The Great Weekender

09/05/2024

We love taking people around the historic area of Shoreditch and the Trueman Brewery!

There is so much to see, from the markets, to the amazing street art!

Book a tour with us to find out more!!

Check out Truman Markets’s video.

08/03/2024

What a day to have a stroll around Notting Hill. After all the rain 🌧 recently, it has been great to have some more 🌞.

Took a lovely group around Notting Hill this morning to see the sights, hear the stories, and visit the markets.

If you come to London, taking a walking tour is the best way to immerse yourself into the culture.

If you would like to book a tour with us, why not send us a message. We can tailor your experience specifically for your needs.

Make the most of your trips to London or South Wales with The Great Weekender!

08/03/2024

🌊 Did you know that Gower was the first place in Britain to be named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty? With its dramatic cliffs and woodlands ringed by sparkling beaches It isn't hard to see why!

📍 Three Cliffs Bay | Visit Swansea Bay, Mumbles and Gower

📸 Jamie D
https://www.instagram.com/sunrise_sunsets_and_stuff/

07/03/2024

We went to visit the 100 Club in Soho. A place that has a rich music history. It's great to think that this was one of the best live music venues in the area in the 60's and in the 70's was one of the few clubs with an alcohol licence.

Today it holds a different vibe. These is lots of space, which if difficult to find in Soho.

We enjoyed our quick visit enjoying a few nibbles and some drinks. A highly recommended spot in Soho, but you may want to book ahead to make sure you get a space!

06/03/2024

What a day today so far. The King is in town. I had a lovely group from America and South Africa, showing them around the Palace district, we managed to see all parts of the Guard change and even the King 🤴 himself!

Perfect blue sky and now off to show a group around the British Museum to see the Treasures of the great institution.

To book your private tour of The Changing of the Guards or The British Museum, message us or book directly on thegreatweekender.com website!

05/03/2024

When in Shoreditch, the Romeo and Juliet mural is one that stands out. This was a piece commissioned, painted by the Global Street art crew and definatly brings a splash of colour to the area.

Built in 1576, this is the original site where the very first permanent playhouse theatre was situated.

27/02/2024

This week we went to Skal, which means "Cheers" in Swedish. This is a Nordic restaurant based on Upper Street in Islington.

We had some good hearty food, which is perfect for the miserable Winter here in London.

We enjoyed our visit and as Nordic cuisine is lesser known, it was fun to try.

The theme of the restaurant was constant although the staff were indifferent.

Why not give it a go, if you fancy a change from the norm.

22/02/2024

Wecome to the thinnest Tavern in London! Ye Olde C**k Tavern. Although currently hidden by scaffolding, this Tavern origionally managed to survive the Great Fire of London and had many regular famous patrons including; Charles Dickins, Samual Pepys, Dr Samual Johnson and the playwrighter Oliver Goldsmith, who some belive has never left!

We had a great Historic Pub Tour last night, with visitors from Texas and North Carolina. We visited 5 amazing Taverns, all with very different tales.

One reason I love London is because of its rich past and there is evidence of its rich history everywhere you look. When you book a tour with us, you get to experience a slice of that history. Pub tours, not only allow you to connect with the places, but also enjoy a drink as people would have done in times gone by.

If you would like to book a private tour or experience, you can contact us on www.thegreatweekender.com website or send us a message!

21/02/2024

Another happy customer. You can book me for a work do, social gathering or as part of an education excursion. We have a variety of pre-planned tours, or you can book a tailored experience.

Just send us a message and we can find a way to make memories with you :-)

21/02/2024

Our waitress Jade was very helpful and we had a great experience.

We love visiting restaurants around London in this way. Thanks so much to The Goat for having us. We enjoyed the small plates food, wine and service.

As locals, we hope to see you again soon!

First Table The Goat Chelsea

20/02/2024

I love to visit the Natural History Museum, there is always so much to see. Some of my favourite items include Ostro Giant Blue Topaz. This was found by Max Ostro, who amazingly escaped the Nazi's as a child during the 2nd World War and went to South America on a quest to find some of the finest gems known to man!

This blue topaz is a colossal 9381 carats and is priceless!

19/02/2024

When I first moved to London over 20 years ago, I noticed the escalator at Angel Underground Station was rather large. At the time I did not know, but it is actually the largest escalator in the UK and on the Underground network!

14/02/2024

Happy Valentines day!

A great idea for Valentine's day, we went to see at the Backyard Cinema in the Union Chapel in Islington.

An immeraive showing of Baz Luhrmann's cult classic accompanied by a live choir.

Following a meal at a Nordic restaurant in Upper Street, this was the perfect finish to the evening.

Incidently, I took my now wife out to see Romeo and Juliet at the Tivoli in Croften Park exactly 6 years ago.

