Apsley House, the home of the Duke of Wellington, dates back to 1825 and has the exquisite address of Number One London. The Wellington Arch that stands opposite, was moved slightly to become an outer gate for Buckingham Palace and today faces Constitution Hill. After waiting for the Duke of Wellington to die, Queen Victoria had the huge statue of Wellington taken down and it was moved to Aldershot Barracks. A smaller statue of Wellington now stands where the arch originally stood opposite Apsley House. In 1912 the current quadriga statue was placed on top of the arch and is one of the largest equestrian statues you will find in Europe to date. The centrepiece features Nike the Goddess of Victory riding the chariot.
The first record we have of the original building on this site dates back to the 11th century AD, when it was the Palace of the Monarch under William the Conqueror. The Palace burnt down in 1512 and had to be rebuilt. The Palace was totally destroyed again in 1834 except for the Crypt, the Jewel Tower, and the beautiful Westminster Hall that we are still lucky enough to have today, which dates back to 1097 under King William Rufus. The Houses of Parliament were rebuilt from 1834 to 1870 by Architects Augustus Pugin and Charles Barry. It is known today as the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the Houses of Parliament sit on the north bank of the River Thames.
Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock, situated at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, although it is commonly used to refer to the bell, the clock, and the clock tower. The official name of the tower was The Clock Tower, but it was renamed The Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Designed by Augustus Pugin in the Gothic Revival look, Big Ben opened in 1859 and remains one of the most iconic buildings in London.
Downing Street in London is the official residence of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Prime Minister lives at number 10 and the Chancellor of the Exchequer lives at number 11. Downing Street was built in 1680 by Sir George Downing, and is situated close both to the Houses of Parliament at one end of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square at the other.
Westminster Abbey is formally known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter, and is mainly Gothic in design. It is one of the most notable religious buildings in the UK, and the place where every Coronation has taken place since William the Conqueror. It has also hosted sixteen royal weddings, and is the burial site of many English and later British monarchs. The Abbey is a Grade One listed building and a World Heritage Site. It was founded in 960AD. In the 13th Century, under the reign of King Henry III, the Abbey sustained alterations, which is how Henry gained the nick name of Henry the builder. Further rebuilding took place in 1517 during King Henry V111’s reign. The outstanding features we see today are the two towers that were added in the 18th century by Christopher Wren’s understudy Nicholas Hawksmoor.
The bridges of London have a long history dating back to the wooden bridges of the Roman era. The historical old London Bridge was built between 1176-1209 and was the first stone bridge across the Thames. It was the longest inhabited bridge in Europe, measuring almost 906 feet, and hosted shops, houses, restaurants, and a chapel. Todays London Bridge is the third (stone) London Bridge. Tower Bridge was built between 1886 and 1894. It is a combined bascule and suspension bridge; ‘bascule’ means see-saw or balance in French. People today refer to Tower Bridge as the Wonder Bridge. Albert Bridge connects Chelsea to Battersea. Its lighting is the most spectacular sight on the River Thames, and has been used in many films. There was a time when it was very unstable, which is why there is a sign at the foot of the north side of the bridge telling troops to ‘break step’. It is still known as ‘The Trembling Lady’.
The Victoria Embankment runs along the North Bank of the River Thames from the Palace of Westminster to Blackfriars Bridge in the City of London. It is noted for several memorials including The Battle of Britain, permanently retired vessels such as the H.M.S President and Public Gardens, including Victoria Embankment Gardens. Construction took place between 1865 and 1870 under the direction of Joseph Bazalgette. His work influenced the River Thames significantly which is why it is narrowed.
The first record we have of a building on this site dates back to 604 AD under Bishop Mellitus. There have been four Cathedrals on this site. The one seen today was built between 1675 and 1710. Today you can see the masterpiece of Architect Christopher Wren. Wren is also buried under the Dome! What we refer to as Old St. Pauls was built between 1087 to 1314. St Paul’s was the largest building in the U.K until 1666 when unfortunately, it was lost in the Great Fire of London. The current St. Pauls Cathedral was built in English Baroque style and the height of the Dome is 365 feet high, weighing 65000 tons. Between the years of 1710 and 1967, it was amongst the highest in the world. It was built on the highest point in the City of London, – Ludgate Hill, and is an Anglican Cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London and Mother, Church of the Diocese of London.
