And to see it with a great guide (Karen, for example, winner of the Guide of the Year Award, Travel & Leisure’s“World’s Greatest Guide,” Presenter of Discovery TV’s London Next Stop) is to have that past suddenly rise to the surface, like seeing a photographic print come up in a darkroom.
It doesn’t get any better than this. Embarras de richesse, we’ll also explore the private face of Westminster – the London equivalent of Georgetown.
Unlike the tourist hordes who never find them, we get to see the hidden and ever so picturesque Georgian back streets where all the political salons are! We end very near the Cabinet War Rooms, the fortified bunker that housed Winston Churchill’s centre of operations during the war. N.B. So, yes, the walk ends very near Parliament Square, just a stone’s throw from Westminster Tube. Want a preview of the walk? Click here to watch the video.
OLD WESTMINSTER – THE PRACTICALS
Old Westminster takes placeTuesday at 2 pm,Thursday at 2pm, andSaturday at 11 am.
The meeting point is just outside exit 4 of Westminster Tube.
The Tuesday at 2 pm walk is guided by actor Oliver(the David Niven of London Walks) or Guide of the Year Award-winningJudyor Isobel (Isobel’s another award-winning Blue Badge guide). It’s Shaughan or David at the helm on the Thursdays at 2 pm walk. The Saturdays at 11 am walk is guided by Karen, recently crowned by Travel & Leisure as “the world’s greatest guide.
THE WEATHER – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
“In four decades of guiding I’ve never once taken an umbrella;* it doesn’t rain on my walks”** – David, the Seigneur of this favoured realm [London Walks].
“I divorced weather forecasts five years ago; it’s like being unchained from a lunatic; you might as well look at a horoscope as pay any heed to UK weather forecasts” – London Walks guide, Adam, Visit England Superstar Finalist 2022.
London Weather Facts: Jerusalem, Gibraltar, Rome, Rhodes, etc. all get more rainfall than London. Precipitation-wise, this is one of the driest cities on earth.***
*Historically, the British public regarded the idea of not getting soaked when it’s pissing it down as ‘too French’, with accounts saying we called people a ‘mincing Frenchman’ if they were caught using an umbrella.
**Ok, we get the occasional mizzle but a mizzle does not pleasure and pain make, let alone a downpour [‘pleasure and pain’ is Cockney rhyming slang for ‘rain’]
***Very London, that. Because London certainly doesn’t have that reputation, it’s the last thing you’d expect. But this is the most mysterious, the most secretive city in the western world. It’s absolutely par for the course for London to be pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes. Literally and figuratively. In the literal sense the “wool” is the “low London sky.”
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“Best Tourism Experience in London” Gold Medal Winner, Visit London
“The best walks are conducted by London Walks” Toronto Globe & Mail
“The best walking tours are organized by London Walks” USA Today
“London Walks was acknowledged as the premier walking tour company in the entire world“American Tour Guides Convention
“The original and best – there are several companies offering walking tours of London but London Walks (London’s oldest) is easily the pick of the bunch” London, Cadogan Guide
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, Old Westminster Walking Tour it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Old Westminster Walking Tour walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.
GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS
A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
Today my wife and I took the Old Westminster tour with David. It was a wonderful walk through an intriguing part of London and through history. What makes or breaks any tour is the guide. This was the third walk we have taken with David. He is wonderful. His knowledge about the tour snd his engaging style make for a very special and memorable tour. David brings unique, “David only” insights and artifacts that enhance our enjoyment of the tour and our learning. London Walks are London treasures. They are convenient, accommodating , enjoyable, and informative. When in London, London Walks are a MUST! Thank you David for more great memories!
Rated 5 out of 5
Mark Fox –
I have lived in London for over 30 years and always felt that I knew it pretty well. However, I had the pleasure of going on David’s Westminster walk last week and realised how much more there was – both hidden and in plain sight (if you knew where to look), David was a mine of information but put across in a relaxed and charming way – history, stories, anecdotes that made the whole area come alive. Thank you London Walks, and in particular David, for giving me such a memorable afternoon. Highly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kate, Guy & Caroline –
We all loved our tour. What a wonderful guide/ friend.. wish we could have gone for a drink with him. Such a gem xx
Rated 5 out of 5
Peter –
Did the Westminster walk with Simon on Saturday 25th November. Really enjoyed it, fascinating and fun, brought to life by Simon. A great guide and a great walk.
Rated 5 out of 5
David Fry –
Went on the old Westminster walk this morning with Simon, found him to be very knowledgeable with a great delivery style bringing history to life. Engaged with everyone on the walk, highly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Chris Fisher –
16 November 2023
If you thought you knew ‘Old Westminster’, then forget it. David, the wonderful American (from Winsconsin) will give you the most amazing walking tour and you’ll certainly learn fascinating facts and see many places you didn’t know existed. David is the best tour guide anyone could wish for with the greatest sense of humour. Not a dull moment and even though there was a little mizzle, it didn’t dampen the spirits. We loved the tour, you will be delighted by the experience. All thanks to David.
Rated 4 out of 5
Anne Harden –
I joined Ann yesterday on the ‘Old Westminster Walk’- I thoroughly enjoy it, Ann knew so much about the area, it was amazing, very interesting. I especially enjoyed the contrast between the classic history of the area and exploring the old residential streets nearby – without going on the Walk, I doubt that I would ever have encountered all that by chance. The experience of the Walk will stay with me, I am still enjoying it, simply thinking about it and sharing the experience with friends – Thank you Ann
Rated 5 out of 5
Ronja Fink –
Simon was a great Tour guide and told us lots of interesting things we actually did not know.
Vielen Dank es war eine spannende und sehr unterhaltsame Tour – wir buchen sicher nocheinmal
Rated 5 out of 5
Gary and Monika –
Great Westminster Walk from David, inside and personal! A fine mix of factual history and personal observations. Covered some hidden areas of London I have never visited. Highly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Lindsey –
Ann, our wonderful guide led us on a fascinating walk through Old Westminster taking in well known and secret places, exploring the famous buildings, open spaces and the maze of little streets around the Palace of Westminster.
Ann is a knowledgeable and brilliant guide, always making sure we could hear, delivering in a light hearted way, thrilling history, interesting facts and amusing anecdotes that kept us enthralled for the entire walk.
We thoroughly enjoyed every minute and are definitely coming back for more. Many thanks.
Rated 4 out of 5
Martin Jobling –
I came across a 2015 vintage “London Walks” brochure at home and wondered whether they were still in operation and was pleased to see online that they were. And so I booked the Old Westminster walk during my recent visit to London and was very glad that I did. Richard the third proved to be a very engaging and witty guide and was full of fascinating facts which would otherwise have gone unnoticed. I particularly enjoyed visiting some of the lesser known residential streets which had housed many famous people in the past and to hear about (and see) some of the old-fashioned gas lights that are still in existence. I thought at two hours the walk might be too tiring for me but there were plenty of stops with chances to catch one’s breath.
