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Private tour in London Lesley M
Top sights in the City of London - Walking Tour
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2 hours
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2 hours
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Lesley M.
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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
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Lesley M.
How did the ancient City of London change so dramatically over time? I share my insights as a local guide
Overview of your London tour
'What did the Romans ever do for us?' - jokes the Monty Python film team in 'The Life of Brian!' Well, the Romans built the City of London almost two thousand years ago. Come on my walking tour to discover treasures old and new. From the site of a Roman amphitheatre, to secret alleyways, to modern glass skyscrapers and a fantastic market. The City or Square Mile, as it's known, has survived dramatic events, including a series of devastating fires, and is constantly changing. Even its most famous landmark, St Paul's Cathedral, hides stonework from earlier religious buildings. Also: dive into secret alleyways to find out the astonishing story of how the Square Mile became the biggest money making area in Britain. Financial services - banking, investing, and insurance - is the UK's second biggest industry. Why does all that expertise crowd into such a small area? You'll also get the chance to walk in the footsteps of a famous wizard in a historic market Let me share my love of the City of London with you
Your London tour itinerary
2 hour walking tour. 1. 5 miles of walking. Steps involved - so not a fully accessible walk. We will see: View of St Paul's Cathedral, Carter Lane, ECV4 National Firefighters Memorial, Carter Lane View of St Augustine with Faith church, Watling Street St Mary Le Bow church, Cheapside Statue of Captain John Smith, Bow Churchyard Guildhall Yard , EC2V. Site of Roman amphitheatre, and historic governance buildings for The City Old Jewry, site of Medieval Jewish life Mercers' Company, Frederick's Place. Role of London's Livery Companies - Medieval trade associations Bank Junction, EC3V. Start of financial district Views of: The Royal Exchange, The Bank of England, and Mansion House (Lord Mayor's home) Lombard Street Change Alley (to see the site of the first London Stock Exchange) George and Vulture pub, Castle Court. Jamaica Wine House, St Michael's Alley Leadenhall Market End of walking tour. Nearest tube stations: Bank/Liverpool Street. Tour is customisable as per your interests.
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Transport details
Type: Walking
This is a walking tour. No transport provided. Clients should meet me outside The City Information Centre at Carter Lane. It's the modern silver building, on the other side of the road from St Paul's (south side of the cathedral). NB the City Information Centre is NOT in the cathedral's churchyard gardens. Nearest tube stations: St Paul's Mansion House
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Meeting location
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: Outside The City Information Centre, Carter Lane. EC4M 8BX. it's the small, silver modern building on the south side of St Paul's Cathedral - on the other side of the road from the cathedral. NB The Information Centre is NOT in the cathedral churchyard gardens. The postcode address is somewhat confusing!
- You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
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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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- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
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