PRIVATE LONDON SIGHTSEEING | couples • families • groups

CONTACTS/ABOUT US

All enquiries and bookings by e-mail only: tours@yourlondontours.com
Phone: Owing to cold-calling we do not take enquiries or bookings by phone. Clients with queries regarding existing bookings may use the phone number on their confirmation form.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHO ARE WE?
Your London Tours is an independent operator based in London offering driving tours, walking tours and interior tours in London and the UK for couples, families and private groups. Established in 2005, we endeavour to focus on an enjoyable tour experience, value for money and customer care.

HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT I AM DEALING WITH A GENUINE COMPANY?
Any company that operates a private driving tour service in the UK must be licenced by the appropriate local authority. Your London Tours are licenced with Transport for London (TFL). Click on the following TFL website link to conduct an operator search: www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessandpartners/taxisandprivatehire/ph/licensing/default.asp, enter our company trading name (Your London Tour Guide) to list our main driver-guide entry or enter our operator number (2114) to find our Driver Guides Association entry.
BEWARE! You are taking a substantial risk booking operators who use vehicles without the appropriate private hire licence. Always check with the relevant local authority.

HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT I WILL GET A PROPERLY ACCREDITED GUIDE?
To guide professionally in the UK you must be registered with the Institute of Tour Guides (ITG) and hold a relevant qualification through them. The recognised accreditation is the Blue Badge which allows the holder to conduct tours on coaches, in private vehicles, on foot and inside venues. All guides working for Your London Tours will carry the Blue Badge. You can check their names on the ITG website: www.itg.org.uk/guidesearch.
BEWARE! You are taking a substantial risk booking tours with operators who employ unqualified 'guides'. Always check with the ITG that they have relevant accreditation.

WHY DON'T YOU OFFER THE SAME TOURS AS COACH OPERATORS?
We do! But with a greater choice of options. What we try to avoid is the set-tour menu offered by most of the other operators. These are structured to suit large groups with strict service schedules and facilities, and follow main bus or coach access routes, etc. Under such limitations, visitors often end up seeing very little. Our formats are exclusively devised and researched by our specialist staff, and based around a theme or localised area, allowing clients time to explore venues or attractions in a relaxed and enjoyable way. Click here for our comparison between private driver tours and service coach tours.

WHY ARE YOUR PRICES SO MUCH LOWER THAN TOUR AGENTS?
Aw, shucks! Well, you can book with us direct, thus avoid paying unnecessary commission to tour agents or the 25% 'cut' to London concierges for passing on business. We maintain one simple price plan, and publish prices and explanatory notes for ALL our services. We will also recommend another trusted operator if we cannot take your booking.

WHY AREN'T ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR PRICES?
On the service tours, you pay in advance for all entrances to the venues and attractions on the tour, whether you want to visit them or not. Also, access is only allowed as part of a group. On our tours, we let YOU choose which entrances to pay for on the day. This allows you a more flexible itinerary. Your guide will also try to take you to a fast-track entrance whenever possible. We do not seek a 'cut' on entrance fees and will take advantage of any discounts or special offers for entrances and pass them on to you.

DO YOU ARRANGE LUNCH?
An appropriate restaurant, traditional pub or a sandwich stop can be arranged by your guide for lunch. Alternatively, you may want to bring a pre-packed lunch. It's your tour, it's your choice. The guide will usually take a rest during the lunch period. Note: We only recommend tried and trusted lunch or refreshments options. We do not seek a 'cut' for taking clients into premises. Also, we promote gift or craft shops only on their merit. We do not seek a 'cut' for passing on your business.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK:

GENUINE COMMENTS ON OUR TOURS SERVICE:
'I would like to extend special thanks for the superior services of your exceptional guide. The city tour will never be forgotten.'
Captain Wells, US Airforce Netherlands Base, 2008 - see full letter (PDF)

'Best tour we've ever had. Very interesting and entertaining, even for the kids. Flexible, accommodating and good recommendations on what to see and do in the time we had.'
Jack & family, California, USA, 2009

'I wanted to let you know that our trip was so fun and it was all because of our guide. He was interesting, knowledgeable, and patient with us and our daughters.'
Tom & family, Illinois, USA, 2009

'We were so impressed, many many thanks.'
Milne family, USA, 2009

'We had an absolutely fantastic time, made all the more enjoyable and meaningful by our intrepid and very personable guide.'
John & Ben, USA, 2009

'Thank you very much for a really good time in London.'
Sigitas & family, Lithuania, 2009

'Many thanks from all the Haddons!'
Haddon family, USA, 2010

'Thank you for a wonderful trip and great memories.'
Alex & family, Greece, 2010

'Thank you for helping make our adventure through England one to remember.'
Jeff, Mike, Barbara & Jerry, Georgia, USA, 2010

'Wow! What a trip! The guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable.'
Schwarz family, USA, 2010

'I wanted to let you know what a wonderful trip we had. The places you chose for us to see were all really special and the guide was great to be with; easy going, informative and very willing to figure out what was needed.'
Moneypenny family, USA, 2010

'Our trip was so fun. The guide was wonderful and so knowledgeable, and patient with us and our daughters. He made our tours so educational and interesting!'
Puff family, USA, 2010.