Rated 5 out of 5
Rebecca Solheim –
I joined the Old Westminster walk, guided by David T, in early September 2023, on one of the hottest days of the year. David was a phenomenal guide, thoughtfully seeking much-needed shade, and with a voice booming and engaging enough to cut through the Westminster traffic and buskers’ noise, and the knowledge, humour and experience to hold our large group’s attention as he guided us away from the hustle and bustle of tourists in Parliament Square to the calm and fascinating history of Deans Yard and nearby streets – I used to live in London, yet had no idea these quiet areas existed, nor their history. I particularly appreciated David’s welcoming email before the tour with travel tips and ideas of what to see and do if early, as well as what else was in the vicinity afterwards (yes, I went on to see the magnificent oak ceiling in Westminster Hall and experience part of a House of Lords’ session, so thank you, David). I will remember many of David’s stories and anecdotes for years to come and thoroughly recommend this tour if you want both London highlights as well as “secret” elements of central London. This is a tour that will fascinate London natives, as well as tourists!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jim Bosscher –
Thoroughly enjoyed the Westminster walk with David today. He did an outstanding job sharing his many insights about the iconic buildings and the history of this area. I have found the London Walks to be an outstanding investment in terms of time and money spent and so far, David’s tour has been the best! Look forward to taking many more when visiting London.
Rated 5 out of 5
Richard Deadman –
Greatly enjoyed another guided London Walk, this time in Westminster with Richard. Learnt so much of the local – which was actually national, history with interesting incites. Left us regaining a thirst for more history and knowledge of London. Walking London with just a book isn’t the same.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sam –
I did the Old Westminster walk today with David. He was an engaging guide with an incredible knowledge of history and the ability to weave interesting stories into his narrative and tailored to his audience which made the walk feel more personal. Very enjoyable and highly recommended!
Rated 5 out of 5
Brett Sommer –
Took this tour in late July with Ann. She is personable, funny and extremely knowledgeable about the area of Westminster. I was especially impressed with her ability to “herd cats” as the tube stop and Parliament Square can be a bit nuts in the summer. Well worth your time and money.
Rated 5 out of 5
Michaela –
I have just finished my ‘gaslight walk’ with Simon and was thrilled. Simon has a way of bringing history to life that is unique! He sings, acts and imitates dialects and original voices while entertainingly summarzing most complex history in delightful and memorable episodes. His humour and expertise are a treat for young and old, informed and uninformed tourists likewise! Thank you so much Simon for the heart and soul tour!
Rated 5 out of 5
Laura D –
Did this tour in July 2023 with David. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and loves sharing what he knows. I’ve done tours with him in the past – and it’s always a treat. He’s a journalist by training and it shows! And he’s warm and kind as well – making connections with and between the guests, and sharing as much about current affairs as about history. This walk can be a little crazy at the start with all of the tourists crowding the sidewalks. David does a great job navigating through that all and you’ll be amazed by the quiet solitude you’ll find later in the walk!
Rated 5 out of 5
Brian Biggs –
I went on the Old Westminster Walk with David yesterday, 27 July 2023. It was a very interesting walk of two halves. The very busy area around Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey with lots of historic names and details. Then to the quiet and tranquil area behind Church House, with its tales of famous people and political intrigue. David was informative, funny and very erudite on this subject.
Rated 5 out of 5
Caroline Callan –
3 of us went on the walk, 1 is a Londoner born and bred and all 3 of us have worked in Westminster fora number of years. We all thoroughly enjoyed the walk, saw parts of Westminster we did not know existed and learned so much about the history of this area. I love London Walks, they never fail to deliver and David was an excellent guide.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kirsten Husband –
I have been a fan and follower of London Walks for nearly 25 years. Every single Walk has been wonderful–literally steps into experiencing the history of this magnificent city. The Old Westminster Walk, led by David, exceeded expectations as the Walks somehow always do. Through David’s eye and voice, we saw Westminster from the tourist-clogged streets to its intimate, hidden, quiet corners. It was marvelous.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alice Burchett –
Really great experience! I was a bit nervous that the tour was a bit over 2 hours but the time flew by with David. I’ll now see Westminster differently. Thank you !
Rated 5 out of 5
Michele –
Ann does have good stories and is quite funny. My family and I throughly enjoyed her very interesting anecdotes on our Old Westminster walk, her wry sense of humor, and the feeling of just having got a better understanding of an iconic part of London. Thanks so much Ann
Rated 5 out of 5
Tom Weiss –
Had a great intro to Westminster area on our first day in London with our guide David. His knowledge and willingness to share are first rate! Thank you David!
Rated 5 out of 5
Dennis Krushner –
Highly recommend. David made this an interesting and varied walk.
Rated 5 out of 5
Suzanne Vermigle –
The Old Westminster tour guided by David was interesting, informative and funny. We had 2 visiting American friends with us and they were delighted that David was also American as they could understand his accent! It was great to learn the history and insights about monuments and buildings which we have passed by many times. But the highlight was being taken ‘behind the scenes’ of Westminster to streets that we didn’t know existed let alone their interesting occupants! It took the tour to another level. Thanks for a great tour David.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jessica –
This is an addendum to my previous review. David really went above and beyond. There were a couple of questions that he didn’t fully answer on the walk, and he emailed us very complete answers afterwards. And he also sent us the chapter he wrote for the London Walks book. All in all, it was a great experience which continued after we left.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jessica –
We highly recommend the Westminster tour with David. He was extremely knowledgeable, funny, and very responsive to questions.
Rated 5 out of 5
Rowland Jefferys –
Oh yes take this walk. David our guide was excellent. Humerous, knowledgeable entertaining and for someone who has lived in London for 50 years revealed much that I simply was not aware of………brilliant and taking in parts of Westminster that I simply did not know existed. This really was good and the the benefits of a gentle stroll with a purpose must be good for one’s wellbeing!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sachin Tewari –
This walk helps you see Westminster with its historical context, how it started and how it led up to the present. The area is densely packed with history, thus the physical walk is not a lot but it teaches you a lot about Britain. David is a great guide as always (highly recommend his Hampstead walk). One suggestion to those interested in this walk, try going on a non eventful day as the area is already pretty crowded with tourists and any special event will just make things more noisier.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jacomien –
As Holland, we dit the Old Westminster Tour on Saturday April 15th with Simon (who skipped his eggs and bacon to fill in for a colleague), and it was absolutely amazing! The funny details, the enthousiasm and the pretty sights were very much enjoyed. Thanks!