Bryan’s passion for history and the knowledge of London made for the perfect way to experience London! 4 hour ride flew by - seeing all the highlights: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. James Street, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London city, Tower Bridge, the Guildhall Yard with the remains of the Roman amphitheater, and so much more. Highly recommend!
We recently had the pleasure of a four-hour guided tour that surpassed every previous tour we've experienced in terms of depth and insight. As this was not our first visit to the city, we particularly appreciated that Bryan took the initiative to introduce us to a number of lesser-known landmarks and hidden gems that most visitors never encounter. He proved to be an exceptionally engaging companion — very knowledgeable about history and interesting quirky details about the city and its culture and possessed a delightful wit that made the experience all the more enjoyable. He chauffeured the four of us in his comfortable black taxi, adding stops for photo-taking and for exploring some sites with indoor visits as well as closer looks at other outdoor sites. The four hours passed remarkably quickly, and we came away genuinely astonished by both the breadth of what we learned and the richness of what we saw. I couldn’t imagine a better tour guide and would highly recommend this tour for anyone seeking a tour that goes well beyond the standard highlights.
We just finished a remarkable four-hour London tour with Bryan. We started with several sites related to the rich historical music scene, then viewed a number of other points of interest off of the beaten tourist path. Bryan has an encyclopedic knowledge of London history, music and architecture (ask him about the 518 steps). Had a great day; highly recommend it.
Bryan was a great storyteller who provided a unique tour that met our groups desires. Highly recommend if you want a professional and insightful tour of London.
We had a most memorable and enjoyable experience with Bruce as our guide! He is extremely knowledgeable and detail oriented while injecting humor and personal experience. We wanted the full 4 hours to be packed with sites, facts and folly and got all of that and more! We have such high regard for the dedication and training Bruce has committed to. Book your tour, y’all!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Awesome experience with Brian. He took us to really cool specific spots that you wouldn’t see on a regular tour. The Beatles flat soon to be a museum; introduced us to couple of Beadles patrolling the Burlington Arcade; saw the old coliseum exhibit and the largest oil painting by an American. Also took us past Tower of London, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster all the regular spots as well. Finished the tour and had a delicious meat pie at the Old Bell Tavern. Brian was very knowledgeable and funny. I highly recommend his tour.
Amazing tour with Bryan. He’s very knowledgeable.. We learned so much about London. My granddaughter loves the Beatles and he told us al lot about them. A mus tour with a kind British Gentleman.
When traveling via cruise ship excursion, Harley ride, touring in the Corvette we take the approach of take the next turn. Let the others take the traveled road. Brian, took us to parts of London and pealed back layers of history that on our own would have passed by. The engaging conversation mixed with history made the day slip by.....never rushed, it flowed by like a cool Montana river. Lord, willing we'll be back to join Brian for another tour. He and his family would be welcomed with open arms to our home.
**Rating:** 5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you think you know London, think again! We had an absolutely exceptional experience taking a black cab tour with Bryan Goldsmith, a true guild Hackney Cabbie whose passion and deep knowledge of the city are second to none. Instead of taking us along standard, crowded tourist paths, Bryan introduced us to hidden corners of the City of London that most visitors would walk right past without ever noticing. His insights into the history, architecture, and secret spots of the city were fascinating. He told us early on, *"You have never seen London until you've seen the Wards of the City of London,"* and he wasn't wrong. Bryan's warmth, storytelling, and authentic expertise as a traditional black cabbie made this the absolute highlight of our trip. If you want a masterclass in London's true history from a genuine expert, book a tour with Bryan immediately!
**DRAMATIS PERSONAE** * **BRYAN GOLDSMITH**, *a Guilded Hackney Cabbie of supreme wit and ancient knowledge* --- **SCENE I. A Street in the Ancient City of London.** *(Enter a TRAVELER, well-pleased, bearing a scroll of public testimony.)* **TRAVELER** Halt, weary wanderer, and turn thine ear! If thou dost seek to know this ancient realm, Traverse no beaten path of common folk, Nor follow crowds where vulgar pageants gleam. For lo! A knight upon four wheels doth reign— One Master Bryan Goldsmith, true of heart, A Guilded Hackney Cabbie without peer! *(He Unrolls the Scroll.)* He took our reins and steered us through the mist To secret nooks and long-forgotten stones, Where tourist eyes have never chanced to graze. Quoth he—with wisdom deep as Father Thames— “Ye know not London’s soul, nor see her grace, Until ye tread the Wards within her heart!” And truth he spoke! No playhouse nor grand hall Could match the majesty his tales unveiled. A masterclass in shadow, stone, and time! Hark then, good traveler, and hear my oath: Give unto him five stars upon the board, And ride with Goldsmith, ere thy trip be done! *(Exeunt.)*
We loved our tour with Bryan! He gave us so much knowledge about the history of London and music. Our kids really enjoyed the experience! Thank you for a great time!! It was the highlight of our trip!
