The Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marble, and the Assyrian lion hunt are just some of the myriad art treasures we’ll see in this 3-hour, in-depth British Museum Tour. Led by a trained archaeologist or historian, this walk not only explores the history of the museum and its controversial history of collecting, but goes in-depth with some of its many treasures from antiquity. Together, we'll rediscover not only the museum's well-known Ancient Egyptian and Greek treasures, but some of its lesser-known, but no less magnificent, Assyrian, Persian, and Mesopotamian artifacts.

• British Museum Tour led by an expert docent trained in history or archaeology
• A insider's visit to the British Museum
• Small group sightseeing in London—6 people max

"I felt like I had goggles taken off and I could see for the first time"

British Museum Tour

We generally start with a thorough overview of how the British Museum came into existence in the mid-eighteenth century, visiting to the Enlightenment Gallery, formerly known as the King’s Library—the first part of the new museum building as it is seen today. Here we will look at how the discipline of archaeology evolved—in this very room!—from the work of antiquaries. We'll also look at how art history was born here with the study of ancient Greek sculpture and vase painting, and how Greek art set the standard for the next 200 years of what was considered the model of fully-evolved art. For people interested in intellectual history, we've arrived at a major crossroads.

Antiquities & the Rosetta Stone

From here we will traverse the halls of the museum, visiting its most important rooms. This includes the Egyptian collection. Here, we will discuss how ancient texts came to be deciphered in the first place and will compare the ways in which hieroglyphs and cuneiform, the two earliest scripts, were cracked.

Ancient Iran and Iraq

We will also look at several of the antiquities and languages of ancient Iraq and Iran, as material from these areas forms some of the earliest collections in the British Museum. Large-scale excavation in the ancient Middle East and the race to decipher hieroglyphic and cuneiform scripts were inspired by the finds from Mesopotamia and Persia. The beginnings of the British Museum are inextricably tied to the European re-discovery of these ancient cultures.

Interested in touring another can't-miss museum? Try our National Gallery Tour.

Depending on Interest

Our discussion will be illustrated by the Rosetta Stone, which now lives in the British Museum, along with nearly 130,000 pieces of cuneiform tablets from ancient Iraq, some of which are on display. Depending on the interests of our docent and the group, we may then spend time looking more in-depth at the art of ancient Iran and/or of ancient Iraq in its earlier phases, before taking in the palace reliefs of ancient Assyrian kings that form the best collection of ancient Iraqi sculpture outside Baghdad. Or, we'll spend the rest of our time looking at the Parthenon Marbles.

For a different view of archaeology in London, see our Hidden London Tour.

Take Aways

"Our docent's enthusiasm for this subject was contagious" is a refrain we hear often on this walk. Indeed, this is one of our goals: To focus on the inspiring, world-historical events that have taken place in and around the British Museum and the objects she houses, and impart a sense of wonder and appreciation among the tour participants. At the end of our time together we will emerge with a better understanding of this major institution and the key role it continues to play in intellectual life worldwide.

FAQs

Where does the tour start? Where does it end?

The tour meets near the British Museum, in an easy to find location away from the crowds. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24/7 phone number. The walking tour ends inside the Museum.

Will we see the Parthenon Marbles?

Yes, they are part of the itinerary. In general, we encourage you to share with us your interests so we can adjust the tour to best meet your expectations.

Do we need to pay a ticket to get in?

No, unless you want to see one of the temporary exhibitions, the museum is free. However, donations are greatly appreciated.

Is the British Museum accessible?

The Great Russell Street entrance has 12 steps with a handrail. There are self-operable lifts on both sides of the steps. There is level access at the Montague Place entrance. The majority of galleries and all special exhibitions are fully accessible.

Is this tour good for kids and teens?

Yes! We have some excellent family friendly docents who can appeal to the learning styles of children. We have a separate British Museum for Families walk just for families with children 12 and under. When booking, please provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible docent.

Mummies. Parthanon marbles. Roman mosaics. The British Museum stimulates the imagination with an unrivaled collection of antiquities, representing fascinating civilizations from the past. Bring the family and join one of our archaeologists trained in visual thinking strategies for this British Museum for Kids tour, an interactive look at the ancient world and its traditions, religions, and lives. Together, we'll pick a civilization and trace their history, learning more about their day-to-day lives, and what we can learn from them today.

• British Museum for Kids tour led by archaeologists and anthropologists
• Small groups—max 6 people
• Hands-on, interactive activities for children

British Museum for Kids

Located in the beautiful Bloomsbury neighborhood, the British Museum holds one of the richest and most eclectic public art collections in the world. From the Rosetta Stone, to the lion hunt, to the king's palace at Nineveh, the museum is packed full of artwork that can enhance your family's understanding of the ancient world.

Looking for the grown-up version of this tour? Try our British Museum Tour.

An Interactive Tour with Activities

Our walk begins just outside the museum, where we'll learn about how the museum was founded and how the passion for collecting is still today at the core of this incredible institution. From here we'll go inside, and using fun educational tools, we will pick a theme or a particular civilization and follow its development throughout time. We may, for instance, focus on the development of scripture from cuneiform to hieroglyphic to our modern alphabet, using tools like the Rosetta Stone and other ancient inscriptions. We'll make sure to include a visit to the Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon marbles.

Looking for more family-friendly activities? Try our Tower of London for Kids Tour.

Ancient England

Depending on the kids interests, we may focus on the development of civilization in England: from prehistoric, with a visit to the Lindow Man, to Roman Britain (looking at mosaics and tablets from the Vindolanda settlement), and then finishing up with some of the stunning Sutton Hoo finds.

"My 8-year-old was completely entranced by our guide and left the museum wanting to be an archeologist."

In order to plan the best possible experience for your children, it would be helpful for us know some background. Have they traveled to other countries in the past? If so, where? Have they studied any subjects in school that would relate to the walk? Are they interested in art, music, even food? The more you can tell us, the better.

FAQ

Where are we meeting our guide?

Once you book your tour we'll send you all details regarding where to meet your guide and how to get there.

Do we need tickets to go inside the British Museum?

No, the museum is free to the public, however donations are appreciated. There are donation boxes at all main entrances to the gallery.

Is this tour good for kids?

Absolutely yes! This tour was designed by our museum educators and docents to be fun and interactive. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible docent.

Is this walk accessible to wheelchair users?

Yes, the gallery is fully accessible.

