Discover London Your Way

Maybe it’s your first visit to London, or perhaps you’re returning to uncover something new? My approach is simple: this is your holiday – and I’m here to make it enjoyable, relaxed and memorable. Think of it as exploring London with a knowledgeable friend who brings the city to life. With over fifteen years of experience guiding everyone from small family groups to large coach parties, I create tailored experiences designed around you.

From Famous Landmarks To Hidden Gems, Your Itinerary Can Include:

• Historic drama: The saga of Henry VIII and his six wives is a tale of power, passion and punishment that reshaped the course of English history. See the places where the intrigues, triumphs and fateful outcomes happened at both the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace. The tensions of a later period can be sensed in the Churchill War Rooms, the underground bunker from which Prime Minster Winston Churchill led the country in the Second World War, when Britain was threatened with invasion. 
• Classic churches: Westminster Abbey is the royal church and the site of coronations, weddings and funerals since 1066. St Paul’s Cathedral famously stood as a potent symbol of resistance amidst the bombing of the Second World War and was where Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married in 1981. 
• Royal retreats: Kensington Palace, not only the childhood home of Queen Victoria but also an outrageous party palace during the early 1700s. Windsor Castle, dating back to 1070, the favourite weekend retreat of the late Queen and home to the ultimate ‘band of brothers’: the knights of the Order of the Garter, founded in 1348.
• Cultural treasures: The British Museum offers a journey through world history, featuring the ancient civilisations of Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, Rome and Northern Europe, and is home to outstanding cultural items such as the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Marbles. Old Master paintings in the National Gallery trace the development of Western art from the 1300s to the early 20th century.  The Victoria & Albert Museum celebrates art, design and creativity across centuries and cultures. 
• Day trips beyond London: Stonehenge, Salisbury, Winchester, Bath, the Cotswolds, Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Canterbury, Dover Castle, Chartwell, Leeds Castle and Brighton. I can recommend professional drivers and vehicles if required.
• London walks: 
• Follow William Shakespeare from his lodgings in the City to the South Bank of the Thames and the Globe theatre.
• Journey through 2,000 years of the City of London, from Roman founders to merchant bankers and modern skyscrapers.
• Discover Royal Westminster for Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and exclusive shops that enjoy royal patronage.
• Stroll the West End for Covent Garden market, street entertainers, Soho and Chinatown. 
• Tap into Spitalfields with its funky market, street art and history of immigration and murky murder.
• Hunt for antiques, books and bric-a-brac in the stylishly trendy streets of Notting Hill.
• Visit Chelsea famous from the ‘Swinging 60s’ with its mini skirts, mop haircuts and Mary Poppins.
• See Clerkenwell, once home to crusader knights, executions, immigrants and political radicals.

My Background

I bring together my expertise in history, education and performance to create tours that are both informative and entertaining. I have always been passionate about history. As a child I had a poster of Henry VIII and his six wives on the wall! Today, my curiosity is more wide-ranging, and I recently travelled to one of the most remote places on earth, Rapa Nui or Easter Island in the Pacific, finding out more about the culture that produced one of the British Museum’s highlights: the striking moai statue of Hoa Hakananai’a.

Following university, where I gained a BA Hons degree in History & Theatre, I qualified as a teacher. My early career combined theatre and education, working as an actor and educational workshop leader, gaining extensive experience teaching and training across Europe. As an educational tour manager, I have led tours of up to sixty clients across the UK and Europe; many of these were school groups as well as students of the “third age”. In addition to living in London, I have spent time in Paris, Madrid and Barcelona as well as various places in the UK, which helps to bring a broad cultural perspective to every tour.

Sample Feedback

“We cannot thank you enough for sharing your knowledge, wit and endless kindness with our group this summer.” (England & Wales Tour) Barrington High School, USA

“Thank you for showing us Stonehenge and the countryside! We had a great time walking through the fields and learnt so much!” Katy L., USA

“Hey James…missing you today while at our reunion! Thank you again for all the knowledge you shared while we were visiting London.” (London Highlights) Julie W., USA

“James made the trip so much fun! Thank you for giving my daughter and me great memories.” (Oxford/Stratford upon Avon) June S., USA

“What a wonderful time we had with James during our tours. He was incredibly knowledgeable and great with the kids. We learned a lot and enjoyed his company.” (Tower of London/Westminster Abbey) Anna N., USA

“You remain the best guide my students have ever experienced, and I will forever hope that our paths cross again.” (Ireland Tour) Lorrainne H., USA