Ingrid Wallenborg

Ingrid Wallenborg

HAPPY INSPIRING TRAVELS IN 2024!
I initially trained to be an actress at the Drama Studio, London, invaluable background for a Blue Badge tourist guide, enabling me to hold the attention of both large and intimate audiences. I have a 1st class Honours degree (University of London), and recently completed an MA in Art History (with Distinction) . I am particularly interested in art, architecture and cultural history. For many years I guided the British Museum's own tours, a museum where I offer many specialist tours.
I have worked full time as an independent guide for more than 25 years, constantly updating my tours. Amongst my clients are a U.S. Vice President, ambassadors, a Hollywood actress, art societies, top professionals, students and many wonderfully curious visitors! I take great pride in offering professional, sensitive and entertaining tours - always tailor made to the client - hoping to add enjoyment and enlightenment at the same time. People say I am dynamic and have a very good British sense of humour...!

As a result of my MA Art History studies I offer bespoke real and virtual talks on art. Recent virtual engagements include: Impressionism and Gauguin, Paint, Paradise and Progress (the Natural World in Art). An American Law Firm wrote: "We have received really great feedback on the talk – thank you again!"
Other virtual talks include: Highlights of Art Galleries, the British Museum Treasures, and Jane Austen in Fact & Fiction and No Time to Die - James Bond & Spies.

Je vous propose des visites guidées en français 'faites sur mésure' pour les voyageurs qui cherchent une éxpérience un peu plus recherchée. Veuillez me contacter par mail pour des propositions personelles sur Londres et ces alentours. Bon Voyage!

My personal interests range from travel [recently Portugal Ethiopia and Morocco] to ancient cultures, from art history to politics  and from theatre to fitness - yoga, swimming and running. I offer a wide range of tours on art, architecture, history and themes such as Winston Churchill and Jane Austen.
For professional clients I conduct tours on urban regeneration showcasing exciting contemporary architecture and areas such as Kings Cross Central and  Nine Elms where the old and the new create ‘challenging’ new neighbourhoods. Enjoy fascinating anecdotes in a private tour of one of London's art galleries / museums e g the Wallace Collection or the Clore Gallery [JMW Turner]. Or how about a Real Spies & James Bond walking tour?

Here are a couple of treasured testimonials:  
"My wife and I spent two delightful afternoons with Ingrid Wallenborg in June 2018. The first afternoon she led us through the British Museum. Two days later, we met again for a walking tour in the Westminster area. On both occasions, she was informative, witty, friendly, and extremely generous with her time. On the walking tour, she even added "Churchillian Overtones" in response to my expressed interest in all things Churchill. We exchanged several emails before we arrived in London as Ingrid gathered information that allowed her to tailor her tours to our interests. Ingrid's expert tours were a highlight of our London visit and we would recommend her without reservation. We've already told her that we want her to guide us through Parliament on our next trip to London. Simply stated, Ingrid is an outstanding guide." Jerry Engler /  jerryengler@sbcglobal.net

“Our family, two adults and two teenage girls, had the pleasure of a full day tour with Ingrid in July 2017. We asked Ingrid to gear the tour towards our kids, and she did an amazing job. We started at the Tower of London, and she knew exactly where to go and what to see based on our interests, explaining things all the time. She knew, and we met, the second ever female Beefeater at the Tower - what an empowering experience for our girls. After the Tower, we had lunch at one of the pubs she recommended. Ingrid has such a wealth of knowledge, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunchtime conversation. After lunch, we went to the British Museum where we spent the remainder of the day. With Ingrid as our guide, we were able to see so much more than we would have been able to do on our own. She knew the museum like the back of her hand, and we all were mesmerized by all the information she was able to share. We did not want the day to end! I have, and will, recommend Ingrid wholeheartedly to anyone that would like a personal tour guide” Shelli Black, 2017

"My wife and 10 year old daughter had the very distinct pleasure of having Ingrid show us her town on a full day tour in March, 2009. She was absolutely, positively, fantastic! Not only did she know everything about how London came to be the city it is today, she was able to make the history lesson fun and entertaining for young (my daughter) and old (my wife and me) alike. We opted for a "touristy" agenda. We started at Westminster Abbey, past Buckingham Palace, to a Pub for lunch (does anyone really drink green beer?) and then to the Tower of London. Ingrid was definitely an "insider" (no lines, no waiting) and knew everyone at all the places we went - she even knew the Beefeaters! If you are visiting London you would be doing yourself a terrible disservice by not hiring Ingrid to show you around." Steve M. and Family, Philadelphia, PA. March 2009

I offer a selection of themed tours around the British Museum including: The Egyptian Galleries, "Classical Greece incl the Elgin Marbles [Parthenon Sculptures]" (I studied Greek and Roman art at the University of London), "the Enlightenment in the King's Library", "Agatha Christie; Murder in Mesopotamia", "Bible and Archaeology", Ancient Assyria [Iraq], Celtic Europe etc.
Other museums and galleries where I offer tours include: Tate Britain, The Horniman Museum, the Courtauld Gallery, Tate Modern, Kensington Palace, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Museum of London and the Wallace Collection.
If you enjoy exploring, how about a walking tour? Popular tours include Sherlock Holmes, Shakespeare, Mayfair & Scandal, Canary Wharf, Financial City, the Inns of Court [Legal London] and Multicultural London [Spitalfields].

