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Hidden History: A Guide to Local History Research

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Hidden History: A Guide to Local History Research

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An excellent guide for students interested in researching their local history, providing methods and approaches to uncovering community stories.

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A comprehensive online guide helping students understand how to use archives and primary sources for local history research.

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The Great Fire of London: Anniversary Edition of the Great Fire 1666

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The Great Fire of London: Anniversary Edition of the Great Fire 1666

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A detailed exploration of a significant historical event that shaped London, serving as an example of how local history impacts communities.

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A collection of online materials about local heritage and history, including lesson plans and activity ideas.

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Archive Education Resources | Historic England

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Find out more about our Local History Packs that are available from the Historic England Archive for teachers.

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British Library Learning Resources: Local History

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British Library Learning Resources: Local History

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Digital collections and learning materials focused on local history and community heritage studies.

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Join us for workshops, tours and events for teachers and schools, families and learners of all ages.

While our digital resources are unavailable, our in-person and online events continue. So, whether you're planning a school trip or looking for a family-friendly activity, we can help.

Follow on X for the latest news and information.

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Events for schools in London, Leeds and onlines

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We're still open and hosting in-person and online events for schools in St Pancras and Leeds. Discover more and book your event or workshop.

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The Voice for History

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May is Local and Community History Month!

The aim of the month is to increase awareness of local history, promote history in general to the local community and encourage all members of the community to participate.

Activities happen across the UK and include trips, library exhibitions and local lectures. It is a great way for groups to highlight local history and for local people to get involved.

Register your event

Each year the event goes from strength to strength, and a searchable database has been created where organisations can register their events.

Find out more

More information will be available online and in The Historian. For further details contact websitemanager@history.org.uk
See all our Local History and Community resources and information

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Local and Community History Month will be held again next May! The aim of the month is to increase awareness of local history, promote history in general to the local community and encourage all members of the community to participate. Activities happen across the UK and include trips, library exhibitions and local lectures.

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Charles Dickens novel studied by KS3 students based on workhouse based in Southwark. The story follows young Oliver Twist, an orphan raised in a harsh workhouse, who escapes to London in search of a better life. There, he falls in with a gang of child pickpockets led by the manipulative Fagin, uncovers the truth about his mysterious origins, and ultimately finds his way back to the family he never knew he had.

Oliver Twist offers a stark, unflinching look at the grim realities of crime and poverty, shedding light on the mistreatment of orphans and the dark underbelly of 19th-century English society.

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The Magic of Dickens’s Southwark – The Dickens Society

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This post has been con­tributed by Aman­da Har­vey Purse.

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Most people know that Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era, whose works include David Copperfield and Great Expectations. What, perhaps, they don't know is that he invented more than 200 original words and phrases; that he always slept facing north, in an effort to battle insomnia; that he sent more than 14,000 letters in his lifetime; and that he kept a pet raven called Grip, which he had stuffed after its death. Biographic: Dickens presents an instant impression of his life, work and legacy, with an array of irresistible facts and figures converted into infographics to reveal the writer behind the words.

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May is Local and Community History Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of local heritage. It’s a chance for individuals to immerse

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Charles Dickens's Bleak House is a sweeping Victorian masterpiece, first published in serial form between 1852 and 1853. Centered on the infamous legal case Jarndyce and Jarndyce, the novel explores the labyrinthine workings of the Court of Chancery, where conflicting wills entangle generations in endless litigation. Narrated through the alternating voices of the orphaned heroine Esther Summerson and an all-seeing omniscient narrator, Bleak House interweaves a vast cast of characters and multiple subplots to expose the human cost of a broken legal system. Inspired by real-life cases like Thellusson v Woodford, Dickens’s biting satire not only captivated readers but also fueled public support for judicial reform in 19th-century England.

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Charles Dickens’s beloved novella A Christmas Carol tells the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold-hearted miser who finds redemption after a haunting Christmas Eve. Visited by the ghost of his former partner and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, Scrooge is forced to confront the choices of his life and the impact of his greed. What follows is a powerful journey of reflection, compassion, and transformation.