'We very much enjoyed all the stories the guide told us, it made the places we visited that much more authentic and meaningful. Enjoyed very much.'
Sneider family, USA, 2010

'Our tour of London was perfect. The guide was knowledgeable and accommodating.'
Mr Salama and friends, USA, 2011

'Thank you for such a wonderful, magical memory of England. It was a once in a lifetime trip for us all, and special.'
Replogle family, USA, 2011.

'Thank you so much for making our days so fun and interesting.'
Morton family, California, USA, 2011

'A few words of sincere thanks: my son thoroughly enjoyed his time with the guide, and has been telling me story after story. Cheers and many thanks.'
David & Brian, USA, 2011

'We had A great time. Thank you for showing us England. Most importantly, thank you for being a wonderful tour guide and friend.'
Sepi family, USA, 2011

'Please pass a special 'thank you' to our guide whom we liked very much.'
Ms Oosthuizen & friend, USA, 2011

'Very informative and worthwhile. Enjoyed very much.'
General Kenneth Israel. US Airforce, USA, 2011

'Thank you for a lovely tour. We enjoyed all the information and answers to our many questions.'
Ann & Fred Thompson, USA, 2012.

'Thank you for a wonderful tour of a beautiful country and a spectacular time.'
Paige, Jonathan, Mae, Summers & Duncan, USA, 2012.

GENUINE COMMENTS FROM THE CORPORATE SECTOR:
‘Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I am still getting good feedback nearly a month later! I will certainly recommend you.’
Jane, PA/Office Manager, Gurney Consulting Engineers Ltd.

‘Huge thank you for the wonderful tour for our clients – they thought it was absolutely fantastic and raved about it!’ Janet, Secretary, Harman International Industries Ltd.

‘Thanks for the tour - very enjoyable. Our American guests found it especially interesting.’ Martin, Data Manager, BP Global Service Ltd.

‘Brilliant tour! Many thanks.’ Nicole, Account Manager, The Competitive Edge Ltd.

‘Excellent tour. Thank you so much.’
Carrie, Senior Event & Conference Consultant, Expotel Ltd.

GENUINE COMMENTS ON OUR GUIDED WALKS SERVICE:
'Super day out with a knowledgeable guide.' Jo, south London.

'Really good walk. Made me want to learn more.' Zoa, France.

'Fantastic! Really enjoyed the walk. It was well researched'. Wendy, London.

'Brilliant! Really enjoyable walk.' Margaret & friends, Ireland.

'Interesting and well-researched walk. A very good balance of information, explanation and fun. I really thought it was tremendous.' Sarah, north London.

INTRODUCING OUR CHIEF OPERATING GUIDE: KEVIN MOLLOY MA; MITG.

Kevin is a professional guide officially registered with the British Tourist Guide Institute. In 2006 he was awarded the highest professional qualification in the tour sector, the coveted London Blue Badge, making him part of an elite team exclusively permitted to guide in London attractions and UK sites. In 2011 he became an accredited examiner for the Institute.

In 2007 he qualified as a City of London Guide allowing him exclusive access to places of interest in the heart of the capital. In 2009 he was awarded a Masters Degree in London History at the University of London. He is registered to conduct coach & walking tours and is an accredited guide for London Venues 2012. He holds a London taxi licence having passed 'The Knowledge', one of the most rigorous and gruelling tests of brain power in the world. Also admitted as a Freeman of the City of London, Kevin is the ONLY London guide to hold all these relevant qualifications.

Kevin was born and bred in south London, his school overlooking the city. He studied production at the London College of Printing, journalism at St Martin's College, guiding at Imperial College and City University, and history at the University of London. Other posts include: Geo-data analyst, magazine editor, stage manager, club DJ (appearing on tv) and medical organs storage supervisor (!)

Kevin's expertise stretches from history, art and literature (writing on these subjects as a qualified journalist), to music, pubs and football (he has worked within the professional game and is a member of the Football Writers' Association). He has lectured for the James Joyce Society in Dublin (as producer of the official soundtrack to Ulysses), the Institute of Tour Guides training programme, and in 2010 delivered a series of talks on the 'Swinging 60s' for the National Portrait Gallery in London. Kevin may be hired for lectures and talks. E-mail: tours@yourlondontours.com

Guide Vacancies
We have no current vacancies but we may be hiring Blue Badge guides in the future. The five top characteristics we seek are:
1) A trouper: professional, punctual, reliable come rain or shine.
2) Entertaining: helping clients to ENJOY themselves.
3) A people person: friendly with the most eclectic of mixes.
4) No prima-donnas: remembering it's the client's tour - not yours.
5) Grace under pressure: dealing with obstacles in a calm manner.

Prospective CVs may be e-mailed to: tours@yourlondontours.com. For more information on Blue Badge guides and how to become one, visit the Institute of Tourist Guides website.

ALL ENQUIRIES CLICK HERE. FOR BOOKINGS CLICK HERE.