Dreadful Crimes and Even Worse Punishments: A private tour in Clerkenwell & Islington

I would like to invite you to walk with me, talk with me and discover London in all its glory, with me. I love to guide, I love to tell stories, I love to inform but most of all I love to meet people and help them to enjoy wonderful London and realise their dream. Because for most people it is the trip of a lifetime, and they have a very good idea of what they must see. I am not a Londoner by birth, but I have lived most of my life here and I have always been fascinated by the diversity and uniqueness of London. I would like to take you on a journey back through time and explore together the many layers of history. I want to unveil for you the city's secrets, tell stories about its inhabitants both rich and poor throughout the ages. So let me tell you about my guiding journey. I began guiding when I went to live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - many, many moons ago. How I ended up there from the cold north - I am Scottish - to just below the equator is a long story. Suffice to say I emigrated when I was just 21 and lived there for the following 8 years. During that time, I completed a course and became a registered Rio de Janeiro guide working mainly with North Americans. This new career helped me to settle in Brazil - a very different culture to my own - and having the opportunity to learn in depth about the history since it was discovered was, simply, magical. I was utterly hooked, and I think my excitement at the world I had become part of did transmit to my visitors because I had some fantastic encounters. Fast forward and I was back in London and working as a Graphic, web and interactive TV designer. After that I became secondary school Art Teacher. But the love of history continued and now it was all about London which had become my permanent home. It was inevitable that I would pick up guiding again - I had loved it so much! I considered the Blue Badge Course, but I had a full-time career which made that difficult. So, a chance meeting with a friend of a friend led me to look at the Westminster guide course which I have since completed. Camden came next and then Clerkenwell and Islington. I have also completed some shorter city guide courses. I have been guiding for the last 7 years and I have a wealth of themed, historical, Royal. financial and Regents Canal tours around London. We can wander, if you like, and discover London through random exploration or I can tailor a unique experience to fit your needs. So, come walk with me, I am looking forward to meeting you! I am a licenced Westminster, Camden, Clerkenwell and Islington Guide. I am the tutor on the Camden Guides Association guide training course which runs every year September to June. I work for several companies and I have my own tours. I have been guiding in London for 7 years. Member of the Camden History society. I have a BA in Fine Art, an HND in Graphic design, an MA in Multimedia Design and an MA in History of Art. I am not a Blue Badge Guide therefore cannot guide groups in certain locations - St Pauls Cathedral, Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. I drive but do not have suitable vehicle for tours, I have a driver with a suitable car that I can book.