Welcome to The London Guides!
We're a versatile group of fully-qualified and insured professional London Blue Badge Tourist Guides, bursting with enthusiasm, energy and a taste for adventure!
Top to bottom: Vivien, Sue, Liz, Gina and Guy
...and we also take day trips out of London
including to Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Winchester, Warwick Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon....
Left to right: Guy, Sue, Gina, Vivien and Liz
We've got the Knowledge!
We started out qualifying as City of London Guides, gaining a deep love for this historic heart of old London. Spurred on, we all gained the gold-standard London Blue Badge Tourist Guide qualification.
We all lead tours in all of the major London sites - for all sorts of people, from individuals to families; special interest groups, and even corporate well-being walks or events.
Here's another thought: why not give a voucher for a tour as a gift for the person who has everything?
LIZ CAREW
The wisest decision I ever made was to qualify as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide, combining my love of history, culture and meeting new people. I now have the best job in the best city in the world - London!
After university, where I studied Geography, I followed a career in the civil service and in professional and research organisations
A large part of my life has been spent abroad - in Africa and Asia as a child, and later with my young family, in Singapore and Japan. I loved the opportunity to learn about different ways of life and now, settled back in London, I enjoy welcoming visitors to my home city.
My additional qualification as a South Central England Blue Badge guide enables me also to guide in the fascinating ancient cathedral city of Winchester. If you are a fan of Jane Austen (as I am,) I can tailor a tour visiting the places she lived in and knew well.
GUY FAIRBANK
A few years ago I made the decision to chuck in my job with a well-known retailer and study to become a Blue Badge guide. I've never looked back.
With a love of history, theatre and London it's been the perfect move. From taking you around the ancient wonders of the British Museum to showing you the haunts of famous rock stars, my love of all things in the past is enormously varied. On the way, expect a bit of performance - as an amateur actor I've performed in over 30 productions, from Shakespeare to pantomime.
One of my favourite areas to guide is in the City of London, especially as I'm a liveryman of the Vintners' Company, one of the City's medieval guilds. As a Freeman of the City, I can tell you about its ancient traditions, which includes herding sheep across London Bridge, a right which I have exercised.
GINA MULLETT
I LOVE London and its culture, history, art, literature and architecture and I can't wait to share it all with you.
I specialise in arranging bespoke tours for a wide range of clients and will put together an experience which is perfectly tailored to ensure your time here is fun, interesting and unforgettable whether it's knowing where to go for the best view of the Changing of the Guard, taking you on an exhilarating boat trip on the Thames, an in-depth tour of the British Museum or advice on the best shows and restaurants in Town.
My background is in merchant banking and education, and qualifications include an honours degree in English and Classical History and a post-graduate degree in Communication.
I'm proud to be a Freeman of the City of London and was awarded the accolade of Take Walks 'Guide of the Year.'
VIVIEN SCHRAGER-POWELL
Guiding is my passion - sharing my passion with you is what my guiding is all about.
My life-long history obsession led me to qualify as a professional guide, but London has so much more to offer, from magnificent architecture to secret alleyways; from the Crown Jewel.s to specialist shops; the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony to the elegance of afternoon tea, and sights to photograph and memories to cherish - London has everything! I am the proud holder of four specialist London guiding qualifications having studied every aspect in depth.
In a previous life I co-founded an international intellectual rights company which I took 'public,' achieving a full London Stock Exchange listing, and is now owned by Spielberg's DreamWorks. I worked with British royalty and was nominated for Businesswoman of the Year.
I am also a dog-loving, countryside-walking, and books on London collecting, tea-drinking, theatre-going, knitting obsessive.
SUE STURGES
I love guiding in the most exciting city in the world! I consult you in advance so we can find a way to pack in everything on your wish-list, and tailor a tour to your passions. Whether you're a newbie to town, or a seasoned visitor to London seeking new sights, I'll devise a tour for just for you.
Tour guiding is an expression of my younger self, with my M.A, in English & Art History from the University of St Andrews, I'm equally at home in a gallery, the historic City alleyways, on the Mall watching the spectacle of the Household Cavalry trot resplendently past, or taking a trip out to beautiful Bath, Oxford or Stratford upon Avon. A tour in the multicultural megalopolis that is London or a day in the beautiful English countryside both promise wonderful experiences and memories!
Previously, I worked in an international advertising agency O&M, and taught English for several years. Home is an a converted Edwardian post office with my mad dog and husband, with visits from our three young adult kids, when we eat well, drink better and plot our own exciting escapes around the world! I look forward to meeting you!
Looking for inspiration?
As Dr. Samuel Johnson famously said,
'When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.'
But where to begin?
Whether it's your first visit, just a stopover, or you've been here many times and want 'something different,' you're in the right place.
Here are some ideas to whet your appetite!
TOWER OF LONDON
The Tower of London is a 'must see' if you're only here for a short while. One of 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Central London, its history goes back 1000 years, and its name is synonymous with treason, torture and raw power, as well as being a royal palace, fortress and place of execution and murder.
