Historic Westminster and The Changing of the Guard Tour

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