Ever wondered about the dinosaurs? They arose from a group of lizard-like animals and cousins of the crocodiles, and went on to dominate the world for one hundred and sixty-five million years. They were as small as chickens, and as large as double-decker buses. They ate grass, meat, each other, and their own children. They were the lions and tigers, the cows and birds, the dogs and cats of the ancient world; they walked the land, swam in the sea and took to the air. And 65 million years ago their story came to an abrupt end. Learn more about the rise an fall of the dinosaurs on this Natural History Museum London Tour for Kids, led by an archeologist trained in visual learning strategies.

• National History Museum London Tour led by an archaeologist
• Learn about dinosaurs in a world class museum
• Hands-on activities for kids

Natural History Museum London Tour for Kids

To make sense of the dinosaurs, we need to look at what came before, and what came after. So this tour covers a vast period of geological time, from the very beginnings of life on earth some four billion years ago, through to the modern diversity of mammals—which has its origins in the dinosaur’s cataclysmic extinction.

The tour starts with a trip through the Earth Galleries, providing a short geological and geographical background to paleontology, followed by a run-through of the evolution of life and the timescales involved. We then progress through the dinosaur paleontology section of the museum, with an introduction to ancient biogeography and dinosaurian anatomy, evolution, diet and behavior. The natural history of the modern world, and how it rushed to fill the gap left by the dinosaurs, will also be examined.

You don’t need to be a scientist to appreciate this tour; all you need is curiosity about the immense variation and splendor of ancient worlds, and to wonder how the planet got to where it is now, and where it is going next.

Looking for more family-friendly tours in London? Try our British Museum for Kids Tour or Tower of London for Kids Tour.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where do we end?

We will meet near the museum, and end inside the museum. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point, along with a map and emergency phone number.

Is this a walking intensive tour?

The tour moves at a leisurely pace. There are opportunities to sit, and use the restroom if needed.

The Victoria and Albert Museum possesses one of the world's greatest collections of decorative art and design in the world, with a collection running the gamut from preparatory materials for the Sistine Chapel to exquisite Islamic art, like the Ardabil Carpet. Our Victoria and Albert Museum Tour, led by a local historian, explores not only the history of the V&A, delving into its origins in the 1851 Great Exhibition, but provides a comprehensive look at a few of the most important galleries in this expansive museum.

• Victoria and Albert Museum Tour led by a design and history expert
• Small group V&A tours—6 people max
• Discover one of the most diverse fine art collections in the world.

Victoria and Albert Museum Tour

After receiving a brief overview of the museum's history outside the building, our tour will continue inside the museum with a visit to the famous Raphael Cartoons (1515-16), which were created by Raphael as preparatory drawings for tapestries intended to hang in the Sistine Chapel (nota bene: for those also headed to Italy, we offer a Vatican Museum Tour), but which today are considered works of art in their own right. Raphael's drawings depict scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul; we will analyze each in some depth with a discussion of the history of the cartoons, the Renaissance ideals in art, and the relationship between painting and tapestry weaving. We will continue by discussing the history of art and sculpture in the sculpture galleries with works by the Baroque sculptor Bernini, the neoclassical artist Canova, and the late-nineteenth century sculptor Rodin before moving on to the Cast Courts, which contain casts of artworks and objects from around Europe. The collection includes casts of Michelangelo's sixteenth-century 'David', of the first century Trajan's Column, and of the spectacular sixteenth century tomb of St. Sebaldus. Here, we will discuss the Victorian interest in collecting casts.

A Global Collection

From the Cast Court, we'll move to the British Galleries, which chart the changes in British art and design from the Tudor monarchs in the 1500s to Queen Victoria in 1901, in order to consider in greater depth how different styles arose over the centuries and how the social, cultural, and historical contexts influenced these changes. We will focus on a diverse array of objects such as the sixteenth-century 'Great Bed of Ware', the writing box belonging to Henry VIII, the eighteenth-century Rococo music room from Norfolk House, and the Arts and Crafts style as represented by William Morris in the late nineteenth century.

The Islamic Gallery

We will then compare this emphasis on style and design in Western European production with a visit to the Islamic Gallery, where we will focus on the sixteenth-century 'Ardabil carpet' in relation to the function and design of the art object in the Islamic world as well as the tension that developed between art production and science. Here, we will also explore the effects of trade and cultural exchange on design.

Take Aways

Then, depending on time and interest, we can explore the extensive fashion collection (on which we also offer a Victoria and Albert Museum Fashion Tour), visit the exquisite jewelry galleries, or alternatively discuss the form and function of glass over the centuries.

 FAQ

What's in the V&A museum?

The Museum’s collections span over 2000 years of human creativity, in virtually every medium and drawn from across Europe, the Middle East, India, China, Japan and many other parts of the world.

Is it true that we can see a replica of the Trajan’s Column?

Yes, the tallest object in the collections is a plaster cast of Trajan’s Column, reproduced from the marble original in Rome. It is displayed in two separate towers which if put together would reach 35.6 m high.

Do we need to pay a ticket to get in?

No, unless you want to see one of the temporary exhibitions, the museum is free. However, donations are greatly appreciated.

Start your tour at the Ship in a Bottle statue which is located at the southern entrance ( IE. observatory side ) to the National Maritime Museum. See and experience Turner's magnificent painting of the Battle of Trafalgar which he painted in the early 1820's. From there you will continue on to the Nelson, Navy, Nation gallery where you will see the jacket that Nelson was wearing at the time he was mortally wounded on board HMS Victory.

Visit the Trade Gallery to learn more about trade with the Far East and its origins with the East India Company. Half way through the tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a coffee/tea break at the nice cafe located in the Museum.

Explore the Atlantic Slavery gallery which portrays a brutally honest history of the slave trade and England's role in that trade. Also discover more about lighthouses and their history in the UK.

Join this 2.5-hour tour where your guide will use the British Museum to help tell the story of why the world is what it is today. Discover divine antiquities like the Holy Thorn Reliquary as well as world renowned treasures such as the Lewis Chessmen. Examine the Rosetta Stone closely and learn why it is the key to unlocking Egyptian hieroglyphics. Immerse yourself within the Parthenon Sculptures and hear stories of ancient Greece.

Meet your guide in the afternoon at the steps of the museum. The path you trace will take you from our origins in the wild to the first stirrings of human civilization and the wonders of the Enlightenment. See the Rosetta Stone, a double-headed Aztec serpent, the Lewis chessmen, a mechanical solar system, the Parthenon sculptures, a statue of Ramesses II and the Holy Thorn Reliquary. These are just some of the artifacts you will use to travel through time. Through them explore how the agricultural revolution transformed our world, why people have gods, kings, money and writing, the role of germs, war and empire, and how humans have learned to question everything. 

