The London Fiddle Convention began in 1992 with a conversation between bassist Bernard O'Neill and mandolinist Dermot O'Connor, at the Weavers Arms in Newington Green. The idea of a fiddle convention came up - - a convention which would be a showcase of many different fiddle styles. Dermot asked Bob Winquist to help with planning and developing a format for the show and much discussion followed which included Pete Cooper and Chris Haigh, fellow founders of the Convention and strong contributors to it both on and off stage. The result was the first London Fiddle Convention, held in November 1992 at the Weavers Arms. The format was simple enough: twelve fiddlers were each invited to play a ten-minute spot -- music of their own choice and style -- with backing from the "House Band" (Bernard O'Neill and Frank Kilkelly) or with their own accompaniment if they wished. That first Convention exceeded all expectations and was incredibly successful. The Weavers was absolutely packed and the atmosphere was magical from beginning to end, not least because of the cooperative spirit amongst the players, which was picked up by the audience.

The fiddlers at that first night included Pete Cooper, Chris Haigh, George Kaye, Pierre Le Rue, Robin McKidd, Ashley Reed, Rick Townend, Bobby Valentino, Bob Winquist, Anne Wood and even a string quartet playing Haydn! This format worked so well that it has remained the basis of all subsequent Conventions.

In 1999 the Weavers Arms closed as a music venue, a great loss to the London music scene, and there was no Convention that year. But in April 2000 the next Convention was held at Cecil Sharp House, where it expanded to include afternoon fiddle workshops, an open jam session and, for the last two years, a Fiddle Contest.

A slimmed-down, four-fiddle version of the Convention also takes place each Autumn at the Royal Festival Hall Foyer.