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Starting in the 2000 year old City of London we discover its Roman roots, its medieval alleys and see how it became the world's most important financial centre. Hear the stories behind the City’s famous institutions and its colourful characters. See Roman remains and dramatic modern architecture. How many film locations can you spot? We’ll stop for lunch in an historic pub or buy a picnic from a local market.
We will see the magnificent St Paul's Cathedral where Prince Charles married Diana. On the way to the 1000 year old City of Westminster, we stroll through the quiet legal area of The Temple, complete with gas lights and the ancient church which features in the Da Vinci Code. Explore the area around Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, scene of royal coronations, weddings and burials for a thousand years.
Your Tour Guide can suggest ways in which you can enjoy London’s unrivalled night life.
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We begin our ‘Style exploration’ with a visit to the world’s greatest collection of decorative arts, the Victoria and Albert Museum. We will see exhibits of fashionable dress from the 17th century to the present day.
We then hit the streets and focus on fashion in the field. Nearby is Harrods, London’s most famous Department Store with floor after floor of famous designer names! We continue to Harvey Nichols, so beloved of Princess Diana and the ladies from AbFab, where ‘take the 5th’ means a visit to the bar and restaurant on the 5th floor!
The “Sloane Street stroll” gives us a chance to admire international designers from Gucci to Graf and Chanel to Cerruti.
Choosing what to do is like choosing what to wear. Fear not, your guide will find the perfect fit!
Notting Hill, where Hugh Grant met Julia Roberts in the film of the same name, is the venue for London’s best Saturday street market - the world famous Portabello Road, with its unique fashion collections.
Alternatively we can head for Savile Row and Jermyn Street to see why London is the home of gentleman’s tailoring. With stylish Burlington and Piccadilly Arcades, plus Royal favourite Fortnum and Mason nearby, there’s no shortage of choice.
If you would like to see London’s newest and trendiest fashion centre, we will head east to the area around Spitalfields Market.
London has no shortage of fashionable bars or restaurants. Your guide can suggest what’s hot - and what’s not!
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Travelling on the Docklands Light Railway we pass through the dramatic modern architecture of Canary Wharf, now a key part of London’s bustling financial centre. We stop for the famous view across the River Thames to Greenwich, as painted by Canaletto.
The amazing history of Greenwich placed it at the heart of the British Empire and the centre of the world. Hear the stories behind this world-renowned maritime site with the opportunity to explore the great sailing ship, the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and some of the grandest buildings in London, including the stunning Painted Hall.
After visiting the delightful 17th Century Queen’s House we take the land train or walk up the hill to the Royal Observatory. Stand astride the Greenwich Meridian with one foot in the East and one in the West. Admire the outstanding views, hear about the famous competition to measure longitude and see the winning clock that revolutionised naval navigation.
We stroll through Greenwich Park and make our way back to the town via streets lined with beautiful 18th Century houses.
You may choose to return to Central London by riverboat, passing the old wharves and docks with their stories of pirates, smugglers and executions. Travel under the giant arms of Tower Bridge and enjoy superb panoramic views of London from the Thames.
For more atmospheric, village London, your guide can suggest places to explore in Chelsea, Kensington or Hampstead.
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Our journey starts in Southwark where, in the Canterbury Tales, Chaucer’s characters set out on their pilgrimage. We visit Borough Market, home of Bridget Jones where she writes her famous fictional diary, and make our way to the Globe Theatre and the world of Shakespeare. Crossing the Thames we pause to visit a tavern once frequented by Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde and many other famous writers.
Hidden in the quiet city alleys discover the house of Dr Johnson, where the great man compiled the first dictionary. In Bloomsbury we see the building which inspired the Ministry of Truth in Orwell’s 1984, and hear of Virginia Woolf’s literary circle “who lived in squares and loved in triangles.”
Then on to one of Dickens’s homes, now a museum where the creaking floorboards once echoed to his footsteps. We round off the day with a visit to the manuscript treasures of the British Library.
Discover the origins of some famous theatrical expressions and superstitions before enjoying a show in the West End, the world’s largest concentration of performing arts venues!
At Guide and Seek Tours we can design other thematic tours based on your interests – royal palaces, architecture, parks and gardens, music or medicine – to name just a few.
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There’s a huge choice when it comes to shopping in London. For the total shopping experience, Selfridges on Oxford Street is the place to go. With its themed shopping ranges, live music and DJ’s, it’s an exciting and cutting-edge place to shop. Why not hit Diesel’s flagship store in Covent Garden for a distinctly urban look at prices that won’t break the bank.
For Gay Lifestyle check out Gay’s the Word at 66 Marchmont Street. Established in 1979 this is the UK’s most comprehensive lesbian and gay bookshop. Stocking a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, and highbrow and popular writing, the shop also hosts author readings and literary events. Now if you’re wondering were you can find Europe’s most popular gay lifestyle store, then stop off at Prowler Store, Soho. Shoppers can find everything from Diesel jeans to Kylie dolls and it’s all under one roof!
London has gay bars aplenty all across the city, but before hitting the scene a great place to go to get a new look is Compton Hair. They are open Fri-Wed until 7pm and 8pm on Thurs!
Soho is renowned as the heart of London's gay nightlife, and it’s true you’ll be spoilt for choice there with its buzzing bars and a yearlong carnival atmosphere. But don’t overlook areas further afield with their up and coming gay scenes.
Wherever you decide to go out, you're guaranteed an evening that's diverse, progressive and fast moving
Gay & Lesbian
friendly accommodation
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Why not start your day in the splendour of one of the world’s most famous squares – Trafalgar, home of the equally magnificent National Portrait Gallery. The National Portrait Gallery was founded in 1856 to collect the likenesses of famous British men and women. Today the collection is the most comprehensive of its type in the world.
Begin at the on . Named after the founder of the Camera Press Agency, the gallery prides itself on showcasing the best of the most established and up-and-coming photographers.
You can buy prints of your favourite shots, just as you can commission a sculpture at the nearby ; draw your designs on paper and let the artists realise your vision.
Perhaps an afternoon concert might now appeal, in the quiet atmosphere of Wigmore Hall.
Built in 1901 by the Bechstein piano company, Wigmore Hall is justifiably regarded as one of the world's great recital halls, attracting the leading classical musicians of our time, and often setting the standard for international chamber music and song.
Alternatively perhaps, a stroll across the River Thames over the Golden Jubilee Bridge to the West of Trafalgar Square will take you to the South Bank Centre, home of the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Hayward Gallery and the Purcell Room. More art and culture per square foot than anywhere else in London!
By the evening, perhaps Sir and Madam would like to take their seats for a night at the opera?
The Royal Opera House, now in its third version in its Covent Garden site (having twice been destroyed by fire in 1808 and 1856), is home to both the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet.
London’s other centre of excellence for opera is London’s Coliseum. Originally the Sadler’s Wells Opera, the English National Opera (ENO) was created in 1974, and is now one of the most famous opera companies in the world.
For more information on these and other culturally inspired ideas, please visit www.ifbarts.com or click on the links below.
National
Portrait Gallery
Wigmore
Hall
The
Southbank Centre
Royal
Opera House
The
Coliseum
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