PUBLISHED 2016 IN UK AND N AMERICA: 'The Blue Badge Guide's London Quiz Book'. Available in good bookshops in paperback, also on Amazon and as an e-book. 

'I would like to thank you for an absolutely fascinating walk, with so many connections to explore over the centuries. The inclement weather did not matter at all as we were able to shelter most effectively when the heavens opened, while hearing the many facts you had to share. It always amazes me how often one walks past things in the City without noticing.' (PT, London)

'Mark was our guide for 4 days. Our small group told him what we wanted to see while in London and he made it happen! He helped us purchase tickets ahead of time and organized our tour in a well thought out manner. He also recommend nice lunch spots that were tasty, economical, allowed us to catch our breath, yet didn’t take up too much touring time. He was most knowledgeable and if we had some obscure question that he could not answer he would investigate and get back with us as to the answer. He also aided us in obtaining another terrific guide in Cambridge where we went once we left London. Mark is not only knowledgeable, but he has a fun and engaging personality. I would highly recommend Mark and use him again. ' (SM, Mississippi, USA)

'Wonderful tour full of details and energy. Mark was an outstanding guide who brought [Westminster] Abbey to life for us. Well worth the time and most enjoyable.' (RO & DO, USA)

'Mark turned back the years for me with a bespoke tour around the Jewish East End. His knowledge was formidable and the extra homework he did on my behalf was incredible. The small flat above the shop where I grew up had become a Grade 2 listed very des. res. and on the market. His gift to me were detailed floor plans and photos from the estate agent ...something to treasure always. Thanks Mark.' (NK, London)

'I just wanted to reach out to you and thank you for such a wonderful experience. Mark was a great tour guide and we enjoyed spending the day with him!' (MC, Texas, USA)

'Thank you so much for a wonderful tour of London. We had a fabulous time and truly enjoyed your company. Your knowledge is endless and we were so impressed. I wish we had more time. I hope we get to meet again and if I know of anyone that is interested I will refer them to you. You went above and beyond!!' (E&JH, New York, USA)

'Mark King is possibly the best tour guide I have EVER had. Extraordinarily knowledgeable but able to share his knowledge in such a way that makes sense to the "unenlightened"! He is articulate, extremely well rounded and very personable. A triple threat!! It also turned out that I was the only one on the tour. So it was a wonderful treat to have Mark all to myself for 3 hours. I peppered him with a zillion question. The tour was absolutely fascinating.' (KA, California, USA)

'I want to thank you so much for being a wonderful tour guide on our trip to London. I can’t imagine how one person can know so much about so many things, but it was all incredibly interesting to us, and just the type of vacation experience we were hoping for. I also appreciate your patience in working with me in advance to plan the trip. I know that I get a bit crazy about trying to fit it way too much, and your advice was very much appreciated. i think I completely wore my family out, but they tell me that there is nothing that they would have wanted to drop off the itinerary.' (CE, Boston, USA)

'Our tour guide, Mark, was fantastic. His knowledge of WWII history was remarkable, we enjoyed his tour [of the Churchill War Rooms] and would recommend it to anyone.' (SG, N. Carolina, USA)

'Many thanks for the walking tours during the Summer School. They were so appropriate and informative and the students really benefitted from them.' (HG, London, UK)

'Mark's bespoke tour around the City of London was as informative about the history of the City - fascinating - as well as current affairs, showing how professional a Blue Badge guide must be. Adding to their knowledge all the time as well as answering endless questions! Planning our next walk with Mark.’ (SB, London, UK)

'We visited London for a company team building day. I planned the World War One Zeppelin Raid walk with a BB Guide. The walk starts from Holborn Station and ends at Liverpool Street Station. Mark kept the group engaged throughout the whole walk and we all found the walk interesting. The amount of knowledge he knew was unbelievable and he provided us with a tour that took nearly 3 hours. He even went out of his way to show us a suitable place for lunch. I highly recommend Mark, he will give you a tour that not only meets your needs but will also leave you wanting to know more. Thanks for a excellent day!!'
(LH, Winchester, UK)

'Had a great tour at the Royal Courts of Justice with Mark King. I visited with a group of Pathways to Law students from the University of Exeter and Mark accommodated us extremely well - the students found it very interesting and even had a chance to watch a case later on in the afternoon. Recommended!' (KB, Exeter, UK)

'Thanks for a great tour. The War Rooms have been on our To Do list for a very long time. We really appreciated your deep knowledge and insights.' (HC, Chicago, USA)

'I thought you might like to know that our international group really enjoyed the tour. A number of them told me they found the areas we visited extremely interesting - two went back to Spitalfields in the afternoon. They also particularly praised your commentary - both the detail and the clarity. Several said that they understood every word and they also liked the way you drew it all together at the end.' (AA, London, UK)

'A huge thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. My clients really enjoyed themselves and I hope you did too. I'd certainly like to make this a regular thing if you don't mind.' (LW, London, UK)

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Thank you for choosing to come to London! Just like you I love travelling to enjoy unique experiences and insights with an enthusiastic local guide.

On my tours I try to give you a sense of the best of recent times as well as an appreciation of times gone by and London's nuanced history. For instance, the excitement of hosting the Summer Olympic & Paralympic Games in 2012 or the coronation of King Charles III and his Queen Consort in 2023, or celebrating  royal weddings and funerals. I look forward to introducing you to more of the London region's great sights, events and experiences.

First, the ‘classic’ attractions - Tower of London, Crown Jewels, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, British Museum, Greenwich, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Borough Market.

Next, there are newer attractions that include stunning views from additions to London's architectural skyline: London Eye, View from The Shard, roof gardens in the City, Heron Tower, 'Walkie-Talkie' with its Sky Garden, the Bloomberg Building with the Roman-era Mithraeum underneath, the new American Embassy, and regenerated public spaces around Battersea Power Station with the Lift 109 viewing gallery. In addition, there are several notable buildings in the City of London and Canary Wharf that will be completed this year. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park's Orbit viewing platform has added a thrilling helter-skelter ride.

The world-class fine and decorative art collections at ‘hidden gems’ Kenwood House and Apsley House, as well as Tate Britain and the Blavatnik Building at Tate Modern are well worth a visit.

I have designed and led a wide variety of walks in several outer and inner boroughs of London including the City of London, Barnet, Tower Hamlets, Islington and Camden.

Going back in time and farther out of central London, Henry VIII's 500-year old Tudor palace at Hampton Court never fails to delight. Windsor Castle is the home of the King and has hosted major royal events including recent funerals and weddings viewed by millions around the world. Stonehenge, Salisbury and Bath are impressive 'must see' sights. Oxford's Bodleian Library, the Ashmolean Museum and a selection of colleges are worth including on your visit to this beautiful university town, as well as taking in Blenheim Palace and Winston Churchill's burial place at Bladon. I'd be delighted to show you around.

Born and raised a Londoner, I've been fortunate to live in Oxford and Dorset, as well as to work overseas in France, United States of America, Czech Republic and Russia, and to travel extensively around the world.

I've enjoyed visiting or living in several great cities but nothing compares with London - quite simply, this is the world's most fascinating city!

Please contact me to start discovering together the secrets of London's exciting past, present and future...

See also:
The Blue Badge Guide's London Quiz Book