"London Walks puts you into the hands of an expert on the particular area and topic of a tour."    The New York Times

"Although the big companies tend to just shuttle vast hordes of people about, one major tour company does give you an in-depth, personalized insight to the city, offering a dizzying array of themed tours conducted by very qualified guides. The theatre tours, for example, are led by actors and actresses from the London stage, while the historical walks are done by historians not just some bloke who's read a couple of books."     London

"As its name implies, London Walks has no truck (literally) with those who would exhibit the city to visitors by cramming them on an open-top bus and driving around for a couple of hours, while someone with questionable microphone technique delivers scripted extracts from an A level history syllabus. For this firm, revealing London's secrets is a pedestrian affair. But only in the strictest sense of the phrase: each walking tour is led by a guide who, although they probably know the A level syllabus backwards, can bring their information to life with judicious use of gossip, scandal, offbeat detail and general oddity."       The Importance of Being Trivial

"London Walks guides do it best."    Old English saying

Alison is a lecturer for the London Blue Badge Course. A Dickens expert, she's a prize-winning Blue Badge Guide herself. When she's not collecting Antiques!

Andrew is "the Queen Mum's favourite". Or, in the words of the Evening Standard, "a class act". A strikingly talented young actor - and budding historian - he received rave reviews for his one-man show, "George VI in Heaven".  Here's a soundbite from near the beginning of his Old Marylebone Pub Walk. You can tell from it that he's good company: laid back, friendly, fun, at ease with himself and his walkers and his handsome, historic old patch. Add to the mix the fact that he's completely in command of his material and you've got a great walk fronted by a very gifted young guide.

Angela is one special actress. "She's so good it's almost impossible to compliment her", as Frederic Raphael, the author of The Glittering Prizes, said of her performance in that award-winning series. A similarly smitten Clive James said of her "Helena in the Royal Shakespeare Company's All's Well That Ends Well: "You couldn't ask to hear the words better spoken". More! And here's the divine Ms. A - aka "The Voice" - in action on her Kensington Walk. 

Bob, the leading authority on London's wildlife, conducts many of our nature and wildlife walks. He's the author of the acclaimed The Green London Way.

Brian, a professionally qualified Blue Badge Guide, won the London Tourist Board's Guide of the Year Award in 1994. His career has embraced the law, surveying, catering, dispatch riding and art - and the stage may be beckoning. Now, anyone for a soundbite?

Aileen, Ben, Mike, Peter and Roger all have many years" experience of the inland waterways and have explored them extensively by narrowboat (and, in Roger's case, canoe). They're all active members of the Inland Waterways Association, which works in partnership with us to provide the towpath walks in our programme.

Caroline is an art historian, journalist, and professionally qualified Blue Badge Guide. London Walks prides itself on cherry picking the best of the Blue Badges and Caroline's a case in point. She was the guide chosen by Her Majesty's Government to give the "First Ladies" a tour during the recent summit. Enough said?

Charles Chilton (MBE) "held the nation spellbound with "Journey Into Space", the sci-fi radio serial he made in his spare time and which is now a classic....He's the one genius the BBC ever had on its staff" (Sunday Telegraph). His award-winning programmes Oh What a Lovely War, Shakespeare's London, Dickens" London, London's Pleasure Gardens, Cries of London, Ballad History of Samuel Pepys, etc. illustrated London's social history through popular music. "He denies that he is a legend. But he will be."

Chris is a classicist, weaver, and  another professionally qualified Blue Badge and City of London Guide working right at the top of her form. She's very bright and a little bit mischievous. Shake - don't stir - those ingredients and what you get is a lot of fun. Anything else? Yes, this: she could anthem for England with that voice of hers.  Lend an ear - here - and you'll, er, see what I mean.

Corinna is a professionally qualified London Guide and - into the bargain - a well known Royal National Theatre actress. Most recently, she starred in the hit West End play, Copenhagen. A treasurably barking - and ferociously intelligent - Cambridge bluestocking, she joins the ducks for a swim in the Hampstead Pond every single morning of the year. She's been known to throw in a song or two on her walks, but she leaves her cello at home!

 "When I die London will be engraved on my heart."

David - the Seigneur of this favoured realm - broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is "unmanageable". A literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, and lifelong thanatophobe, he's also the London Walks "pen" - he wrote the document you're reading. Or listening to. In short, this is what I sound like. Here I'm reading from the opening of the Old Kensington chapter of our book. And here from the opening of the Old Hampstead Village chapter. Both of which, needless to say, were inspired by and draw on the walks that I guide in those two wonderful London neighbourhoods. And here's Katy reading from my Thames chapter - which opens the book - and which draws on and is inspired by my Along the Thames Pub Walk.

David B. is the author of Streets of London, The Absolutely Essential Guide to London, and The Essential Guide to London Entertainment, as well as several novels and a guide to England's weather. He publishes a horse racing system in his spare time.

Desirée; is drop dead glamorous. A former top fashion model and cult film actress, her world overlapped with Princess Diana's. Comes the walk, comes the guide!

