Clarissa Skinner
Classic London Tours
Westminster Abbey
Take a half-day tour of Westminster Abbey, experience the Guard Change and explore the City of Westminster (our royal and political centre). For a full-day tour, begin with a visit to Westminster Abbey along with the Guard Change, stop for a traditional pub lunch and then go on to tour the Tower of London.
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Westminster Abbey takes us back to about 1,000 years of history from its founding by St Edward the Confessor in 1065, to past royal burials and current coronation ceremonies and royal weddings.
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Here we will see the tombs of Queen Elizabeth I, Mary I (Bloody Mary) and Mary Queen of Scots. We will also see breath-taking architecture.
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Here we find Poets' Corner where great authors such as Charles Dickens are buried; and Scientists' Corner where Sir Isaac Newton lies beside his equal of modern science.
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I will also tell you a few secrets including that of a dodgy royal burial...
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Classic London Tours
The Tower of London
Take a tour of the foreboding Tower of London. Hear tales of a Royal Palace and fortress with its horrid history of executions. Stand at the site where we unravel the tragic story of the executions of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Lady Jane Grey, our nine-day queen, was also put to death here at just 16. Learn about her experience of 'lockdown' life at the Tower.
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The famous Crown Jewels (a priceless collection) are also to be seen here including the Cullinan I diamond (also known as the First Star of Africa), one of the largest cut diamonds in the world at 530.2 carats. It sits in the Sovereign's Sceptre in glistening glory.
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Visit the Royal Palace where medieval kings lived, and see occult graffiti of imprisoned sorcerers.
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A tour of the Tower of London can be combined with a fascinating walk through the historic City of London that has a 2,000-year history; or a tour of the nearby St Paul's Cathedral. It could also be combined with a tour of Westminster Abbey and a Guard Change (providing it is taking place on the day).
A full day tour can be enhanced by dropping into one of our characterful London pubs.
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Classic London Tours
St Paul's Cathedral
Step inside this magnificent cathedral and be awed by the Great Dome, sparkling white Portland stone and fascinating burials inside this English Baroque or Classical Baroque church. Completed by the architect Sir Christopher Wren in 1710, it is a masterpiece of engineering.
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Take a look at the altar where Princess Diana married Prince Charles on July 29, 1981 watched by an estimated audience of 750 million people across the world.
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Hear about the Blitz in the City of London and the brave St Paul's Fire Watch set up to protect the Cathedral, which was seen as a symbol of strength and hope - it had risen out of the ashes of the Great Fire of London of 1666 and was to survive the Second World War.
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See the tombs of Nelson and Wellington (among others), our two great heroes of the Napoleonic wars. You will also learn the rather explosive story of the return of Nelson's body to England after he triumphed, but also died, at the Battle of Trafalgar.
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Climb the Great Dome up to the Whispering Gallery and beyond to get fantastic views of the City.
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This tour can be combined with a visit to the Tower of London and the City of London. Or if you fancy a day of churches, combine it with Westminster Abbey.
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Another lovely tour is to visit St Paul's and then cross the Millennium Bridge to explore the area of Southwark and Borough Market (a foodie's dream). Nearby is Tate Modern art gallery, so this can also create a great combination.
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Classic London Tours
Kensington Palace
Here at the edge of Kensington Gardens you will find Kensington Palace, the last London home to Princess Diana and Princess Margaret. It is still the home to royalty including Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and their children.
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Queen Victoria was born at the palace on May 24, 1819, and it was here that at just 18 years old she learnt that she was to be queen of England. She was brought up by her mother Victoria, Duchess of Kent, and a former equerry of her father, Sir John Conroy, in the very strict 'Kensington System'.
Hear about the royal menagerie and wild boy 'Peter'...
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Please be aware that there is limited guiding in Kensington Palace - but there are a few places where I can stop and regale you with its history.
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This tour combines well with a Kensington Walk and/or a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is also close to the famous Portobello Road antiques market.
Classic London Tours
Cabinet War Rooms
Take a tour of the Churchill War Rooms, where more than 100 important cabinet meetings were held during the Second World War.
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It was built underneath the Treasury Building, (pictured beyond Churchill's statue), with the slab (a concrete and steel structure) to protect them from bombing. In truth, if the building had been hit, the slab would almost certainly have proved useless. Luckily, a bomb just missed the building.
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Churchill once said: "I see it is said that leaders should keep their ears to the ground. All I can say is that the British nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are detected in that somewhat ungainly posture."
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The American president Roosevelt is reported to have said of Churchill: "He has a hundred ideas a day, of which four are good ideas."
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Well, if I had four good ideas in a day I'd be quite delighted!
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This tour could be combined with a tour of Westminster Abbey and the Westminster area. This could also include the Guard Change at Buckingham Palace, on condition that it will go ahead.
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