Private Walking Tours in London
(All tours are accompanied by a specialised English-speaking art historian)
Westminster Abbey, Banqueting Hall & National Gallery
Your tour starts from Westminster Abbey, in its impressive early Gothic style, still used for daily worship and royal functions. Then you will walk down Whitehall towards the Banqueting House Inigo Jones built (1619-22) for James I Stuart. Entering Trafalgar Square, you will see Nelson’s Column and the Mall, leading to Buckingham Palace. In the National Gallery, priceless and timeless art works are displayed: Jan Van Eyck’s “Arnolfini Wedding”, Piero della Francesca’s “The Baptism of Christ”, Botticelli’s “Mars and Venus”, Leonardo’s “Virgin of the Rocks”, Rembrandt’s last self-portrait and the French Impressionists collection. (Full description…)
Highlights
- Visit to the interior of Westminster Abbey
- Guided walk through Whitehall to Trafalgar Square where you will visit the National Gallery
- Tailor the tour to suit your own interests
- Choice of morning and afternoon tours
- Professional art historian guide
Your tour starts from Westminster Abbey, perhaps the most beautiful early Gothic building in Great Britain and still used for daily worship and royal functions. The Abbey, a royal mausoleum for many centuries, was used from 1066 after the coronation of William I to crown all kings and queens of England, except two. Rebuilt in 1220 in the then new Gothic style, inside is the Henry VII Chapel (1503-19) is one of the most beautiful examples of the perpendicular Gothic.
Walk down Whitehall towards the Banqueting House. This was built in 1619-22 by Inigo Jones for James I Stuart in Palladian style. His son Charles 1st continued this richly decorated Royal Palace, an extravaganza largely used for masques, plays, balls and other ceremonies for the Queen and King. Enter Trafalgar Square, then cross to the National Gallery. With Nelson’s Column in the center, you can see through the Admiralty Arch, the Mall which leads to Buckingham Palace.
The National Gallery opened in 1838 to house one of Europe’s greatest collections of Old Master’s paintings. Italian Renaissance, Flemish, Dutch, Spanish, French, English and German works from their great artists are displayed. View art works by Jan Van Eyck’s famous “Arnolfini Wedding”, Piero della Francesca’s magnificent “The Baptism of Christ”, Botticelli’s sensuous “Mars and Venus”, Leonardo’s “Virgin of the Rocks”, Ruben’s breathtaking “Chapeaux de Paille”, Rembrandt’s moving last self portrait and the great French Impressionists collection with Renoir, Monet, Pissarro and Cezanne.
This in-depth private tour is hosted by a professional guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history, culture) at time of booking to alert our guide, so that he or she can better prepare for your private tour.
Tate Britain and Tate Modern
Tate Britain, where your tour starts, contains the main collection of British Art from the 16th century to the present day. The permanent collection includes works by Turner, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Constable and many others. A boat trip down the Thames links the two Tates and provides a wonderful panorama of London from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to S. Paul’s Cathedral and the City. You alight on the South Bank for the Tate Modern, to see its imposing collection of modern European masterpieces with works by Boccioni, De Chirico, Degas, Matisse, Picasso and American Abstract Expressionists. (Full description…)
Highlights
- Private Walking Tour of London’s Tate Britain and Tate Modern art galleries
- Works by Blake, Turner and other British painters at Tate Britain
- Contemporary artworks at Tate Modern in the former Bankside Power Station
- Tailor the tour to suit your artistic preferences
- Choice of morning and afternoon tours
- Professional art historian guide
- Includes boat trip along the River Thames between the two galleries
Tate Britain, where your tour starts, contains the main collection of British Art from the 16c. to the present day. It is a splendid 19c. home for the British collection. Updated recently it has all modern facilities and is endowed with some beautiful space for large sculpture in the Duveen Galleries. In the Clore Galleries you will find a continuous but frequently changing display of paintings by Turner, from the bequest he made to the Nation of over 300 works. They are a must for all lovers of this great artist.
