London
Many of our clients are first-timer visitors to London, recommended to us by previous clients. They want to see as much as possible in the limited time available. A tour with a GOOD COMPANY Guide is the most time-efficient way of seeing the major sights. In a single day we can show you what would probably take you two full days on your own.
Your “Blue Badge Guide” has privileged access to especially dedicated ticket offices at the major sights which avoids waiting in line. On busy days in summer and most weekends this can save well over an hour a day. Your Blue Badge Guide can guide you through all the major sights; we know the busy periods to avoid.
We don’t have a “Standard” fixed itinerary tour, as every day is as different as each client. If you want to cover as much ground as possible, in a Full Day tour, you can reasonably expect to be personally guided through at least Three of the “Big Four” by your Driver-Guide, as well as driving by the other major sights – Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, Buckingham Palace, Mayfair, London Bridge etc, and stopping for photos as required. Or we can tailor an itinerary to suits your interests and requests. Please just tell us what you want.
During your tour, your Driver-Guide can advise you on where to eat and shop, and how to use your free time most effectively.
The “Big Four” most popular London sights and attractions are:
Tower of London - Royal Palace & Fortress
Massive double walled and moated Castle protecting the River Thames and entrance to the City of London. Over 900 years of gruesome and notorious history includes the execution of three Queens of England and the imprisonment of Hitler’s deputy, Rudolph Hess. The breathtaking Crown Jewels boast two of the ten largest cut diamonds in the world.
Fabulous collection of arms & armour, instruments of torture. Home to the famous Yeoman Warders or “Beefeaters”.
A “must see” for everybody.
St Paul's Cathedral - London's oldest church site
The first church on this site was built over 1400 years ago. The enormous Gothic church built around 1300 was destroyed in the devastation of the 1666 Great Fire of London. Sir Christopher Wren was the architect engaged to build a replacement. The arguments about the new design dragged on for 9 years, but once he had the go-ahead, Wren completed the work in a mere 35 years.
The great state funerals of Nelson, Wellington & Winston Churchill were held here before enormous crowds, as was the 1981 wedding of Prince Charles & Lady Diana Spencer. We will visit the crypt to see the tombs of Nelson, Wellington, Turner and Wren himself. Learn about about St Paul’s impressive role during World War Two. Bombed incessantly for several months; in a single night’s bombing over 20 bombs hit the church and yet it survived the war almost completely intact.
The energetic can climb the stairs to the so-called Whispering Gallery of the inner dome 100 feet (30 metres) above the floor of the church, then right up to the Golden Gallery above the outer dome, with spectacular views over London.
Westminster Abbey - Coronation & memorial church
Virtually every King & Queen for nearly 1000 years (actually it’s 945 years) have been crowned here; thirty are buried in the vaults, close to the founder of the church, King Edward the Confessor (died 1066).
He was made a saint and his church became one of the great pilgrimage shrines of medieval Europe. His church was subsequently rebuilt and enhanced (in four phases spanning 500 years) and now contains nearly 3500 tombs and monuments commemorating the great, the good, the noble, the notorious … and the forgotten.
Among the famous interred or commemorated here you will hear about: Chaucer, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Ben Johnson, Handel, Raffles, Disraeli & Gladstone, Rudyard Kipling, Charles Dickens & Laurence Olivier.
As well as Coronations & Royal weddings, many funerals have been held here, the most recent being those of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 and the Queen Mother in 2002.
This is an active functioning church and all are welcome to attend daily services.
Changing the Guard - London's best free daily show
Changing the Guard is a major ceremonial event and one of the best free shows in London, if you know the tricks – where to avoid, when and where you can get the best view. Most visitors who go to see the Guard Change, see very little and end up a bit disappointed and perplexed. We can solve this problem for you. In fact, there are two Guard Changes. The Buckingham Palace Guard Change is the most famous and takes place every day in the early summer (May to August), then every second day from August to May.The other less well known, but equally enjoyable and spectacular event is the daily Mounted Horse Guard Change. This takes place every day at 11am (10am on Sundays). There are various ways and permutations of seeing either or both Guard Change(s) and getting a good close up view. We’ll show you the secret. Timing is everything.