My passion for the tour guide sector began when I lived and worked in Florence and led guests of the hotel where I worked on tours around the city. Later I led history tours in York, where I grew up and worked for a tourist information centre.

Recently I studied for a Masters in creative writing, enhancing long held passion for storytelling. I love to find and share the stories in history bringing the past to life with eloquence and sometimes humour! Graded distinction, I continued with my studies as a writer, now a PhD researcher at the renowned King's College London, following in the footsteps of my favourite writers, Virginia Woolf, Hanif Kureishi and Christopher Isherwood!

I have previously worked as a teacher, with people of all ages, ensuring an excellent ability to communicate with different age groups, ensuring my tours are accessible and stimulating for all.

Growing up in York stimulated a love of history - Roman, Viking, Tudor and Victorian traces very visible in the museums, walls, and buildings of the city, stories of the past living on through the legends we heard at home and school. York is reputedly a very haunted city, so found myself frequently enthralled as a child, by retellings of local ghost stories soon developing a love of gothic writing!

For the last thirty years I have lived in London, and recently developed an extensive knowledge of the local area where I lived for over two decades, Covent Garden. Drawn to its rich theatre history, its street life, markets and the literature that some of our leading writers have written in response to such a varied and stimulating area I immersed myself in research and built my first London walk. Since then my love of touring has found me creating cultural tours across England from London's West End, City and exclusive Kensington neighbourhoods to York, Oxford and even the Yorkshire Dales!

My tour of Covent Garden takes my guests from Seven Dials, through charming piazzas, and markers taking in theatre and film history nearby.

On a visual art theme, I offer fashion and vintage based tours including The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Fashion and Textile Museum and West End vintage stores. Studying at Chelsea College of Art, stimulated a love of art, design and architecture which informs all my tours and has also inspired me to offer options to develop portfolios, with tuition along the way.

Further options include a tour of some of West London's most lovely wonderlands, Kensington Gardens, the stunning and tranquil Kyoto Garden in Holland Park, the Serpentine gallery, Design Museum and the vibrant Portobello Road.

I lead tours exploring key areas in The City, taking in the Old Bailey, the old lanes around Smithfields, the Guildhall, and the glittering, towering financial district. I offer optional visits to the Tower of London, or London's best galleries.

And why not include a river cruise and see sites from the Thames? Or perhaps you would like to take a walk exploring London's key film locations along with TV and film history?

Enjoy the company, and vast cultural knowledge of an expert tour guide; see museum exhibits, palaces or street life enriched with well chosen anecdotes and literary exerts from some of London's greatest writers. Book a ready made tour or design your own itinerary with my expert help!

Explore any area of London you choose, or if you wish to go further afield why not explore the entrancing city of Oxford or York?

I have practical skills in first aid, very useful, but hopefully they won't be required! I am adept at arranging the best and most suitable transport when required to connect our key ports of call, and I can provide suggestions for the best food and drink on our excursions.

If my guests have any questions they may wish to forward I will always respond as quickly as possible. I am a five star rated tour guide and hope to meet you for one of my tours to share the best of England with you while building wonderful memories to last.

Many years' guiding experience in York, Florence and London

Masters degree in Creative Writing with distinction, Royal Holloway, University of London, (September 2020)

Enrolled for PhD at Kings College London, department of English

BA with Honours, Fine Art, University of the Arts, London;

BA with Honours, Theology and Philosophy;

First Aid at Work qualification (July 2022) validated by: FAIB (The First Aid Industry Body) & QCA (Quality Care Academy) Accredited body)

Security and fire safety certificate (July 2022, RB Health and Safety Solutions)

Trained in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Disability Awareness

Transport can be arranged by London cab or the top deck of a London bus, affording excellent city views. Fares and travel cards included.

During this educational tour, you will hear about theatre, markets, palaces and parliament. You will learn about the design and architecture of some London's key buildings and bridges.

You will explore the hidden delights, local
history and lesser known areas of Covent Garden and enjoy stunning views along the Thames.

The trip includes a walking tour around pedestrian areas including Covent Garden and St Katherine's dock. You will learn about Whitehall and Westminster Palace present and past.

I suggest we take a short respite in St James' Park where we can have a snack and drink in the small restaurant.

You will have the option of visiting The Churchill War Rooms or Westminster Abbey but tickets are not included.

A London History, Highlights and River Thames Tour

Join me for an enriching,
educational tour focusing on London's parliamentary, war and political history and experience the tranquillity of the Thames during a river cruise. You will learn about significant events that took place at Westminster Palace, home of the Houses of Parliament where politicians work and debate in the Houses of Commons and Lords; you will see Westminster Abbey and statues of great world leaders in Parliament Square.

I will enlighten you with royal and political history with a focus on the lives of monarchs and and careers of Prime Ministers such as Sir Winston Churchill.

You see the Churchill War Rooms from outside, Westminster Abbey and The Houses of Parliament.

Transport is included by river cruise from Westminster to Tower pier.
Time permitting we will take a stroll around St Katherine's dock.

The tour will end near the Tower pier and I will direct you to taxis for your hotel (a ten minute drive) or a short twenty minute walk.

Tour guide in London England Maria H.

English, French

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