Private tour in London Barry H

Half-day tour to Royal Windsor Castle and Historic Town

4.9

(24) reviews

-
Hours icon 5 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 5 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 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

Barry H.

5.0

Guide rating

150

Reviews

Tours delivered

2 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello, my name is Barry, a real local, who is an authentic born Londoner and has a lifetime working experience here. I am a sensitive, attentive, friendly and enthusiastic London guide! Patient with a sense of humour and a talker. Encyclopedic wide ranging knowledge, with many memorable stories to tell, and an ability to provide so much practical advice to enhance your visit and maximise use of time and the overall experience. I am from the same locality of London as Charlie Chaplin, actor Michael Caine, and pop star David Bowie. I am well educated, not only trained as a Blue Badge guide (the highest UK guiding qualification), but with a politics, philosophy & economics degree from the London University-London School of Economics (LSE), plus another from the University of Westminster in real estate. My profession until 2012 was "chartered surveying". This terminology means little to those outside the UK but is essentially "commercial real estate". Because my job was property investment and development for decades, I can "read" buildings from their appearance, assess, their age, architecture and construction, from any period of history. "Handy" when you realise London has been in existence for around 2, 000 years, and it has building structures from virtually every time period since its origins! I love history, culture, royalty, historical figures such as Churchill, Shakespeare, Dickens, and the military men - Wellington, Montgomery, Nelson. Some of my tours are closely associated with Shakespeare and Dickens and the London locality that inspired them. There is so much to see in London and the wider UK, and it is always a pleasure to share as much as I can with visitors, and tailor their time, experience, aspirations, to engagingly entertain them irrespective of age or origin. Over recent years it has been my pleasure to guide families, groups, and individuals. If you want someone flexible, friendly, fun and professional, then I am here to help. My in-depth knowledge extends to nearly all of the London major visitor sites, shopping and theatre areas and museums. For example I undertake Tower of London tours and City walks to include the nearby St Paul's Cathedral. Likewise I combine visits to see Buckingham Palace (and the changing of the guard) with tours of Westminster Abbey. It is the national place of coronations of Kings and Queens for nearly 1, 000 years, and burial place and memorials to many notables from British history (said to be some 3, 300) who have left their "mark". There is much much more to London than the obvious visitor haunts though! I can take you to any one of the 33 London districts many of which have an especial local character of their own with local specialist shops and markets. These accommodate an overall population thought to be currently around 9 million people. Outside of London I have special affection for some of the nearby historic towns such as Oxford, Bath, Salisbury, Canterbury, Stratford upon Avon where I also guide. My knowledge of castles, cathedrals and palaces around England is wide and Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace is a particular specialist subject which are easily visited by train or private motor vehicle. Other locations include Leeds and Hever Castles, which have beautiful settings and surrounding gardens and parkland. There is Arundel, Bodium, Dover, and Rochester castles that come to mind. These can all be seen on a day trip combining one or more. If you wish to see some of the beautiful English Countryside and its villages then this can be arranged combining it with some of the notable historic locations outside of London. I look forward to discussing and arranging something that you will find unforgettable and authentic Trained London Blue Badge Tourist Guide (M.I.T.G.) Fellow Of The Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors (F.R.I.C.S.) Authorised Local Islington & Clerkenwell Guide Windsor Castle & Eton Guide - Special in depth accreditation 2017 London University & University of Westminster Degrees Charterhouse (former monastery and school) Smithfeld & Clerkenwell - an accredited guide I can arrange car transport if required in a private vehicle.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Barry H.

