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Wonders of Whitehall Walk Reviews

We learnt a lot. We think we know London and we are always surprised to discover we still have a lot to learn! Great walk. C Dujean

Another excellent walk. Really enjoy London Guided Walks as the guides are so engaging and really know how to maintain interest by providing a great deal of information. They are so knowledgeable and very little time is wasted. As with previous walks the amount of actual walking is quite minimal and so anyone with mobility issues may well cope. I thoroughly recommend these walks for the reasons given but particularly because they are such a good way of learning more about lesser known parts of London. Finally, the walks last about 90 minutes which I feel is just about right. Will look forward to seeing Ian and Hazel again soon. I Armstrong

Although I worked right by this area for over 20 years it is amazing what I had missed, Hazel brought it to life with her enthusiastic knowledge and storytelling. A well experienced guide - she knows where to station her group to get give them the best view of any area without causing blocks at busy sites. The tour starts at Westminster Station and finishes near Trafalgar Square lasts about 90 mins covering the beginnings of Whitehall with Henry V111 up to modern day memorials. She also packed us off with ideas for more things to explore in the area once we left the group." Katrina Patterson

Another great informative walk with Hazel. Gillian Faulkner

Despite a raw wind the walk was warming as well-known buildings were brought to life with lots of historical facts interspersed with quirky snippets which (hopefully!) will stick in the mind. Hazel is a very welcoming leader, engaging with all her group and keen to make it fun. Highly recommended. Anon

Hazel is knowledgeable and gives a fascinating insight into the history of the area. Pamela Kalman

We really liked this one as it took us to the places that Londoners tend not to visit very often. Although a cold evening we wrapped up warm and listened to some fascinating historic tales from the welcoming guide. A friendly and fun way to spend 90 minutes, with the added benefits of a healthy stroll and some new learning for our ageing brains! Sarah & Tony Greaves

Good fun to be on another of Hazel's excellent tours. I was inspired to contact my local MP for a tour of the Houses of Parliament! Helen Morgan

Highly recommended. A trip through history with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Lots of interesting facts and plenty to think about. The 90 minutes goes very quickly! Paul Burrell

Outstanding, informative, insightful, entertaining walk and our bubbly, intelligent guide Hazel was 10/10! Superb afternoon out- thank you! Anon

A beautiful evening spent walking around Whitehall taking in big Ben/ horses guards/ houses of parliament /Westminster abbey/ poets corner /banqueting hall /10 downing street etc etc .Also beautiful views of London eye lit up at night.Hazel the tour guide is fully qualified well read/researched funny chirpy interesting and took a moment to give a smile a kind word to everyone. The walk was very educational fun and thought provoking an evening very well spent and never to be forgotten thank you. Marie Power

Although I worked right by this area for over 20 years it is amazing what I had missed, Hazel brought it to life with her enthusiastic knowledge and storytelling. A well experienced guide - she knows where to station her group to get give them the best view of any area without causing blocks at busy sites. The tour starts at Westminster Station and finishes near Trafalgar Square lasts about 90 mins covering the beginnings of Whitehall with Henry V111 up to modern day memorials. She also packed us off with ideas for more things to explore in the area once we left the group. Katrina P

We really liked this one as it took us to the places that Londoners tend not to visit very often. Although a cold evening we wrapped up warm and listened to some fascinating historic tales from the welcoming guide. A friendly and fun way to spend 90 minutes, with the added benefits of a healthy stroll and some new learning for our ageing brains! Sarah & Tony Greaves

Despite a raw wind the walk was warming as well-known buildings were brought to life with lots of historical facts interspersed with quirky snippets which (hopefully!) will stick in the mind. Hazel is a very welcoming leader, engaging with all her group and keen to make it fun. Highly recommended. Anon 

Really interesting and entertaining walk with both Hazel and Ian Packed with facts that were completely new to me, including an explanation for Trooping the Colour ceremony . I will keep my eyes peeled when walking around London in future - history is everywhere. S Lambert

Excellent walk despite the rain. The guide was very personable and informative. A Dumville

Very enjoyable walk despite the weather! Especially enjoyed hearing about the architecture and the history of the area. J Himsworth

A good walk full of interest and great buildings. The guide was knowledgeable and willingly answered any questions. S Balson

Very good. Learned so much. E Fisli

As always fascinating Hazel's walks are brilliant she is so passionate and knowledgeable. Ian led the walk it was very interesting you see things that in the past you hadn't noticed. Would highly recommend. S Schofield

A very interesting and enjoyable walk through Westminster/Whitehall.I appreciated that the group was not too big and Ian at the front ensured we could hear him and Hazel at the back answered any additional questions. Ian spoke with knowledge and led us through history as well as parts of Whitehall that were familiar to me yet i learned so much new . it is a walk definitely worth going on and I will revisit some parts of the walk. E Dipper

Although the Wonders of Whitehall Guided Walk was down to be presented by its designer, Hazel, this particular outing was done by Ian. Despite this being Ian’s first gig guiding the Wonders of Whitehall it was immediately clear he was not only a very experienced guide but a highly qualified ‘domain’ expert on many aspects of English political and social history. After the usual run-through of the standard dos and don’ts of an urban guided walk we were off. Ian set a sensible pace for the size of our group (about a dozen or so) and demographic. This was later proved when we completed our Tour of Whitehall’s Greatest Hits bang on time! 1000 years of selected history highlights in a mere 90 minutes is no small achievement. Not a minute was wasted. His accompanying commentary was a well-judged mixture of facts (historic events, dates and leading personnel), anecdotes and (some) opinion. Fire featured a lot! His delivery was clear and the content engaging and focussed. Ian was also happy to chat (generally and specifically) to various members of the group and answer questions (there weren’t many) as we walked. I liked the way we sometimes had to use not just our eyes but our imagination. The sheer size and scale of the Palace of Whitehall took a lot of of imagination! Also, considering its unique significance, I’d have liked just a little bit more on the execution of Charles 1, but, hey, maybe that’s just me. Anyway, Hazel can relax. The Wonders of Whitehall Guided Walk is in safe additional hands with Ian. R Murray

Really interesting walk and information, staff very helpful too. L Bush

A very interesting 90 minute ramble through some parts not usually visited by tourists of Whitehall - lots of history and back stories- very amiable guide Ian with boss Hazel present too; highly recommended and enjoyable. (PS as we stopped to peer at Downing Street Robert Peston popped out and in response to my inquiry he said - Government collapsed! ) The timing —6 to 7,30pm—on a lovely summer evening was ideal. C Francis

I enjoyed the walk very much. M ORourke 

The walk was good, Hazel is a knowledgeable guide with a fun sense of humour. The highlight was the last stop of the tour and and realising what went where in terms of Westminster geography. Anon

A great 100 minutes with a fabulous guide and lovely lady, Hazel! I learnt so much and I will be looking on her own website to join more of her tours. Thank you Hazel. M Poisson

Great to have attention drawn to things never noticed and to be given the back story. All most interesting. Anon

Very interesting and entertaining walk around a beautiful part of London .Hazel is an informative knowledgeable and amusing guide. S Anderson

Hazel's depth of knowledge about London is incredible. This is a really interesting walk! Anon

This having been my 1st Walking tour having lived here since the 90's, ashamed to say I know London not! Having passed by Whitehall for years to and from work, it was insightful to look a little bit behind the scenes. Anon

Very interesting tour. The guide was lovely and professional. I think it would be a good tour for someone living in London or tourists that want to discover something more than the usual sightseeing. Anon