Private tour in London Simon C

Inside East London Tour: Art, Sport and Victorian History - the Olympic Backyard and New London

4.8

(5) reviews

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Hours icon 2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
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 2 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

337

Reviews

Tours delivered

4 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

Want to see the next big thing? Olympic East London is a fast-changing corner of the city that's hyped to be it. I've been exploring/living it for more than a decade (I've been on TV and in the papers!) and can give you the inside track on the new creative and cultural quarter like nobody else. We'll walk from the former Victorian factory town Hackney Wick (it recently had Europe's largest concentration of artists) to the Olympic Park. Discover centuries of East London history right next to the biggest construction and regeneration project in Europe where creative industries cluster. Hear about art; industrial firsts; alternative living; DIY culture; underground movements past and present; revolutionary toymakers and the famous Matchgirls Strike; see exterior views of National Stadium. Find out what locals really thought about the Games as we take a blast through London's past and see its future. As featured in our tour for the BBC, Guardian newspaper and other European media.

Your London tour itinerary

• Find out where plastic was invented as we walk the streets. • Check out contemporary street art on 19th Century warehouse walls. • See canals and discover unusual floating communities. • We'll visit a gallery. • See (external views) the Olympic Stadium and other architecturally impressive buildings on the site. Optional (price not included): • Ride the elevator to the top of East London's version of the Eiffel Tower, for spectacular 300ft high views from the highest piece of public art in the country! • For the daring, take its slide back to the bottom for a fast track descent and some Olympic adventure! This tour as a whole or partially, can be customized to fit your preferences - please inquire!

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

Public Transport here and back. Then our legs in between! Please check tfl.gov.uk for transport updates in case of weekend engineering works on the rail/subway system.

What's included
Other: No entry fees are required for the excellent views, we'll take a walk outside in the fresh air.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: You will need a travel pass that includes Zone 2 to reach Hackney Wick or Pudding Mill Lane stations. If you wish to ascend the Orbit, you will need to purchase tickets for the viewing platform or even for its slide!
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

England, England, E9 5LH, United Kingdom

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: at the new and architecturally interesting Hackney Wick Overground station, by the exit barrier.

  • You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
History
Tour reference number
84456
Languages
English
French
German
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
4.8

Traveller reviews for this private tour in London

5 reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who is this private tour in Hackney best suited for?

This private tour in Hackney is perfect for travellers interested in exploring London's new cultural and creative quarter, away from the typical tourist paths. It's ideal for those who want to learn about the area's rich history, art, and industrial past, as well as its transformation into a hub of creativity and innovation. With Simon C. as your guide, you'll gain unique insights into the local culture and history.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Hackney 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 2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
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 2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
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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