Storyteller, historian, adventurer, explorer – I’m your way into London.
“Next time we are in London, Simon will be the first person we contact so we can explore more of whatever part of the city we stay in. Excellent guide and memorable tour.” (Laura, Vancouver)
I was there…
I came here 30 years ago seeking my fortune and I’ve lived London in so much depth:
…working in media; partying at warehouse raves; living in a factory; living on a boat; writing freelance about travel and the city. Like many long-term Londoners I was once bombed by the IRA!
When I wasn’t here I was in San Francisco leading walking tours, on the Great Barrier Reef supervising divers and crisscrossing Europe with American school groups.
I’ve been to 50 countries, but I still come home to London.
As my friend said: “I like London but it’s different for you – it’s a love affair.”
This incredible job (vocation?) has taken me all over Europe. I’ve led college kids through medieval alleyways in Spain and rescued older divers 40 metres below the sea in the South Pacific. I’ve trained troubled teens to be guides and I volunteer with refugees in Ukraine and Calais.
“…a terrific guide in every way. Super accommodating to our needs, and great personality that adds to the vibe.” (Donna)
Guiding, for me, is about helping people step into the living story of a place.
Over two decades I’ve led thousands of visitors through London, Europe, China and Australia and America.
Along the way I’ve, handled what could have been a tour bus disaster on a motorway and solved countless problems on the go.
Guiding, I’ve learned, is really about helping people feel safe, curious and fully alive in a new place.
In that 20 years on four continents I’ve worked with families, schools, language schools, soccer tours, businesses, universities and trained teen guides for a social enterprise. I’ve spoken on podcasts in the USA, been quoted in newspapers in the UK and Germany and appeared at World Travel Market London (WTM).
“He accommodated our family of seven with ease—including teenage kids and an 80-year-old grandmother—and worked perfectly at our pace” (Daniela, US)
I’ve looked after seniors in China, oriented backpackers in San Francisco – and all over the world I’ve engaged countless teens despite themselves 🙂
“I was with my children and they never got bored.” (Gloria, Miami)
The secret to 330+ 5-star reviews? I love this city and I adore this job. I still thrill to meeting and connecting with people like you – and then connecting you with this epic city. Here I am connecting local residents of Hackney with our amazing borough:
A hiker, runner and football fan, In the tourism off-season I volunteer with refugees.
“Simon is an incredible tour guide! He’s personable, caring, funny, knowledgeable, and really flexible. One of our friends, who has been living in London for over 20 years, joined us on the tour and discovered a lot of things he hadn’t known or seen before.” (Dan, Canada)
I’m polylingual and have been to 50 countries so I usually have something we can chat about between sights. I remember how it was to be a teen and I do my best to keep things exciting for them.