Rated 5 out of 5
Kayleigh –
We thoroughly enjoyed the Old Westminster walking tour today, Simon was an incredible guide, full of knowledge, passionate and inspiring to listen to! We learnt so much. A huge thanks and highly recommend!
Rated 5 out of 5
Rosemary Hamilton –
I had a great tour ‘Old Westminster’ with Simon this morning. He was very informative with plenty of interesting stories. Definitely recommend going on this walk.
Rated 5 out of 5
Rachel –
What an interesting and most enjoyable guided tour. We did the 11am Old Westminster Tour with Simon as our guide which I would highly recommend.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sangita Chari –
The walk with David was well worth the money. Me and my teenage kids learned a ton about the contemporary history of the area. It made what they learned in school come alive and really transformed my appreciation of the Westminster area. Thoroughly recommend for anyone looking to understand the importance of Westminster to England.
Rated 5 out of 5
Rishi –
Simon did our tour and I was riveted by his compelling delivery and incredible wit! He made British history interesting even for those of us who knew little about it. I highly recommend Simon and this company too.
David Tucker –
Hi Jennifer,
David here. Thanks very much for your review, both the praise and the bit of disappointment you felt about not going into the Abbey or Parliament. As for visiting the Abbey, we have a dedicated Westminster Abbey Tour. You can’t begin to do justice to the Abbey in less than two hours. You wouldn’t have been “a little disappointed” – you would have been seething with rage if I’d had you cough up the price of admission for entry to the Abbey and then taken you in there for all of fifteen minutes. That’s the worst of all possible worlds. Mea culpa if I didn’t mention to you that you can go into the Abbey after the walk for free to attend the Evensong service – but that has strict limitations, you can’t walk around, can’t explore the Abbey. I’m afraid the only way of doing it and doing justice to it – and feeling good about it – is to go on the dedicated Abbey Tour. And at walk’s end it would have been possible – providing the House was sitting – to go into the public gallery of the House of Commons. N.B. you often have to queue unless you go quite late in the day or indeed in the evening, so, as with a visit to the Abbey in the time frame of the walk, a major detour like that would not have been a good use of your time given that you were on a walking tour of “Old Westminster”, both its public and private faces (and spaces). 90 percent of what we did and saw on the tour would have been “out of reach”, so to speak, if, during the tour, we’d gone into “the Stranger’s Gallery”, as the public galleries used to be known.
All things considered, all of that is a plus not a minus. It’s the best possible use of your time – if you’re so inclined – to go on the tour and then head off for the Evensong Service or the Strangers’ Gallery. They dovetail perfectly.
Finally, and also for the record, I’m a dual national. Have been here for 50 years, though, yes, I’ve still got the chewy dipthongs. An Israeli linguist – bless her heart – once said to me, “it’s a sign of good character that you’ve held on to your accent, it means you’re comfortable in your own skin.”
Rated 5 out of 5
Jennifer –
David’s knowledge of English history is very impressive, especially for an American! I was a little disappointed that we didn’t go into Parliament or Westminister Abbey however. I thought that was part of the walk. Regardless, it was a very interesting tour of the neigborhood behind Parliament and Westminister Abbey.
Rated 5 out of 5
Annette –
Took the tour with Simon on a chilly Saturday morning, we were a small group and it was so much fun! I particularly liked how seamlessly you embedded the French and German idioms for a German tourist – Danke dafür! Vielen Dank und bis zum nächsten Mal!
-annette
Rated 5 out of 5
Paula –
Tour on 04/03/23 with Simon – Very informative, lots of quirky facts, great fun. Highly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Marie –
Great tour. Simon very informative. Highly recommend.
Rated 5 out of 5
Tom –
Old Westminster with Simon was filled with interesting historical stories and lots of laughs. Simon is very knowledgeable and funny. What a good time!
Rated 5 out of 5
Geoff Matthews –
Simon stood in for David and was a worthy sub. He really brought the buildings to life and despite the temperature it was well worth the effort. Great guide, thank you Simon
Rated 5 out of 5
Mrs M T Gilbey –
We went on the Old Westminster walk with Ann Jones on Tuesday 7th February. Ann was an excellent and personable guide who entertained us throughout the walk. We visited parts of Westminster which we were not aware of and all our questions were met with knowledgeable responses. We would recommend this tour to anyone who wishes to explore and discover the area around the Parliamentary estate and Westminster Abbey.
Rated 5 out of 5
Geoff Pyer –
Another great London walk round old Westminster. David was a fantastic guide & despite the atrocious weather made it so enjoyable. We learned so much & visited places we never knew existed & I was born in London! Looking forward to the next walk with you
Rated 5 out of 5
Victoria Dagestino –
I booked this as a private tour with Ann as my guide. The whole experience was one of the highlights of my visit to London. Ann is very knowledgeable as well as personable. She knew so many anecdotes that don’t show up in history books. As an American, my knowledge of English history is cursory at best. Ann was able to answer all my questions, framing them in their historical context. I thoroughly recommend this tour and Ann is delightful.
Rated 5 out of 5
Marc Matthews –
Simon was subbing for David today and was most excellent. Simon is a right proper English character, with more stories than 120 minutes allow. Perhaps the highlight of this particular day was when we were stopped in the “recent” houses area and a woman came out of a flat with her dog, Mozart, and talked with our group. Me thinks that there is more to her story than she let on because her flat was very famous in recent years…
Rated 5 out of 5
Ellen Jawitz –
Great walking tour of Old Westminster with David! We learned a lot, and especially enjoyed the second half of the tour which brought us through back streets we wouldn’t have discovered on our own.
Rated 5 out of 5
Linda Bailey –
Adam did a brilliant job steering us around Parliament and weaving stories we would have never heard without him. Excellent walk and time well spent.
Rated 5 out of 5
Philip Keylock –
Entertaining, informative, anecdotal, and great way to spend a couple of hours. A credit to London walks.
Rated 5 out of 5
Dale Hayden –
Exceptional walk. David does such a fantastic job of bringing history to life. If you think you know Westminster as an occasional visitor, you have missed the best parts. This London Walks fills in the rest. I have done close to 100 walks, and this is one of my favorite. The best entertainment value; not just for your first visit, but for all your visits.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mike Nisbet –
What a lovely and different experience! Starting with a bit of the more commonly recognised parts of the parliamentray estate and parliament square landmarks; the really satisfying bit of the tour kicks in when heading onto the residential back streets. So many quirky and funny anecdotes to satisfy the curiosity of tourists, history and politico fans alike. David our guide was charasmatic, a great communicator, knowledgeable and funny. I’ll be doing some of the other tours soon!
