Private tour in London Sam J
5.0
(5) reviews
3 hours
1
3 hours
1
Sam J.
5.0
Guide rating
23
Reviews
Tours delivered
8 hrs
Avg. response time
Welcome to London. It's one of the wonders of the world and a very exciting place with something for everybody to enjoy. I'm a third generation Londoner and have been born and bred in the City. I'm a qualified City of London guide and have been leading many groups through the city. I love exploring together and each tour is different and everybody brings something new to the day. I've appeared on the US TV network NBC "Today" programme and spoken about what's available for visitors in London. I can run the tours described here or we can customise tours to meet your exact requirements. I've written a series of books "City of London guide books" available on Amazon which give a great background to the walks. I'm a specialist in the art, architecture, sights, eating and drinking places, churches, synagogues, mosques , gardens and history of the City of London and Whitechapel and lead regular walks in the area. I've written books about London's sights, literature and hotels, pubs and restaurants. I'm a graduate of Literature from Cambridge University and our walks are shot through with the history and characters of the city. I've worked in high tech for 40 years and been involved in the business side of the city. In short there's never a dull moment, come rain, wind or shine. I look forward to meeting you. I love to share the highways, byways and alleys of the city. On the walks we explore the key sights of the city, literary, historical background and of course some ancient pubs. Our walks are usually immersive with plenty of chances for everyone to get involved I have worked with the City of London Corporation, Greater London Authority, London Festival of Architecture, IT and Butchers' Livery companies, Circle Squared, Society of Authors, Baker McKenzie, London Unseen, Zyen and many other organisations arranging customised tours. I am a City of London certified guide and a ITG Green Guide. I run tours for the City of London. I also run tours for the Greater London Authority. Other organisations I work with are Circle Squared and Society of Authors. I am a graduate of Cambridge University with a literature degree. I've also a Computer Science qualifications. I do not have any kind of restrictions
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Sam J.
We walk around the city starting at the Dickens house and museum. We look at many of the sights described in his novels and essays and also see places associated with his life. We visit places described in David Copperfield, and those visited by Mr Pickwick, Pip and Scrooge and we visit the scenes of many of his most loved writings. We also look at the city institutions which he wrote about with affection and with a satirical eye and we see the buildings which he described. I studied English literature at University and for me Dickens and his work are very close to my heart and I always enjoy the discussions we have on walks about Dickens and what his work means to people from across the world.
I live in London, but I booked a history of London through Charles Dickens’ life tour for my dad, and I’m so glad I joined too! The walk was lovely, and I discovered so many hidden corners of the city I’d never noticed before. It really made me see London through a whole new lens. A great way to experience familiar streets in a completely fresh way. Highly recommend for both locals and visitors!
Sam: Fantastic. Absolutely exceeded all expectations. I wanted to see Old London, the parts Charles Dickens wrote about, the remnants of the life of his day and the land where his characters walked. Mostly I wanted to feel what it was like, as best one could, to be a part of this 19th century city, the dirty ugly times among the riches of the wealthy, that Dickens' orphans and lost children survived. So with our trusty guide Sam, my son and I took a four hour walk today through side streets and alleys and pubs and hangouts of Dickens in London. To Mount Pleasant (not so pleasant, he said) of Bleak House, the narrow courts the Artful Dodger would have taught Oliver Twist to pickpocket, the Bleeding Heart Yard of Little Dorrit, still-working meat market of Great Expectations, the place where the Resurrection Men brought the bodies in A Tale of Two Cities, and many more.
Sam is a wonderful guide for everything you want to know about London. His knowledge about the history, the buildings, the sites, the people is enormous. We did hid Dickens tour and went to lots of places Dickens talks about in his books, plus what the places were like in Dickens time. Sam is very likable and fun to be with. Highly recommend him as a guide.
Sam was great. Very informative and knowledgeable. And flexible as to sites to visit. 3hours went fast.
Among the places we'll see on the route are: * His house and museum * Site where the young Dickens arrived in London * Scenes from his books including * Newgate Prison * Ludgate Hill * Temple Bar as described in Bleak House * St Pauls * Inns of Court * Scrooge's office * Leadenhall Market * George & Vulture - Mr Pickwick's favourite
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.
On foot
London, England, United Kingdom
Entrance to Dickens Museum 48 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LX
Hebrew
EnglishWho is this private tour in London best suited for?
Where does the tour start and end?
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
3 hours
1
3 hours
1
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!
How it works