29/01/2024

What a fun day! Camden is such a great place to visit. The Great Weekender partnered with Fresh Light Events to put on a walking tour of the amazing Camden Town.

hearing stories of its musical history, with famous artists connected to the area including; S*x Pistols, Madness and Amy Winehouse!

If you would like to book a private walking experience, send us a message and we will create a visit to remember with our special touch.

27/01/2024

On my food tour in the East End the other day, one of the Students decided he wanted to look more British and bought a hat for one of the stalls in Spitalfields Market whilst on my food tour.

Not only do you get the chance to try great food, but in Spitalfields, there are many vintage clothes shops to check out, it's almost like 2 tours in one.

Let me know if you are interested in booking a food tour or any other tours, whether for yourself, group of friends, family or even work colleagues.

Food tours are the best way to eat your way around London!

25/01/2024

I love being a tour guide in London. It gives me the chance to explore this amazing City and find the stories that bring this place to life.

I love visiting the markets where there is so much choice for food! I went to visit Wheelcake Island in Spitalfields Market, where these little Taiwanise pancakes with tasty fillings are made freshly in front of you.

Something to try next time you are in the area!

25/01/2024

Getting ready to explore the National Gallery, there is so much to see in this amazing collection. I'll start to look at some of the individual art pieces in a few weeks time as we make the most of discovering this amazing City. Let me know if there are things that you would like us to talk about in London or is South Wales I the comments.

16/01/2024

Here is a statue of Aneurin Bevan in Cardiff.

He spearheaded the implementation of the NHS under Clement Attlee's tenure. Hailing from Ebbw Vale and being first elected in 1929, he was a fierce critic of Winston Churchill.

Wales is a great place to visit when in the UK, with its capital City Cardiff being far easier to get to than Edinburgh or Dublin, and you get to experience a different country & culture.

Check outbour website to book onto our Cardiff tour or contact us if you would like to discuss booking a private tailored experience in South Wales.

14/01/2024

The British Museum at night is spectacular. In my opinion, evenings in January and Febuary are some of the best times to go to visit.

It is less crowded and although some of the galleries may be closed, you get a better opportunity to observe some of the world's treasures.

It was such a treat to take a group from around last Friday.

If you would like to book your own private tour, please message for more details.

13/01/2024

It was great to take a group from around the British Museum yesterday to look at some of the museum highlights.

The Mexician gallery is always a great insight into some of the old, lost ancient cultures, which of course gave birth to the first team sports through the balls games.

This stone belt would have had a use in the Mexician ball games, with the carving of the sacred Bufo alvarious toad carved into the stone belt.

This toad was considered sacred and secretes the 5-Meo-DMT. This is a hallucehenic substance.

DMT is shown to produce sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, and easing of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

When former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson first tried 5-MeO-DMT — also called “the toad” — he said it knocked him off his feet, profoundly changing his life. “I came across this thing called the toad. I smoked this medicine, drug, whatever you want to call it, and I’ve never been the same”

12/01/2024

Meet Gareth, a true Welshman. Gareth will be taking our tours of Cardiff which we now have on offer.

Whether you are travelling to Wales, are a small group looking to find out more about areas of Cardiff, South Wales or Welsh history we have you covered.

Gareth is passionate about people and the country he is from. In an entertaining manor he will bring the history of Wales alive for you and your group.

Message us to book your tour today.

11/01/2024

Holborn is such a central spot in London, I regularly meet my groups here at the start of a Pub Tour. This will be the start point for my pub tour and cockney Singalong later today.

11/01/2024

Changing of the guards yesterday was one of the quietest days I've see in a while. For the outgoing guards we were entertained by a rendition of "Eleanor Rigby" by the Beatles performed by the Irish and Welsh guards, who have the blue or white and green colored plumes accordingly in their bearskin caps.

The incoming Coldstream guards are later noted by their red plumes in their bearskin caps and are seen leaving Wellington barracks on their way to Buckingham Palace to the sound of "When the saints go marching in."

This is always a great sight to see, and it is often easier to get an unobstructed view in January and Febuary when there are less tourists around.

10/01/2024

The best place to see the Changing of the guards.

St James's Palace is the best place to see the start of the Changing of the guards. Part of a military procedure since 1660, the relief old guard and military band will line up on Friary Court for an inspection from the Captain, before leaving The Palace of St James at precisely 10.43am before marching along The Mall to join the rest of the outgoing guard outside the front of Buckingham Palace.

This is one of the first stages of the Guard change procedure. You can find out more about this historic process on our Westminster Experience.

09/01/2024

Another tour today, walking around Covent Garden and Westminster as we discover the theatre and palace districts.

Starting at Covent Garden, hearing of how the area was developed and the beautiful piazza and stories of this old market and now theatre district.

07/01/2024

Another great group as we explore Notting Hill and the surrounding area. Hearing the stories that bring the place to life, whilst also exploring iconic film locations.