Hiring a Guide in London
Hiring a guide in London is not unlike internet dating. First you spend a ridiculous amount of time browsing profiles. Then you create a short list. Finally, you make contact and hope you don’t kiss too many frogs.
Not to brag, but I found a total keeper on my first try.
I love London, and I badly want my kids to grow up to love it too. This, however, was a trip to Spain. We were stopping in England only for a few days, and would be very busy visiting friends. With just one free day to whet my kids’ London appetites, I decided to splurge on a private guide. And not just any guide, an actor.
Tim Hudson read English Literature at Oxford, spent 4 years with the Royal Shakespeare Company (appearing with Kenneth Brannagh and Jude Law), and has two kids of his own. In between acting jobs he indulges his life-long passion for Elvis Presley with frequent cabaret tributes.
It was love at first sight.
Now, my London is the London of Mayfair, Seven Dials, and the National Portrait Gallery. Needless to say, these places were not on our itinerary. I was trying to make my kids love London after all, not bore them to death. We headed straight for the crown jewels, the Tower of London ravens, and Harry Potter’s Platform 9 3/4 (more on that another time).
Tim kept us riveted with stories of the coronation, the Great Fire of 1666, and attempted escapes from the Tower of London. He lifted the kids up onto the lion statues in Trafalgar Square. He got us the best seats on heritage route double decker buses (front row, upstairs). He even sang a few bars of Hakuna Matata in Covent Garden when my 6-year-old’s interest in London began to flag (Tim got to the final five for Pumba in the current production of the Lion King, and with his beautiful baritone it’s easy to see why).
Because I don’t want my kids sleeping in the big bed until they’re, say, 21, I asked Tim to steer clear of topics that were grisly and/or paranormal. Obviously this took a lot of fun out of the day, but there will be plenty of time for Jack the Ripper, the missing Princes in the Tower, and the separation of the lovely but unlucky Anne Boleyn from her head when they’re older.
The day wasn’t cheap, but it was an unqualified success.
Want to hire a guide of your own? The best resources I found are touristguides.org.uk and blue-badge-guides.com. Blue Badge guides are every bit as overeducated as their London cab-driving colleagues, by the way. They train for 18 months, and must pass 8 written and practical examinations to qualify.
If Tim isn’t available, try Suzanne Whitting or Eileen Cox (both motherly, fun, and good for families, according to Tim). If you’re not interested in availing yourself to London’s excellent public transportation and need a driver-guide, check out Ali Bennett.
December 8th, 2008 | by Jamie Pearson 9 comments
1. Jennifer Margulis on December 8th, 2008
I’m wondering how much it cost? And if it was really worth it for the kids? We’re going to Oxford in March and plan to stray into London a couple of times. Was Tim charismatic enough that your kids didn’t roll their eyes? The only time we’ve had a professional guide was in Montreal, and she was hired by the Tourism Bureau. It was fun (sort of) but mostly exhausting. And my poor 8-year-old had to listen to a lot of bor-ing history (though, of course, I liked it…)
2. Kristy on December 9th, 2008
Sounds like an awesome experience, especially when facing time constraints. A good,friendly, flexible and knowledgeable guide can make a trip 10x more fascinating. I love recommendations since there are so many mediocre guides out there who give the industry a bit of a bad name.
3. Mara on December 9th, 2008
I put this on the list of fabulous ideas I never would have had myself – I tend to be overly independent in these matters. But I know that my kids and DH would absolutely love having a guide like this. Thank you for the tip!
4. TravelswithBaby on December 9th, 2008
What a difference a good guide makes! Thanks so much for the great recommendations.
5. Jamie Pearson on December 9th, 2008
@Jennifer When I said this wasn’t cheap, I wasn’t kidding! A half day will cost you ₤110 and a full day will cost you ₤170 plus a small meal allowance (or thereabouts). Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime splurge.
6. goa india on December 9th, 2008
that’s a wonderful experience
7. MudslideMama on December 11th, 2008
What a terrific experience you gave your kids. I hope to do the same someday.
8. Susanna (A Modern Mother) on December 14th, 2008
I never even knew this was an option, thanks for the heads up. Maybe I’ll hire one next time we have long term visitors and I need a break!
9. goacom on January 18th, 2009
that experience surely star struck and might well be cherished by your kids for a long time to come
9 Responses to “Hiring a Guide in London”