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Group guided walks and tours
offered by supplier M14631 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Group Size: 10
- 40
people
Destination: London
Season: January - December
Languages: English
Minimum Cost: 106 Pound Sterling (GBP) Per trip
Maximum Cost: 150 Pound Sterling (GBP) Per trip
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Some excursions include guided visits inside historic buildings or Museums such as British Museum, Somerset House and Tate Britain for no extra charge. Others include or could be combined with a guided tour of major sites such as Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Southwark Cathedral or Tower of London where the entry fee is not included.
Some tour itinerary may include the following:
- Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace & Parliament: The ideal introduction to London! Visit Westminster Abbey with its glorious Gothic architecture, Royal traditionsand monuments, not forgetting Poet's Corner. Watch the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace. Finally see the Houses of Parliament, hear about the roots of democracy and how our unwritten British Constitution evolved.
- The City & St Pauls: What better way to get to know London than to explore the links between its greatest institution and its architectural masterpiece? Old St Paul's spire dominated the skyline of London since the 13th Century. Today Sir Christopher Wren's dome towers above the City. We start from near where the Great Fire of 1666 began, and walk past 4 Wren churches (with a quick visit inside his "most perfect" church building) on our way to the Cathedral. We also see the home of the Lord Mayor and the Bank of England. The highlight is our tour inside St Pauls Cathedral.
- Millennium River Thames: The River Thames in London has been transformed by the completion of the Thames Pathway along both its banks. We will view exciting new developments such as London Eye, Tate Modern and the refurbished Bankside Power Station, and Shakespeare's Globe. We cross the Millenium foot-bridge - the first bridge over the Thames for over 100 years, and have a guided tour of the recently opened rooms, stairs and terrace of Somerset House.
- Oscar Wilde's London: We return to the Naughty Nineties as Oscar Wilde mocks the twilight of the Victorian era. See the theatres, clubs, cafés etc. where his wit triumphed. Follow the events leading to his trials and final imprisonment. Expect the unexpected in the back streets of Mayfair and St James, including a 16th Century Tudor cowshed!
- Legal London: Explore the peaceful Inns of Court to hear the history of the Barristers and their customs. Visit their ancient Elizabethan hall (when open) and learn about the literary figures connected with the Inns from Shakespeare to Dickens and 'Rumpole of the Bailey'. View the 12th century Church of the Knights Templar and see the garden where the Wars of the Roses were said to have started. We end up with a visit inside the Royal Courts of Justice.
- Theatreland - historic Covent Garden & The Strand: Explore the streets leading up to the Strand and enter Covent Garden via a hidden courtyard. Learn about the actors, authors and artists who lived here. Stand where Eliza Doolittle sold her flowers and hear the history of the market and theatres.
- The city of Charles Dickens: Follow in the footsteps of Dickens through the heart of the City in the company of Mr Pickwick, Ebenezer Scrooge and friends. Explore ancient alleyways, churchyards and an underground prison. See the medieval Guildhall and finish in a traditional Victorian marketplace.
- Historic Docklands & Tower Bridge: We will explore the South Bank of the Thames between London Bridge and Shad Thames. The views are stunning especially if the tide is out and we can descend on to the pebbled banks almost directly under Tower Bridge. We will find out where Dickens' villain Bill Sykes died and how the old warehouses and docks have been transformed into exciting residential and leisure usage. Finally we will walk across Tower Bridge and visit St Katherine's Dock with its collection of historic ships.
- Rebels, Radicals & Rough Justice: Follow the footsteps of Wat Tyler, William Wallace, Marx and Lenin. We see three of London's ancient monasteries including a visit inside London's oldest hospital and monastic church as we hear about the hangings of monks and martyrs. This unusual walk ends up at the Old Bailey, site of the notorious Newgate Prison and scene of famous trials such as that of Oscar Wilde. The gallows nearby were used for public hangings until late in the 19th century! We can continue our reminiscences in the adjacent pub.
- Docklands exploration - Wapping to Limehouse: Trace the history of this fascinating area of Thames waterfront. Discover its sinister past from Execution Dock to the opium dens of Limehouse. Enjoy spectacular riverside views, walk down cobbled streets lined with 19th century warehouses converted into exclusive apartments and hear about the time when these streets were bustling with activity during the heydays of the docks. Finally there is the Prospect of Whitby - London's oldest pub.
- Bishops, Brothels & the Bard - Historic Southwark: Follow the footsteps of Chaucer's pilgrims and William Shakespeare to the ancient entertainment district of the City. Visit a 17th Century galleried Inn near where the Canterbury Tales began. Discover the sites and remains of ancient prisons, brothels, Elizabethan theatres and the famous medieval inhabited London Bridge. We also have a guided tour inside Southwark Cathedral which predates even Westminster Abbey. We end up by the Globe Theatre and the newly opened Tate Modern on Bankside. Both provide refreshments and are well worth visiting.
- Bohemians & Bluestockings - Literary London: The Bloomsbury set were described as 'people who lived in squares and loved in triangles'. Stroll through the Georgian Squares of Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia to see the homes where writers lived, worked and loved. Virginia Woolf, George Bernard Shaw, Dylan Thomas and friends request the pleasure of your company.
Notes:
My normal rates are as defined by the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides - £106 for half a day for any number of people from 10 - 40. This would cover any one walk and if wanted a tour of one of the above sites. Alternatively the charge for a full day with a mixture of walks and tours would be £150. I can offer discounts in some cases, eg. for student groups.
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