We received Bryan’s name at London Sightseeing Tours as a recommendation from several friends, and now we understand why. We will absolutely be recommending him to ours. Bryan picked my wife and me up from the airport in one of London’s famous black taxi cabs. He was prompt and professional, immediately putting two weary travelers at ease. What could have been a stressful ride into the city became interesting, comfortable, and enjoyable. We felt completely secure with him as he navigated London’s busy streets with ease, armed with The Knowledge, the famously rigorous test that all London taxi drivers must pass, which often takes years to complete. Then Bryan went above and beyond before the tour had even begun. After he dropped us off, he appeared again several minutes later while we were waiting in line to check in. I had left my sunnies on the cab seat, and he had tracked us down to return them. That said a lot. We agreed to meet Bryan the following day for a four-hour guided tour of London. Unfortunately, funeral ceremonies for the death of a family member were taking place at the same time. Bryan was prepared to miss it to fulfill his obligation to us. We agreed to postpone to the following day, but his willingness to miss such an important event showed just how committed he is to his clients. The tour itself was brilliant. Bryan’s knowledge of London's history and musical legacy was unbelievable. He rarely took a breath, and I think we learned more in four hours than we did in some university history classes. The cab was clean, spacious, and, since we happened to visit during one of the hottest June days London has recorded, the air conditioning was a blessing. We began with many important rock and roll landmarks, including the homes of several Beatles and their producer, Abbey Road, and Paul McCartney's current home. Bryan’s anecdotes were entertaining, informative, and full of life. From there, he took us to landmark sites, but not the obvious touristy stops you see from the big red bus. These were behind-the-scenes historical treasures that few visitors would ever find on their own. We saw remarkable architecture from the Roman and medieval eras, and Bryan brought it all to life through stories about the people, the places, and daily life in those times. Bryan gave us far more than a sightseeing tour. He gave us a personal, thoughtful, funny, and fascinating look at London through the eyes of someone who knows it deeply and loves sharing it. It was definitely worth it.
We really enjoyed the London sightseeing tour with Bryan Goldsmith and cannot recommend him enough. Bryan custom tailored our itinerary to insure we saw everything we wanted and then surprised us by incorporating things we never thought of and would have missed if not for him. His knowledge of both history and music was nothing short of amazing. Thank you Bryan!!!
Bryan is Amazing if ever in London do your self a favor and book a day with him you'll learn so much history about London he's the #1 tour guide in the UK!
We had a truly memorable tour of London with our guide, Gary. He had a wealth of knowledge, which he enthusiastically shared with us throughout the experience. He encouraged questions and took the time to answer every one of them. If you're looking for an efficient and enjoyable way to explore London’s famous and historic sites, this tour is a fantastic choice. We wouldn’t have been able to see or accomplish nearly as much on our own. As an added bonus, Gary took photos for us and even gave helpful tips on how to pose for great group shots. We ended the tour by asking for fish and chips recommendation—OMG, the absolute best ever!!!
This was my first time to London. Bryan was an amazing tour guide and has so much knowledge and history of London. I would 100% use him again! Thank you Bryan for a wonderful day!
We had a great London tour (4 hours) with Bryan. This man knows so much about London and the history. He is a walking history book! Further he is very kind and helpfull! So for us: 5 stars! Ask for Bryan we would say.
Wonderful experience. From hotel pick up to drop off back at the hotel everything was well done. Michael is a great tour guide. He made sure we went and seen everything we wanted, answered all our questions and took our photos with sites in background. Would recommend this tour to anyone and will definitely be using them again when I return.
Bryan was fantastic and very knowledgeable. He was caring, kind and we got to know a lot during this tour. He is certainly a pro. If you are visiting London, this is a must do tour.
Excellent commentary geared to our interests. Saw a different side of the London City. We had visited London before many years ago but this tour certainly opened our eyes to all the hidden part of London that is not covered in the normal tours. Bryan was chatty and informative without being boring
Had the best Black Taxi Tour of London in January 2026 with tour guide Bryan. Bryan first asked us what we were interested in touring and he got right to it. Bryan knew his way around London and had an encyclopedia knowledge of the history of London. Bryan even took us to some not so popular ancient sites which were really interesting. Highly recommend the Black Taxi Tour. Ask for tour guide Bryan. Thank you for wonderful tour and a great experience.
