London walks designed by professional Blue Badge Guide, Brian Cookson, are a great way to get to know the real London. As well as seeing the major attractions close up, you will delve into some of the "Hidden city" which tourists often miss. You will also hear about the extraordinary people who make up the city's past and present. After obtaining a BA Honours Degree at Oxford University, I spent most of my working life as an IBM Consultant. Now a London Tourist Board Blue Badge Guide and writer and lecturer on London and the River Thames, I specialise in London walking tours. A best-selling author who attended several of my walks suggested I should write a book about them, and Random House have now published two of my books on London themes - London Waterside Walks and Crossing the River. I have also been asked by three companies to record audio tours of my London walks and museum tours. See below for more information.

Here is one comment among the many people who said they enjoyed my walks: London Historians Blog

Group and personal bookings
I can arrange a wide variety of London walks tailored to your requirements. Coach tours can also be arranged, possibly in combination with a walk or visit to a place of interest. The following selection have proved popular with both visitors and Londoners including Women's Institutes, WEA, U3A, Conferences, Local Societies, Anniversary celebrations and Student groups:

See further information on: London walks and tours bookings

Adult Education courses of London walks
My series of walks for Sutton College of Learning for Adults (SCOLA) are heavily overbooked and consistently rated as excellent by the students, one of whom recently commented "I cannot explain how, but you make it all come alive!"

See further information on: SCOLA London walks courses

DISCOVERING LONDON guided walks and tours
This is a club for people who are interested in all aspects of London life and buildings. We visit places not normally open to the public, or where expert guides are available for group bookings.

For further information and how to join, see:: Discovering London

London history lectures tailored for your group
Lectures normally take about two hours, including a break. They are illustrated by about 80 slides showing both contemporary and historical views of London. Shorter one hour versions are also possible. For a full day event, a lecture can be combined with a guided walk and or visit.

See further information on: London history lectures

London books

London walks recordings on iphone
Using the iphones apps 'Voicemap' and 'YourTours' you can download commentaries on London walking tours, based on locations tracked by GPS. My Voicemap walks are based on my most popuar walks, including some from my book 'London Waterside Walks Currently the following tours are available:

See further information on: Voicemap London walks

Here are links to my YourTours audio walks: