’s always something worth talking about in London, from its elaborate history to its food, music, events and day-to-day lifestyle.
These podcasts will wire you into the capital and everything it has to offer – they’re absolutely perfect for those busy commutes, quiet evenings and any time between when you’ve got a few minutes to escape and just listen.
Best Podcasts about London
Spark London
Provocative, funny and real, Spark is a storytelling club that originated in London and has since gone nationwide.
Storytelling is an unsung art that connects and glues people together, which is why Spark and the Spark Podcast have resonated with a huge audience in London and further afield.
The principle behind Spark is simple: tell a story in 5 minutes or less (it must be true and have happened to you). The result? The perfect podcast for your commute, jog, or whenever you’ve got 5 to 10 minutes to tune in and connect to other people’s lives.
Spark also hosts open-mic storytelling nights for those who want to recite their story in front of a friendly and receptive audience. You don’t need any stage experience to speak, and most find that telling your story and connecting to others is therapeutic and invigorating for both speakers and listeners.
Gurls Talk
Another awesome podcast that started in London and developed into a nationwide non-profit community-led project.
Created by London-based activist and model Adwoa Aboah, the Gurls Talk podcast is a source of fierce female talk that touches on mental health, well-being and a massive range of other essentially important and relevant subjects.
The Gurls Talk podcast hasn’t been updated in a while, but it’s an absolute goldmine of insightful conversations on issues we’d all be better off discussing more often. Make sure you check out the website and social channels too.
Macabre London Podcast
Have you heard of the corpse on the tube? Or the woman who was forced to dance until she died? What about the violent Victorian girl-gang that terrorised London?
It’s perhaps no secret that London has a murky history of public executions, murders and serial killers, but there are thousands of lesser-known stories waiting to be told.
This macabre London podcast will feed your morbid fascination by unravelling the myths, legends and true stories that form the capital’s at-times horrible history.
Macabre London takes the listener on a journey through the capital’s twisted history, from ghost stories you’ve almost definitely never heard of to horrific murders and gruesome historical events.
London Undone
Host Catherine Cartwright, a journalist and professional Blue Badge Guide, created this London podcast for Londoners who want to get under the skin of the city they live in.
A podcast centred around unusual sites around the capital, including churches, mills, markets and industrial sites, London Undone emphasises historical buildings that too often fade into the background of the city’s bustling streets.
London Visited
If you’re looking for a historical podcast show, London is the perfect city to host it.
Centred around London’s many landmarks, from the British Museum to the Cutty Sark and Stamford Bridge, London Visited is created by a Londoner for Londoners wishing to truly explore their great city.
Hosted by Steve Atkins-Linnell, this podcast is still updated every week, and there are over 130 episodes to get through. By the end, you’ll have an encyclopaedic knowledge of London’s most influential buildings, with plenty of hidden gems thrown in along the way.
Egg London Podcast
London is stacked with iconic nightclubs, but the Egg has been pioneering cutting-edge electronic music for some 20 years.
The Egg London podcast features mixes across house, drum and bass, techno, EDM, trap and hip-hop. There are hundreds to get through – perfect if you’re looking for new tunes to bump for walks, commutes, gym sessions, etc.
Ladies Who London
A unique London history podcast hosted by two Blue Badge Tourist guides, Emily Dell and Alex Lacey, Ladies Who London interweaves casual history with gentle, relaxed chat to both educate and elevate their listeners.
The podcast was recognised by BBC Radio 4 Extra and has become one of London’s best-loved podcasts for history enthusiasts. From the history of Bourbon biscuits to Brick Lane, you’re certain to learn something you’ll be desperate to share with family and friends.
London’s Peaks
The London Peaks podcast charts a mission to climb the highest point in each of London’s 32 boroughs, from Camden to Croydon, Hackney to Haringey and Bromley to Barnet.
London is pretty flat, so it’s not scaling the peaks that make this podcast fascinating.
The hosts, Rick Pearson and Isaac Williams, are joined by someone who lives in each borough, offering deep insight into this wonderfully eclectic city.
A calming, educative podcast with a genuine human touch.
Drunk Women Solving Crime
The hit podcast Drunk Women Solving Crime joins writer/comedian hosts Hannah George, Catie Wilkins and Taylor Glenn and top guests from comedians to crime writers.
The panel embarks on a boozy journey to solve crime stories and cases while..well, inebriated.
The result, as you might imagine, is pretty hilarious, so much so that the hosts scored their own London residency in 2023, where they’ll be performing a live show with a twist of booze and plenty of laughs.
And, while this might not be a solely London-based podcast (they cover crime around the globe), we think you’ll forgive us when you hear how belly-laughingly funny it is.