Overview of your London tour

I am a specially accredited Castle guide. Friendly, helpful and Knowledgeable about its extensive History. The trip is a half day to oldest/longest inhabited castle in the world, more than 900 years old. Visit inside of the Castle containing many treasures, the essence of a medieval castle, overlooking beautiful River Thames and 5000 acre Windsor Great Park. It is a huge building, the former Queen spent most of her "off duty" time in private apartments here. Much to see in the large public areas and "State Apartments", crammed full of valuable furniture, world class paintings, artefacts, armour. Castle is situated in the heart of the ancient old town of Windsor, with buildings dating back nearly 600 years in a warren of alleyways. The compact town lends itself to exploration. It is possible to stroll by the River, visit famous adjacent village of Eton, known for its world famous school. Castle is closed to visitors each week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Recent Reviews

Molly W.United States
June 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had the pleasure of spending a day touring Windsor with Barry, and we could not have asked for a better guide. His vast knowledge of Windsor’s history, architecture, and royal connections was truly impressive. He brought the stories of the castle to life with fascinating details and insights that we never would have discovered on our own. Just as important, Barry’s good humor and engaging personality made the day both enjoyable and memorable. He was friendly, personable, and happy to answer every question. His enthusiasm for the area was contagious, and his ability to blend historical facts with entertaining anecdotes kept us interested throughout the tour. Our tour started when he picked us up and provided with the history of the towns and fields as we drove to Windsor. We left Windsor with a much deeper appreciation for its history and charm, thanks to Barry. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for an informative, enjoyable, and first-class guided experience.

Rick S.United States
October 2025

Our tour of Windsor Castle was terrific. Barry, our guide, was knowledgeable, thoughtful and very personable. With all our questions, we probably took more of his time than he was planning on, but he was always ready to explain and expound. Should we be in the London area again soon and need a guide, Barry would be the one we turn to.

Michelle W.United States
September 2025

We had a fantastic time with Henry! Henry is very knowledgeable about the area and knows so much history. He told us stories of the area we going to and got us there safely. His van is very comfortable too! I will definitely have Henry take us on our next adventure in Ireland. Thank you again for a great time Henry!

Christine M.United States
May 2025

Our day with Barry at Windsor Castle was the best. He is very knowledgeable, personable and professional. It's a tour that should not be missed if you want to spend a day outside of London. Highly recommend.

Beth T.
April 2025

Barry is a terrific guide who listens to the customer's preferences and then takes the time to create a personalized experience. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our private tour and highly recommend engaging an accredited guide like Barry, whose credentials provide special access. We could not imagine a better guide than Barry and are very glad that we booked this tour with him, as we were able to maximize our limited time in London and see all of Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle in the same day as a result of his organization and expertise.

Caryn F.United States
April 2025

Barry knew exactly how to help us fill a 9-hour layover at Heathrow with an interesting, active and varied tour of Windsor. We weren't able to view the castle, so we walked in the park, saw Runneymede, and various fun and historic elements of the town of Windsor. He chose an excellent pub for us to lunch together. Barry is very pleasant company, keeping the interest of two jet-lagged Yanks' all day, and we'd recommend him without reservation.

Your London tour itinerary

1. Meet in the Hotel Lobby or at the point of departure at the central London railway station 2. Travel by Local Train to the Castle - 1 hr approx from railway departure point 3. Walk to Castle (10 minutes). Tour Castle 90 minutes with the Guide describing the history and extensive interior cultural contents including furniture and world class paintings. This is the weekend home of The Queen 4. Accompanied walk back to the Local Windsor train station 5. Customer can decide to remain in Windsor and spend free time there. Recommended to have lunch and see the local sights. There is an extensive opportunity to see local shops, with many cafes, restaurants and specialist shops (Eton in particular) This tour as a whole or partially, can be customized to fit your preferences - please inquire!

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Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Train

This trip will be by pleasant local train and moderate walking

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Adult roundtrip train fare London/Windsor = £15/20.00 per person
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Private Transportation
Meeting location

Strand, England, England, WC2R 0EZ, United Kingdom

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: I meet travellers nearly always from their central London accommodation address so that we can make a good start to the day

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Day Trip
History
City Highlights
Tour reference number
310624
Languages
English
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

4.9

FAQs

Who is this private tour in London best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers who are interested in exploring the rich history and cultural heritage of Windsor Castle and its surroundings. It's especially suitable for those who appreciate art, architecture, and royal history. Families with children will find it kid-friendly, and it's also a great choice for anyone looking to connect with a local guide like Barry H. for deeper insights into the area.

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?

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?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 5 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 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 5 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-6 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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