Private tour in London Lesley M
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Lesley M.
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Welcome to London. I'm a Londoner through and through and a former award winning BBC radio journalist. Let me show you round my home town! I'm an experienced and enthusiastic guide and qualified to show you around London - taking in iconic sights like Buckingham Palace, Westminster, The Royal Parks, and the historic City of London, with its Roman remains and breathtaking modern skyscrapers. I am a qualified City of London and City of Westminster Guide, and am fully insured to guide you safely on the busy streets. I lead tours for agencies as well as creating walks which follow my particular passions. I love history - having studied it to degree level at York University. One of the key themes of my professional life is storytelling. I want to tell you tales about how London became such a great city. There's almost two thousand years of history to delve into on my tours. From monarchs, scientists, and entrepreneurs, to people working in the arts, to rebels and campaigners wanting change - they've all left their mark. I love historical gossip - as a former journalist - of course I do! I'll always do my best to entertain you with unusual insights on my tours. I have a particular interest in Roman, Medieval and Tudor London and I love bringing people's stories to life on my walks: from playwright William Shakespeare, to famous and infamous monarchs, or far-sighted Lord Mayors of London, like Richard Whittington - just a few characters that feature. I'm also fascinated by the City of London's commercial and financial history, as I worked as a BBC business journalist for many years. Just how did all that financial expertise end up crammed into the City? I can take you around little-known historic alleyways to reveal how financial companies first got started hundreds of years ago. Hint! They began in coffee shops - rather like many start up companies today. I'll also take you to cutting edge skyscrapers with nicknames - like the Gherkin or the Cheese grater. When I'm not walking around London, I'm a keen musician, playing the clarinet and singing in various choirs. Let me guide you around the fascinating streets of London. City of Westminster Guide Lecturers Association: membership no: 387 https://westminsterguides.org.uk/guide-profile/lesley-mcalpine/ City of London Guide and Lecturers Association: membership number: 927 https://www.cityoflondonguides.com/find/lesleymcalpine History Honours Degree York University I am not a Blue Badge Guide: so I cannot guide inside The Tower of London or other Royal Palaces; or Westminster Abbey; or St Paul's Cathedral. I am not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange for a separate car and driver
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Calling all explorers and star gazers! Royal Greenwich is just 40 minutes away from bustling Central London. But it's a very different world. Come with me to see the world famous Cutty Sark Tea Clipper - the ship which raced against time to bring back fresh tea from China. Also: explore one of Europe's oldest star gazing observatories - visitors will see the line that divides the Western and Eastern hemispheres of the globe - the Prime Meridian. Sailors and those keen on the history of science will be fascinated by a visit to the world's biggest Maritime Museum. Highlights include: a pocket watch from a sailor who perished on the Titanic; and Admiral Horatio Nelson's uniform and letters from the hero himself, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Optional visit to the Queen's House - an art gallery, dating from the 1620's - packed with Royal Paintings. Join me on a voyage of exploration. Royal Greenwich - where monarchs, scientists and sailors all mixed together
Indoor visit to tea clipper, The Cutty Sark Royal Observatory and Greenwich Park National Maritime Museum If time: The Queen's House (an art gallery in Greenwich Park) All admissions included
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There is a moderate level of walking involved - including a 10 minute walk uphill through Greenwich Park to the Old Royal Observatory. There are steps involved when exploring the ship, Cutty Sark. There is a lift available which will take you to some, but not all areas of the vessel.
London, England, United Kingdom
Entrance to Cutty Sark ship, King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9HT. It's in the town centre by the river. Best way to get to Greenwich from Central London Take the Uber boat from Westminster Pier to Greenwich Pier - 45 minutes. Or take the train from Charing Cross to Greenwich - 20 minutes. Then a short walk. NB Charing Cross station will be closed from the end of July until mid august in 2026. Or take the DLR line to Greenwich
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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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