Rated 5 out of 5
Tim Gifford –
A very interesting and enlightening walk through a very small geographical but fascinating area with a long history. Our guide (Ann) was extremely knowledgeable and kept us enthralled for the whole time. Very much recommended!
Rated 5 out of 5
Wendy Marshall –
Despite the first paragraph of this walk’s description, this walk does *not* go anywhere near the Westminster Abbey until the very end, and then only the back of it. That being said, Isobel is full of wonderful information, and I enjoyed the walk.
Rated 5 out of 5
Kath Granger –
We did this walk on Saturday 22 October 2022. It was very interesting and entertaining. Karen, our guide, was excellent using her vocal skills well to compete with the street noise as this is a very busy area in places. As others have said you see places and get information about them that you don’t get on your own, even with a guide book. We always recommend London Walks to our friends as they never fail to entertain and inform.
Rated 5 out of 5
petra –
brilliant walk. Isobel was my guide, she was delightful. So much info delivered in a way that kept me wanting to hear more and more. gtmreat insight into the area, inspiring me to explore more. can’t wait to go on the next walk!
Rated 5 out of 5
Caroline Dixon –
We enjoyed being back in London for the Old Westminster Walk with David yesterday. He really made the history come alive as he is charismatic, has a good sense of humour, and is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. We learned so much and explored a quieter part of Westminster that we didn’t know existed. We are looking forward to our next tour with London Walks.
Rated 5 out of 5
Gary –
I’ve wandered around this part of London on and off for years but still found out lots of great facts and trod alleys I had no idea existed. Everything moves along at a gentle pace – plenty of time for pictures and not to get tired – and each stop is entertaining and informative. I’ve done a bunch of London Walks now and I can’t wait to do another.
Rated 5 out of 5
Sharon Collins –
My husband and I have previously been on various London Walks and always found them enjoyable and informative. We did the Old Westminster walk on Thursday 15th June. What a wonderful experience! Our guide was so knowledgeable and full of interesting facts and anecdotes. If you get the chance you must do this walk. You will not be disappointed
Rated 5 out of 5
Mrs Celestine Allison Rankin –
I went on the Old Westminster Walk with friends on 7th June guided by Ann Jones. It was an excellent experience. Ann was a very good guide and we learnt so much about parts of Westminster we had never been to. How wonderful to discover hidden treasures in our capital city. My friends and I intend to go on more of these superb tours. Thank you so much for arranging them and with such knowledgable guides.
Rated 5 out of 5
Walter Hummer –
We did the tour with Molly and had an amazing walk.
It was as entertaining as it was informative.
Highly recommended!
Rated 5 out of 5
Martin Anbari –
This was a wonderful tour, given by Ann Jones. Very interesting and informative. There is simply no amount of preparation that a visitor can do on one’s own that can substitute for the kind of tour given by an experienced guide. It was superlative in every sense. Ms. Jones is so personable and easy going and friendly. Highly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
David Manchester –
Thoroughly enjoyable walk with a well informed and wonderful guide
Thank your Ann
Rated 5 out of 5
Sian Edwards –
Another great walk. I always feel inspired by your guides.
Rated 5 out of 5
Steve –
Lovely walking tour with the wonderful tour guide – an American (and now Brit) in London. Not to be missed.
Rated 5 out of 5
Maggie B –
I have done many of the London Walks and this one of Westminster was as interesting and informative as all the others. Ann was an excellent guide and had an abundance of fascinating historical facts and anecdotes to relate that brought the area to life and sustained my interest for a full two hours. I liked the way she shone a light on the unknown nooks and crannies of such a well-known area of London. Heartily recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Alison Pedrono –
Highly recommend this London Walk around Westminster – learnt so much from our guide Ann who was extremely welcoming, interesting, lively and who shared so much information and anecdotes .. the 2 hours flew by – I will definitely sign up for other Walks
Rated 5 out of 5
Mary Joyce Gelsinger –
We just finished this fabulous walk with Isobel, who was marvelous! We were the only ones who showed up for the tour, and the weather was miserable, but Isobel was undaunted and gave us a truly great tour of Westminster. Her stories and insights made the time fly by. Well done!
Rated 5 out of 5
Sarah Barham –
We had an excellent time with Ann. We saw hidden parts of Westminster we had never before visited. Ann was very knowledgeable and interesting. We can’t wait to book another tour.
Rated 5 out of 5
PJ –
All the excellent recent reviews of this tour which we did today with David are completely accurate and really sum up the quality of all of the company’s tours we’ve done
Rated 5 out of 5
DJ –
Really enjoyed our walk with Ann.
Saw alot of interesting things we would have missed. Will definatly be booking more walks. Such good value.
Rated 5 out of 5
Penn Wyrough –
Last tour of a 10 day trip to London, Bath and York – a great way to end. David did an outstanding job highlighting new and interesting secrets of Westminster. Thought I knew it “all” but David pointed many, many fun details that only an experienced guide knows. 2 hours passed quickly in an easy-going Informative stroll through history. Highly recommend.
Rated 5 out of 5
Danny Abrahams –
A superb way to spend the afternoon and on my birthday too . Isobel is an excellent guide not just because of the depth of her knowledge she shared with her customers but because she made us all feel welcome with the warmth of her wonderful engaging personality.
Rated 5 out of 5
Audra Jackson –
Ann J. did a fantastic walk for our group of 6. She pointed out lots of interesting tidbits that we would have missed on our own. I highly recommend!
Rated 5 out of 5
Caroline –
2hours of intellectual stimulus – fascinating history of Westminster and so much more. Molly thank you for your knowledge and humour. Many highlights you really know your stuff. Looking forward to booking the next one. Highly recommend Molly and this tour ..a remarkable lady.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ben R –
Our two-hour walk with Ann around Westminster was a highlight of our 8-day trip to London. Her knowledge of the area’s history, peppered with interesting stories and anecdotes, brought a cold afternoon to life! We will certainly do more London Walks tours on a future visit.
Rated 5 out of 5
Winifred –
Loved this walk around Westminster with Simon. I saw places that I’d never noticed before despite working in the area for eight years! Brilliant!
Rated 5 out of 5
Mahesh and Geetha –
David did this walk with us on 4th November. He was amazing – an American who had come to England in his 20’s and had stayed and developed his love for England. His passion for English history and his in-depth knowledge as a university lecturer and podcaster shone through his words. He showed and told us things about the census and took us to amazing parts of Westminster which had us entranced. Even though we are Londoners ourselves, we would have never been aware of many of these little gems he took us to. He was a thoughtful and humorous guide and opened up a new awareness and respect for the amazing history of political Westminster.
Rated 5 out of 5
Malcolm Austin –
Fascinating tour of slightly off beat places.