A boat trip down the Thames links the two Tates and provides a wonderful panorama of London from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben to St. Paul’s and the City of London. You alight on the South Bank for the Tate Modern, the famous conversion of the Bankside Power Station (1957-60) which took place during the 1990′s to house the 20 C. collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. Apart from the exciting modern collection of paintings, sculptures, and objects, it enjoys from the top floor splendid views over the Thames towards St. Paul’s, to which it has been linked by the Millennium pedestrian bridge by Norman Foster. It also contains an imposing collection of modern European masterpieces from the beginning of the 20 C with great works by the Italian futurists like Boccioni or metaphysical painters like De Chirico, French masterpieces in sculpture and paintings like Degas’ Dancers, Matisse, Picasso and an impressive collection of American Abstract Expressionists.
This in-depth private tour is hosted by a professional guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history, culture) at time of booking to alert our guide, so that he or she can better prepare for your private tour.
British Museum and Soane Museum
The British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world, with 8 million objects in the collection. Your expert guide will provide illuminating insights into its many treasures, including the famous Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and sculptures from the Parthenon, as well as masterpieces from all over the continents. Close to the British Museum is Sir John Soane’s Museum, perhaps the most intimate and eccentric London house. Sir John Soane bequeathed it to the nation with its extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, antiquities and architectural fragments. You’ll see Canaletto, Turner, Piranesi and Hogart art works. (Full description…)
Highlights
- Private Walking Tour of London’s Tate Britain and Tate Modern art galleries
- Works by Blake, Turner and other British painters at Tate Britain
- Contemporary artworks at Tate Modern in the former Bankside Power Station
- Tailor the tour to suit your artistic preferences
- Choice of morning and afternoon tours
- Professional art historian guide
- Includes boat trip along the River Thames between the two galleries
Discover London’s wealth of history and culture in style on a private walking tour of the British Museum and Sir John Soane’s Museum, with an art historian to guide you. You will enjoy personalized attention on your special private tour of two of London’s most famous museums.
The British Museum is one of the largest museums in the world, comparable only to the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Your expert guide will provide illuminating insights into the many treasures you will see, including the famous Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and sculptures from the Parthenon.
Close to the British Museum is Sir John Soane’s Museum, perhaps the most intimate and eccentric London house you’ll have the opportunity to visit. One of the most individual British architects, Sir John Soane (1753 – 1837) bequeathed it to the nation with its extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, antiquities and architectural fragments. You’ll see Hogarth’s Rake’s Progress and artworks by Canaletto, Turner and Piranesi.
This in-depth private walking tour is hosted by an expert guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history, culture) at the time of booking to alert your guide, so they can prepare for your private tour.
Please note: Sir John Soane’s Museum is closed on Sunday and Monday, so more time will be spent in the British Museum on these days.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
The cathedral is one of London’s most famous and most recognizable sights. It sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City. The present building dates from the 17th century and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The cathedral is built of Portland stone in a late Renaissance style that represents England’s sober Baroque. The cathedral has a very substantial crypt, holding over 200 memorials including Donne, Welligton, Churchill and Nelson. You can climb up the dome to the Whispering Gallery and try out its unique acoustics.
(Full description…)
Highlights
- Private walking tour of London’s St Paul’s Cathedral
- In-depth private tour of the famous cathedral and Whispering Gallery
- Fabulous views from the Golden Gallery
- Tailor the tour to suit your own interests
- Professional art historian guide
The imposing Dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral has been a symbol of London not least during the blitz of the second world war when it stood framed by the fires raging in the city. A church has stood on the site since the 7c. and the present building, a masterpiece of Christopher Wren, was completed in 1708 after 32 years of work. The impressive interior contains mementos and monuments to many of Britain’s heroes including Nelson, Wellington and Churchill. The famous Whispering Gallery is well worth the climb.
Christopher Wren built 53 churches following the fire of London in 1666 and 23 remain. Among these we will visit St. Stephen Walbrook and St. Mary Abchurch. The former has a beautifully designed dome which undoubtedly served as a model for St. Paul’s. St. Mary Abchurch contains a wealth of objects including a massive reredos by Grinling Gibbons.
This in-depth private tour is hosted by a professional guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history, culture) at time of booking to alert our guide, so that he or she can better prepare for your private tour.
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
The Tower of London is Europe’s best preserved medieval fortress, established by William the Conqueror in 1067. You will visit the Jewel House containing the Crown Jewels, the White Tower and Chapel of St. John, one of the purest expressions of Norman architecture. You will gain incredible insights into the Tower’s architecture and history on this private walking tour. Just downriver from the Tower is Tower Bridge, a famous London landmark built between 1886 and 1894. The view from the towers provides a wonderful panorama of London, all the way downriver to Greenwich and Canary Wharf.
