Hello, my name is Jonnie, London tour guide, author and London fun fact content creator. I've been running London walking tours for over 15 years.
If someone had told me prior to that, this is what I'd be doing, I'd have thought they were having a joke. I was never particularly interested in history at school, but I started learning stuff about London and found it fascinating. If I'm interested in something, I'll very happily read and learn about it. That is basically what happened with London and I still constantly discover new things about this remarkable city every day. Although I'm pretty London-centric and enjoy showing people around the capital, I like to think I also travel vicariously around the world through all the people I get to meet who visit London from across the globe. I'm very lucky.
I love London, walking in London, exploring London, learning about London, finding out new things and old things, and I particularly enjoy strange, quirky and slightly odd facts.
In case you're interested, I look a bit like this.
If someone had told me prior to that, this is what I'd be doing, I'd have thought they were having a joke. I was never particularly interested in history at school, but I started learning stuff about London and found it fascinating. If I'm interested in something, I'll very happily read and learn about it. That is basically what happened with London and I still constantly discover new things about this remarkable city every day. Although I'm pretty London-centric and enjoy showing people around the capital, I like to think I also travel vicariously around the world through all the people I get to meet who visit London from across the globe. I'm very lucky.
I love London, walking in London, exploring London, learning about London, finding out new things and old things, and I particularly enjoy strange, quirky and slightly odd facts.
In case you're interested, I look a bit like this.
In 2025 I published my first book called ‘Why Is Downing Street Painted Black?: And 364 Other Fun London Facts’. It is my guide to London’s forgotten facts and stories hiding in plain sight and includes 365 of my favourite quirks, anomalies and eccentricities from all over the capital. You can order a copy here.
I have been writing a blog about London since 2011 and keep it regularly updated. Head over to the ‘London Blog’ page and have a browse.
At the start of 2026 I launched a monthly events night in London called the Curistorian Club - an informal way to meet like-minded people in the cosy setting of an historic London pub. If you want to learn from experts about London, its history, and how it continues to inspire writers, musicians and artists then find out more here.
Whether you’re new to London or have lived here all your life, I would love to show you around, so if you’re interested do get in touch below.
National Press
The Guardian - Travel
BBC Radio 4 - You & Yours programme
The Times - Travel
The Independent
The Daily Mirror
BBC Radio 4 - You & Yours programme
The Times - Travel
The Independent
The Daily Mirror
London Press
Interviews
BBC London Radio
Time Out London - Top five East End spots
The Australian Times magazine
Money.co.uk
NTS Radio
Yeah Hackney
Rohantime
In London Right Now
The Life I Want Coaching
Time Out London - Top five East End spots
The Australian Times magazine
Money.co.uk
NTS Radio
Yeah Hackney
Rohantime
In London Right Now
The Life I Want Coaching
Talks & Events
Waterstones Piccadilly, in conversation with author Alice Loxton
Westminster Guides Lecturers' Association
Brick Lane Bookshop
Pints of Knowledge
Westminster Guides Lecturers' Association
Brick Lane Bookshop
Pints of Knowledge
Podcasts
London Press reviews
“Jonnie is a great guide and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of London that puts mine in the shade. It was tremendous value for money and my knowledge of London is now much enhanced”.
Londoneer
“The tour was excellent and Jonnie’s knowledge of London, especially the Great Fire of London, was astounding”.
Emm In London
“This is a London tour which strips itself of all the bells and whistles of other tours. No gimmicks, no scripts and most importantly … no huge price tag”.
I Love London Town
“Whether you are a visitor, or a local, a Bowl Of Chalk walk is a great way to get to know one of the most dynamic and diverse parts of London in a really relaxed and informal way”.
A Pretty Place To Play
“Jonnie is the guide you really want to show you around London … Two and a half hours of fun and discovery doesn’t come better than this”.
A Glimpse Of London
“This is not your standard walking tour and working on a tipping policy (just pay what you can) Jonnie isn’t your standard tour operator … a friendly way to learn more about London”.
The Cultural Exposé
"One of the best London walking tours"
Time Out London
"The man is a conduit for the city’s soul, distilling its chaotic history into digestible, engaging narratives".
The Times
Londoneer
“The tour was excellent and Jonnie’s knowledge of London, especially the Great Fire of London, was astounding”.
Emm In London
“This is a London tour which strips itself of all the bells and whistles of other tours. No gimmicks, no scripts and most importantly … no huge price tag”.
I Love London Town
“Whether you are a visitor, or a local, a Bowl Of Chalk walk is a great way to get to know one of the most dynamic and diverse parts of London in a really relaxed and informal way”.
A Pretty Place To Play
“Jonnie is the guide you really want to show you around London … Two and a half hours of fun and discovery doesn’t come better than this”.
A Glimpse Of London
“This is not your standard walking tour and working on a tipping policy (just pay what you can) Jonnie isn’t your standard tour operator … a friendly way to learn more about London”.
The Cultural Exposé
"One of the best London walking tours"
Time Out London
"The man is a conduit for the city’s soul, distilling its chaotic history into digestible, engaging narratives".
The Times
Contact
If you're interested in booking a Private Walk, buying gift vouchers or getting in touch with me for anything else then please use the Contact Form below.
For any enquiries about social media collaborations or brand partnerships, please contact: [email protected].
For any enquiries about social media collaborations or brand partnerships, please contact: [email protected].
Privacy Policy
The General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR came into effect in 2018 and aims to give people more control over the personal data companies and organisations hold about them.
As part of running Bowl Of Chalk and being a tour guide in London, I need to obtain minimum bits of personal data from customers. This data basically boils down to a name, an email address and a contact number if the booking is completed. This information is needed purely to ensure successful communication prior to the tour, and on the day of the tour obviously. I often send a follow up email after the event, and that is pretty much it.
The data is never shared with a third party, and if I post a photo of customers taken during a walk on the website, it is with their consent.
I hope this explains how I comply with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), the DPA (Data Protection Act) and the PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations).
If you'd like any further information about any aspect of this message or my privacy policy, please don't hesitate to contact me.
As part of running Bowl Of Chalk and being a tour guide in London, I need to obtain minimum bits of personal data from customers. This data basically boils down to a name, an email address and a contact number if the booking is completed. This information is needed purely to ensure successful communication prior to the tour, and on the day of the tour obviously. I often send a follow up email after the event, and that is pretty much it.
The data is never shared with a third party, and if I post a photo of customers taken during a walk on the website, it is with their consent.
I hope this explains how I comply with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), the DPA (Data Protection Act) and the PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations).
If you'd like any further information about any aspect of this message or my privacy policy, please don't hesitate to contact me.