First published in 1843 and beautifully illustrated by John Leech, A Christmas Carol emerged during a revival of Christmas traditions in Victorian England. Drawing inspiration from Dickens’s own childhood, this enduring classic helped shape the modern spirit of the holiday season. This version is adapted for dyslexic readers.

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Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield is a rich and deeply personal coming-of-age story, chronicling the life of its narrator from a troubled childhood to his growth into adulthood. Along the way, David navigates hardship and heartbreak, encounters unforgettable characters—both kind and cruel—and ultimately finds his place in the world.

First published in serial form between 1849 and 1850, David Copperfield is often considered Dickens’s most autobiographical novel, blending elements of his own life with vivid fiction. A landmark in the bildungsroman tradition, it stands as Dickens’s favorite of his works and a masterpiece of character, storytelling, and emotional depth—a defining point in his literary evolution.

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Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations is a powerful coming-of-age tale that follows the life of Pip, an orphan whose journey from humble beginnings to uncertain fortune is shaped by mystery, ambition, and unexpected kindness. From a chilling encounter with an escaped convict in a foggy graveyard to the glittering yet hollow world of London society, Pip's story unfolds with unforgettable drama and richly drawn characters.

First published in serial form from 1860 to 1861, Great Expectations is one of Dickens’s most celebrated novels—brimming with vivid imagery, moral complexity, and emotional depth. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century England, it is a timeless exploration of identity, class, and the true nature of greatness.

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Charles Dickens’s Hard Times is a sharp and unflinching critique of Victorian industrial society, set in the grim, smoke-choked mill town of Coketown. Through the lives of factory workers, schoolchildren, and industrialists, Dickens explores the dehumanizing effects of utilitarianism, rigid education, and unchecked capitalism.

First published in 1854, Hard Times stands apart as Dickens’s shortest novel and one of his most focused social commentaries. With no scenes set in London and no preface or illustrations, it offers a stark, stripped-down narrative that exposes the moral and emotional costs of a society obsessed with facts, productivity, and profit. A compelling portrait of an age in transition, Hard Times remains strikingly relevant today.

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In Little Dorrit, Charles Dickens weaves a poignant and biting satire of Victorian society through the story of Amy Dorrit, a gentle and selfless young woman born and raised in the shadow of the Marshalsea debtors’ prison. When Arthur Clennam returns to England after years abroad, his encounter with Amy sets off a chain of events that unravels long-buried family secrets and exposes the absurdities and injustices of the world around them.

Originally published between 1855 and 1857, Little Dorrit takes aim at the rigid class system, the inescapable cycle of poverty, and the paralyzing inefficiency of government bureaucracy—epitomized by the infamous "Circumlocution Office." Drawing from his own childhood experiences, his father spent time in Marshalsea prison which was located very closer to Haberdashers' Borough Academy.

Dickens crafts a moving, richly detailed narrative that remains a powerful critique of systemic failure and a tribute to quiet resilience.

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Charles Dickens’s Martin Chuzzlewit is a darkly comic exploration of selfishness and moral hypocrisy, following the fortunes—and misfortunes—of young Martin Chuzzlewit as he navigates a world rife with greed, deception, and misplaced ambition. From the scheming architect Mr. Pecksniff to the memorable, boisterous nurse Mrs. Gamp, the novel features some of Dickens’s most vividly drawn and satirical characters.

Originally serialized between 1843 and 1844, Martin Chuzzlewit marked Dickens’s sharp critique of both British and American society. Spurred by low early sales, Dickens sent his protagonist to the United States, where he lampooned the country’s obsession with self-promotion, land speculation, and deeply ingrained social injustices. Despite its rocky reception, the novel remains a biting and bold commentary on human nature, and a defining work in Dickens’s picaresque tradition.

