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. Each walk will enhance your appreciation of London's architecture and history and, above all else, will be fun.

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 Mainstream Publishing have now published two of my books on London themes - London Waterside Walks and Crossing the River.

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:

• ROYALTY & PARLIAMENT - Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace & Houses of Parliament
• THE CITY, ANCIENT & MODERN - Walk the City alleyways & churchyards to discover 2,000 years of London's history
• OLYMPIC ODYSSEY - Stratford and Docklands 2012 venues
• CABLE CAR DOCKLANDS EXPLORER
• LONDON'S THEATRELAND - Secrets of Covent Garden & The Strand
• REBELS, RADICALS AND ROUGH JUSTICE - Historic Clerkenwell & Smithfield
• BLOOMSBURY BOHEMIANS AND BLUESTOCKINGS - Literary London
• MODERN CITY ARCHITECTURE - Explore London's dramatic new buildings

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!"

• London's British Culture
  
• London villages, landscapes and waterways
  
• Discover some London aurprises
  

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 Waterside Walks
  16 self-guided walks along the River Thames, Docks and canals
• Crossing the River
  Describes the history of London's Thames bridges from Richmond to the Tower

The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides of which I am a member is the main professional organisation for Blue Badge Guides. To see full details of guiding services throughout Britain on their web site click the Blue Badge Guide logo

Select links to other relevant tourism information

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE TELEPHONE:
020 8654 4370
OR EMAIL ME AT:
brian@cookson1.ndo.co.uk

© Copyright Brian Cookson BA (OXON) 2012