Donald "is internationally recognised as the leading authority on Jack the Ripper". Britain's most distinguished crime historian, he is the author of the pre-eminent book on the Ripper, the best-selling The Complete Jack the Ripper. ("Donald Rumbelow's The Complete Jack the Ripper remains the definitive book on the subject" The Sunday Times.) The former Curator of The City of London Police Crime Museum and a two time Chairman of the Crime Writers Association, he is a Freeman of the City of London and a professionally qualified Blue Badge and City of London Guide. For good measure, he's genial and twinkling! And if you'd like to hear him in action on his Sunday night (or Monday night or Tuesday night or alternate Friday nights) Ripper Walk, click here. And here.

Ed fairly coruscates with London lore and expertise, let alone contacts and "connections". He's the author of London: Exploring the Hidden Metropolis, The London Compendium, A Literary Guide to London, East End Chronicles and West End Chronicles. How "in the know" - let alone irreverant - is he? Well, how does a 10-year-track record at the scurrilous satirical rag Private Eye grab you? His Literary Guide to London has been described as a “mine of information . . .this book is a must for literary enthusiasts”. He has also worked for the Radio Times and Mojo, the rock ‘n’ roll magazine, and co-wrote Fodor’s Rock ‘n’ roll Traveler USA and Rock ‘n’ roll Traveler USA Great Britain and Ireland.

Edward Petherbridge comes trailing clouds of glory. He is, quite simply, one of England's most renowned actors. He's earned two Tony nominations on Broadway and an Olivier award in the West End. He is internationally known from his television appearances (e.g., as Lord Peter Wimsey and as Newman Noggs in the Royal Shakespeare Company's Nicholas Nickleby) and his continuing distinguished work on the London stage.

Fiona, a descendant of John of Gaunt, is an actress who also teaches juggling, circus skills and escapology (she made a famous break from the London Dungeon).

Gillian is a linguist and professionally qualifed - and prize-winning - Blue Badge Guide. And she can out-Fred the nimblest Astaire on the dance floor!

Graham is a boulevardier and a bon vivant. The Pride of Piccadilly, he's beloved of barmaids, ballet dancers, and bookmakers from Mayfair to Mile End. Into the bargain, he's the doyen of London's walking tour guides! Given that "pedigree" is it any wonder his Mayfair and Ghost Walks have become classics of the capital's walking tour scene? Go here to hear!

Harry is a Cockney, a Scouser, a character - how could he be otherwise? - and a professionally qualified Blue Badge Guide.

Helena - the fair - is an Oxford-educated historian. And an award-winning, professionally qualified Blue Badge Guide. In the words of the poet: "only God could love her for herself alone and not her yellow hair". Let alone her purple socks! Click here to hear her working her wonders, weaving her spell - in the V & A in this instance.

Hilary is a Historian, Soroptimist, and a professionally qualified Blue Badge  and City of London Guide Let alone a Supermum!Into the bargain, she's unquenchably cheerful! With her very English eye for the idiosyncratic and her sense of humour - to say nothing of her sense of history - she's a star turn.

Isobel is an artist, journalist, linguist, prize-winning Blue Badge Guide and London Walks' token aristocrat. One of her ancestors introduced the waltz to this country.

Jane, a well known actress - from Shakespeare at the Old Vic to Midsommer Murders on the box - is an authority on the seafaring novels of Patrick O'Brien.

Jean, a Freeman of the City and former officer of the City of London Historical Society, writes and lectures on local history, literature, and genealogy. She is a professionally qualified London Guide.

John is a distinguished journalist. He was the Editor of London's top city news programme before becoming ITN's and then the BBC's Foreign Editor. Home or away he's got an eye for the facts - and the unusual - and relishes working 'em into a good tale.

Judith, a Canadian, is a well known artist and lecturer on the History of London.

Judy, winner of the London Tourist Board's prestigious Guide of the Year Award, is a professionally qualified Blue Badge and City of London Guide.

Karen is a star turn. Independent Magazine's Cultural Heritage Correspondent, Blue Badge Guide of the Year and reformed actress, her walks are vivid and entertaining.

Kim, who has worked in the House of Commons and the European Parliament, is another 24-carat Blue Badge Guide: she won the London Tourist Board's Guide of the Year award in 2001.

Lesley is a gifted young Irish actress - and "a lass unparalleled".

Margaret, a former international journalist and editor, is a lecturer at the Victoria & Albert Museum and a top flight Blue Badge Guide (and the possessor of the lovliest Scots accent you'll ever hear).

Mary ("Poppins") is "practically perfect." A classically trained dancer and an actress (West End credits include Gone With the Wind, a long stint at the Royal National Theatre and Noises Off), she's also a trapeze artiste, a professionally qualified, award-winning Blue Badge and City of London Guide and the boss. She is one of those English roses upon whom it is unsafe to try any oompus-boompus. You can hear her here.

Michael, is the foremost authority on the Regent's Canal, the author of a masterly book on the subject, and a Trustee of London's Canal Museum.

Molly guides at the British Museum and lectures on Art, Archaeology, and London History. An Art Historian, she is a Freeman of the City of London and a top flight professionally qualified Blue Badge and City of London Guide. And by all means have a listen - here's a soundbite from "the Moll's" Ripper Walk. More...

