London with a Local was created in 2018 out of a desire to bring something different to those visiting (or living in) this wonderful, hectic, ever-changing City. We wanted to provide the best quality tours at a price that works for everyone. London is expensive – believe us, we know. Our aim was to provide at least one part of your time here where you feel like you are truly getting your money's worth. London With A Local is made up of a mix of born and bred Londoners, who can give you a picture of how it feels to grow up in the midst of the chaos, and those who decided to become Londoners after visiting as a tourist and falling in love. They combine a knowledge of the secrets that have been passed down through generations, with the hunger and excitement that comes with embracing a new place as your home. Our tours, of course, visit the iconic architectural structures that London the most recognisable city on Earth, but also allow a peak behind the curtain, away from the glitz and glamour of the West End, to give you the opportunity to see the “real” London, far from the tourist trap souvenir shops, to where the true treats and treasures, so often hidden away from tourists, reside. In short, we want everyone who gets the opportunity to join us on a tour, to feel like they are getting to know the essence of this great city. As well as experience in guiding and a knowledge of the history and politics of Britain, our expert guides all come from a performance background. We are actors. We are musicians. We are comedians. We are dancers and directors. Above all, we are storytellers and our aim is not just to reel off a load of dates that will be forgotten in a split second, but to paint you a picture of the people and events that built the foundations that we tread upon.
Explore Westminster, one of the wealthiest Boroughs in the Western world, the political heart of Britain and the home of the Royal Family, as we take you to three palaces, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey (the resting place of Dickens, Darwin and hundreds more), a Royal Park, the world’s most famous clock and the changing of the Guard ceremony*.
Travel through 1000 years of Britain’s past, learning the salacious history of the world’s most famous royal family, from William the Conqueror in 1066 to Queen Elizabeth II today. Hear tales of the monarchs who truly changed the world: the womanising Henry VIII, the regal Victoria, the People’s princess Diana and of course, Elizabeth II and the Windsors.
However, there’s more to Westminster than just the Royals. Parliament has been meeting here for 700 years and you will be regaled with tales of our greatest and most controversial leaders, from Winston Churchill to Lord Nelson and even those who fought against them, like wretched Guy Fawkes who tried to blow up Parliament.
This tour really is a must see for everyone new to London. Just try not to blink, because around every corner is yet another iconic landmark, that you won’t want to miss.
*We cannot guarantee the ceremony will be running every day. The schedule varies due to seasons and weather.
The tour finishes in Parliament Square, next to Big Ben and Westminster Station.
Please note, groups larger than 6 and any educational groups will need to get in touch to arrange a private tour, as they will not be able to join the public tour
The tour begins from The Clermont Hotel, Charing Cross, Strand, London, WC2N 5HX Google maps link - https://goo.gl/maps/JKWWHFofEd6Dkm3h6. The guide will be holding a red umbrella.
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
Find similar guruwalks in Walking Tour London