Rated 5 out of 5
Ian Eddleston –
Our walk was by Ann Jones, who obviously knows her stuff. A very interesting two hours. Highly recommended.
Rated 5 out of 5
Cristina –
Absolutely loved our guide Simon! We’ve done several walks and he was the absolute best. Perfect touch of humour and emotional involvement. Looking forward to some of the Christmas tours he recommended
Rated 5 out of 5
Allison –
Took this tour on 16 October with Simon. VERY well done. Fabulous information delivered by a wonderful guide. He engaged everyone while providing historical facts about buildings and items that one would completely not notice simply walking through. His ability to keep everyone interested while still keeping us laughing is unsurpassed. Highly recommend any walks with London Walks.
Rated 5 out of 5
Lynne –
David was kind enough to take me on this tour today despite being the only person to turn up .Many tour companies would not have done that. The tour was full of historical information as well as many interesting anecdotes. I saw buildings, places and small details that I would not have noticed myself and are not in the guide books. David is an extremely knowledgeable, experienced guide with an excellent sense of humour. This tour is first class and not to be missed.
Rated 5 out of 5
Lynn Holman –
We walked Old Westminster with Simon who provided our tour with plenty of interesting historical facts served up with humour & great voice impressions. We were even lucky enough to meet a local lady & her dog who gave us extra insider knowledge. The walk is a great way to see behind the obvious.
Rated 5 out of 5
Chris Fisher –
We recently did this walk led by David T. who was an engaging and enthusiastic guide. Although he is an American by birth his deep and genuine fascination for the history and culture of his adopted city shone through and made for a hugely enjoyable afternoon. I’m a lifelong history buff but learned a host of new and interesting details from this walk which also introduces you to parts of Westminster you would otherwise miss on the usual tourist trail. No hesitation in recommending for both tourists and natives. Excellent.
Rated 5 out of 5
Paul Orchard –
Did the Old Westminster Walking Tour while on a trip to the capital in September 2021. It was fantastic in itself but our guide, Karen, was awesome and added hugely to our enjoyment. You are guaranteed to see bits of Westminster that you’ve never seen before and the time flew by. Highly recommend the tour and certainly Karen who is a star.
Rated 5 out of 5
Mark Gunning –
Did this excellent walk in September 2021 with David T. It was exactly the right mix of sound history, quirky facts and humour. David ensures you see many fascinating things you would never have noticed without a guide. Highly recommend.
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Tom Geismar –
Today my wife and I took the Old Westminster tour with David. It was a wonderful walk through an intriguing part of London and through history. What makes or breaks any tour is the guide. This was the third walk we have taken with David. He is wonderful. His knowledge about the tour snd his engaging style make for a very special and memorable tour. David brings unique, “David only” insights and artifacts that enhance our enjoyment of the tour and our learning. London Walks are London treasures. They are convenient, accommodating , enjoyable, and informative. When in London, London Walks are a MUST! Thank you David for more great memories!
Mark Fox –
I have lived in London for over 30 years and always felt that I knew it pretty well. However, I had the pleasure of going on David’s Westminster walk last week and realised how much more there was – both hidden and in plain sight (if you knew where to look), David was a mine of information but put across in a relaxed and charming way – history, stories, anecdotes that made the whole area come alive. Thank you London Walks, and in particular David, for giving me such a memorable afternoon. Highly recommended.
Kate, Guy & Caroline –
We all loved our tour. What a wonderful guide/ friend.. wish we could have gone for a drink with him. Such a gem xx
Peter –
Did the Westminster walk with Simon on Saturday 25th November. Really enjoyed it, fascinating and fun, brought to life by Simon. A great guide and a great walk.
David Fry –
Went on the old Westminster walk this morning with Simon, found him to be very knowledgeable with a great delivery style bringing history to life. Engaged with everyone on the walk, highly recommended.
Chris Fisher –
16 November 2023
If you thought you knew ‘Old Westminster’, then forget it. David, the wonderful American (from Winsconsin) will give you the most amazing walking tour and you’ll certainly learn fascinating facts and see many places you didn’t know existed. David is the best tour guide anyone could wish for with the greatest sense of humour. Not a dull moment and even though there was a little mizzle, it didn’t dampen the spirits. We loved the tour, you will be delighted by the experience. All thanks to David.
Anne Harden –
I joined Ann yesterday on the ‘Old Westminster Walk’- I thoroughly enjoy it, Ann knew so much about the area, it was amazing, very interesting. I especially enjoyed the contrast between the classic history of the area and exploring the old residential streets nearby – without going on the Walk, I doubt that I would ever have encountered all that by chance. The experience of the Walk will stay with me, I am still enjoying it, simply thinking about it and sharing the experience with friends – Thank you Ann
Ronja Fink –
Simon was a great Tour guide and told us lots of interesting things we actually did not know.
Vielen Dank es war eine spannende und sehr unterhaltsame Tour – wir buchen sicher nocheinmal
Gary and Monika –
Great Westminster Walk from David, inside and personal! A fine mix of factual history and personal observations. Covered some hidden areas of London I have never visited. Highly recommended.
Lindsey –
Ann, our wonderful guide led us on a fascinating walk through Old Westminster taking in well known and secret places, exploring the famous buildings, open spaces and the maze of little streets around the Palace of Westminster.
Ann is a knowledgeable and brilliant guide, always making sure we could hear, delivering in a light hearted way, thrilling history, interesting facts and amusing anecdotes that kept us enthralled for the entire walk.
We thoroughly enjoyed every minute and are definitely coming back for more. Many thanks.
Martin Jobling –
I came across a 2015 vintage “London Walks” brochure at home and wondered whether they were still in operation and was pleased to see online that they were. And so I booked the Old Westminster walk during my recent visit to London and was very glad that I did. Richard the third proved to be a very engaging and witty guide and was full of fascinating facts which would otherwise have gone unnoticed. I particularly enjoyed visiting some of the lesser known residential streets which had housed many famous people in the past and to hear about (and see) some of the old-fashioned gas lights that are still in existence. I thought at two hours the walk might be too tiring for me but there were plenty of stops with chances to catch one’s breath.
Rebecca Solheim –
I joined the Old Westminster walk, guided by David T, in early September 2023, on one of the hottest days of the year. David was a phenomenal guide, thoughtfully seeking much-needed shade, and with a voice booming and engaging enough to cut through the Westminster traffic and buskers’ noise, and the knowledge, humour and experience to hold our large group’s attention as he guided us away from the hustle and bustle of tourists in Parliament Square to the calm and fascinating history of Deans Yard and nearby streets – I used to live in London, yet had no idea these quiet areas existed, nor their history. I particularly appreciated David’s welcoming email before the tour with travel tips and ideas of what to see and do if early, as well as what else was in the vicinity afterwards (yes, I went on to see the magnificent oak ceiling in Westminster Hall and experience part of a House of Lords’ session, so thank you, David). I will remember many of David’s stories and anecdotes for years to come and thoroughly recommend this tour if you want both London highlights as well as “secret” elements of central London. This is a tour that will fascinate London natives, as well as tourists!
