London History and Thames River Tour

I LOVE London! Obvious?. . . . . But I really, really KNOW London too. A proud holder of the prestigious LONDON BLUE BADGE TOURIST GUIDE qualification, (amongst other guiding qualifications), I can offer you private, exclusive and in-depth tours of the very best locations that London has to offer. My specialities are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, the British Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum, the National Gallery, Kensington Palace, the Churchill War Rooms, Kew Gardens, Buckingham Palace (during summer opening). . . . the list is long. I love giving themed guided London tours. How did London develop from a muddy Roman foreshore to become one of the world's most important financial hubs? I'll show you how and where it all began. Want to immerse yourself in the 17th C churches of Christopher Wren? I can offer you a tour featuring his hidden gems and his great masterpiece, St Paul's Cathedral. Intrigued by our royal family? Join me for a guided walk around Royal London - the palaces, the stories, the history, the pomp and ceremony, the scandal and the gossip. . . Love architecture? I'll show you medieval churches, lead you through ancient alleyways and reveal the glories of 19th C London, or I can show you sections of the ancient Roman wall which can be found in some very surprising hidden places. Lots of world-class contemporary architecture too. London was founded on the banks of the River Thames - but why? I can take you on a river-side walk to show and tell you about the history of London's global trading past. Or we could cross the Thames and discover what happened on the south bank; the "wild" side of Southwark, with its early theatres and other more dubious places of entertainment, all within the shadow of the Shard. . . . And that's just a little teaser of the themes I cover in my London tours. Why don't you email me and tell me what interests YOU and I'll compose a private tour just for you! Architecture, churches, 17th Century coffee house history, in-depth financial history, Royal London, The Great Fire, literary London, the River Thames - or what about a highlights tour with a bit of everything? If you want to snap and dash (photos of everything) we can do that too. I am proud to be one of the few official fully-qualified City of London Guides & Lecturers who is also a St Paul's Cathedral guide. I have in-depth knowledge of the history of the cathedral and its construction after the Great Fire of 1666. I'm also something of a Sir Christopher Wren fan. It would be my pleasure to personally guide you through this world-famous cathedral with its London landmark dome, and take you on a walking tour down alleyways to discover some of his other hidden architectural gems. But if it's art you're after, I'm also an official guide at one of London's best-kept secrets; Guildhall Art Gallery. With its important collection of Victorian paintings, it's historic London art and hidden Roman amphitheatre, it is well-worth discovering and we could include it in a City of London tour. About me: Guiding is my passion. I'm also a dog-owning, country-walking, museum-junkie, old books on London-collecting knitting nut that drinks rather a lot of tea, preferably from a London-themed mug with a slice of something nice on the side. Coming to London? Great! Feel free to get in touch and let's work out how to make the most of your precious time. It's my job and my pleasure to show you the wonders of London so that you go home with precious memories to cherish forever. And of course a few photos! Looking forward to hearing from you, With warmest wishes Vivien Proud holder of the LONDON BLUE BADGE TOURIST GUIDE qualification - the highest guiding qualification. Blue Badge guides are the ONLY guides PERMITTED to guide within many important London venues. Member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG). City of London Guide & Lecturer - Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG) accredited. St Paul's Cathedral Guide - Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG) special accreditation. City of Westminster Guide - University of Westminster, London. Windsor Castle accredited guide. Windsor & Eton accredited guide. Guildhall Art Gallery Guide - City of London. Accredited to guide inside Westminster Abbey, The Tower of London, British Museum, the National Gallery, St Paul's Cathedral, Churchill War Rooms, V&A Museum, British Museum, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court, Kew Gardens Coach/mini-bus guiding. The Culture of the English Country House - University of Oxford English Landscape Gardens: 1650 to the Present Day - University of Oxford Member of the V&A Museum Member of The English Speaking Union. Life-long member of the Tufty Road Safety Club My tours are mostly walking tours using public transport and/or taxis which can be hailed in the street when required. If you want a private vehicle and driver for your London tour, or a day out of London, I will hire a suitable vehicle and a driver.