Gavin Webb Tour Guide Of London

What’s on in London

What’s on in London – when you book with me, I can recommend special exhibitions, theatre productions, special
events and seasonal highlights to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

All Year Favourites

I will show you the best spot to experience the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and explain the role of the soldiers, the royal family and details about the royal palaces.

The Ceremony of the Keys takes places every night at the Tower of London. Apply to The Governor before you visit and join me on a fascinating tour of the Tower during the day to prepare you for your atmospheric night time visit to witness an ancient tradition.

Several of the delightful City churches have free lunchtime concerts which we could include in a City of London tour.

If you are looking for somewhere different to stay, how about a bed and breakfast? AT HOME IN LONDON have a wide range of bed and breakfast in central London homes, star-rated by Visit Britain www.athomeinlondon.co.uk

Seasonal Highlights

Spring

Hampton Court Palace is particularly lovely to visit in Spring as the grounds are full of daffodils.

The Tower of London is not so busy this time of year and so it makes a good time to visit.

Summer

Nestling in the hills above London, Hampstead makes an ideal tour for the summer. After exploring the pretty village and hearing about the famous artists and writers who lived here, we can stroll across the beautiful Hampstead Heath to the magnificent art collection housed in Kenwood House. On certain summer evenings there are open-air concerts held in the lovely grounds.

My Greenwich tour is the perfect way to spend a summer's day. Hear about its fascinating maritime history as we enjoy Greenwich Park and some of London's finest 18th century buildings, before returning to central London by boat.

Enjoy Shakespeare in the evocative setting of the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre or the reconstructed Globe Theatre after taking my Southwark tour to set the scene of life in Shakespeare's London.

The annual Prom concerts at the Royal Albert Hall comprise the world's largest music festival. Explore the area of Kensington with me before enjoying one of the finest orchestral concerts.

Autumn

“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” – Autumn is a lovely time to visit the beautiful London parks. I will show you some of London’s hidden gardens including a Japanese garden which is particularly colourful at this time of year.

Autumn is a good season to visit London's museums and art galleries as they tend to be less crowded. I can show you the highlights of these great collections.

The Lord Mayor's Show on the second Saturday in November is a great free event including the world's largest un-rehearsed procession and finishing with a spectacular firework display over the river.

Winter

Enjoy the Christmas lights and seasonal delights as London’s unique shops get ready for Christmas. Why not come on my Dickens walk first before enjoying the lights.

A seasonal addition to my Spitalfields tour is to visit one of London's most unique attractions. Step back in time as you wander in silence around the magical world of an 18th century house, soaking up the atmosphere of the sounds and smells of Christmas.

Special Events and Exhibitions

The Royal Weding tour - Hear the stories behind the sites as we explore Royal London and find out more about the British monarchy past and present.

We will visit Westminster Abbey, scene of every coronation since 1066 and burial place of monarchs, writers, politicians, scientists and composers, as well as the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

We will follow the route taken by the carriages along Whitehall and the Mall, passing St James's Palace and Clarence House before watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Exploring the area of St James's you will see the shops that provide goods for the royal family. We can also visit the Royal Mews to see the state carriages and the horses.

You might like to finish with afternoon tea at the Goring Hotel where the Middleton's stayed.

David Hockney at the Royal Academy is an unmissable exhibition. From some of his early works, including those made in California, the exhibition is dominated by the work inspired by his native East Yorkshire. Through oil paintings, watercolours, sketches, the remarkable iPad pictures and digital photography, Hockney's mastery of drawing and acute observation show the countryside changing through the seasons. It is wonderful to see him embrace the possibilities of new technology whilst underpinning their use with superb draftsmanship and his eye for colour. I recommend reading A Bigger Message Conversations with David Hockney by Martion Gayford. Book your tickets now before it sells out!

Dickens and London is an imaginative and informative exhibition at the Museum of London to celebarte the bicentinary of the birth of Charles Dickens. It cleverly links the life of Dickens with an evocation of what life in London was like then, through paintings, objects and Dickens' own words. Why not combine it with my Dickens walking tour, where we follow in the footsteps of the great author seeing the places that were connected with his life and inspired his novels. I am also doing a tour that explores Dickens in Kent with visits to Rochester.

Dale Chihuly at Halcyon Gallery - A wonderful new exhibition of Dale Chihuly's extraordinary glass creations, beautifully and imaginatively displayed. Until 29th February 2012. This could be included on a tour of London's private galleries.

War Horse - the award winning play is deeply moving and unforgettable.Visit the National Army Museum on my Chelsea walk to find out more about the real life history behind the story.

Noises Off - one of the funniest plays ever written in a superb new production at The Old Vic.