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In Nicholas Nickleby, Charles Dickens delivers a spirited tale of resilience, justice, and the fight against cruelty. When young Nicholas is left penniless after the death of his father, he must protect his family from the harsh world around them—especially his cold-hearted uncle, Ralph Nickleby. Sent to work at a brutal Yorkshire boarding school, Nicholas soon escapes and embarks on a journey filled with colorful characters, comic misadventures, and moments of heartfelt triumph.

First published in serial form from 1838 to 1839, Nicholas Nickleby is both a rousing adventure and a powerful social critique, exposing the exploitation of children and the callousness of unchecked greed. Rich in drama and Dickens’s signature wit, it remains a classic story of courage and compassion in the face of injustice.

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Charles Dickens’s The Old Curiosity Shop is a poignant and dramatic tale of innocence, loss, and the desperate pursuit of hope. At its heart is young Nell Trent, a gentle and virtuous girl who lives with her beloved grandfather in a cluttered London curiosity shop. When his secret gambling habit plunges them into ruin, Nell and her grandfather are forced to flee across the countryside, pursued by the cruel and sinister moneylender, Quilp.

Originally published in serial form from 1840 to 1841 in Master Humphrey's Clock, the novel captivated readers on both sides of the Atlantic—so much so that American fans reportedly mobbed the docks awaiting the final installment. The Old Curiosity Shop remains one of Dickens’s most emotionally powerful works, blending melodrama, rich characterizations, and social critique into a haunting story of resilience and love.

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Our Mutual Friend is a darkly intricate tale of greed, identity, and the corrosive power of wealth. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing London, the novel opens with the mysterious death of a young heir and unravels a complex web of secrets, schemes, and shifting fortunes. At its center is the haunting question: what does money truly make of life—and of the people who chase it?

First published between 1864 and 1865, Our Mutual Friend was Dickens’s final completed novel and one of his most ambitious. Though met with mixed reviews upon release, it has since been hailed for its sharp social commentary, experimental structure, and nuanced portrayals of Victorian society—from the riverside scavengers to the idle rich. A masterpiece of satire and suspense, this is Dickens at his most mature, probing, and prophetic.

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The Pickwick Papers is a delightful comic romp that launched the young author to literary fame. Following the misadventures of the charmingly eccentric Mr. Samuel Pickwick and his band of loyal companions—the Pickwick Club—this episodic novel is filled with humorous mishaps, colourful characters, and sharp observations of 19th-century English life.

Originally published in serial form between 1836 and 1837, The Pickwick Papers blends satire, farce, and heart-warming moments as it travels from bustling London to the English countryside. With unforgettable figures like the roguish yet lovable servant Sam Weller, Dickens’s first novel remains a joyful celebration of friendship, curiosity, and the absurdities of human nature.

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A Tale of Two Cities is a gripping historical epic set against the turmoil of the French Revolution. Spanning the contrasting worlds of London and Paris, the novel follows Dr. Alexandre Manette, newly released from eighteen years of unjust imprisonment in the Bastille, as he tries to rebuild his life with his devoted daughter, Lucie. Their story becomes entangled with themes of sacrifice, justice, and resurrection, culminating in one of literature’s most unforgettable climaxes.

First published in 1859, A Tale of Two Cities is Dickens’s best-known work of historical fiction and one of the world’s most widely read novels. With its iconic opening line—“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”—this powerful tale of love and revolution continues to resonate with readers and audiences across generations.

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This is the classic novel brought to life in full colour! 'I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future'. Classical Comics' first Dickens title is probably his best-loved story. Scrooge gets a rude awakening to how his life is, and how it should be. Full of Christmas Spirit(s), this is a book that you'll want to read all year round!

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Marshalsea Debtors’ Prison (Borough High Street)

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Marshalsea Debtors’ Prison (Borough High Street)

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Dickens's father was imprisoned here in 1824 for a £40 debt, an experience that profoundly influenced his writing. The prison was depicted in Little Dorrit, where the protagonist, Amy Dorrit, was born and raised within its walls. Today, a surviving section of the prison wall can be found near Borough High Street, alongside Angel Place. ​

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The Remains Of A Lost Prison Near Borough Market - Living London History

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Just off Borough High Street you will find Angel Place, down which you’ll find the last remaining part of the notorious Marshalsea Prison.