Jim Bosscher –
Thoroughly enjoyed the Westminster walk with David today. He did an outstanding job sharing his many insights about the iconic buildings and the history of this area. I have found the London Walks to be an outstanding investment in terms of time and money spent and so far, David’s tour has been the best! Look forward to taking many more when visiting London.
Richard Deadman –
Greatly enjoyed another guided London Walk, this time in Westminster with Richard. Learnt so much of the local – which was actually national, history with interesting incites. Left us regaining a thirst for more history and knowledge of London. Walking London with just a book isn’t the same.
Sam –
I did the Old Westminster walk today with David. He was an engaging guide with an incredible knowledge of history and the ability to weave interesting stories into his narrative and tailored to his audience which made the walk feel more personal. Very enjoyable and highly recommended!
Brett Sommer –
Took this tour in late July with Ann. She is personable, funny and extremely knowledgeable about the area of Westminster. I was especially impressed with her ability to “herd cats” as the tube stop and Parliament Square can be a bit nuts in the summer. Well worth your time and money.
Michaela –
I have just finished my ‘gaslight walk’ with Simon and was thrilled. Simon has a way of bringing history to life that is unique! He sings, acts and imitates dialects and original voices while entertainingly summarzing most complex history in delightful and memorable episodes. His humour and expertise are a treat for young and old, informed and uninformed tourists likewise! Thank you so much Simon for the heart and soul tour!
Laura D –
Did this tour in July 2023 with David. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and loves sharing what he knows. I’ve done tours with him in the past – and it’s always a treat. He’s a journalist by training and it shows! And he’s warm and kind as well – making connections with and between the guests, and sharing as much about current affairs as about history. This walk can be a little crazy at the start with all of the tourists crowding the sidewalks. David does a great job navigating through that all and you’ll be amazed by the quiet solitude you’ll find later in the walk!
Brian Biggs –
I went on the Old Westminster Walk with David yesterday, 27 July 2023. It was a very interesting walk of two halves. The very busy area around Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey with lots of historic names and details. Then to the quiet and tranquil area behind Church House, with its tales of famous people and political intrigue. David was informative, funny and very erudite on this subject.
Caroline Callan –
3 of us went on the walk, 1 is a Londoner born and bred and all 3 of us have worked in Westminster fora number of years. We all thoroughly enjoyed the walk, saw parts of Westminster we did not know existed and learned so much about the history of this area. I love London Walks, they never fail to deliver and David was an excellent guide.
Kirsten Husband –
I have been a fan and follower of London Walks for nearly 25 years. Every single Walk has been wonderful–literally steps into experiencing the history of this magnificent city. The Old Westminster Walk, led by David, exceeded expectations as the Walks somehow always do. Through David’s eye and voice, we saw Westminster from the tourist-clogged streets to its intimate, hidden, quiet corners. It was marvelous.
Alice Burchett –
Really great experience! I was a bit nervous that the tour was a bit over 2 hours but the time flew by with David. I’ll now see Westminster differently. Thank you !
Michele –
Ann does have good stories and is quite funny. My family and I throughly enjoyed her very interesting anecdotes on our Old Westminster walk, her wry sense of humor, and the feeling of just having got a better understanding of an iconic part of London. Thanks so much Ann
Tom Weiss –
Had a great intro to Westminster area on our first day in London with our guide David. His knowledge and willingness to share are first rate! Thank you David!
Dennis Krushner –
Highly recommend. David made this an interesting and varied walk.
Suzanne Vermigle –
The Old Westminster tour guided by David was interesting, informative and funny. We had 2 visiting American friends with us and they were delighted that David was also American as they could understand his accent! It was great to learn the history and insights about monuments and buildings which we have passed by many times. But the highlight was being taken ‘behind the scenes’ of Westminster to streets that we didn’t know existed let alone their interesting occupants! It took the tour to another level. Thanks for a great tour David.
Jessica –
This is an addendum to my previous review. David really went above and beyond. There were a couple of questions that he didn’t fully answer on the walk, and he emailed us very complete answers afterwards. And he also sent us the chapter he wrote for the London Walks book. All in all, it was a great experience which continued after we left.
Jessica –
We highly recommend the Westminster tour with David. He was extremely knowledgeable, funny, and very responsive to questions.
Rowland Jefferys –
Oh yes take this walk. David our guide was excellent. Humerous, knowledgeable entertaining and for someone who has lived in London for 50 years revealed much that I simply was not aware of………brilliant and taking in parts of Westminster that I simply did not know existed. This really was good and the the benefits of a gentle stroll with a purpose must be good for one’s wellbeing!
Sachin Tewari –
This walk helps you see Westminster with its historical context, how it started and how it led up to the present. The area is densely packed with history, thus the physical walk is not a lot but it teaches you a lot about Britain. David is a great guide as always (highly recommend his Hampstead walk). One suggestion to those interested in this walk, try going on a non eventful day as the area is already pretty crowded with tourists and any special event will just make things more noisier.
Jacomien –
As Holland, we dit the Old Westminster Tour on Saturday April 15th with Simon (who skipped his eggs and bacon to fill in for a colleague), and it was absolutely amazing! The funny details, the enthousiasm and the pretty sights were very much enjoyed. Thanks!
Kayleigh –
We thoroughly enjoyed the Old Westminster walking tour today, Simon was an incredible guide, full of knowledge, passionate and inspiring to listen to! We learnt so much. A huge thanks and highly recommend!
Rosemary Hamilton –
I had a great tour ‘Old Westminster’ with Simon this morning. He was very informative with plenty of interesting stories. Definitely recommend going on this walk.
Rachel –
What an interesting and most enjoyable guided tour. We did the 11am Old Westminster Tour with Simon as our guide which I would highly recommend.
Sangita Chari –
The walk with David was well worth the money. Me and my teenage kids learned a ton about the contemporary history of the area. It made what they learned in school come alive and really transformed my appreciation of the Westminster area. Thoroughly recommend for anyone looking to understand the importance of Westminster to England.
Rishi –
Simon did our tour and I was riveted by his compelling delivery and incredible wit! He made British history interesting even for those of us who knew little about it. I highly recommend Simon and this company too.
David Tucker –
Hi Jennifer,
David here. Thanks very much for your review, both the praise and the bit of disappointment you felt about not going into the Abbey or Parliament. As for visiting the Abbey, we have a dedicated Westminster Abbey Tour. You can’t begin to do justice to the Abbey in less than two hours. You wouldn’t have been “a little disappointed” – you would have been seething with rage if I’d had you cough up the price of admission for entry to the Abbey and then taken you in there for all of fifteen minutes. That’s the worst of all possible worlds. Mea culpa if I didn’t mention to you that you can go into the Abbey after the walk for free to attend the Evensong service – but that has strict limitations, you can’t walk around, can’t explore the Abbey. I’m afraid the only way of doing it and doing justice to it – and feeling good about it – is to go on the dedicated Abbey Tour. And at walk’s end it would have been possible – providing the House was sitting – to go into the public gallery of the House of Commons. N.B. you often have to queue unless you go quite late in the day or indeed in the evening, so, as with a visit to the Abbey in the time frame of the walk, a major detour like that would not have been a good use of your time given that you were on a walking tour of “Old Westminster”, both its public and private faces (and spaces). 90 percent of what we did and saw on the tour would have been “out of reach”, so to speak, if, during the tour, we’d gone into “the Stranger’s Gallery”, as the public galleries used to be known.
All things considered, all of that is a plus not a minus. It’s the best possible use of your time – if you’re so inclined – to go on the tour and then head off for the Evensong Service or the Strangers’ Gallery. They dovetail perfectly.
Finally, and also for the record, I’m a dual national. Have been here for 50 years, though, yes, I’ve still got the chewy dipthongs. An Israeli linguist – bless her heart – once said to me, “it’s a sign of good character that you’ve held on to your accent, it means you’re comfortable in your own skin.”
Jennifer –
David’s knowledge of English history is very impressive, especially for an American! I was a little disappointed that we didn’t go into Parliament or Westminister Abbey however. I thought that was part of the walk. Regardless, it was a very interesting tour of the neigborhood behind Parliament and Westminister Abbey.
Annette –
Took the tour with Simon on a chilly Saturday morning, we were a small group and it was so much fun! I particularly liked how seamlessly you embedded the French and German idioms for a German tourist – Danke dafür! Vielen Dank und bis zum nächsten Mal!
-annette
Paula –
Tour on 04/03/23 with Simon – Very informative, lots of quirky facts, great fun. Highly recommended.
Marie –
Great tour. Simon very informative. Highly recommend.
Tom –
Old Westminster with Simon was filled with interesting historical stories and lots of laughs. Simon is very knowledgeable and funny. What a good time!
Geoff Matthews –
Simon stood in for David and was a worthy sub. He really brought the buildings to life and despite the temperature it was well worth the effort. Great guide, thank you Simon
Mrs M T Gilbey –
We went on the Old Westminster walk with Ann Jones on Tuesday 7th February. Ann was an excellent and personable guide who entertained us throughout the walk. We visited parts of Westminster which we were not aware of and all our questions were met with knowledgeable responses. We would recommend this tour to anyone who wishes to explore and discover the area around the Parliamentary estate and Westminster Abbey.
Geoff Pyer –
Another great London walk round old Westminster. David was a fantastic guide & despite the atrocious weather made it so enjoyable. We learned so much & visited places we never knew existed & I was born in London! Looking forward to the next walk with you
Victoria Dagestino –
I booked this as a private tour with Ann as my guide. The whole experience was one of the highlights of my visit to London. Ann is very knowledgeable as well as personable. She knew so many anecdotes that don’t show up in history books. As an American, my knowledge of English history is cursory at best. Ann was able to answer all my questions, framing them in their historical context. I thoroughly recommend this tour and Ann is delightful.
Marc Matthews –
Simon was subbing for David today and was most excellent. Simon is a right proper English character, with more stories than 120 minutes allow. Perhaps the highlight of this particular day was when we were stopped in the “recent” houses area and a woman came out of a flat with her dog, Mozart, and talked with our group. Me thinks that there is more to her story than she let on because her flat was very famous in recent years…
Ellen Jawitz –
Great walking tour of Old Westminster with David! We learned a lot, and especially enjoyed the second half of the tour which brought us through back streets we wouldn’t have discovered on our own.
Linda Bailey –
Adam did a brilliant job steering us around Parliament and weaving stories we would have never heard without him. Excellent walk and time well spent.
Philip Keylock –
Entertaining, informative, anecdotal, and great way to spend a couple of hours. A credit to London walks.
Dale Hayden –
Exceptional walk. David does such a fantastic job of bringing history to life. If you think you know Westminster as an occasional visitor, you have missed the best parts. This London Walks fills in the rest. I have done close to 100 walks, and this is one of my favorite. The best entertainment value; not just for your first visit, but for all your visits.
Mike Nisbet –
What a lovely and different experience! Starting with a bit of the more commonly recognised parts of the parliamentray estate and parliament square landmarks; the really satisfying bit of the tour kicks in when heading onto the residential back streets. So many quirky and funny anecdotes to satisfy the curiosity of tourists, history and politico fans alike. David our guide was charasmatic, a great communicator, knowledgeable and funny. I’ll be doing some of the other tours soon!
Tim Gifford –
A very interesting and enlightening walk through a very small geographical but fascinating area with a long history. Our guide (Ann) was extremely knowledgeable and kept us enthralled for the whole time. Very much recommended!
Wendy Marshall –
Despite the first paragraph of this walk’s description, this walk does *not* go anywhere near the Westminster Abbey until the very end, and then only the back of it. That being said, Isobel is full of wonderful information, and I enjoyed the walk.
Kath Granger –
We did this walk on Saturday 22 October 2022. It was very interesting and entertaining. Karen, our guide, was excellent using her vocal skills well to compete with the street noise as this is a very busy area in places. As others have said you see places and get information about them that you don’t get on your own, even with a guide book. We always recommend London Walks to our friends as they never fail to entertain and inform.
petra –
brilliant walk. Isobel was my guide, she was delightful. So much info delivered in a way that kept me wanting to hear more and more. gtmreat insight into the area, inspiring me to explore more. can’t wait to go on the next walk!
Caroline Dixon –
We enjoyed being back in London for the Old Westminster Walk with David yesterday. He really made the history come alive as he is charismatic, has a good sense of humour, and is clearly very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. We learned so much and explored a quieter part of Westminster that we didn’t know existed. We are looking forward to our next tour with London Walks.
Gary –
I’ve wandered around this part of London on and off for years but still found out lots of great facts and trod alleys I had no idea existed. Everything moves along at a gentle pace – plenty of time for pictures and not to get tired – and each stop is entertaining and informative. I’ve done a bunch of London Walks now and I can’t wait to do another.