Peter Alexander, a well-known actor, is a raconteur of genius. When he talks...doors open He collects red wine in London and breeds Ryelands sheep at his place in the country. 

Nick, a swashbuckling Royal Shakespeare Company actor (and Jack the Ripper on television!), is an authority on Indian cookery and a professionally qualified Greenwich Guide. And as Julie from Philadelphia would put it, "he's a real mensch".

Peter G. Now about Peter G. - here's the gen. Like those other great Londoners Shakespeare, Dr. Johnson and Dickens, Peter does not hail from the metropolis. He was bred and born in Nelson, Lancashire but came to London in 1974 to study at the Drama Centre. After an intermittently average acting career he has fallen literally on his feet with "the wonderful London Walks" (his phrase, but everybody, the smellfeasts excepted of course, would agree with him). Guiding the public through the streets of London combines his three great loves: architecture, history and showing off.

Richard - the man with the honeyed voice and the distinctive red hat - has three careers. He's an actor, a professionally qualified Blue Badge Guide, and he restores old houses. Urbane, witty, and charming - he's the perfect host. He brings authority, panache, and an insider's savvy to his walks. And if you like our Explorer Days, you owe Richard a debt of thanks, because he's the one who's masterminded that wonderful strand of our programme. And if you'd like to hear that honeyed voice in action on an Explorer Day, simply click here: it's Richard in full flow on his Stonehenge & Salisbury Explorer Day.

"the Pied Piper of Beatlemania", is the author of The Beatles' London, a consultant on the Hard Day's Night DVD, holder of the Beatles Brain of Britain title and owner of the Beatles Coffee Shop. So much for the understatement! As actor David Jansen* put it, "[Richard] is a Beatles genius". Part and parcel of all that are Richard's "connections" - they're to die for. He knows them all - all the "players" from the Beatles saga. One could go on. I'm thinking of his collection of Beatles gear...but really, the thing is to "go on" the walk. Here's an Abbey Road "grab".       *David Jansen was the child actor who appeared in A Hard Day's Night.

Richard III, scion of a Lord Mayor of London,  is a writer, actor, director and stand-up comic. And the only London Walks guide to have addressed the United Nations!  

Richard IV is an actor, swordsman and an expert on early detective fiction.  Here's a little taster from his Sherlock Holmes walk. (Velvety voiced and perfect timing, he makes for some awfully handsome listening!)

Russell is the best kind of English actor: dangerous and jolly, butch and sensitive. He's into globe trotting, reptile-keeping and calisthenics by his Koi pool.

Shaughan is a distinguished - and stylish - actor (his stage roles range from Frank-n-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show to Sherlock Holmes; his many television credits include Poirot and Miss Marple). A professionally qualified Blue Badge and City of London Guide and the possessor of a fine baritone voice, he usually spices his walks with a song or two. You can hear him  here - it's a grab from his Little Venice walk.

Simon is James Bond material. He's tall, dark, and easier on the eyes than Pierce Brosnan. Let alone brainier. This is an actor who's tri-lingual, who's lived in Asia and South America, and, for good measure, is a top flight professionally qualified London Blue Badge, Southeast England and Cambridge Guide. And he's also a very nice guy. And as a guide - well, they don't come any better.And believe me, it's not just us saying that - take a look at this! But it is Simon saying this:   It's a soundbite: Simon raising the curtain on his Ripper walk.

Stephanie, a splendidly droll ex-Elephant Keeper, was in Shakespeare in Love! She's a professionally qualified Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, City of London, and Blue Badge Guide. And in case you're wondering...

Stephen Noonan is a young actor who's going to be heard from. Indeed, he's already been heard from - you don't get tapped by Woody Allen unless you've got a lot of presence, a big talent! Stephen's recent roles have included Odysseus, Nelson, Michelangelo and Satan. The role of God - in Art as in Life - has so far eluded him. More...

Steve. Hmmm. Steve. When you see him from a distance you think he's a roadie for a heavy metal band. And then he starts guiding and it's ka-boom: he's Jumping Jack Flash. Which is by way of saying, all that business about him being London Walks' fizziest guide - I'll let you in on a secret - that's a piece of English understatement. Anything else? Yes, lots. He's a dashing actor, a playwright, a song writer, and a musician. And, most important of all, the father of wee twin lads!

Sue, a Freeman of the City of London and a water-colourist, is an expert on the Fleet River and a professionally qualified Blue Badge and City of London Guide.

Tom is a barrister, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Examiner for the Blue Badge Guides Course, travel writer and another creme de la creme professionally qualified Blue Badge Guide (he's the Chairman of the Guild of Guides Association). Follically challenged but motorcycling virile, his graceful wit, classic elegance of mind, infectious giggle, and gentle and generous heart make him the delight of all who know him. Here's a soundbite. It's from his Wednesday afternoon tour, The London Walk - St. Paul's to the Tower of London. And while you're at it, check this out.

“I think being a Londoner is the greatest thing that happened to me without any effort on my part.” Michael Caine