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St George the Martyr Church (Borough High Street)

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St George the Martyr Church (Borough High Street)

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Known as 'Little Dorrit's Church', this is where Dickens's character was christened and later married Arthur Clennam. The church features a stained glass window dedicated to Little Dorrit. ​

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The workhouse here, operational from 1729, served as the model for the scene in Oliver Twist where the young boy asks for more. Dickens, living nearby, would have witnessed the harsh conditions firsthand. A portion of the original workhouse wall remains, now part of Mint Street Park.

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The Workhouse in Southwark (St George the Martyr), London: Surrey

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A Comprehensive History of the Workhouse by Peter Higginbotham

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Charles Dickens first became familiar with Southwark during one of the most difficult periods of his childhood, when his father, John Dickens, was imprisoned for debt in the Marshalsea Prison. While initially left alone and miserable in lodgings in Camden Town, young Charles eventually convinced his father to allow him to move closer, finding new accommodation in Lant Street, just a short walk from the prison. This formative experience left a lasting impact on Dickens, shaping both his personal outlook and his literary voice.

Themes of debt and the grim realities of debtors’ prisons recur throughout his work—most notably in Little Dorrit, with its heroine famously known as "the child of the Marshalsea." In David Copperfield, Dickens draws directly from his own life once again, recasting his father as the optimistic but struggling Mr. Micawber and echoing his memories of Southwark in the nearby King's Bench Prison. These early hardships not only marked Dickens deeply but also fueled the social critiques that would define his novels.

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Jacob’s Island (Bermondsey)

This area, once a notorious slum, inspired the setting for Bill Sikes's demise in Oliver Twist. Dickens, accompanying the River Police, described it as a place of extreme poverty and decay.

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Area of London was once described as ‘capital of cholera’

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This area of London has been completely transformed in the last 200 years

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While not as prominently featured in his novels, Dickens was aware of the conditions in Lambeth's workhouses, which influenced his portrayal of social injustices in works like Oliver Twist.

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A Brief History of Lambeth Workhouse | The Kennington Observer (formerly Kennington Runoff)

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As promised, this next piece is about the ground around the Cinema Museum and its former life as Lambeth Workhouse. The workhouse was founded in Black Prince Road in 1726 and moved to Renfrew Road in 1871. The Cinema Museum occupies the former master’s house and chapel. The only other building of note is the water tower, which was converted into a bonkers house in 2011 and featured on ‘Grand Designs’. If you ever want to tour it, the home seems to be on sale about four times a year. You can easily spot the tower in North Kennington

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Built in 1677, this historic pub is mentioned briefly in Little Dorrit. The George Inn, located on Borough High Street, is one of the few surviving coaching inns from the time of Charles Dickens. Its historic significance goes beyond its physical presence—it features prominently in Dickens's works and life. The inn, with its charming courtyard and timber-framed structure, is mentioned in Little Dorrit, where it serves as a backdrop to some of the novel's social commentary and character interactions. It makes one very brief mention of the pub in Little Dorrit, "if he [Tip Dorrit] goes into the George and writes a letter"

Dickens was known to frequent The George Inn, which would have been a bustling hub during his time. The inn was an important social and transport centre, offering lodging and refreshment to travellers passing through London. For Dickens, who was deeply connected to the areas of Southwark and Borough, The George was more than just a stop on his walks through the city—it symbolized the world of Victorian London, filled with characters from all walks of life.

Today, The George Inn stands as a tribute to Dickens's legacy, with a plaque commemorating the author's connection to this historic site. It remains a popular spot for those exploring Dickensian London, offering a glimpse into the past and a tangible link to the world Dickens wrote about.

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George Inn, Borough High Street, Southwark - A London Inheritance

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The George Inn, Borough High Street, Southwark is a historic coaching inn that once served the routes to Kent, Sussex and Hampshire with many dialy coaches.