It's also home of the astonishing Crown Jewels, the Beefeaters and the myserious ravens, on whose continued presence, the Kingdom depends!
Blue Badge Guides have exclusive guiding privileges at the Tower.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
'The Abbey' is the royal church - and every king and queen since 1066 has been crowned here (bar two -there's a story!)
It is where King Charles III had his coronation in 2023, and where Prince William married Catherine Middleton in 2011. It's also a place of national memory. As the 2nd World Heritage site in central London it should definitely be on the itinerary.
As Blue Badge Guides, we have an exclusive entrance and unique guiding privileges.
If you're only in London on a fleeting visit, these two historic sites are a must. It's possible to see them both, and pass through central London between them, in a day, or for a more relaxing time, why not make it two half days, and take in the fabulous Changing the Guard with the Abbey? And with the Tower, we can add in Borough Market or the historic square mile of the City and its 2000 year history with the Tower.
As well as the main sites, we offer internal guided tours of St Paul's Cathedral, the famous Churchill War Rooms, and guided walking tours of areas such as St James's, Mayfair, the square mile of the City of London, Covent Garden, Soho, Bankside, Mayfair, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Mayfair, Ted Lasso's Richmond........ etc.
We can also theme walks around particular interests, for example, Roman London.
Bit of a culture vulture?
London is home to over 40 world class museums and galleries, many of which are free to enjoy. We are able to offer highlight tours in several of these:
BRITISH MUSEUM
Artefacts from all over the world and from across history - with over 80,000 objects on display, we can lead you through the crowds and warren of rooms to the best ones - for example the Rosetta Stone, or the Parthenon Marbles, showing you the highlights.
2-3 hours
NATIONAL GALLERY
World class art from the 13th Century to the 21st, in a beautifully restored building. Our highlights tour follows the broad sweep and development of international art history, with all the 'big names' represented.
2-3 hours
VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM
Known as the 'nation's attic' or a 'rather capacious handbag', the V&A is a treasure trove of beautifully designed pieces - silver, jewelry, furniture, textiles, glass. It has been an invaluable resource for designers over the centuries.
2-3 hours
Fancy a day out of Town?
If you're here for a few days, you might want to consider a day or two outside the hustle and bustle of the world's most exciting and dynamic capital city.
We regularly guide outside London as a day trip. Windsor Castle is a great short day out, whilst Hampton Court Palace is like walking into a Tudor movie location! Greenwich, just a boat ride down the Thames, doesn't feel like London at all, and is redolent with maritime history.
If you yearn for some 'chocolate box' English countryside, you might like to consider a longer day out with a chauffeur to visit villages, gardens and market towns with golden stone buildings, Then there's Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Stonehenge, Regency Bath..... each of these destinations is achievable as a day trip. Ask us for details.
WINDSOR CASTLE
This famous royal residence has been in continuous use for 1000 years. Still regularly used by the Royal Family for state occasions, and set in 5000 acres of ancient parkland, it is a magnificent castle, and you will see priceless works of art from the Royal Collection; Rubens, Van Dyck, Holbein - all are represented. This is where heads of state are wined and dined.
Also on the same 13 acre walled site is St George's Chapel, which is the final resting place of monarchs and their spouses, including King Henry VIII, Charles I, the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II.
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
This 'pleasure palace,' gifted to King Henry VIII, is set in beautiful parkland and with historic gardens. It's where Shakespeare premiered a play, where tournaments took place, the King James Bible was conceived, and grand feasts and masques graced the Great Hall.
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In fact, it's two palaces in one, as there is the neo classical palace of King William III and Queen Mary attached at the rear. There's also a world famous maze! Home to the RHS Garden Festival, it makes a wonderful, relaxing day out of Town, situated as it is on the River Thames. The palace said to be haunted, so watch out for the ghosts!
GREENWICH
The home of the Prime Meridian - GMT - Greewich's history is multi-layered and absorbing.
It has UNESCO World Heritage status for its importance in the history of maritime developments and for its architecture.
Appropriately therefore, it is best reached by Thames Clipper boat - about 35 minutes travel time from central London. You can see the first marine chronometer; the first neoclassical building in England; the Cutty Sark tea clipper, and the best collection of maritime art anywhere in the world. And that's just the start!
COTSWOLDS DAY
The Cotswolds are enjoying a surge in popularity. Much loved by media types, royalty and 2nd homers, this 800 square mile area is caught in a moment in time, and its beautiful warm golden stone buildings and rolling fields will refresh your soul.
Best visited in the Spring through to Autumn, visitors love this gentle, scenic taste of quintessential rural England.
Combine a village, a country pub lunch and a beautiful medieval market town and a historic church - a lovely antidote to life's busyness.
9-10 hours
STONEHENGE
This neolithic monument has mystified people for millennia.
About 2 hours car by car from central London, 'the stones' are some people's 'must see' - the only stone circle in the world with lintels.