(Full description…)
Highlights
- Private walking tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge
- Guided tour of the Tower of London, including the Jewel House and White Tower
- Panoramic views from the towers of Tower Bridge
- Customize the tour to suit your own interests
- Expert guide specializing in art history
- Enjoy privileged, personalized attention from your guide on this special private walking tour
Explore London’s wealth of history in style on a private walking tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, with an expert to guide you. Accompanied by your own private guide who specializes in art history, you’ll enjoy personalized attention on your special private tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
The Tower of London is Europe’s best preserved medieval fortress, and one of London’s oldest buildings. It was established by William the Conqueror in 1067, and over the centuries many members of royalty and the aristocracy have lost their lives here.
Accompanied by your private guide, you’ll visit the Jewel House containing the Crown Jewels, the White Tower and Chapel of St. John, one of the purest expressions of Norman architecture. You’ll gain incredible insights into the Tower’s architecture and history on this private walking tour, with ceremony and tradition provided by the Yeomen Warden who parade daily at 11am in the Inner Ward.
Just down river from the Tower is Tower Bridge, a famous London landmark built between 1886 and 1894.
The view from the towers provides a wonderful panorama of London, all the way down river to Greenwich and Canary Wharf.
This in-depth private walking tour of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge is hosted by an expert guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history, culture) at the time of booking to alert your guide, so they can prepare for your private tour.
Apsley House and the Victoria & Albert Museum
Your tour begins at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London’s Victorian centre of art and crafts dedicated to the royal couple, now a museum of arts from all countries, styles and periods. Walking along Knightsbridge, you will reach N.1 London, Apsley house, that became in 1817 the grand mansion of the Duke of Wellington, the victor of Napoleon. You will find the treasures given to the Duke by the European Monarchs returned to their thrones after the defeat of Napoleon.
(Full description…)
Highlights
- Private walking tour of London’s Apsley House and Victoria and Albert Museum
- In-depth private tour of Victoria and Albert Museum’s famous collection of sculpture, artworks, furnishings and crafts
- Guided visit of the Duke of Wellington’s home and artworks at No. 1 London, Apsley House
- Guided walk along Knightsbridge
- Tailor the tour to suit your own interests
- Choice of morning and afternoon tours
- Professional art historian guide
Your tour begins at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London’s Victorian center of art and crafts dedicated to the royal couple. Now a museum of arts from all countries, styles and periods. Apart from the main collection of oil paintings and watercolours (with emphasis on the British ones and a collection of Constable’s oil sketches), sculpture and architectural examples, the museum contains the world’s finest collection of applied arts such as weapons and armours, bronzes and carpets etc. Visit the famous Cartoons for tapestries which Raphael created for Pope Leo X and the recently refurbished Renaissance and Medieval Galleries.
Walking along Knightsbridge, London’s famous shopping center where Harrods is located, you will reach No.1 London, the name given to Apsley house. Built by Adams in 1775 for Baron Apsley and acquired by the Duke of Wellington in 1817, he aggrandized the house with the help of architect Wyatt who gave it the Corinthian temple front and faced it in gold bath stone. It became the grand mansion of the Duke of Wellington, the victor of Napoleon. You will find the treasures regaled to the Duke by the European Monarchs returned to their thrones after the defeat of Napoleon. As you enter the house in the inner hall is the nude marble statue by Canova of Napoleon in the guise of Apollo. See silver and porcelain sets, jewels and snuff boxes surrounded by the Duke’s furniture. Upstairs are the paintings which he collected and the old masters from the Royal Spanish collection found in Giuseppe Bonaparte’s coach as he was abandoning Madrid. These were given to Wellington by the King of Spain. Among them are paintings by Velazquez, Rubens, Murillo, Ribera and Goya.(On Mondays and Tuesdays when Apsley House is closed more time will be spent in the V&A Museum.)
This private tour is hosted by a professional guide specializing in art history. Please list any special interests you have (art, architecture, history) at time of booking to alert our guide so that he or she can better prepare for your private tour.
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