John Blakey

Regional Qualification(s):

London

Language(s):

English

Phone Number(s):

0044 (0)7939 076514

Contact guide

Introduction:

A professional guide, John is also a writer and television and film actor with a 20 year career - so he likes to concentrate on the great stories and characters associated with any particular place.

'Bring it to life, is my motto. Everywhere has a history and history is made of real flesh and blood people of all shapes and personalities both noble and ignoble. Wars, love affairs, treachery, sacrifice, avarice, ego, greatness - it's all here and I like to make sure my clients are taken to the heart of it - whatever their interest might be, and WHEREVER it might be. London, Oxford, The Cotswolds, Canterbury, Windsor Castle, Bath, Stonehenge, Hampton Court, Stratford, The Tower of London, The British Museum, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral... If I can inform AND entertain - I love to make people laugh - I've done my job.'

But it's not all ancient history... the London of today is bursting with fascinating things and John and his team can show you places that you might not find yourself.

'It's the extraordinary out of the way places - pubs, shops, restaurants, parks, architectural gems - that capture the imagination. And London is full of them!'

'Now, I also have a small team of hand picked guides, so I can arrange for one of them to be your guide. They are all guides I like to be guided by... incredibly knowledgeable, yes, but also easy going, fun and simply great company, all head hunted by myself, having seen them in action.'

Here is some feedback about some of my amazing team of guides:

My clients literally hug me after experiencing your tours! You have many fans in this part of Carolina!
– Megan Winslett Travel, USA.

Personal Interests:

Gastronomic Tours Outside London
Churches, Cathedrals, Castles and Palaces
Historic Walks Around London
Hunting Antiques And tours of art galleries
English Countryside Tours
Day Trips From London

Special Interests:

Churches & Cathedrals

Westminster Abbey. St Pauls Cathedral. Salisbury. St Bartholomew The Great. Bath Abbey.
Guided car tours or tours on foot in London.

Castles & Palaces

The Tower of London is a must! Also guided car tours of Hampton Court Palace, Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace, Buckingham Palace and many other 'out of town' Palaces and Mansions.

Walking Tours

Jack The Ripper's London. The River and its secrets. Royal London. The Roman City of London. Old Westminster and the Palace Quarter. Westminster at War. Luxury Shopping In London. Antique Hunting.

Museums

Up to 2 hour tour of the highlights at The British Museum and various other museums and galleries in London.
Guided tours by car or on foot.

Antiques

John's family dealt in antiques and have passed on a passion for antique hunting. Within London or in the great antique towns outside, John can show you all the best places to start looking. Why not tour England by car, sightseeing along the way, while hunting for antiques?

Art/Paintings & Sculpture

Highlights tours of The National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Modern and the amazing Impressionist and Post Impressionist collection at the Courtauld Gallery.

Folklore & Traditions

Most people can be taught to dowse for ley lines, so how about trying your hand at Stonehenge and Avebury? Or even down into deepest dorset? And what is the link to crop circles? Hmmm.
Guided Tours for up to 4 people by car.

London Areas in Depth

Delve into Old Westminster or The City of London on a two or three hour walk around the areas. We'd see all the 'big stuff' and wonderful nooks and crannies you might never find yourself. Can combine with interior visits to some of the most famous sites.

Regional Tours

John knows many of the most beautiful areas of Britain, especially picture perfect Cotswolds, Bath & the West Country, The Jurassic Coast, Cornwall, Kent, York and Yorkshire and many bits in between such as Oxford and Stratford Upon Avon. His privately guided car tours around England are for up to four passengers.

Regional Tours

Secret Dorset. Stay in beautiful old hotels, visit country gardens and ancient Manor Houses. Renowned for food & unspoiled countryside and beaches. John Grew up here so knows all the best spots to take you. 3 to 5 days recommended.
His privately guided car tours are for up to four passengers.

Regional Tours

Gastonomic Tours of England.
Eat your way around England! I can create a bespoke tour for you, touring around England, seeing the sights, hearing the history and staying at and eating at the best gastropubs and hotels in the country. If food interests you as well as sightseeing, this is the one for you. He can arrange superb accommodation in The Cotswolds, Dorset, Cornwall and The West Country.
His privately guided car tours are for up to four passengers.

Driver Guide:

No