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 St James’ Park tube Station, the Broadway/Westminster Abbey opposite the Conrad Hotel
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].
London Weather Facts: Jerusalem, Gibraltar, Rome, Rhodes, etc. all get more rainfall than London. Precipitation-wise, London is one of the driest cities on earth.
You want a European city that does get (just slightly) less rain than London, Sevilla’s your ciudad. The line on Sevilla and rain is: “rainfall in Sevilla isn’t abundant and it’s concentrated;” by the same token the line on London and the wet stuff should be “rainfall in London isn’t abundant and it isn’t concentrated.”
Bottom line: Don’t let the rain bogeyman call the shots. Send him packing. He’s all hat and no cattle, as they say in Texas.
Ok, we get the occasional mizzle but it’s easily seen off. A brolly – which I (David) refuse to carry – does the trick every time. And as long as you’re at it, always allow for the lost in translation factor: on the other side of the Atlantic the word ‘rain’ = rain; over here the word ‘rain’ = damp; or a mizzle.**
Cue tag team London Walks moment: “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).
*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.
**A mizzle does not pleasure and pain make, let alone a downpour [‘pleasure and pain’ is Cockney rhyming slang for ‘rain’]
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.
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.
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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.