At the end of the tour you will have seen many of the museum’s highlights and will understand a little better why the world around you is the way it is. The tour will take a short break in the middle, during which you can buy drinks and refreshments and get to know your tour guide and fellow adventurers.

Meet your guide at Temple Underground Station in London, then board a comfortable minivan and head to St Paul’s Cathedral. On arrival, show your pre-booked ticket or pay your entrance fee (depending on the option selected), and then explore the 17th-century cathedral on an independent, audio-guided tour. Take in the skyline from the dome and descend to the crypt to see the tombs of famous British figures like Sir Winston Churchill.

After roughly 1.5 hours, join back up with your guide and continue to the Mall for the Changing of the Guard. Along the way, pass showstopper sights like 10 Downing Street, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and learn more about London's history. Hop out of your minivan in Trafalgar Square and set off on foot to Buckingham Palace. See Horse Guards Parade and other royal residences, then marvel at the pageantry of the world-famous ceremony as you march alongside the guards on the Mall.

Continue by minivan to the Tower of London, a majestic castle first built in the 11th century, stopping off on route for lunch (own expense). On arrival, opt to join a complimentary tour by one of the Beefeater guards to learn more about the tower's role in British history. Then, enjoy time at your leisure to see the Crown Jewels, White Tower, Traitor's Gate and other highlights. Alternatively, if you've not upgraded to include entrance fees, make the most of free time to explore the City of London at your own pace. Perhaps stroll along the banks of the Thames River or visit nearby Tower Bridge (own expense).

Make your final stop of the day at the British Museum, which boast the largest collection of antiquities in the world, spanning two million years. Your guide helps you navigate more easily around the vast museum and sheds light on prestigious exhibits such as the Rosetta Stone. If there's any area of history you're particularly interested in, let your guide know so your visit can be tailored to suit your interests.
When the time comes, stroll to the nearest tube stop and ask for directions on how to get back to your accommodation, if required.
Viator Exclusives combine unique experiences and great deals — from traditional tours to once-in-a-lifetime experiences — and are not available from other 3rd-party online sellers.

Make the most of your visit to London and take this private tour to the Victoria and Albert museum (V&A) with a Blue Badge certified guide. This option guarantees you a more personal attention and service from your guide.

You will be led to the most important areas of the museum with a vast and detailed explanation of the pieces and exhibitions it has to offer.

The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design; housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The Museum holds many of the UK’s national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance.

The V&A was originally established in 1852, following the enormous success of the Great Exhibition of the previous year. Since its foundation, the Museum and its collections have continued to grow into one of the world’s greatest resources of art and design, housed in one of the finest groups of Victorian buildings in Britain.

Your Blue Badge guide is an official, professional tourist guide of the United Kingdom, recognized by local tourist bodies throughout the UK, and by Visit Britain as one of Britain’s official tourist guides.

Your visit will start meeting the guide outside of the Museum, where you will be provided a brief explanation of the museum; next, you’ll be taken to the most important expositions. After 1.5 hours of the tour you will have free time to spend it at your own leisure!

The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The Museum holds many of the UK's national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance.

The V&A was originally established in 1852, following the enormous success of the Great Exhibition the previous year. Its founding principle was to make works of art available to all, to educate working people and to inspire British designers and manufacturers. Since its foundation, the Museum and its collections have continued to grow into one of the world's greatest resources of art and design, housed in one of the finest groups of Victorian buildings in Britain.

Your Blue Badge guide is an official, professional tourist guides of the United Kingdom. Your guide is recognized by local tourist bodies throughout the UK, and by Visit Britain as one of Britain’s official tourist guides.

Your visit will start meeting the guide outside of the Museum where your guide will provide a brief explanation of the museum, after that you will access the museum, your guide will take you to the most important expositions. After 1.5 hours of the tour you will have free time to visit the museum by yourselves.

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.

Please note: Apsley House will be closed until March 31, 2015, more time will be spent at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Visit the wonderful British Museum on this 3-hour private tour with your own art historian guide. The British Museum, one of the world’s greatest historical treasure troves, is the largest ethnographic Museum in the world- culture is its theme. It represents not only British culture but it is a collection of World cultures such as the Egyptian, Assyrian, Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman, Pacific Ocean and Eastern Cultures.

This British Museum tour is ideal for a personalised perspective on the collections. Among the main objects are some of the most important Egyptian statues, the Egyptian Mummies, the famous Assyrian Lion Hunt, the Standard of Ur, the Parthenon Marbles, Roman sculpture with the famous Portland Cameo Vase and many more.

Make your own way to Emirates Stadium — home of the world-famous Arsenal Football Club — in north London, located within easy walking distance of Arsenal tube station. Built in 2006 to replace the historical Arsenal Stadium, the 60,000-seater venue is one of England’s largest football stadiums and has also hosted concerts for the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay.
On arrival, pick up your included audio guide and then set off to explore independently. Follow in the footsteps of celebrated former and current players like Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas and Mesut Özil as you visit some of the most exclusive parts of the stadium.
See the changing rooms, make your way through the tunnel toward the pitch and see other sections of the stadium that are not normally open to the public. As you wander, listen to the audio commentary voiced by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson to learn more about the Gunners.
After roughly 1.5 hours, finish your tour at Arsenal Museum. Follow the story of the club’s formation in the late 19th century right through to present day, and see exhibits like Charlie George’s 1971 FA Cup Final shirt. Then, head to the club’s retail store, where you can pick up official merchandise.

Meet your guide at Stamford Bridge stadium, just a short bus or tube ride from central London. During a 60-minute informative tour of the Bridge, you'll see where the iconic Chelsea FC has played its home games since 1905.
Explore the renovated stadium with your guide, who shares unbridled excitement about the team. As you make your way into the changing room, step into the imaginary shoes of players, such as midfielder Eden Hazard and team captain John Terry, sporting their blues before a game. Sit behind the desk in the Press Room and soak up the atmosphere, then anticipate the roar of more than 40,000 cheering fans while walking down the tunnel toward the pitch.
Entry to the Chelsea Museum is also included. The interactive exhibits provide visitors the opportunity to learn how the team has evolved, on and off the pitch, to become one the most prestigious soccer clubs in the world. Don’t miss having your photo taken with the Champions League and Europa League trophies before making your own way back to central London.