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The church did not become a cathedral until 1905, so Dickens would have known it as St Saviour's.

In his essay "City of London Churches" in The Uncommercial Traveler he wrote that he was "profoundly ignorant" of the names of "at least nine-tenths" of London"s churches, "saving that I know the church of Old Gower's tomb (he lies in effigy with his head upon his books) to be the church of St Saviour's, Southwark..."

Today Gower's colourful effigy still reclines, exactly as Dickens described, and an information board details his achievements as the first English poet.

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Borough Market, with its striking steel and glass structure dating back to 1851, remains one of London’s most atmospheric Victorian landmarks. Its bustling stalls, historic charm, and lively character made it a natural setting for Charles Dickens, who knew the area well and wove it into his fiction with characteristic wit.

In The Pickwick Papers, Dickens humorously captures the chaos of Borough Market through the antics of the perpetually inebriated Bob Sawyer. Mistaking the market office for his home, Sawyer "double knocks at the door of the Borough Market Office" and proceeds to take "short naps on the steps... under the firm impression he lived there and had forgotten the key." This brief yet vivid scene showcases Dickens’s talent for finding comedy and character in the everyday streets of London.

The market’s enduring Victorian ambiance, unchanged in many respects since Dickens’s time, makes it not only a culinary destination but also a living tribute to the world he so vividly described.

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The Charles Dickens Primary School, located just off the main road, stands on the site where the 12-year-old Charles Dickens once lodged with a man named Archibald Russell, an agent for the Insolvent Court. This arrangement occurred while Dickens's father was imprisoned in the Marshalsea for debt.

In his autobiography, Dickens recalled the modest attic room where he stayed: "A back attic was found for me. A bed and bedding were made up on the floor... and when I took possession of my new abode, I thought I was in paradise." From this humble space, Dickens would leave each morning to work at Warren's Blacking Factory, passing through some of the most squalid and grim areas of London.

These early experiences had a profound impact on Dickens, shaping his later works. The harshness of his childhood, particularly the poverty and struggle he witnessed, stayed with him throughout his life. As he grew older, he would draw upon these memories in his novels, weaving them into the lives of characters who grappled with injustice and hardship. For instance, he immortalized Mr. and Mrs. Russell as the Garlands in The Old Curiosity Shop.

In The Pickwick Papers, Dickens also introduced the character of Bob Sawyer, a medical student at Guy's Hospital, who lodged in Lant Street. Though Lant Street today is a modern thoroughfare, devoid of its 19th-century character, it retains an almost forgotten charm.

In The Pickwick Papers, Dickens gives a vivid description of the area:
"There is a repose about Lant Street... which sheds a gentle melancholy upon the soul... its dullness is soothing... The majority of the inhabitants either direct their energies to the letting of furnished apartments or devote themselves to the healthful and invigorating pursuit of mangling... The population is migratory... His Majesty's revenues are seldom collected in this happy valley, the rents are dubious and the water communication is very frequently cut off."

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Find out about Southwark History

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Local history and heritage | Southwark Council

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Find out about our heritage services and how you can access our archives and other historical collections.

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Find out about Lambeth History

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Lambeth Archives have collections reflecting the history of the borough, it is the borough's record office and local history library. They are currently relocating to a new building in central Brixton.

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Charles Dickens | Biography, Books, Characters, Facts, & Analysis

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Charles Dickens, English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian era. His many volumes include such works as A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and Our Mutual Friend. Learn more about his life and writings in this article…

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Explore how the stories of the Victorian novelist helped change life for poor people. Find out more with Bitesize KS1 History.

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Welcome to 48 Doughty Street, the London home of Charles Dickens

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Visit the Charles Dickens Museum in London, the place in which Oliver Twist was written. The museum is a fantastic thing to do in London, with events and activities regularly being hosted. The museum is set up as a Victorian middle-class home and looks as though Dickens has just left. We also offer guided tours.

