Private tour in London Simon C
5.0
(1) review
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Simon C.
4.9
Guide rating
337
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"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.
Shipmates! Come back in time to 'Sailor Town' where old warehouses line the mighty River Thames. We'll give the King's men the slip in four historic pubs. Explore where successful smugglers made their fortunes and the unlucky ones were Shanghai'd, imprisoned, impressed into naval service - or killed at Execution Dock. We'll see where infamous Hanging Judge Jeffries hung (!) out, where condemned men drank their last and even where the celebrated nautical painter JMW Turner got a little saucy with the local landlady. With four pints of beer included, we'll wander the atmospheric cobbled streets and learn about the seagoing history behind Britain's rise to global dominance as a key maritime power. What are the connections with both the 1812 war and the Mayflower? Why were vicars involved in smuggling too? Hear all about it as we drop into London's *oldest riverside pub*, special friends of your guide, who is a conscientious Riding Officer dedicated to catching smugglers. Or is he. . . ?
We'll stop at 4 traditional pubs close together in the former warehouse area Wapping, spending typically 40mins at each. The walking time between these pubs is 5-10mins. Please note this tour takes place in the historic Wapping warehouse district so it's further east than the West End. It's 25 minutes walk east from the Tower of London or easily accessed by London Overground and/or the automated DLR trains (you can pretend you're driving it yourself not a computer). But it's worth it for river views and atmosphere!
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.
We meet at Wapping Overground station (orange line running north to south). To get around we'll use 'Shanks' Pony', otherwise known as our 'plates of meat' (feet). The longest we'll walk at one stretch is 10 mins.
England, England, E1W 3NG, United Kingdom
By the Overground station on Wapping High Street. Just minutes from our pubs.
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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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