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“Pick any building in London from any time, and it’ll have queer people in its history,” says Mark T Cox, as we huddle in a small group by The Clermont Hotel in Charing Cross, the meeting point for the Queer History Walking Tour. “Drop a pin anywhere in London and you could do this tour: Vauxhall, Earl’s Court, Dalston.”

The area Mark has chosen to walk us through 2000 years of queer history is in the heart of London: the West End, weaving us from Charing Cross through Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus to Chinatown and Soho. It’s a pay-what-you-can system, making the tours and this intriguing history accessible for everyone.

Get local insight on destinations all over the world with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.  When he’s not giving walking tours, Mark T Cox entertains as a cabaret artist © Rachel Cole-Wilken

Mark is well versed in the city’s queer scene. A former organ player at his small local church in County Clare, Mark moved his talents to Dublin at age 17 to carve out a cabaret career at The George, Ireland’s oldest queer venue.

Some 10 years ago, he moved to London and has since become a staple name at many of London’s queer spots. Performing as a pianist, entertainer, storyteller and comedian (often in a very beautiful big dickie bow), he has regular stints at venues such as The Glory, Dalston Superstore, the CellarDoor and the London Irish Centre – where he exudes a warm, cheerful and nourishing presence…

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