Start off your walking tour to London with an introduction to culture and civilizations at the monumental collection of the British Museum, spanning 6,000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You will learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen and the original Rosetta Stone.  Walk away with an understanding of what humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you will be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, continue with your guide to understand London through its history as you walk through its urban landscape. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that define London. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

Trade in paintings for mummies and historical artifacts on a tour of the British Museum. The enormous collection spans 6000 years of human history, featuring items from all over the world including Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

Start off your private trip to London with an introduction to culture and civilizations at the monumental collection of the British Museum, spanning 6000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, continue with your guide to understand London through its history as you walk through its urban landscape. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that define London. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

Trade in paintings for mummies and historical artifacts on a tour of the British Museum. The enormous collection spans 6000 years of human history, featuring items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Your guide will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items.

You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

Enjoy an hour or two exploring this hidden historical gem in the heart of London.  At 25 Brook Street, make your way up the wonky, 250 year old  staircase and step back in time into George Frideric Handel's music rooms where he composed, rehearsed, performed and conversed with the leading musical luminaries of the baroque age. This is where he wrote Messiah, and these are the windows from which he threatened to throw opera stars when they refused to sing his arias.  

Musicians are often found practicing on one of the harpsichords throughout the day, offering a beautiful atmospheric accompaniment as you make your way around Handel's house - don't miss the adjoining current exhibition celebrating the famed baroque tenor John Beard.  

Making your way up to the second floor, you will find yourself in Handel's dressing room and the beautiful bedroom in which he eventually died of old age after 35 years at the heart of English music.  

On the third floor of the museum, you will find yourself transported to 60s London and the height of its swinging heyday.  The city which embraced one of the greatest guitarists the world has ever seen and made him famous, London, held a special place in Jimi Hendrix's heart and he described the flat he lived in with his girlfriend Kathy at 23 Brook Street as the first place he'd ever truly called home. Painstakingly recreated from intensive research and with Kathy's invaluable help on numerous tiny details, a short step away is the room made famous in copious film footage and photographs where Jimi lived, loved and played in 1969 before his tragic death just a year later at the height of his fame at the age of just 27.

Meet your guide at 25 Brook Street in central London, make your way up the wonky, 250 year old grade staircase and step back in time into George Frideric Handel's music rooms where he composed, rehearsed, performed and conversed with the leading musical luminaries of the Baroque age. This is where he wrote Messiah, and these are the windows from which he threatened to throw soprano opera stars when they refused to sing his arias.  

Musicians are often found practicing on one of the harpsichords throughout the day, offering a beautiful atmospheric accompaniment as you make your way around Handel House. 

Making your way up to the second floor, you will find yourself in Handel's dressing room and the beautiful bedroom in which he eventually died of old age after 35 years at the heart of English music.  

Then you will be led up to the third floor of the museum, where you will find yourself transported to 60s London and the height of its swinging heyday. The city which embraced one of the greatest guitarists the world has ever seen and made him famous, London, held a special place in Jimi Hendrix's heart and he described the flat he lived in with his girlfriend Kathy at 23 Brook Street as the first place he'd ever truly called home. Find out how Hendrix's 1969 bedroom has been painstakingly recreated from intensive research and with the help of those who knew Jimi best. This is the room where Hendrix lived, loved and played guitar in and there are hundreds of stories to find out about.

This English-language tour is intended for skeptical non-believers, or people of any or no religion. Wheelchairs and portable canvas stools are freely available if needed. The content is mostly in the Assyrian, Egyptian and Mesopotamia rooms of the British Museum, including an analysis of the Amarna Letters, Amenhotep III and Akhenaten, the origin of writing and the alphabet, the link between the Chinese language and Genesis, seeing God's actual name in the Lachish Letters, evidence for some events recorded in Genesis including the global Flood and the saving of Jerusalem, and the amazing significance of the (Persian) Cyrus Cylinder.

Meet your local tour guide at the 'boy on horse' statue (next to the Information Desk) at an agreed time. No meals or drinks are included, but are available easily within the museum and in nearby cafes. You need to arrive at the front entrance of the British Museum and allow time to get through the security procedure where bags and bulges are searched. You may bring a notepad, pen and a bible if you wish. No recording of the tour is allowed to be published in any format for others to see or hear.

Meet your guide at the prestigious All England Club in Wimbledon, and then set off on your behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic tennis venue to learn about the home of The Championships and see facilities used during London 2012.

Stroll around Centre Court and No 1 Court to see where the likes of Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Andy Murray battled out victories, and admire the old pony-drawn roller that once kept the grass courts in prime condition. Wander around the picnic spots where summertime crowds gather to eat strawberries and cream, and visit Aorangi Terrace, the hill better known by its nicknames: Henman Hill or Murray Mound. Pose for photos in the press interview room and visit Millennium Building to see the private players’ facilities.

Your tour finishes outside Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, so head inside with your entrance ticket and explore the exhibition space independently. Showcasing the history of tennis at Wimbledon, the museum also celebrates the traditions, triumphs and emotions of the game through collections of artifacts, film footage and interactive displays.

An unsurpassed collection of tennis memorabilia dating back to 1555 is spread around the museum, offering a insight into the early days of tennis. Pass through the Championships Trophies room to see the spoils of past victories, and visit John McEnroe’s former changing room for an interactive experience with a hologram of the famous US tennis player.

Rest your legs by taking a break in the 3D cinema and watch The Walk of Champions, a short film about the people who work at Wimbledon and the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into hosting the Championships. See footage of the 2013 British Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray, and hear about the excitement that surrounds the finals. After watching the film, continue through the gallery and stroll around CentreCourt360 for panoramic views of the Centre Court.

How long you spend inside the museum is up to you, but many visitors find an hour to be sufficient. If you are hungry or simply want a break from exploring the exhibits, visit the on-site cafe. Food and drinks are at your own expense.

Head inside the Household Cavalry Museum in London with your entrance ticket, and then browse the extensive museum at your own pace. Open since 2007, the exhibition showcases the history and role of the Household Cavalry — a senior corps formed of the Life Guards and Blues and Royals regiments.

Formed during the reign of King Charles II in the 17th century to act as the king’s protection, the Household Cavalry now has multiple tasks; while best-known for its ceremonial duties guarding Buckingham Palace, the regiment also fulfills a reconnaissance role and assists in combat duties on the front line of battles around the world.

