Jonnie Fielding attended Princethorpe College between 1989 and 1996, and over the years has had many 'lives', but for the last 15 years has run his own walking tour business in London called Bowl of Chalk. Time Out London have over a number of years listed Jonnie's walks as "One of the best London walking tours". The Times said that Jonnie "is a conduit for the city's soul, distilling its chaotic history into digestible, engaging narratives", and James Corden has said that "Jonnie made me see London through new eyes." In 2025, Harper Collins published Jonnie's first book entitled Why is Downing Street Painted Black? And 364 Other Fun London Facts, a collection of London's often overlooked oddities and eccentricities. Jonnie also runs monthly pub events called 'Bowl of Chalk's Curistorian Club', curating different guests, all of whom bring to life different aspects of London's past, present and future. 

Jonnie will be guiding us through the areas of Clerkenwell and Smithfield, exploring the area's monastic connections, alongside dissenters, revolutionaries, plague, war, death, execution and a 900 year old meat market...and perhaps a few literary, TV and Film references for good measure!

Format of the afternoon:

Arrivals: Meet at the entrance to Farringdon Station, on Cowcross Street, at 3.45pm so that the tour can begin promptly at 4.00pm.

Cowcross Street is a pedestrian thoroughfare that runs between the original entrance, which is serviced by the Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan and Circle Lines, and the new Elizabeth Line entrance which is also connected to some mainline routes. Built into the older entrance on the west side is a Timpsons shoe repair shop. Jonnie will be stood outside that to greet us. In his words, "I'll be a 48 year old guy wearing a yellow high vis vest." Foundation staff will also be present to welcome you and take part in the tour!

The Tour: The tour will commence at 4.00pm from this location, and conclude at 6.00pm at 'Smiths' of Smithfield, the location of our OPs London Meet. You are welcome to depart here, but we warmly invite you to book tickets for the London Meet (see its own event page, here) to continue the fun into the evening.

Tickets: The charge for the tour is £20 and goes directly to cover Jonnie's fees. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and by Friday 18 September at the latest, so that we can confirm numbers and plan accordingly for the event. You may book tickets for up to 3 additional guests.

This is a unique opportunity and we hope you'll be able to join us.