Koray had an incredible amount of knowledge. We enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend it.
Private tour in London Koray A
4.9
(11) reviews
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1
Koray A.
5.0
Guide rating
199
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Tours delivered
2 hrs
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Hello and welcome. My name is Koray, though many of my guests call me Cory, and it would be my pleasure to show you London and England with insight, warmth, and genuine enthusiasm. I am a qualified London Blue Badge Tourist Guide, the highest professional guiding qualification in the United Kingdom. Awarded by the Institute of Tourist Guiding, the Blue Badge is widely recognised as the gold standard of guiding. It represents rigorous training, demanding examinations, and proven expertise in British history, art, architecture, culture, and visitor care. For many travellers, that matters more than they first realise. London is not just a city of famous sights. It is a city of stories, layers, personalities, power, pageantry, science, faith, literature, and everyday life. A Blue Badge guide helps turn a visit into a deeper experience by bringing meaning, context, and connection to what you see. I have been welcoming visitors for many years and I love introducing guests to the richness of London, from the great icons of Westminster and the royal world, to hidden corners, charming neighbourhoods, museums, historic streets, and places that many visitors would never discover on their own. My aim is always to create tours that are engaging, well paced, personal, and memorable. I am known for combining knowledge with humour, energy, flexibility, and a warm approach. I enjoy guiding families, couples, solo travellers, private groups, and guests with special interests. Whether you are visiting London for the first time or returning to explore more deeply, I can tailor the day around your interests and travel style. My background is broad. I am a driver-guide, I hold a Master of Science degree, and I have long experience working with international visitors through education, tourism, culture, and travel planning. This allows me to combine historical depth with practical understanding, whether we are exploring on foot, by public transport, by executive vehicle, or on a wider day trip beyond London. I particularly enjoy showing guests the many faces of Britain: royal and ceremonial London, hidden historic London, museum treasures, science and innovation, literary and cultural sites, family-friendly experiences, traditional English character, and the landscapes and heritage of the wider country. I can also arrange shore excursions and private day trips from London, Tilbury, Southampton, Portsmouth and Dover. What matters most to me is that your tour should never feel generic. I want you to feel that London is being opened up for you in a way that is vivid, enjoyable, and personal. The best tours are not just about ticking off landmarks. They are about understanding the spirit of a place and leaving with lasting memories. London is one of the most extraordinary cities in the world, and I would be delighted to help you experience it with depth, ease, and pleasure. Welcome to London, and welcome to my world. Credentials and Memberships • Qualified London Blue Badge Tourist Guide • Master of Science degree • Member of English Heritage • Member of Historic Royal Palaces • Member of the National Trust • Member of Bath and North East Somerset Council • Travel planner and tourism professional since 1995 • World Citizens Program Director and curriculum author • Extensive experience guiding families, student groups, and independent travellers • Longstanding experience providing English homestay and educational programmes in London since 1989
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Koray A.
London is a time machine within itself, and I am excited to take you right to the heart of the city where it was born! Listen to the story of our very first Queen who swept the Romans away from ancient Londinium. Our journey commences in the year AD 43, where you will experience and admire the most iconic and important landmarks in London; it will culminate forward to the present. Throughout this 8-hour journey through time, we will walk, talk, ride, taste, learn, touch, see, and feel the spirit of this immaculate city. It will all culminate in your realization of why London is the city where people enshrine the fondest and most heartfelt memories that last a lifetime. My traditional London tour is also a cultural based tour with an emphasis on the Royal British Culture. During our trip, I will introduce the most eminent kings and queens who left their mark in our city. What a true historical and cultural experience in the capital of all empires!! London is ready for you. Are you ready for London?
Koray had an incredible amount of knowledge. We enjoyed this tour and would highly recommend it.
Look no further, Koray is outstanding in every way! Koray has guided us across London and all of the UK over the years, be it from a cruise ship or whenever we’re on a stopover in London. Extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about British history and just an incredibly nice person. Very adaptable to whatever your needs may be in terms of pre planning and while on tour. We feel so fortunate to have found Koray in our quest to explore all things British! See you next year Koray!
Our day with Cory was perfect. His knowledge of London was incredible. He showed us the main sites, as one would expect, but also hidden gems that the large tours could not possibly do. Between his explanation of the history of London and the sites and architecture it was like stepping back in time. Extremely entertaining. Our time with Cory was simply the best. We will use Cory again.
Cory was an absolute pleasure to work with and gave us a wonderful tour of London. He scheduled our day around what we wanted to do and was so informative with all the history he gave to us all throughout the day. The next time we come back to London we will be requesting him to be our guide. Fantastic day in London today! Highly Recommend Cory!
Cory was very flexible and had an independent driver for 7 of us. Only 4 stars because it was maybe too much history to talk about in one day (from Roman times through 1800s) and I had two kids 7 and 9 years old who lost interest since it was very fact heavy with dates and names of people. It was nice to have a private tour and make changes on the fly. But 1 thing we did discuss - we wanted to spend 30 min. inside Westminster but he didn't buy tickets or plan it so we never got to go inside the Abbey.
Cory got to know us and help plan our day. Due to my health, Cory drove and dropped us off close to the sights. London was hot and the A/C came in handy. Thanks, Cory! We had a perfect day; just enough down time between events to recharge our jet-lagged souls. (If you can get to Hampton Court Palace, do it!) We became best friends. If the ocean didn't separate us, we'd be having him over for tea!! Cory was exceptional Quick, book him and have a wonderful adventure! You are in very capable hands!
Our "Traditional London Tour" starts in Tower Hill, - Exploring Roman Walls and the story of Londinium. - A hidden gem that you will admire and a short walk to Tower Bridge. - Exploring Tower of London and the stories of the kings and queens. - The Monument and the Great Fire of London. - St Paul's Cathedral and its glorious story. - Trafalgar Square and our heroes. - National Gallery and the the statues, - Whitehall and Downing St. No: 10. - Houses of Parliament. - Westminster Abbey, a London church that is the site of coronations and ceremonies of national significance and the stories of kings and queens. - Walking through St. James's Park. - Buckingham Palace, the new residence of our monarchs - Watching Queen Victoria's punishment ceremony right in front of the lost Palace of Whitehall where our king also lost his head. - Hungry? No problem at all, I'll take you to the most delightful traditional taste spots to crown your experience today!
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Passengers more than 4 people with luggage, please contact me before you book this tour. I can pull an 8-seater rental van from the garage at an extra cost: - 8 seater vans may only be available from Monday at 8 am and onwards. Anything before Monday (inc. weekends) requires minimum two days charge. My brand new A/C cars are Ford Puma Crossover, VW Golf, VW Polo, MG SUV, Hyundai Ioniq EV, Opel Corsa and Fiat 500. Larger groups of more than 8 people? please inquire. I'm here to help!
London, England, United Kingdom
I will pick you from your hotel and estate.
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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