Explore the 18th-century former vaulted stables, and learn all about the Household Cavalry’s close association with the British Royal Family while browsing the museum’s impressive collection of rare military exhibits. High-profile members of the royal family, such as Prince Harry and the Queen, are currently part of the regiment and Prince William also served within it. Read first-hand accounts about the soldiers’ rigorous training schedules, see pictures from battles, and learn about units deployed in active service as international peacekeepers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Look into the working stables of the Queen’s Life Guard through a glass screen and see today’s troopers working with their horses. If you want, try on parts of the regiment’s uniform and pose for a photo! Make use of a state-of-the-art handheld multimedia guide as you walk around, and enjoy a greater insight into the history and accomplishments of the elite Household Cavalry.

Many people find two hours sufficient to look around the museum, but your ticket enables you to spend as long as you like inside. There are no cafes on site, but there is an extensive gift shop if you wish to shop for souvenirs and postcards.

Meet your guide in central London, and then head inside the prestigious British Museum for your 2.5-hour tour. A veritable treasure trove, the museum showcases the story of human culture and history, and is home to artifacts from around the world, not just Britain!

Some 70 galleries comprise the museum’s vast exhibition space, so follow your guide to discover its highlights while listening to entertaining anecdotes, trivia and history. Headphones are provided so you can hear clearly at all times. Athenian marble, Egyptian mummies and English treasures from burial sites at Sutton Hoo — said to date to Anglo-Saxon times — are just a handful of the artifacts seen.

Hear of the real Rosetta Stone, which played an important part in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, and gaze in awe at the gigantic Parthenon Frieze. Measuring 525-foot (160-meters) long, the attention-grabbing sculpture once stole the limelight in the Acropolis of Athens. Today, the sculpture is said to be one of the most important surviving relics of classical Greece. Other highlights of your tour include the Egyptian Rooms with their impressive collection of mummies. Learn about the importance of death and the afterlife in Ancient Egyptian culture while viewing human history in person.

Your tour finishes inside the museum, but you can stay inside for longer, if you wish, to view the exhibits independently. A good selection of restaurants and cafes are on site, if you want to eat after your tour at your own expense.

This is a great day out for anyone with an appreciation for military history and airplanes. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel or at a train/tube station in the morning. Enjoy complimentary drinks and entrance fees on this full-day tour of the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon.

RAF Hendon houses planes from around the world, dating from over 100 years ago right up to the present day Eurofighter, with special emphasis on the RAF.

Learn all about the Battle of Britain and experience an air raid over London. See the heroics of the early aviation pioneers and learn from your guide’s personal experience, as the workshop of one of his relatives is part of the tour.

Your visit to Hendon can be as long or short as you'd like it to be. There’s certainly more to see than is possible to cover in a single day.

See Spitfires, Hurricanes, Lancasters, Vulcans, Typhoons, Meschersmitts, Stukas, Mustangs, F35s, and over 100 other types of aircraft.

The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of Western paintings in the world. From a striking Northern Renaissance collection, to one of Da Vinci's finest, through the Post-Impressionists, a walk through the National Gallery is akin to a stroll through the annals of western civilization's best works. This National Gallery Tour, led by an art historian, will lead us through an in-depth exploration of the Gallery, providing a sense of context and progression to this unparalleled collection.

• National Gallery Tour led by an art historian
• Small group—6 people max
• Includes works from Da Vinci and Van Eyck to Van Gogh and Monet

National Gallery Tour

We begin the visit in the Sainsbury Wing, where the Gallery houses its earliest works—paintings from 1250-1510, encompassing Late Gothic, Early Renaissance, and Renaissance art. Our discussion will revolve around the development of painting, and how the context and function of works of art shaped their appearance from exquisite, jewel-like private devotional altarpieces to Raphael’s grand and spatially sophisticated Ansideialtarpiece. Our course through this wing will depend on our docent's intellectual proclivity and the interests of the group, but our focus will include such works as Paolo Uccello's The Battle of San Romano, Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait, Botticelli's Venus and Mars, and Leonardo Da Vinci's Venus of the Rocks.

"Really great! We had been to the gallery numerous times but our docent really gave us new insight."

A Walk through Western History

During our walk, we will stop to consider works by artists like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, discussing their investigations into the human figure and analyzing their use of perspective and light to achieve works of subtle psychological tension and complex but balanced compositions.

We might then move on to discuss how the Baroque artists like Peter Paul Rubens and Caravaggio used compositional devices, such as the structure of the space, the presence of light and shade, and the human figure itself to create dramatic scenes. Alternatively, we could examine the expert handling of paint and subtle control of lighting effects employed by masters of the Dutch ‘Golden Age’ of the seventeenth century, whose portrayal of everyday life was unsurpassed and whose interest in the manipulation of perspectival techniques is epitomized by Van Hoogstraten’s delightful ‘peepshow’ view of a bourgeoisie interior.

Forward in Time

Depending on the interests of the group, we can then explore other periods represented in the Gallery and consider the stylistic and technical devices employed by artists in order to achieve their specific aims, depending on the period, the fashion, or the desires of the patron. We will finish the walk in the late 1800s with works by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Vincent Van Gogh, and other Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists. In light of the works we have considered throughout the tour, we will examine how these artists challenged the traditional conventions of depiction.

Take Aways

This personalized walk through 700 years of Western art and history will supply the visitor with not only a unique visual experience, but also an understanding of key moments, characters, and movements in the history of art.

Looking to explore more art in London? We suggest our Victorian and Albert Museum Tour, or for a more modern look, our Tate Modern Tour.

FAQ

Do we go inside the venues or just see them from the outside?

The tour takes place inside the National Gallery.

Will you pre-purchase tickets?

The permanent collection of the National Gallery is free to visit, so no tickets are required, however donations are appreciated. If you are interested in seeing one of the temporary exhibitions, we advice you book this tour privately. We will arrange for tickets.

Is this tour good for kids?

Yes! We have some excellent family friendly docents who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Also, you may consider our family focused, interactive tours.

Is this a walking intensive tour?

No, all the tour takes place inside the museum. The National Gallery is fully accessible and has plenty of places to sit.

Retaining one of the greatest collections of western art in the world, the National Gallery is a wonderful repository of stories, from the magical to the everyday, from epic tales to biographies, and from the imaginary to the factual. Together, we'll dive into the world of these stories—as well as the stories behind the artists that made them—on this National Gallery for Families Tour, led by an art historian trained in visual learning strategies. Armed with art supplies and our imaginations, we'll not only learn some of the skills necessary to make masterworks like the ones on display, but we'll develop an appreciation for western art through the ages.

Note: Families, we also offer a National Gallery for Families Tour focusing on animals depicted in art throughout the Gallery.

• National Gallery for Families tour led by an art historian.
• Fun, interactive activities
• Detailed explanation of stories that have inspired painters

"She came prepared with tools/activities for the kids and clearly took time to think about how to engage them fully. It was amazing!"

National Gallery For Families Tour

On our journey, we will hear the legends of the Greek and Roman gods, including Mars, the god of war, and Venus, the goddess of love, as well as the fate of Ariadne, who was deserted on an island by her lover, Theseus, and later discovered by the god of wine, Bacchus. We will also see how artists interpreted the stories of the holy books and meet the Queen of Sheba on her journey to test the wisdom of King Solomon with gifts of gold. Or perhaps we will find out the secret of Samson's superhuman strength and discover who betrayed his secret.

Reading a Painting

As we explore, we will learn to decipher the signs and symbols that give us clues to the meaning of different paintings. For example, which saint always holds an arrow and why? Who is dressed in animal skins? Who holds a golden apple, and what does an hourglass symbolize? What does a dog, or a dove, or a horse represent in a painting?

Looking for more family-friendly museum tours in London? Try our Tower of London for Kids or British Museum for Kids Tours.

Interactive Activities

Throughout the walk, we'll also engage with the paintings through a series of interactive activities. Maybe we'll take out our pencils and decide to try our hands at sketching some of the paintings we see—inserting ourselves into the picture! Or, perhaps we'll take a closer look at painting; just how do they get so many colors and textures onto the canvas? Either way, we'll walk away with a deepened appreciation for the craft of some of Europe's masters—and a few new artistic skills.

Take Aways

Over the course of this walk, we will learn how artists over the centuries have translated the great literary and oral narratives from words to paint as we hear and see these stories. The west has a rich culture of storytelling that has inspired countless retellings, and together with our docent we will discover these tales on our journey around the National Gallery.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?

The walk begins and ends inside the museum. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24 hour phone number.

Do we need tickets to go inside the National Gallery?

No, the gallery is free to the public, however donations are appreciated. There are donation boxes at all main entrances to the gallery.

Is this tour good for kids?

Absolutely yes! This tour was designed by our museum educators and docents to be fun and interactive. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible docent.

Is this walk accessible to wheelchair users?

Yes, the gallery is fully accessible.

From corgis to stallions, animals have always been important companions to kings, queens, knights, and saints. On this 2-hour National Gallery for Families Tour, we'll take an adventurous visit to London's National Gallery to meet tamed dragons, alluring cats, and trustworthy dogs. We'll learn about these beloved animals' relationships with their owners as well as the painter depicting them, and how the stories of history's greatest personalities are often linked to that of their pets—making some drawings of our own along the way.

Note: Families, we also offer a National Gallery for Families Tour focusing on the gods, goddesses, and other characters to be found in the Gallery.

• Introduces children to art through fun activities
• Led by an art historian trained to work with children.
• Incorporates activities to stimulate learning in a fun and engaging way.

National Gallery for Families Tour

During the walk, we may encounter the famous rhinoceros Miss Clara, a celebrity of the 18th century that toured Europe and was painted by Pietro Longhi in 1751 in Venice, or the incredible Whistlejacket that George Stubbs depicted in 1762 for the Marquess of Rockingham. Regardless, this fun and interactive history of animals also tells their story as companions to the greatest figures of British history. Using the National Gallery as our canvas, we'll weave a narrative that takes us from the the spaniels of the Tudor court, to Winston Churchill's dog Rufus II, to Queen Elizabeth II's famous Welsh Corgis.

Looking for this tour for adults? Try our National Gallery Tour.

Interactive Activities

Meanwhile, we'll have fun throughout the walk with a range of fun activities for kids and parents. Maybe we'll pick our favorite animals and draw a coat of arms. Or, perhaps we'll draw ourselves with our pets, thinking about what the different symbols in portraits mean. We might even use our imaginations to come up with a fantasy beast, then draw it! No matter what, we'll walk away from this tour with a better understanding of what it takes to draw animals—and what the animals mean.

Take Aways

By the end of the tour, both kids and their lucky parents will have developed a deeper appreciation for the many fascinating characters and stories to be found throughout the National Gallery. Children and adults will come away with a better understanding of British history, and the importance of painting both through history and today. We'll learn about the important role that pets have played throughout history and how they were represented in art. Additionally, we'll explore why some people wanted unusual animals in their paintings, ranging from a phoenix or dragon, to an owl or monkey.

FAQ

Is this walk appropriate for small children?

Yes, we designed this walk with young children in mind. Thanks to our approach and activities they will learn about art through the familiar subject of pets.

What kind of activities will you be doing?

Depending on the children's learning styles we may do drawings, act painting scenes, ask them to describe a scene. Each docent is equipped with tools and techniques.

Is the gallery accessible?

Yes, the gallery is fully accessible to wheelchairs. Four entrances have level access: the Getty, Sainsbury Wing, National Café and Pigott Education Centre entrances.

The tour starts at Charing Cross, in the Strand, right in the heart of London. A short walk leads you to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Hear how the Charing Cross commemorates an amazing royal wife, Eleanor of Castile (died 1290), and how the place used to mark the centre of London. It stands by the site of the factory where the 10 year old Charles Dickens was forced to work when family circumstances declined. Then, heading into Trafalgar Square, you’ll see and hear about the various statues of important historical figures, the Nelson’s column, the church of St.Martin in the Fields, the South Africa House and Canada House with its rooftop beehives. This is where Londoners march, make demonstrations and celebrations (especially in New Year’s Eve) and sing Christmas carols and so much more.

Then, enter the National Gallery which, with its 2,500 paintings is one of the richest and most important art collections in the world. Our highlights tour will give us a panorama of Western European art from the 1200s to the early 1900s. Your guide will cover all the major European schools of painting with masterpieces from Italy, the Low Countries, France, Britain, Germany and Spain.

You can tick many of the greatest artists off your list: Duccio, Giotto, Pisanello, Raphael, Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio; Van Eyck, Van Der Weyden, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Reubens and Van Dyck; Claude, Poussin and some of the Impressionists; Hogarth, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Stubbs and Turner; Holbein, Cranach and Durer; Velasquez, Murillo and Goya.

Note:If any rooms are closed or particular artworks are away on loan, the guide will make an equally wonderful alternative selection of masterpiece paintings to show you.

