Private tour in London Simon C
4.9
(19) reviews
1
1
Simon C.
4.9
Guide rating
337
Reviews
Tours delivered
4 hrs
Avg. response time
"OUTSTANDING! We had a terrific half day with him and got to see so much." (Stacey, NYC) "...a terrific guide in every way. Super accommodating to our needs, and great personality that adds to the vibe." (Donna) "You made the city come alive." (Ryan, FL) As seen at TEDx, Guardian newspaper, British Council – and many more. WELCOME! The reviews don't lie, sharing the greatest city in the world with you is the best! Experience London like a local with me and you'll see why I love it. (Windsor/Stonehenge? Please see our other excellent guides for these) I. Was. There... I was in media; I went to the warehouse raves; lived in an old factory, then a boat. I did some cabaret; I was bombed by the IRA then ended up leading walks in San Francisco and on the Great Barrier Reef leading divers. I crisscrossed Europe with American school groups, went to 50 countries, but I still come home here to London. I've been a travel writer, walking artist and performer. I've 20yrs experience on four continents, contributed to guide books, been on London radio to wax lyrical and even trained young people as guides. A personal trainer, I'm not a Blue Badge guide and my knowledge is naturally not as extensive as theirs; but I entertain and inform everyone from families to language school pupils to Masters students. "I was with my children and they never got bored." (Gloria, Miami) BEEN BEFORE? I do alternative tours in East London uncovering lesser-heard histories too for all kinds of organisations. My Olympic tours started in 2012, so if you want the story of London and the Games then I'm your man. I love helping visitors discover London - and you bring a little of your home to us, from New York to Vancouver to the Midwest to Cali'. You'll feel at home in this welcoming cosmopolitan capital. And we pack it in: "...see all of the biggest attractions in London in a short period of time!" (Annie) There's a core of the best spots I like to show you that fit with the theme, but I can tailor routes if you have a request. LONGER TOUR? A great combo is the 3. 5-hour general London tour and then - after this perfect intro to the city - zoom in to the street by level and add a 2.5-hour market experience or a street art tour in hip East London? Alternatively, book the TWO DAY TOUR to go deeper. . . London has many different sides to it - nothing beats exploring its stories. I do a little performance/cabaret work occasionally and I enjoy bringing that to the tours if it's relevant. I'll even sing you a song if you like and kids are very welcome. Child-free? Tours can be arranged to end in a traditional British pub :) USING EUROSTAR? I can show you London's newest hip location Kings Cross or the Harry Potter tour can start/end there. Several tours start just 15mins by subway from Kings Cross. My international guiding background - which includes North American schools, international backpackers, Brits of all ages - means I know what sort of practical questions you want to ask; and how you can get max out your stay. Travelling on? I've seen much of it, especially Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin etc - so feel free to pick my brains. Let's spend a few hours exploring London and I'll tell you tales spanning centuries and show you why this particular wanderer is proud to call it home. **ACCESSIBILITY** In a wheelchair or use a stick? London is for all! If you're not so mobile, then all tours can be made into taxi-cab tours with a surcharge. London buses and some tube stations also have ramps. Everyone is welcome here.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Simon C.
"The pub is the heart of England" - (Samuel Pepys). The ultimate London experience is to immerse yourself in its fantastic pubs! You'll find out why Brits love the 'boozer'. Try some 'warm beer'; hear a song or two; tell some classic pub jokes and see some of the capital's best sights between pubs. What is pub 'craic' and 'banter'? 'Warm beer'? The Gin Craze? What did the GIs get up to here? Where do our parliamentary representatives like to drink? How did Music Hall thrill the Victorians in the 1800s? See how different London's old pubs are from each other and how quirky our laws are! Classic Westminster? Shakespeare's stomping ground Southwark? Cool East London? Rock n Roll Camden? Old East End docks, haunt of pirates and vagabonds? Experience classic London or we can dive a little deeper and go offbeat. *Please note, I will be working, so might not drink! I'll be super sociable, but sober.
We'll stop at 4 fantastic pubs spending typically a half-hour at each of these beauties. If it's Westminster we often start around Trafalgar Square or Covent Garden and finish at Parliament Square (Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben etc). On the way, we see these spots (exteriors), plus the Prime Minister's street and some other key London landmarks. The walking time between these pubs is 5-10mins maximum usually, but I like to be flexible and give you other options if you have a particular interest or taste. This is a great way of seeing the big tourist spots and the heart of Westminster. If you want something a little more quirky, check out the other locations and we'll liase by email about a starting point. This tour as a whole or partially, can be customized to fit your preferences - please inquire!
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.
'Shanks' Pony' otherwise known as our 'plates of meat' (feet). The longest we'll walk at one stretch is about 15 mins.
Trafalgar Square, England, England, WC2N 5DS, United Kingdom
For the classic version, we can max out the tour time if we meet near on the steps of the distinctive St Martin's in the Fields church in the NE corner of Trafalgar Square. It's between Charing Cross and Leicester Square tube stops. For other tours, we can talk about where to start.
19 reviews
Who is this private tour in London best suited for?
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in London be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
1
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works