Best Guided Tours in London with Urban Saunters, your Local Storyteller

In the bustling heart of London, Slawek and Shabby founded Urban Saunters – more than just a tour company with the best guided tours in London, it’s a testament to resilience, passion, and a deep-rooted love for the city they call home.

Guided by the belief that the soul of London is best discovered through its hidden corners and untold tales, Urban Saunters offers a curated selection of small group walking tours led by gifted local storytellers. Each step taken with Urban Saunters is an invitation to delve into the rich tapestry of London’s past and present, uncovering its secret!

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Slawek, co-founder of Urban Saunters, to gain insight into the vision behind the company, the values driving its success, and the exciting journey that lies ahead.

What does this city represent for you, and how did it inspire the creation of Urban Saunters?

London holds a special place in my heart. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, my co-founder Shabby and I saw an opportunity to create something meaningful in the midst of adversity. We launched Urban Saunters during those uncertain times, with a vision to offer lovingly crafted small group walking tours led by talented local storytellers. The best guided tours in London! It was a period of reflection and resilience, and we wanted to provide both Londoners and visitors with a unique way to experience the city.

It’s truly admirable how you turned challenges into opportunities. Could you tell us more about the history of Urban Saunters and the values that underpin your work?

At Urban Saunters, our core value is community. We prioritize building strong relationships with our guides because they are the backbone of our company. We believe in supporting and valuing them, as they are the ones who bring our tours to life. By fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation, we create a virtuous cycle where positive reviews lead to more opportunities for our guides and ultimately contribute to the success of our business.

Community and quality seem to be at the heart of your company. How would you describe Urban Saunters in just three words?

Unscripted, local, and passionate.

Unscripted: Urban Saunters offers experiences that are spontaneous, free-flowing. It implies a sense of adventure and discovery, where participants can expect the unexpected and enjoy unique, off-the-beaten-path encounters.

Local: This highlights the focus on exploring destinations from an insider’s perspective. Urban Saunters likely emphasizes authentic, immersive experiences that allow participants to connect with local culture, traditions, and communities. It implies a commitment to supporting local businesses and showcasing hidden gems that might be overlooked by traditional tourist routes.

Passionate: This conveys a deep enthusiasm and dedication to providing memorable and enriching experiences. Urban Saunters is likely driven by a genuine love for travel, exploration, and sharing knowledge about the destinations they cover. It suggests that the team behind Urban Saunters is highly motivated to ensure that every tour or activity leaves a lasting impression on participants.

Your dedication to providing unique experiences shines through. Can you share some of the hidden gems you include in your tours and how they were curated?

We constantly strive to enhance our tours by incorporating hidden gems and personal anecdotes. For example, one of our guides, an ex-police officer, shares fascinating insights and stories from his time-serving in London with the Queen. These personal touches add depth and authenticity to our tours, making them unforgettable experiences for our guests.

That sounds captivating. Now, could you highlight a historical tour that you’re particularly proud of and its unique selling points?

One of our flagship tours explores Westminster, The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, but with a twist. We’ve refined the traditional route to include extra time at iconic landmarks like the Tower of London to discover the opening ceremony and its Crown Jewels, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the city’s rich history. By prioritizing smaller group sizes and adjusting the itinerary based on guest feedback, we ensure a more personalized and engaging experience.

It’s evident that you prioritize delivering exceptional experiences. Lastly, could you recommend an experience for travellers who want to discover the soul, or better the souls of London?

For those seeking to uncover the essence of London, we are working on a fantastic Soho tour. This off-the-beaten-path exploration delves into the stories of the individuals who shaped the area, from musicians to artists. By scratching beneath the surface and delving deeper into the neighbourhood’s history, guests can truly connect with the soul of London.

Thank you, Slawek, for sharing your insights so far. Before we conclude, could you provide us with your vision for the future of Urban Saunters?

Certainly. Our plan for the future involves expanding beyond London to other cities in the UK and Ireland. Edinburgh is high on our list, but our priority is to ensure that Urban Saunters is well-established and thriving in London first. As we enter our third season, we see it as a pivotal moment to prove ourselves and solidify our position in the market. We have plans to introduce new tours and experiences, always aiming to exceed the expectations of our guests.

Ultimately, we aim to expand internationally, with destinations such as Dublin, Athens, Paris, Malta, and Italy on our radar. While this expansion presents its own set of challenges, we believe that our formula of small group tours led by passionate local guides will resonate with travelers worldwide.

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