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Walking tours in London

I hope to travel to London this summer. I was there before. I read about Tours of London led by the homeless, I read about it in "Today's European Travel Headlines" at this website, dated March 11, 2011. I think it is a good idea -- people living on the streets in London know about the streets in London. Did any of you go on one of those walking tours ? What do you think about it ?

Posted by
3719 posts

I have never heard of the homeless tours, and cannot advise you on that. But, try www.londonwalks.com. They have a variety of different types of walks, and are rated one of the best.

Posted by
643 posts

I would look for a Blue Badge tour guide. They are educated and qualified tour guides. Anything else would be a waste of time in my opinion.

Posted by
32517 posts

That's a new one on me. I'd plump for London Walks where every walk is by a blue guide who really knows their stuff.

Posted by
349 posts

Time out only listed a "homeless" walk---- the magazine was a handy way to check for walks

Posted by
1 posts

Hey, I live in London and have actually been on these tours. They are really cool and a very fascinating way to see the city from a different perspective. The guides have amazing knowledge of the history of the area as well as their own personal accounts of living on the streets there. Each tour is unique as the guides own personalities and experiences are different. It is definitely an educational, fun and inspiring experience! And everyone goes to the pub after so a really good way to meet new people too!

Posted by
1 posts

Its called the Unseen Tours run by a group called the Sock Mob. You can learn more about the tours here: sockmobevents.org.uk

Posted by
1 posts

My partner and I went on the tours twice already. We were both sceptical in the beginning but the amazing guides totally convinced us. It's absolutely worth it and it's only £5 or £8 - a great and very insightful way to spend an evening!

Posted by
284 posts

I plan on taking several of the Unseen Tours guided by homeless or formerly homeless individuals and was curious as if they have a limit on the number of individuals that can go on a tour OR if they take everyone that shows up and pays? Thanks,
Edwin

Posted by
638 posts

I don't know specifically why this company limits the number of customers, but last summer while in London I did 2 Beatles walking tours with Richard(the pied piper of Beatlemania) from London Walks. We had a groups of what appeared to be about 20 people, the guide was very knowledgeable and experienced so he was probably used to a large group, but one thing I had in my mind was "could somebody just attach themselves to this group and follow along and not pay"? It seemed like it would be hard to keep track of the various people that were part of the group, since he was leading the way anyone could latch on the back if they knew exactly what we were, a walking tour. When we would stop you could see people that weren't part of the tour standing nearby listening in, but they didn't follow us as far as I could tell. So I'd imagine they may limit the number since the guides are less skilled in dealing with tourists (since this is a new company) and not have to have to deal with this happening.

Posted by
1717 posts

I appreciate all the repliers here. I intend to be at London, in the third week in October.