Empire and Legacy - Free Walking Tour in Westminster

Walk in Westminster - the beating heart of British politics, that was once the centre of a global empire. Even though Britain’s imperial power is relegated to the past, the long process of colonisation and decolonisation defines the world we live in today.

At its height, the phrase "the Empire on which the sun never sets" was used to describe the vastness of the British Empire. Today, symbols of decolonisation such as statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela occupy the same space as Imperial heroes like Sir Winston Churchill. What does this tell us about post colonial Britain and the soft power of monuments?

On this walk, you will discover how stories and ideas from history connect to our present.

• Systems of Empire and Colonisation
• The East India Company Playbook
• Cottonopolis, Khadi and the American Civil War - the connecting thread of history
• Black Lives Matter Protest, Gurkha Justice Campaign and the UK Govt’s Retain and Explain Policy

This walk has been part of the London Festival of Architecture and Inside Out Festival supported by Westminster City Council.

This is a free tour, offered as part of History Speak CIC’s commitment to making heritage and cultural engagement accessible to everyone.

There is no charge to attend. If you find value in the experience, you’re welcome to leave a voluntary tip at the end of the walk. Tips are entirely optional, but they play an important role in supporting the guide’s work and helping keep these tours open and accessible to others.

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