Full directions
Practical routes to genuinely interesting places — including the ones you’d never stumble across by accident.
London tours • walking routes • local knowledge
London tours with someone who really knows the city.
Not a megaphone-and-umbrella experience. Think small groups, sharp details, and the kind of stories you only hear from someone who lives here.
- Style
- story-first
- Groups
- small & friendly
- Pace
- easy walking
The bits you won’t find on a postcard.
Secret viewpoints, odd history, and “wait, what?” facts — with time for good coffee.
Photo spots
Best angles, best light, and “stand here” tips for London photos that don’t look like everyone else’s.
Books & rabbit holes
Recommendations for reading London — novels, history, and those delightfully niche corners of the city.
Tours & walks
Pick a vibe. Each one is built around clear routes, memorable stories, and plenty of “I never knew that” moments.
St Paul’s & the “wrong” Queen
Perfect if you like statues, symbolism, and historical misconceptions.
- St Paul’s Cathedral exterior highlights
- The statue everyone misidentifies
- Surprisingly good viewpoints nearby
90–120 mins
Easy walking
Shakespeare’s Southwark
The Globe wasn’t where you think it was — and the neighbourhood is full of literary ghosts.
- Original Globe location & the why
- Old theatres and strange survivals
- London’s riverside stories
2 hours
Great photos
London vs the City of London
One city, two mayors, centuries of paperwork — and it’s actually fascinating.
- Where the boundary really is
- Lord Mayor vs Mayor of London
- Small streets, big finance history
90 mins
Nerdy (in a good way)
Coming soon: themed walks (music London, bookshops, riverside pubs), plus downloadable self-guided routes.
Why “Dave Knows London”?
Some tours give you dates. Some give you trivia. This one aims for the sweet spot: the story behind the thing you’re looking at — and why it still matters in 2026.
The city rewards curiosity. London is layers: Roman stones under Victorian bricks, coffee in old bomb sites, and tiny details that explain giant parts of history.
What you’ll get
- Clear meeting points and simple routes
- Recommendations you can actually use afterwards
- Space for questions, tangents, and good photos
A guiding principle
If it’s interesting enough to stop for, it’s interesting enough to explain properly.
A practical promise
No sprinting. No herding. No being talked at for two hours straight.
A Londoner’s favourite moment
When someone says: “I’ve walked past that a hundred times and never noticed.”
Little London highlights
Three examples of the kind of questions we’ll happily disappear down.
Who is this Queen?
There’s a statue outside St Paul’s that most people misidentify. The real answer is more fun.
Where was the original Globe?
The modern Globe is brilliant — but the original was somewhere else, for reasons that matter.
Why are there two mayors?
London and the City of London are not the same thing. The distinction goes back centuries.
What people say
(These are placeholders for now — but they’ll do until we collect the real ones.)
“I lived in London for years and still learned loads. The stories were brilliant.”
“It felt like walking with a friend who’s obsessed with tiny details (in the best way).”
“Best part? The recommendations afterwards. We spent the rest of the day exploring.”
FAQ
Enough detail to feel confident, not so much you need a spreadsheet.
How do I book?
Right now, this is a fresh rebuild — so booking is “coming soon”. Join the mailing list and you’ll be first to know when dates go live.
How big are the groups?
Small. The goal is conversation, not crowd control.
Is it accessible?
These routes are designed to be easy walking. When we publish the full versions, each tour will clearly list surfaces, steps, and transport options.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, water, and a phone/camera. London weather does whatever it wants — plan accordingly.
Want first dibs on tour dates?
Pop your email in and I’ll send occasional updates when walks, routes, and guides go live.
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