Sharon Collins –
My husband and I have previously been on various London Walks and always found them enjoyable and informative. We did the Old Westminster walk on Thursday 15th June. What a wonderful experience! Our guide was so knowledgeable and full of interesting facts and anecdotes. If you get the chance you must do this walk. You will not be disappointed
Mrs Celestine Allison Rankin –
I went on the Old Westminster Walk with friends on 7th June guided by Ann Jones. It was an excellent experience. Ann was a very good guide and we learnt so much about parts of Westminster we had never been to. How wonderful to discover hidden treasures in our capital city. My friends and I intend to go on more of these superb tours. Thank you so much for arranging them and with such knowledgable guides.
Walter Hummer –
We did the tour with Molly and had an amazing walk.
It was as entertaining as it was informative.
Highly recommended!
Martin Anbari –
This was a wonderful tour, given by Ann Jones. Very interesting and informative. There is simply no amount of preparation that a visitor can do on one’s own that can substitute for the kind of tour given by an experienced guide. It was superlative in every sense. Ms. Jones is so personable and easy going and friendly. Highly recommended.
David Manchester –
Thoroughly enjoyable walk with a well informed and wonderful guide
Thank your Ann
Sian Edwards –
Another great walk. I always feel inspired by your guides.
Steve –
Lovely walking tour with the wonderful tour guide – an American (and now Brit) in London. Not to be missed.
Maggie B –
I have done many of the London Walks and this one of Westminster was as interesting and informative as all the others. Ann was an excellent guide and had an abundance of fascinating historical facts and anecdotes to relate that brought the area to life and sustained my interest for a full two hours. I liked the way she shone a light on the unknown nooks and crannies of such a well-known area of London. Heartily recommended.
Alison Pedrono –
Highly recommend this London Walk around Westminster – learnt so much from our guide Ann who was extremely welcoming, interesting, lively and who shared so much information and anecdotes .. the 2 hours flew by – I will definitely sign up for other Walks
Mary Joyce Gelsinger –
We just finished this fabulous walk with Isobel, who was marvelous! We were the only ones who showed up for the tour, and the weather was miserable, but Isobel was undaunted and gave us a truly great tour of Westminster. Her stories and insights made the time fly by. Well done!
Sarah Barham –
We had an excellent time with Ann. We saw hidden parts of Westminster we had never before visited. Ann was very knowledgeable and interesting. We can’t wait to book another tour.
PJ –
All the excellent recent reviews of this tour which we did today with David are completely accurate and really sum up the quality of all of the company’s tours we’ve done
DJ –
Really enjoyed our walk with Ann.
Saw alot of interesting things we would have missed. Will definatly be booking more walks. Such good value.
Penn Wyrough –
Last tour of a 10 day trip to London, Bath and York – a great way to end. David did an outstanding job highlighting new and interesting secrets of Westminster. Thought I knew it “all” but David pointed many, many fun details that only an experienced guide knows. 2 hours passed quickly in an easy-going Informative stroll through history. Highly recommend.
Danny Abrahams –
A superb way to spend the afternoon and on my birthday too . Isobel is an excellent guide not just because of the depth of her knowledge she shared with her customers but because she made us all feel welcome with the warmth of her wonderful engaging personality.
Audra Jackson –
Ann J. did a fantastic walk for our group of 6. She pointed out lots of interesting tidbits that we would have missed on our own. I highly recommend!
Caroline –
2hours of intellectual stimulus – fascinating history of Westminster and so much more. Molly thank you for your knowledge and humour. Many highlights you really know your stuff. Looking forward to booking the next one. Highly recommend Molly and this tour ..a remarkable lady.
Ben R –
Our two-hour walk with Ann around Westminster was a highlight of our 8-day trip to London. Her knowledge of the area’s history, peppered with interesting stories and anecdotes, brought a cold afternoon to life! We will certainly do more London Walks tours on a future visit.
Winifred –
Loved this walk around Westminster with Simon. I saw places that I’d never noticed before despite working in the area for eight years! Brilliant!
Mahesh and Geetha –
David did this walk with us on 4th November. He was amazing – an American who had come to England in his 20’s and had stayed and developed his love for England. His passion for English history and his in-depth knowledge as a university lecturer and podcaster shone through his words. He showed and told us things about the census and took us to amazing parts of Westminster which had us entranced. Even though we are Londoners ourselves, we would have never been aware of many of these little gems he took us to. He was a thoughtful and humorous guide and opened up a new awareness and respect for the amazing history of political Westminster.
Malcolm Austin –
Fascinating tour of slightly off beat places.
Ian Eddleston –
Our walk was by Ann Jones, who obviously knows her stuff. A very interesting two hours. Highly recommended.
Cristina –
Absolutely loved our guide Simon! We’ve done several walks and he was the absolute best. Perfect touch of humour and emotional involvement. Looking forward to some of the Christmas tours he recommended
Allison –
Took this tour on 16 October with Simon. VERY well done. Fabulous information delivered by a wonderful guide. He engaged everyone while providing historical facts about buildings and items that one would completely not notice simply walking through. His ability to keep everyone interested while still keeping us laughing is unsurpassed. Highly recommend any walks with London Walks.
Lynne –
David was kind enough to take me on this tour today despite being the only person to turn up .Many tour companies would not have done that. The tour was full of historical information as well as many interesting anecdotes. I saw buildings, places and small details that I would not have noticed myself and are not in the guide books. David is an extremely knowledgeable, experienced guide with an excellent sense of humour. This tour is first class and not to be missed.
Lynn Holman –
We walked Old Westminster with Simon who provided our tour with plenty of interesting historical facts served up with humour & great voice impressions. We were even lucky enough to meet a local lady & her dog who gave us extra insider knowledge. The walk is a great way to see behind the obvious.
Chris Fisher –
We recently did this walk led by David T. who was an engaging and enthusiastic guide. Although he is an American by birth his deep and genuine fascination for the history and culture of his adopted city shone through and made for a hugely enjoyable afternoon. I’m a lifelong history buff but learned a host of new and interesting details from this walk which also introduces you to parts of Westminster you would otherwise miss on the usual tourist trail. No hesitation in recommending for both tourists and natives. Excellent.
Paul Orchard –
Did the Old Westminster Walking Tour while on a trip to the capital in September 2021. It was fantastic in itself but our guide, Karen, was awesome and added hugely to our enjoyment. You are guaranteed to see bits of Westminster that you’ve never seen before and the time flew by. Highly recommend the tour and certainly Karen who is a star.
Mark Gunning –
Did this excellent walk in September 2021 with David T. It was exactly the right mix of sound history, quirky facts and humour. David ensures you see many fascinating things you would never have noticed without a guide. Highly recommend.