Skip the queues. Forget the tourist traps. Walk the streets I grew up on and see why eight million people call this city home.
Not Another Tour Guide
I'm Jack Starr. I was born in Islington, learned to ride a bike in Highbury Fields, had my first pint at The Lamb on Holloway Road (don't tell my mum), and spent twenty years walking these streets before I realised other people might want to see what I see.
Most tour guides read from scripts. They'll show you Big Ben, snap a photo at Abbey Road, and call it a day. That's fine if you want the postcard version of London. But if you want to know why that particular pub has been serving since 1720, or where to find the best salt beef bagel at 2am, or which museum room nobody ever visits despite having a Caravaggio — that's what I do.
I've walked with first-time visitors, expats coming home after decades, history buffs who knew more than me (and taught me things), and families with kids who needed ice cream breaks every hour. Each tour is different because each person is different.
What We'll Do Together
The Deep History Walk
Roman walls, medieval churches, plague pits, and the spot where they executed Guy Fawkes. Two thousand years of chaos in one afternoon.
Eat Like a Londoner
Borough Market at dawn. A proper fry-up. Pie and mash with liquor. Curry on Brick Lane. The pubs that pour a decent pint. Come hungry.
Off the Map
Secret gardens behind council estates. A 400-year-old pub with no sign. The alley where Dickens set his novels. Places Google doesn't index.
Beyond Zone 6
Stonehenge without the crowds. Oxford's hidden colleges. Canterbury's medieval streets. Bath before the tour buses arrive. Day trips done properly.
Straight Pricing
No hidden fees. No "premium upgrades." What you see is what you pay. I've kept this simple because complicated pricing annoys me as much as it annoys you.
Half-Day Explorer
£85
per person - 4 hours on foot
- Pick two neighbourhoods
- Coffee and cake stop included
- Maximum 6 people
- Tube navigation help
Best Value
Full-Day Discovery
£145
per person - 8 hours, properly paced
- Cover 4-5 areas
- Lunch at a place I actually eat at
- Maximum 4 people
- All transport included
- Custom route based on your interests
Private Experience
£320
flat rate, up to 4 guests - Full day, your schedule
- Completely bespoke itinerary
- Private car available (+£95)
- Restaurant bookings handled
- Start whenever you want
- WhatsApp support for your whole trip
How This Works
1
Tell Me What You're Into
Fill out a quick form. History nerd? Foodie? Photographer chasing light? Travelling with kids who get bored after ten minutes? I need to know.
2
I'll Send a Plan
Within a day you'll get a proposed route with times, meeting spots, and what shoes to wear. We tweak until it feels right.
3
We Walk and Talk
Meet at an easy landmark. I handle navigation, history, and recommendations. You handle the curiosity. Bring questions.
4
Keep Going
After we part, I'll send a list of my picks for the rest of your trip — restaurants, pubs, quiet spots. Questions later? Just text.
Why People Choose Me
I Actually Live Here
Not a history student reading from laminated cards. I pay rent here. I queue at the same Tesco as everyone else. I know which bus is always late and which kebab shop to avoid. That kind of knowledge doesn't come from training manuals.
No Cookie-Cutter Tours
Tell me you're obsessed with Victorian crime and we'll trace Jack the Ripper's steps. Mention you're a typography geek and I'll show you the best hand-painted signs in Shoreditch. Your interests shape the route, not the other way around.
Small Numbers Only
Maximum six people on group tours, usually fewer. I'm not herding cattle through Leicester Square with a flag on a stick. You'll be able to ask questions, stop when something catches your eye, and actually hear what I'm saying.
The Stuff Maps Miss
The pub with no website that's been pouring pints since 1667. The courtyard garden hidden behind an office building. The best view of St Paul's that nobody photographs. These places exist — you just need someone who knows where to look.
What People Actually Said
"We've done guided tours in a dozen cities. This was different. Jack took us to a pie shop his grandmother used to visit, then to a churchyard where Daniel Defoe is buried. You can't Google that combination."
"I've lived in London for three years and Jack showed me streets I'd never noticed. We ended up at a pub that doesn't appear on any map app. I still go there regularly."
"Our kids are 7 and 10 and get restless fast. Jack knew exactly when to stop for ice cream, which bits of history would grab them, and how to keep it fun. They still talk about the execution stories."
Questions I Get Asked
What if it rains?
This is London. It will probably rain. I always have indoor backup options ready — covered markets, museum galleries, historic pubs with fireplaces. If there's a genuine storm warning (rare, but happens), we reschedule at no cost. I'll text you the morning of with a weather update either way.
How much walking is this?
A full day covers roughly 8-10 kilometres, but spread across 8 hours with plenty of stops for coffee, food, sitting on benches, and looking at things. If mobility is a concern — bad knees, wheelchair, small children — tell me upfront and I'll plan a route that uses more buses and Tubes. I've done tours with 80-year-olds and toddlers; we just adjust the pace.
Do I need to book museum tickets?
Most major museums — British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A — are free and don't need tickets. For paid attractions like the Tower of London (£34) or Westminster Abbey (£27), I'll tell you honestly whether they're worth the money for your interests and help you book timed slots to skip queues. I have a few contacts at certain venues, though I can't promise miracles.
I have dietary restrictions — can you handle that?
Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, allergies — just tell me when booking. London has brilliant food diversity and I know places that genuinely cater to dietary needs rather than just offering one sad option. The food tour routes are fully customisable.
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancel 48+ hours before: full refund. Within 48 hours: I'll try to reschedule if I have availability, otherwise 50% fee applies. No-shows without notice aren't refundable. That said, if something genuinely unexpected happens — delayed flight, illness, family emergency — just get in touch. I'm not looking to catch anyone out; we'll work something out.
Let's Sort This Out
You've got questions. I've got answers. Whether you're planning six months ahead or landing tomorrow, drop me a message and we'll figure out the best way to show you this mad, brilliant, impossible city.