See the best of London’s National Gallery, one of the world’s most visited art museums, on this private 3.5-hour tour. With a specialist art historian guide, tick off the gallery’s most impressive paintings and learn more about the artists behind them. Get up close to works by the Italian greats, including da Vinci and Michelangelo, and Flemish masterpieces from the likes of Rubens and Campin. You’ll also take in timeless paintings by French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists such as Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Cezanne.
Choose from a morning or afternoon tour, and then make your own way to the National Gallery, a striking Pantheon-style art museum raised on a terrace overlooking Nelson’s Column and the iconic lion statues in London’s Trafalgar Square.
Meet your guide, an art history specialist, and then head inside to trace European art across the centuries. The National Gallery boasts one of Europe’s greatest collections of paintings by the Old Masters (European artists whose notable works were produced between the Renaissance and 18th century), and houses more than 2,300 artworks dating from the Middle Ages through the 20th century.
Stroll from room to room, taking in the mosaic floors, marble pillars and floor-to-ceiling art, and listen as your specialist guide talks you through the gallery’s key masterpieces as well as the artists behind them.
Throughout your private tour, pay special attention to the Italian greats — from the 13th-century Masters to the High Renaissance of Piero della Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo — and the Flemish school of art, including works by Rubens, van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden and Campin, considered by many to be the first great master of Flemish and Early Netherlandish painting.
See, too, masterpieces from Rembrandt, as well as the gallery’s French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists collection, one of the finest of its kind in the world — crammed with timeless works by Renoir, Monet, Pisarro, Cezanne, van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso.
After roughly 3.5 hours, your tour concludes inside the National Gallery, leaving you free to continue exploring independently, should you wish.

Instead of browsing  the National Gallery aimlessly, immerse yourself in the techniques and history behind some of the world’s most famous artists with a professional guide. You’ve heard of Van Gogh and da Vinci, but what do you really know about them? Learn about the painters behind the paintings. Browse your favorite works by other masters like Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. If none of those names mean anything to you, that will change by the end of the tour.

The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. Learn essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2,300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

Begin your half day experience by exploring the cultures and civilizations through the monumental collection at the British Museum spanning 6000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Your guide will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, learn about the master painters whose names fill the halls of the National Gallery. You’ve heard of Seurat and da Vinci, but what do you really know about them? Learn about the painters behind the paintings as we browse our favorite works by other masters like Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. If none of those names mean anything to you, your guide will make sure that changes by the end of the tour. The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. During your tour, you'll be arm with the essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

Begin our half day experience by learning about the master painters whose names fill the halls of the National Gallery. It’s a hodgepodge of eras and styles, and we’ll make sense of it for you so that you can appreciate and moreover enjoy this iconic collection. Discover the history and anecdotes behind the works of artists like Da Vinci, Velázquez, and Botticelli. The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. During your tour, we’ll arm you with the essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

After a break for lunch, you will then go on to explore the diverse neighborhood that is the East End. Notorious as the hunting ground of 19th century serial killer Jack the Ripper, it’s now home to London's best street art including Shepard Fairey and Banksy. The East End is a melting pot, alive with contradictions and colorful characters, and we’ll introduce you to our favorite shops and vendors at Spitalfields Market. By the end of the day you’ll understand why London attracts so many upcoming artists.

Explore a world-class art collection with our energetic guides in the National Gallery. You’ve heard of Seurat and da Vinci, but what do you really know about them? Learn about the painters behind the paintings as we browse our favorite works by other masters like Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. If none of those names mean anything to you, we’ll make sure that changes by the end of the tour.

The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. During your tour, we’ll arm you with the essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

After a break for lunch, we will go back to the very beginning of London’s two millennia history in the City, the site of a Roman settlement that became the epicenter of one of the world’s most bustling cities and financial centers. Wander through this tangle of hidden sights to stumble upon the 12th century Temple Church, home to the Knights Templar. Fast-forward through history to discover the medieval Tower of London, home to the beefeaters. Learn about the great fire of 1666 that decimated the city at the Monument before marveling at the domed masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral, rebuilt after the tragedy. You’ll score picturesque views along the Thames, the river spanned by the iconic 19th century Tower Bridge and more modern Millennium Bridge. Your energetic guide will bring London’s long history to life as you weave through the skyscrapers that hide some of its best kept stories.

Explore a world-class art collection with our energetic guides in the National Gallery. You’ve heard of Seurat and da Vinci, but what do you really know about them? Learn about the painters behind the paintings as we browse our favorite works by other masters like Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. If none of those names mean anything to you, we’ll make sure that changes by the end of the tour.
 
The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. During your private tour, we’ll arm you with the essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

After a break for lunch, we will go back to the very beginning of London’s two millennia history in the City, the site of a Roman settlement that became the epicenter of one of the world’s most bustling cities and financial centers. Wander through this tangle of hidden sights to stumble upon the 12th century Temple Church, home to the Knights Templar. Fast-forward through history to discover the medieval Tower of London, home to the beefeaters. Learn about the great fire of 1666 that decimated the city at the Monument before marveling at the domed masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral, rebuilt after the tragedy. You’ll score picturesque views along the Thames, the river spanned by the iconic 19th century Tower Bridge and more modern Millennium Bridge. Your energetic guide will bring London’s long history to life as you weave through the skyscrapers that hide some of its best kept stories.

Meet your private guide outside the British Museum at 10am, then step inside to begin your 5-hour tour.

At The British Museum discover valuable treasures such as the Mummy of Katebet, the Oxus Treasure, the Parthenon sculptures, and the Rosetta Stone. During your tour, explore 6,000 years of human history and learn of primitive tribes and mighty empires through the ages.

After lunch (own expense), head onward to the National Gallery Admire works such as Johannes Vermeer’s A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal, Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, or Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, and hear essential details on the meanings behind the works. Explore the galleries and hallways — home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer — and gain insight into art history dating back to the 14th century.

When your guided visit comes to an end, continue exploring at your leisure or step outside to conclude your tour.

Begin our half day experience by learning about the master painters whose names fill the halls of the National Gallery. It’s a hodgepodge of eras and styles, and we’ll make sense of it for you so that you can appreciate and moreover enjoy this iconic collection. Discover the history and anecdotes behind the works of artists like Da Vinci, Velázquez, and Botticelli. The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. During your private tour, your charming young guide will arm you with the essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

After a break for lunch, you will then go on to explore the diverse neighborhood that is the East End. Notorious as the hunting ground of 19th century serial killer Jack the Ripper, it’s now home to London's best street art including Shepard Fairey and Banksy. The East End is a melting pot, alive with contradictions and colorful characters, and we’ll introduce you to our favorite shops and vendors at Spitalfields Market. By the end of the day you’ll understand why London attracts so many upcoming artists.

Instead of browsing the National Galley aimlessly, let your guide immerse you in the techniques and history behind some of the world’s most famous artists. You’ve heard of Seurat and da Vinci, but what do you really know about them? Learn about the painters behind the paintings as we browse our favorite works by other masters like Botticelli, Monet, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. If none of those names mean anything to you, we’ll make sure that changes by the end of the tour.

The National Gallery houses paintings dating back to the 1300s all the way up through the 1900s, so there is no shortage of choice. Visit Jan van Eyck’s “The Arnolfini Portrait” or something more familiar like Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” to understand the full scope of work on display. During your tour, you'll be armed with the essential information and history needed to appreciate the more than 2300 paintings on display at one of the world’s most visited museums.

Consecrated in 1708 and designed by Sir Christopher Wren, St Paul's Cathedral is one of the most important and beloved buildings in England. With your entrance ticket, head inside and pick up your audio/video guide, available in nine languages (see below for a list). You’ll tour the cathedral on your own, listening to the audio commentary and using your touch screen for historical tidbits and information about the significance of the cathedral throughout English history.

As you walk around, admire the cathedral’s soaring dome, its glittering mosaics, the intricate stone carving and the breathtaking view down the central nave toward the quire aisle.

Start in the crypt to see its memorials and monuments, including the tombs of Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Then see the so-called Whispering Gallery - a platform giving you a perfect view of the cathedral from the first level of the dome - the outdoor Stone Gallery and eventually the Golden Gallery around the highest point of the Dome serving as a balcony with panoramic views of the capital.

Keep an eye on your watch and head to the Restaurant at St Paul’s for your traditional afternoon tea, which starts at 3pm. Along with a selection of loose-leaf teas or coffee, enjoy finger sandwiches (Chalk Farm smoked salmon, free-range egg and cress, cucumber and cream cheese) and sweet treats (freshly baked scones with England preserves and Cornish clotted cream). It’s the perfect ending to a visit of one of England’s most iconic attractions.

Meet the tour guide at The Rugby Store located in Twickenham’s south stand, it’s recommended you arrive a little early to have time to look around the store first. Then set off on your behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s most famous rugby stadium which hosted 10 matches in Rugby World Cup 2015 including the thrilling final.

Twickenham is easily reached by public transport from central London stations including London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Vauxhall and Richmond. Alternatively the 281 bus route stops outside the south stand. By car the stadium is located off the A316 and has free onside car parking.

The tour visits many areas of the building not open to the public on match days including into the player’s tunnel and dressing room where you can follow in the footsteps of your favorite players both past and present. It doesn’t have to be all about rugby though, look out for the stadiums collection of paintings and sculptures and learn about the many concerts held at Twickenham from the Rolling Stones to Bon Jovi and Rhiannon.

At the end of the tour the guide will leave you at the entrance to World Rugby Museum; this give you freedom to look around at leisure. Learn how a school boy game became the global professions sport it is today. Did William Webb Ellis really run with the ball? See a glittering array of trophies including the intricately detailed Calcutta Cup made from 270 silver rupees and in the interactive Play Rugby Zone put your rugby skills to the test. There is also plenty of film footage to watch as you relive some of rugby’s most famous moments.

Twickenham is a working stadium, there is always activity going on, from preparation for an event to pitch maintenance. This can often add to the tour experience and you never know what or who you may see. If you fancy a sit down at the end of the visit refreshments can be purchased from the Café Bar in the Marriott Hotel located in the south stand.

Make you own way to the Banqueting House, located near the Thames River and 10 Downing Street, where the British prime minister lives and works. This 17th-century building is the only remaining part of the Palace of Whitehall, a vast royal complex that was burnt to the ground in 1698.

Before you enter, pause outside the front of the building on the pavement. This is the spot where Charles I was beheaded on a brutally cold day in 1649, after being convicted of high treason. Head inside to learn more about Charles I and to explore the interior. Architect Inigo Jones designed the Italianate Renaissance-style building and took inspiration for the design from a recent trip to Italy, .

Wander through the impressive banqueting hall, which would have been used as a venue for entertainment. Look out for a bronze bust of James I, which sits above the door in the banqueting hall. The bust was designed by Hubert Le Sueur, who also made the equestrian statue of Charles I in Charing Cross, near Trafalgar Square.

Take some time to soak up Rubens' impressive canvases — exuberant masterpieces that adorn the ceiling of Banqueting House. Commissioned by Charles I, the paintings glorify his father, King James I.

Spend as long as you want in the palace. Once you leave, make your own way back to your accommodation or continue sightseeing.

Tower of London
Home to the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London reverberates with dark secrets, where priceless jewels glint in fortified vaults and pampered ravens strut the grounds. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066, and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. Discover its 900-year history as royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.

Thames River Sightseeing Cruise
The best way to see the sights and splendor of this great capital city is from the deck of a boat. The River Thames weaves its way through London, with history around every bend.

You'll experience the sights and splendor of this great city from the comfort of a modern, all-weather, wheelchair-friendly RiverLiner, with open upper decks and spacious lower saloons with panoramic windows. Take advantage of two bars providing light refreshments, snacks and alcoholic beverages.

Cruises depart frequently from Westminster Pier, Waterloo (London Eye) Pier, Tower and Greenwich Pier. The shortest trips between piers last around 30 minutes, while the full round trip takes 2.5 leisurely hours.

Experience the whole of St Paul's Cathedral – a mainstay of the London skyline – on a self-guided tour. Designed by famous English architect Sir Christopher Wren, the current cathedral was completed in 1708, after the Great Fire of London ruined Old St Paul’s in 1666. The cathedral has always been associated with significant British events, including the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, Diamond Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria and an 80th birthday service for Queen Elizabeth II.

With your entrance ticket, head inside and pick up your audio/video guide, available in nine languages (see below for a list). You’ll tour the cathedral on your own, listening to the audio commentary and using your touch screen for historical tidbits and information about the significance of the cathedral throughout English history.

Begin in the cathedral’s crypt, with its memorials, tombs and monuments of important Brits like Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Climb upstairs to the Whispering Gallery - giving you a magnificient view of the cathedral - the exterior Stone Gallery and eventually the Golden Gallery with its panoramic views of the capital.

As you walk around, marvel at the soaring dome, the glittering mosaics, the intricate stone carving and the breathtaking view down the central nave toward the quire aisle.