I have an in-depth knowledge of the redevelopment of Docklands and the Olympic area in East London including the geo-political and financial background to the last 25 years of transformation. I had the pleasure of working for a major sponsor during the London 2012 Olympic Games and offer critically acclaimed walks and coach tours explaining the radical changes of the last decades including future plans for the area.
Other popular tours include stately homes [Hampton Court Palace], Oxford, Salisbury [Cathedral], Churchill War Rooms, Kew Gardens, Windsor, 18th century Landscape Gardens, and much more.
I also create Treasure Hunts [the City of London, the British Museum etc.] – please email for further details – and conduct bicycle tours on request.

Here are some more happy clients:                               “Thank you so much for your brilliant contribution to our visit of Blenheim Palace. We were all very impressed with your knowledge of Blenheim and its characters throughout the ages and enjoyed your humorous approach to some of the topics. Our French visitors were very complimentary as well and enjoyed the day very much; they felt that your interpretation of events was very informative” Susan Sheahan, November 2016

“Thank you, Ingrid. We both had a terrific time. Our day with you was a highlight of our stay. I appreciate the way you wove the narrative and sights with the ease of spending a day with an old friend. I will pass your name along to anyone coming to London, as they will have no better day” [Architectural tour] Bonnie H. Wolkenstein, Ph.D. August 2016

"We had an absolutely wonderful time with you and learned a tremendous amount. The historical facts and interesting stories that you told truly brought the tour to life. Thank you!"
[Westminster & Parliament] Lisa McGeough, March 2010

"The guide, Ingrid Wallenborg, was excellent. She pitched her tour at exactly the right level and the students were very positive in their comments" Luisa Klint, Colchester Sixth Form College [tour of the British Museum]

"Could you please pass on our thanks to Ingrid for such a brilliant commentary and for having to cope with such a "mad" group of people from Cornwall. Everyone was singing her praises, she made the trip so interesting, entertaining and fascinating. We were all really impressed with what is happening at the Olympic Park and, thanks to Ingrid, we can see how it all came about, how it was funded and to see for ourselves what a legacy it will be to the whole of the country." [2012 Olympic Park] R Walsh Nov 2010

"Nous voulions vous dire que nous avons beaucoup apprécié notre guide Ingrid qui nous a fait passer un après-midi formidable. C’est une personne compétente, cultivée, bienveillante et pleine d’humour. Nous ne pouvons que la recommander chaleureusement."
Visite la Cité de Londres, 1 April 2019, M & Mme Sanchez, Suisse

"Ma « petite « INGRID bonjour ! Très très heureux de t’avoir croisé …..pas assez longtemps.. Tu as été « super » et fait l’unanimité…oui oui ! On dit chez nous …il n’y a que les montagnes qui ne se rencontre pas" Maurice Delavis, Cyclos Voyageurs, October 2017

In addition, I am a qualified City of London guide and subscribe to the FEG Quality Charter                                       http://www.feg-touristguides.com/quality_charter.php

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Calendrier du guide Last Update: 26th of March, 2024

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    Blog Posts

    Sutton Hoo, Treasure Of The British Museum And Inspiration Behind The Dig Film

    As a Blue Badge tourist guide in London, I am very familiar with the story behind the film The Dig. When giving a tour of the British Museum where the result of the famous excavation is displayed, it is usually a real highlight for visitors, both young and old. Let me tell you a little more about this amazing archaeological adventure story.

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    10 objets à voir absolument au Victoria & Albert Museum de Londres

    Avec une collection permanente de plus de 4,5 millions d’objets, le Victoria & Albert Museum de Londres est le plus grand musée des arts décoratifs et du design au monde. Il vous faudrait plusieurs années – peut-être même une vie entière – pour découvrir tous les trésors dont regorge ce musée, aussi pourquoi ne pas engager les services d’un Blue Badge Tourist Guide qui sélectionnera pour vous certains objets exceptionnels et vous les fera découvrir?

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    Sur les pas de Jane Austen à Londres

    Née dans le village de Steventon dans le Hampshire, l’écrivaine des romans tels "Orgueil et préjugés" et « Raison et sentiments » avait de nombreuses raisons de visiter Londres pendant sa vie. En effet, plusieurs lieux visités par Austen lui servaient d’inspiration pour des descriptions de quartiers chics ou habitent des personnages tels Mme Jennings de « Raison et sentiments ».

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    See all blog posts posted by Ingrid Wallenborg