Tours
Looking to see all the famous sights with an expert? As a Blue Badge Guide, I can take you inside places that most guides can't, see below for a selection of the best places to visit!
All of my tours are currently also available as virtual experiences. Email me for more information, and to book tours in person or online.
Classic Tours
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is one of the most special places to visit in the country. Coronations have taken place there since 1066 and it is where our greatest and best loved are honoured and remembered. Your tour will take you through the medieval cloisters and then into the main body of this beautiful gothic building. You will see the important tombs and memorials in the Abbey and you will hear fascinating stories of kings and queens, heroes, scientists, musicians, artists, philanthropists, playwrights, artists, explorers and prime ministers. www.westminster-abbey.org
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral is the masterpiece of starchitect Christopher Wren. You will see this outstanding example of English baroque style in its full glory. Hear about the role this Cathedral has played in our history and about the important events that it has hosted. You can sit beneath the imposing Dome marvelling at its structure and the wonderful mosaics or climb up the stairs to the famous Whispering Gallery for outstanding views of the Cathedral floor or climb even further for stunning views of the city. www.stpauls.co.uk
Tower of London
Towers, turrets, prisons, ghosts, queens, traitors, executions, escapes and a collection of jewellery to dazzle you are all to be found in the Tower of London! What a fun day out! A must see pageant of 1,000 years of British history highlighting both the power and significance of this building: past and present. Highlights of your tour will include seeing the Crown Jewels, meeting the Tower’s most celebrated residents, and listening to stories of prisoners, murder and executions, the use of Traitors’ Gate, escapes, ghosts and the fate of three Queens! Are you brave enough? www.hrp.org.uk
The British Museum
The British Museum is is known as the Museum of the World for the World. Our walk through this cutting edge museum will take you to the stone that unlocked the secrets of Hieroglyphics, to the ancient Kingdom of Greece, to Assyria and to Egypt. You will hear about treasure finds in Britain and how we use these finds to learn about the past. www.britishmuseum.org
The Victoria and Albert Museum
The V & A Museum is known as the Cathedral for the Decorative Arts. As soon as you enter this magnificent gallery, you will understand the reason why. Get to know this museum through a highlights tour or a more specialised tour of the Jewellery Gallery, the British Galleries, the Fashion Court or the new Medieval and Renaissance Galleries, amongst others. www.vam.ac.uk
Royal Westminster
The National Galleries
The City of London
Tate Modern & Tate Britain
Specialist Walking Tours
Street Art
This tour takes us through one of London’s most vibrant areas, the East End. Walking
through Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Shoreditch, we will see how these streets act as galleries showcasing the current dynamic street art scene. We will see different styles of art ranging from stencils to aerosol painting, from paste ups to mini sculptures. We will see the works of many artists including Stik, Fanakapan, Ben Eine, Zabou, Roa, JimmyC and the scarlet pimpernel of the street art scene, Banksy!
Dedicated Follower of Fashion
This walk takes us past the land of Bohemia and to the heart of the swinging ’60s, then through the classic and stylish Regent Street to where the bible of fashion is produced, Mayfair. We then walk along the golden mile of tailoring, and through the street where Royalty likes to shop. You will hear about British designers including the first Knight of fashion, the Dame of fashion, the Godmother of fashion and the Bad Boy of fashion!
Financial London
The City of London, or the Square Mile as it is often called, is the financial capital of the UK and is one of the leading financial centres of the world. Our tour in the Square Mile includes the key financial institutions including the Bank of England, the London Metal Exchange, Lloyds Market and the Stock Exchange. We will also step off the main streets to visit some of the alleyways and hidden corners where city workers have wined and dined for hundreds of years. We will learn about the history of the City and its development into a major financial centre.
Soho
Soho has been the Playground of London for centuries. It has all happened here: Carnaby Street and the boutiques of the Swinging Sixties; top nightclubs: rock and roll and world-class jazz. Sample the colours, flavours and atmosphere of London’s China Town. Soho has been known for its after dark pleasures, and it is now renowned for its coffee bars, drinking clubs and restaurants.
Small Galleries of London
Best of British
Story of the East End
A visit to London should now include a visit to the East End areas of Spitalfields, Brick Lane and Shoreditch. These areas have transformed from being amongst the most run-down of London to becoming fashionable, exciting and vibrant, with a myriad of bars, restaurants, clubs and galleries, as well as independent and quirky shops. These areas are a centre for street culture and street art. Anne-Marie leads tours that focus on the dynamic street art scene as well as the historical and cultural aspects of the area.
The Legal Walk
The Markets of London
Londoners love to shop at markets! There are markets specialising in flowers, fruit and
vegetables, fish, meat, street food, antiques, bric a brac and crafts. The London markets are
lively, vibrant and colourful places to explore.
Come and wander through the markets for a real London vibe and experience some of that
atmosphere. You may find an unusual souvenir or two!
Out of London Tours
Bath
Bath is a magnificent world heritage site in the middle of beautiful countryside, 100 miles west of London. It has stunning Georgian architecture, including the Royal Crescent and the Circus. Visit the Roman Baths where the hot water springs still bubble just as they did when the spa was built by the Romans two thousand years ago. Other highlights include Bath Abbey, the Pump Room and the Pulteney Bridge. Bath is a delightful town to wander about and to explore its shops and restaurants. visitbath.co.uk
Oxford
This is a city 40 miles north west of London, world famous for its University, the ancient colleges and the dreaming spires. We can visit some of the colleges and their magnificent gardens whose former students include Bill Clinton, Christopher Wren, J R R Tolkein, C S Lewis and Lewis Carroll. Other highlights include a walking tour past the Sheldonian Theatre, the Radcliffe Camera and the Bodleian Library. www.oxfordcity.co.uk
Stonehenge
This formation of very large stones on Salisbury Plain dates back five thousand years. The stones are laid out in circles and horseshoe settings. It is a magical and spiritual place, with many different theories as to how and why it was built. Stonehenge was designated a world heritage site in 1986 and should not be missed. www.english-heritage.org.uk
Canterbury
Experience the history and heritage of the city of Canterbury, a world heritage site in Kent just 60 miles south east of London. Visit the stunning Canterbury Cathedral, the oldest in England, and the place of pilgrimage for Geoffrey Chaucer and his fellow pilgrims. Explore the winding streets and lanes of quirky shops and the ancient ruins of St Augustus Abbey and St Martin’s Church. www.canterbury-cathedral.org
Windsor Castle
Just 20 miles from the centre of London lies the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Windsor Castle’s history goes back to 11th century and has been the home of 39 monarchs.Enjoy a tour of the castle precincts whilst hearing about the history. Visit the State Apartments which are used by the Queen to host official visits and visit St George’s Chapel to see the stunning gothic architecture whilst hearing the stories of the monarchs who lie in the tombs of the chapel.
The Cotswolds
Timeless and tranquil, the Cotswolds show the English countryside at its best, designated an area of outstanding natural beauty covering almost 800 square miles of the nation’s loveliest and most unspoilt counties. The Cotswolds are within easy reach of London. Together we can explore its quintessentially English villages of honey coloured stone, the rolling hills known as the Wolds and lively market towns whilst learning the stories and history of this charming area.
