Private tour in London Simon C

Discover Arty Cool Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Brick Lane

4.9

(22) reviews

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Simon C.

4.9

Guide rating

349

Reviews

Tours delivered

5 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.

Overview of your London tour

You've seen classic London - now you're looking for something a bit more cool? Where locals hang out? Come east! This history-rich area is my backyard. You can me in the ToursByLocals trailer, enjoying the most diverse part of the city. History meets contemporary culture with an internationally-recognized art scene with world-class street art. In super-hip Shoreditch, Spitalfields and Brick Lane, you'll see the cream of global street artists, some of whom I know. There are lots of interesting boutiques, vintage fashion stores, quirky pubs, and of course centuries of London stories to savour. Come for weekend markets or midweek if you prefer a quieter tour. The streets are rich in history and the alleyways are living galleries - come and see an incredible range of contemporary art and hear some tall stories about the various characters behind this constantly changing world. It's a great place to linger afterward over a coffee while you people-watch. Suitable for 'cool kids' of all ages!

Recent Reviews

Amy M.United States
June 2025

Simon knew the work of every street artist in the East End and delivered the information in a fun, informative way. Most importantly, he was fantastic at keeping my 16 great niece engaged. Thank you, Simon!

Art M.United States
May 2025

What a wonderful experience we had yesterday with Simon. He was able to provide a lot of background on the artists themselves and the history of the street art scene in London. Easy to talk to and fun to be around. Highly recommend his tour!

Anne R.
March 2025

Simon is a fabulous guide! He is not knowledgeable about history, architecture, neighborhoods, and so much more. He was engaging and picked up on the different interests of all of us and pointed out things that were interesting to all. Highly recommend Simon and we will definite back to book more tours with him in the future.

John S.United States
October 2024

Simon did a great job of walking us through some of the more interesting areas of London we've seen. From the street art and its vast levels of artistry, to the street fairs and casual malls, this was a fun tour to experience. Thanks Simon!

Mark W.Australia
March 2024

Simon provided us with some wonderful insights on our walking tour of Shoreditch, The City and into the Southwark area. He covered cultural, historical, architectural and geographical aspects in an entertaining and absorbing way. Always very attentive to our needs. A totally engrossing experience for us. Very impressed. Thank you Simon Mark & Jane W

Joan R.United States
July 2023

Simón did a great job of accommodating all our needs. It was our first day in London and he was patient with us. He delivered all we hoped to see and more.It was a great introduction to London.

Your London tour itinerary

I usually meet people at Liverpool Street station. We can either stick to the main East London street art hot spots around nearby Shoreditch and Brick Lane, or we can jump on a train trip to go a little off the beaten track to the 'next Shoreditch' in Hackney Wick. You can see Shoreditch in depth, or mix up a shorter look with Dalston and the once-unknown Hackney Wick - all street art hotspots. The usual Shoreditch tour takes us through some medieval City of London history and then into the back streets where the cool stuff is to be found. We'll stop off at some street art; see an area rich in social history and ethnic diversity; we'll visit an unofficial outdoor public gallery hidden away; we'll stroll the main drag where the cool kids from all over the world hang out and I'll show you some funky stores and street food as we take in the vibe and all the interesting elements that make this a popular spot for the lover of arts and culture. There'll also be a brief artisenal chocolate tasting too.

Want to customize this tour?

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.

Transport details
Type: Walking

Overground train between sites. Clean, comfortable and more access-friendly that the subway.

What's included
Other: My guiding experience, knowledge and passion for all things East London. You can see me in the Tours By Locals video for London to see for yourself. I recommend an Oyster Card pass if you're coming by public transport (see TfL.gov.uk)
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: You might want a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
Public Transportation
Meeting location

England, England, EC2M 7QA, United Kingdom

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: London's Liverpool Street station at the top of the stairs by McDonalds where the Kindertransport statue is (south side stairs, not east).

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
Food And Drink
Tour reference number
110408
Languages
English
French
German
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

4.9

FAQs

Who is this private tour in London best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for those who have already seen the classic sights of London and are looking for something a bit cooler and more local. It's ideal for travellers interested in contemporary culture, street art, and history. The tour is suitable for 'cool kids' of all ages, including families with children and those with mobility concerns, as it is wheelchair accessible.

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

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?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 3 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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