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About the Charles Dickens Museum, London

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Charles Dickens - The Early Years | Biography

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Dickensland
by Lee Jackson

The Curious History of Dickens's London

The Mystery of Ellen Ternan

Forget who killed Edwin Drood, Dickens scholars and amateur enthusiasts have been trying to solve Dickens' last and greatest mystery since his death in 1870. Namely, what exactly was his relationship with Ellen Lawless Ternan?

Dickens at the Movies

Charles Dickens' visual style of writing lends itself easily to the stage and screen. The Internet Movie Database lists over 200 films made from Dickens' novels.

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Great Expectations

Learn more about Charles Dickens' second autobiographical novel. Many consider Great Expectations the author's greatest use of plot, characterization, and style and the masterpiece of Dickens' works.

Charles Dickens Puzzles
By Julian Morgan
A fun and challenging romp through the world of Dickens!

The Wisdom of Mr F's Aunt

Among the bizarre cast of characters to issue forth from the imagination of Charles Dickens, a few stand out as particularly curious and wonderfully hilarious. One of these strokes of genius is an old woman awarded as a legacy to Flora Finching by her husband, the late Mr Finching, and known simply as Mr F.'s Aunt.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

After Charles Darnay is acquitted of treason he accompanies Sydney Carton " down Ludgate hill to Fleet Street, and so, up a covered way, into a tavern. Here, they were shown into a little room, where Charles Darnay was soon recruiting his strength with a good plain dinner and good wine" (.

This was almost certainly Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, rebuilt after the great fire of 1666 and a favorite of Dickens.

Read about a visit Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese by Joseph Pennell for Harper's Weekly in November 1887.

Bringing the genius of Charles Dickens to a new generation of readers since 1997

Charles Dickens. The name conjures up visions of plum pudding and Christmas punch, quaint coaching inns and cozy firesides, but also of orphaned and starving children, misers, murderers, and abusive schoolmasters. Dickens was 19th century London personified, he survived its mean streets as a child and, largely self-educated, possessed the genius to become the greatest writer of his age.

Charles Dickens was born on February 7, 1812, the son of a clerk at the Navy Pay Office. His father, John Dickens, continually living beyond his means, was imprisoned for debt in the Marshalsea in 1824. 12-year-old Charles was removed from school and sent to work at a boot-blacking factory earning six shillings a week to help support the family.

This dark experience cast a shadow over the clever, sensitive boy that became a defining experience in his life, he would later write "( It is wonderful to me how I could have been so easily cast away at such an age" Forster, 1899, v. 1, p. 25).

This childhood poverty and feelings of abandonment, although unknown to his readers until after his death, would be a heavy influence on Dickens' later views on social reform and the world he would create through his fiction.

Dickens would go on to write 15 major novels including, Oliver Twist, Bleak House, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and his personal favorite, David Copperfield. He will forever be associated with the celebration of Christmas due to his Christmas Books, the most popular being A Christmas Carol. Dickens also edited, and contributed to, weekly journals Household Words and All the Year Round. Near the end of his life he traveled throughout Britain and America giving public readings of his work.

Charles Dickens died an old man of 57, worn out with work and travel, on June 9, 1870. He wished to be buried, without fanfare, in a small cemetery in Rochester, Kent, but the Nation would not allow it. He was laid to rest in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey, the flowers from thousands of mourners overflowing the open grave. Among the more beautiful bouquets were many simple clusters of wildflowers, wrapped in rags.

Explore the World of Charles Dickens

The Many Faces of Ebenezer Scrooge

The Internet Movie Database lists more than 100 actors who have portrayed the famous Dickensian miser. Some of the best are pictured here.

Bits of Dickens...

Short examples of Charles Dickens' work that can be read in a single sitting:

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Learn about Charles Dickens' life, his work, his characters, explore maps of the locations he described, and learn how he became the greatest writer of his age.

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The Life of Charles Dickens - Historic UK

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Charles Dickens, Victorian author of Great Expectations and a Christmas Carol.