Michael Andreou was the perfect way to begin our London experience. Great guide story teller and knew every photo opportunity and where to park. I would recommend Michael and the Black Cab London experience to ALL!
Wonderful tour of London with Brian! He gave us an outstanding tour of all the historical sites. This tour exceeded our expectations! If you’re looking for a tour of London, I’d highly recommend this tour!
Bryan is an excellent guide, he provides a first class tour of London. He goes where all the buses won’t go. He provide you an up close tour of all of the sites and highlights of London. He gave us a tour on Christmas Day, something he certainly didn’t have to do, he’s a great guy! If you were looking for a personal tour in the city of London, you should hire Bryan!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Fantastic Black Cab Tour of London with Bryan! I had an incredible experience touring London with Bryan. From the moment the tour began, he was friendly, personable, and made me feel completely at ease. His knowledge of London is outstanding—he shared amazing insights, fascinating stories, and little details you’d never discover on your own. What really stood out was how engaging and genuine he was throughout the journey. It felt less like a tour and more like exploring the city with someone who truly loves what they do. I honestly couldn’t recommend Bryan enough. If you want a professional, insightful, and thoroughly enjoyable black cab tour around London, he’s the one to book!
It was great!!! We enjoyed every minute! Morris was the BEST!!! Great easy to see and hear about London
Bryan took us to great places around London. We wouldn’t have seen these places if Bryan didn’t take us ,they are not your basic places in London. His information is plentiful. We had a great tour thank you Bryan. You have a great personality to make it all enjoyable.
We had a wonderful time in England. We saw so much in a short time thanks to Bryan and his knowledge of London and the surrounding areas. We visited Cambridge, Cotswolds, Blenheim and all the sights in London and Westminster. We loved our time in this beautiful country
Bryan provides an excellent sightseeing tour of London. When we met him he asked what we wanted to see and as soon as he realized that we were rock and roll fans, he tailored our tour to include numerous sites that included the Beatles and other major rock stars. (He even took a video of us walking the Abbey Road crosswalk.). His knowledge of Londons history as well as rock and roll was extensive and very interesting. Bryan has a very engaging personality and you leave the tour feeling as thought you’ve made a new friend. We cant say enough good things about this experience and would strongly recommend his services. We look forward to seeing him again on our next trip to London.
Morris was amazing on our recent 4hr tour of London! There were 4 adults & he honed in on each individual’s interest & proceeded to take us to the requested stops. He took time to explain, identify, & give us a much needed history lesson. Many pictures were taken! So much fun & information all wrapped up in one. If you want a quick overview of London in a short time frame, I highly recommend you hire Morris!
We had a FABULOUS time with Bryan. He was so full of knowledge and quickly identified what would make the best tour for our family. We learned so much and saw the most unusual places. I HIGHLY recommend Bryan and London Sightseeing Tours!
We had a great tour with Michael, our driver. He had a lot of good spots for us to see, but was also willing to include input from us. We also enjoyed learning about current events in England, and how that related to our lives in the United States. 🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸 There's not a thing we would change about our tour, and are grateful for the experience. All the best, Andrew W.
Bryan was on time and always dependable. He picked us up from the airport and gave a great tour. He is quite friendly and very knowledgeable. He also took us to our ship in Southampton at the end of our London visit. We plan to recommend him to all our friends and family.
My husband and I had one of the best tours that we have ever experienced. Bryan, our tour guide was kind warm and so extremely knowledgeable about everything we ever imagined we might see in London. It was the tour of a lifetime!
We went with Bryan today on this tour and he was very knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible. He explained everything to us in a simple manner for us to understand the architecture and history. Would definitely recommend if you want to see the highlights of London!
Group of 8 … Bryan and Morris deserve 5 stars for our day. Both were very knowledgeable about history and current London events. This was the second time Bryan has hosted us and we will come back for a third visit soon. Our friends also have them in their favorite list. We highly recommend both Bryan and Morris!!!!
