Private tour in London Elena P

Private tour of Kings Cross and Bloomsbury

5.0

(1) review

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Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
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Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 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

Elena P.

5.0

Guide rating

8

Reviews

Tours delivered

1 hrs

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Welcome to London! My name is Elena - London adopted me 33 years ago and stole my heart. It will steal yours too! I moved to London from Italy in search of adventure - needless to say, I never went back. I have since made bustling Camden Town (site of the world-famous Camden Market) my permanent home. History has always been a passion of mine since I was a child, but my love for languages took me down a different professional path. I worked as an interpreter and translator for over 30 years, with some stints as a university lecturer, marketing rep and private tutor, but in 2019, after what I like to call my professional mid-life crisis, I rediscovered my love for history and qualified as a tour guide with the Camden Tour Guides Association (of which I am currently the Chairperson). My accreditation allows me to guide everywhere in London, including museums (but not inside St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London). I can't think of a better place to be a tour guide than London. Even after all these years, London is still an endless source of fascination, surprises, inspiration and wonder. You blink and some new building appears, changing the cityscape. You look up above street level and all of a sudden familiar buildings offer all sorts of unfamiliar sights. You get intentionally lost in some alleyway off a main street and tangible reminders of London's millenary history reveal themselves to you as if by magic. No other city in the world is as multifaceted as London. Every neighbourhood has its own distinct feel and character, from the trendy and very urban King's Cross to literary and leafy Bloomsbury, from colourful and chaotic Camden Town to idyllic and quaint Hampstead, where time has stood still in the cobbled alleys and century-old cottages. These might not be your classic tourist destinations (of course, Londoners want to keep these places all to themselves!), but if you are incurably curious, my tours are for you. Nothing gives me more pleasure than taking visitors off the beaten track and showing them another face of London beyond the crowds of the West End, the real London of Londoners. I am looking forward to bringing London stories, places and characters to life to make your experience a truly memorable one. Are you ready to discover another face of London with me? Guiding accreditation issued by Camden Tour Guides Association Chair of Camden Tour Guides Association Member of London Historians Member of Camden History Society Master's Degree in Translation Although I am an accredited guide, I am not a Blue Badge guide and I will not be able to guide you inside St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London. Walking tours only.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Elena P.

Overview of your London tour

London is so much more than the West End! On this 4-hour private tour I will introduce you to two fascinating districts on my own doorstep. Kings Cross, an Industrial Revolution heritage site and former red-light district, has changed beyond recognition thanks to a multi-billion regeneration project. Today it's a trendy and buzzing quarter, home to tech giants and creative institutions occupying its once derelict, now award-winning buildings. But if you close your eyes you can still hear the clattering of horses' hooves on its cobbled streets! After a coffee stop, we step off the beaten path into nearby Bloomsbury, with its hidden alleys, secret gardens, atmospheric 18th century squares and the British Museum at its heart. History was made behind these perfectly proportioned Georgian facades. Through stories and anecdotes, you will get to know the lives of its many illustrious residents: suffragettes, reformers and countless authors, from insomniac Charles Dickens to scandalous Virginia Woolf and her Set.

Your London tour itinerary

Meeting at the front entrance of Kings Cross station, under the clock tower (or I can meet you at local train/underground station). In Kings Cross we will see: - St Pancras Hotel - neo-Gothic masterpiece with movie connections - German Gymnasium, heritage building with a fascinating Olympic link - London's biggest "landscraper" (horizontal skyscraper to you and me!) - Triplets - how some of London's most iconic landmarks, the gas holders, have been reinvented for 21st century living - Coaldrops and Granary, 19th cent. buildings transformed into vibrant community spaces with plenty of shops and cafés - Harry Potter's Platform 9 ¾, of course In Bloomsbury we will see: - Bedford Square, a perfectly preserved 18th century square - Senate House, iconic Modernist building - Russell Square, London second biggest square - Brunswick Centre, stunning example of Brutalist architecture - Numerous buildings and plaques with literary and historical connections Tours can be adapted to suit personal preferences.

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

This is a walking tour.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location

England, England, United Kingdom

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Outside King's Cross Station front entrance, under the clock tower

  • You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
History
Art And Culture
Tour reference number
1131163
Languages
English
Italian
Activity level
Minimal
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
5.0

Traveller reviews for this private tour in London

1 reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who is this private tour in London best suited for?

This private tour in London is perfect for travellers who want to explore beyond the typical tourist spots and delve into the unique charm of Kings Cross and Bloomsbury. It's ideal for those interested in history, architecture, and literature, as well as anyone looking to connect with a local guide like Elena P. for deeper insights into these fascinating neighbourhoods.

What should I bring or wear?

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?

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 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 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 4 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 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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