Get under the skin of London

The appearance of Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party (BNP), on BBC One's Question Time predictably caused a storm of controversy. I find his views deplorable - but this is not another post about the BNP and BBC One's Question Time.

In the past, the term 'foreigner' was applied to an Outsider - non-native inhabitant of a town - who wished to sell their wares at market away from their home town or city. From the early fourteenth century 'Foreigners', or non-Londoners, were compelled to sell poultry from Leadenhall Street. By the end of the fourteenth century 'Foreigners' selling cheeses were made to sell their produce from the market on the Street too.

Today, a foreigner is typically seen as someone who is of another country; the word can also be applied to someone who feels that they're an outsider.

Much of the Market on Leadenhall Street was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Horace Jones designed today's Leadenhall Market which opened back in 1881.

London has always embraced people from different countries. Over 300 languages are currently spoken in London's schools. English, French, German and Spanish speaking visitors can get the lowdon on the capital's heritage with five audio downloadable tours of London. To hear an audio sample from the City & South Bank Circular audio walking tour please click here.

Hear how one lucky gander escaped the chop and how part of the market was transformed into Diagon Alley, in the movie version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, or the Sorceror's Stone, as it is known in North America.

Each tour - with the exception of the longer City & South Bank Circular - can be completed in two hours, but listeners have the freedom to take as long as they wish to explore the route of each tour. Listeners have the chance to really get under the skin of London - stopping where and when they want.

Purchase any Walk Talk Tour and get a second one free by entering the following promotional code in the shopping basket page: BI123.

Pictured above is the Firefighters' Memorial with St Paul's Cathedral in the background.