Private tour in London Koray A
5.0
(7) reviews
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Koray A.
5.0
Guide rating
190
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5 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.
Ready to explore the world's oldest and largest inhabited castle and the combined sumptuous palace that hosted Tudors, Stuarts and the Georgians with me? Windsor is the oldest and the largest inhabited castle in the world. Windsor has been the home of the monarchs for 1000 years. During its long life, The Castle has been many things. A home for medieval chivalry and romance, a baroque palace to restore the royal fortune of the king who lost his head, an architectural fantasy, a prison and the symbol of a nation. We'll explore how Monarchs added their own style and ambition to the different elegant rooms and the objects that tell the nation's history. In Hampton Court Palace you will listen to the stories of kings and queens who created Hampton Court Palace. Each adds their own style, each contributing this unique fusion of architecture in different historical times and guess what? We will over these thresholds from one palace to the other along the British history timeline. What a journey!
We will start with Windsor Castle first then Hampton Court Palace - Visiting the castle and introducing British kings and queens from 1070 to the present. - Walking towards the State Apartments by viewing Moat Garden. - Visiting Queen Mary's Doll House. - Visiting Baroque designed rooms and galleries. - A small shopping break if you like. - St George's Chapel with its 700 years of background. - After a very traditional English meal, we will head to Hampton Court Palace (30-40 minutes drive) - Henry VIII's secret memorials of his wives. - The Great Watching Chamber - King Henry VIII's Kitchen. - Haunted Gallery and State Apartments. We will enter the world of the Tudors, the Great Hall dedicated to Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's living kitchens, Young Henry VIII Exhibition, the Great Watching Chamber committed to his true love Jane Seymour, William III's apartments, Chapel Royal, Art Gallery, the greatest vine as well as Privy, Pond and Hampton Court Gardens. We will also visit Henry VIII's Royal Tennis Court.
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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 can pick you up from different cities, destinations (TBD)
7 reviews
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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 deposit!
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