We had the absolute pleasure of spending time with Mr. Morris during our trip, and he was truly one of the highlights of our entire experience. From the moment we met him, he made us feel so welcomed and comfortable. It honestly felt like we were catching up with an old friend. Mr. Morris is incredibly knowledgeable and shared so many fascinating pieces of history with us. He has a gift for storytelling that made everything come alive. On top of that, he has such a great personality — funny, easygoing, and full of charm. He was also so accommodating and thoughtful, always making sure we were enjoying ourselves. We feel very lucky to have met someone who turned our trip into such a memorable and meaningful experience. If you have the chance to meet Mr. Morris, do not miss it.
Bryan was amazing. He had incredible knowledge of London. He took us to places you would not see on a regular tour. I highly recommend Bryan as an excellent guide. He is so kind and compassionate too. Book him today.
Our black taxi tour of London was one of the highlights of our trip. Out tour operator, Gary, was amazing! He was so knowledgeable and relayed the information in a fun and interesting way. We enjoyed spending time with him and would recommend him highly! Diane Weiner
Boris was a fabulous guide and driver and made our tour extra special. Nothing was a trouble and we learned all sorts of interesting information about the places we visited. All the family loved our tour and it was a great way to see London in a personalised and comfortable way. Thank you, Boris! We’ll definitely take another tour with you when we next visit.
We had a wonderful day! Bryan met us at the airport & even took the time to let us drop off our luggage at the hotel. He showed us all of the main sites & a few hidden gems as well. He took his time without the tour feeling rushed. He was very knowledgeable & friendly! Would definitely recommend Bryan & this excursion. Thanks for a great experience!!
We had a great tour with Bryan! We only had 2 days in London, but Bryan showed us everything you could want and gave us all the history. St. Barts, St. Paul’s, and Changing of the guard + everything else was amazing. 10/10
This is a beautiful trip organised by london sightseeing tours. It was a nice experience for us and our family. Suggesting others as well.
With Bryan you will see everything in London. And with all his interesting facts he has and knowledge of the Beatles its like your in school again. He is definitely a master in what he does and you should definitely book the best black cab in london. Because its the only one I'm willing to use.
If you’re visiting London and want more than just a sightseeing checklist – book Bryan immediately! This was hands down the highlight of our trip. From start to finish, our tour was engaging, informative, and absolutely unforgettable. What makes Bryan stand out is not just his encyclopedic knowledge of London’s history, culture, and hidden gems – it’s his incredible personality, passion, and ability to bring the city to life. You’re not just listening to facts; you’re taken on a journey through time, told by someone who genuinely loves what they do. He tailored the tour perfectly to our interests. His warmth, charisma, and humor made everyone in our group feel welcome and involved. It felt like exploring the city with an old friend – one who happens to be a walking London encyclopedia! What’s even better is that he goes the extra mile – sharing tips on the best pubs, restaurants, and neighborhoods to explore after the tour. His genuine enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s clear he truly cares about giving every guest a five-star experience. We’ve done walking tours all over Europe, but nothing compares to this. If you’re coming to London, do yourself a favor and book this tour – it will make your trip. And if you’re a local? You’ll see your city in a whole new light. London is lucky to have a guide like him – and so are his guests. Don’t miss out. Book now – you won’t regret it!
This is a must-do when in London. Bryan was so knowledgeable about all of the landmarks. He’s such a big history buff which made it so interesting. So many iconic sights within just one day. Highly recommend.
Our family (w/ 2 teenage girls) cannot say enough about how fun it is to be hosted by Bryan. We were in London 2 years ago and when we decided to go back, booking another day with him was our first box to check. He shows you around and asks to make sure you’re seeing what you want. Our favorite was all of the musical knowledge that he has. No matter what you want to see, he will likely be an expert. He is an encyclopedia of knowledge. Also..he can pick you or drop you at the airport.
Greatest time had by all. Rock roll tour with Bryan. The top of his field with rock n roll. Beatles Bowie stones. And more. In a black taxi that carry’s six people.
Bryan and Morris were absolutely amazing! We had a trip of 7 people, including our 2 grandmoms, and 3 boys, and my wife total of seven people total! The company delivered amazing personal service, such exquisite knowledge of the town and the city, and also amazing history and showed us all the hidden gems and everything else! They also made us laugh and had so many stories on their experiences with other tourist and people using their service. It was a honor to be guided and toured by Bryan and Morris. The two grandmoms said, after being to Europe 2 times with us, "this is the best tour they’ve ever had"! Definitely recommend any tour they give, and you will not be disappointed!!
Wonderful overview of London highlights and other gems! Keith G. was very kind and educated us well. The taxi was clean, the driver was safe and had a great personality.
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