Every decade or so, new theories emerge as to the purpose of the site - and every midsummer, folk gather to welcome the sunrise.
A good site to combine with either Windsor Castle, Salisbury, Winchester or beautiful Bath.
Combine with eg. Windsor (8 hours) - or Bath (12 hours)
OXFORD
Oxford is known as the city of dreaming spires - famous for many reasons, but primarily its world class University. This is spread across the city - the two are inseparable. Stunning architecture has provided the backdrop for movies such as Harry Potter and Saltburn and it is full of atmosphere and history. If you'd like an in-depth tour, contact Guy.
The rest of us would be delighted to give you an overview walking tour, and would suggest combining it with a trip to see Blenheim Palace or go visit the edges of the Cotswolds - perhaps beautiful Burford.
8-9 hours
BATH
Love the Romans? Love Bridgerton? Love Jane Austen? you get all three in this beautiful Somerset city of Bath. Gorgeous Regency terraces, an antiques centre, independent shops, a medieval Abbey, the largest Roman thermal baths in Europe - there are so many reasons to immerse yourself in Bath!
This trip could be combined with another destination en route, such as Lacock, Castle Combe, or Stonehenge.
Up t0 12 hours
Making Memories
We'll make your tour an experience to remember!
F.A.Q's
Your peace of mind
What will it cost?
(less than with a tour operator!)
Booking direct with your guide saves you a whole lot of money - there are no agent commission charges. Now we've given you a taster of the tours we offer, just contact your chosen guide, and we'll take it from there, working with you to create your perfect tour itinerary.
And remember, you'll be with fully trained and experienced guides, accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guides.
What am I committing to?
Those all important T's and C's
The London Guides is an online platform for five London Blue Badge Tourist Guides to promote their tours. Once you have made contact with your chosen guide and agreed a schedule and itinerary for your day out, we take care of the rest.
Your guide will make sure you receive all terms and conditions up front. (And yes, they're shorter than Magna Carta!)
Gallery
These are some of the places we could go together..... in London, Windsor, Oxford and beyond.
All shots taken by the London Guides in the course of a normal day!
What people say
We all get great reviews, so here's just a flavour of them...
Just click on the link of your chosen guide to make contact!
VIVIEN
'Outstanding! Vivien is amazing and our tour with her was a highlight of our first trip to London. Vivien is not only incredibly knowledgeable, she is also funny, personable and very easy to talk to. Our only regret is not booking a tour with her every day of our holiday. Thank you, Vivien!'
Rachel S, USA
'Thank you for a most interesting morning today.
We really enjoyed our trip around the city and appreciated your deep knowledge of the area, enthusiasm for the subject and the fact that we could hear every word that you said! A most satisfying way to spend Sunday morning.'
C Beaver, UK
viviwalks@btinternet.com http://yourguidelondon.com
SUE
'We've been travelling in Europe with guides in each country, and Sue was the first one to smile and make us laugh! We had such a great end to our trip with all the stories and sights she shared with us. A great end to our vacation, Thank you so much!'
Small tour group, USA.
'An absolute triumph! Everyone loved you and the tour was just incredible. We all so appreciated your wonderful enthusiasm and your detailed and fascinating knowledge. We are all in awe! What a truly memorable special day you gave us all. Thank you again so very much.'
Gaye M., Gloucestershire UK
swatty@btinternet.com http://Londonawaitsyou.com
GINA
'Gina is a delightful, knowledgeable, professional guide and it was a joy to be in her company. I throughly enjoyed every moment with her and she made the history of London and Windsor come alive'
Debbie and Roy, USA
‘Gina is amazing. Friendly, hugely knowledgeable and entertaining. Thanks for a truly memorable morning’.
Carey, Hampton UK
GUY
'We toured St. Paul's, The Tower of London and the British Museum. Guy moved us around the city efficiently, and we made them most of our day. You can tell Guy loves London and sharing his vast knowledge of all parts of the city. Best tour I've had!'
Laura C, USA
'Guy was a fabulous tour guide for our family of 4 in London. We did 2 half day tours with Guy and he is so knowledgeable, accessible, charismatic and flexible. He knew how to avoid the crowds and tailored the tour to our interests and made it both fun and interesting at the same time. Before we arrived in London, Guy was happy to speak with us on the phone and to answer our questions on email about the tour and London in general, and we really appreciated his excellent advice. I highly recommend Guy for your next London tour guide!'
Janet U, US
LIZ
'Hands down, one of the best private tours we have ever experience, anywheyre. A multi-generational group from 5 to 75 years old, Liz's patience and care ensured we all had the full London experience. Her insights on the Tower, Westminster abbey and the Royals was off the charts! If ever we return, we will contact Liz, no question! Five star guide!'
RW - USA
'Another superb tour by Elizabeth, who had guided me expertly previously in London. She was equally informative and engaging in Winchester, and in the afternoon, we explored Salisbury, focusing on the Cathedral with its copy of Magna Carta. Thank you for sharing some of England's greatest treasures!'
RB - USA
