Winston Churchill's London and The Churchill War Rooms - A Private Tour.

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Badge of Excellence | London, England

4 to 5 hours (Approx.)

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Overview

Follow the life of Winston Churchill by taking a private tour through the most important and personal sites he knew so well, including skip the line entry tickets to The Churchill War Rooms.

Trace his life, career, style and passions through the streets, shops, and buildings special to him. Starting at his childhood home, and those of his great ancestors, the tour moves on to his bachelor days and homes he lived in during his early married years.

"I am a man of simple tastes; I am easily satisfied with the best" - Visit tailor shops where Winston Churchill had his suits and hats made, including the famous 'Siren Suits'.

Churchill's trade mark Cigar barely left his lips. Visit his Cigar Merchant and sit in the great mans chair. (Smoke a Cigar too if you like)

The second part of the tour focuses on the career of Churchill, including The Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, and of course entry to the Churchill War Rooms.

A fully private guided tour tailored to you.

Description

Stop At: Spencer House, 27 St. James's Place, London SW1A1NR

Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace in 1874, but his early years were spent in London. His father Lord Randolph Churchill was the son of the 7th Duke Of Marlborough, the family name being Spencer-Churchill we will start at Spencer House and the smaller house next door where a young Winston grew up. We will talk about his great ancestors, and his relationship to Diana Spencer, (Princess Diana)

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Mayfair, London

This part of the tour focuses on the young, ambitious, war hero and bachelor Winston Churchill, keen to make a mark in the world.

We will visit his Bachelor pad, and the home he set up with his Wife Clementine, plus a visit to some of his favourite tailors.

You will also have time to pose with Churchill and Roosevelt at the Allies Statue.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Henry Poole & Co, 15 Savile Row, London W1S 3PJ, UK

This historic Saville Row Tailor has had a long association with the Churchill family. They made suits for Winston's father Randolph, and many for Winston throughout his life. (They produced the famous Pinstripe Suit in the Tommy Gun photo of Churchill.) Apparently Winston Churchill still owes the company some money, and the Tailors would always find Cigar Stubs in the pockets when suits came in for alterations.

Recently Henry Poole and Co were called upon to make Gary Oldman's suits for the movie The Darkest Hour.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Jermyn Street, 16B Jermyn Street, Jermyn Street Theatre, London SW1Y6ST

"I am a man of simple tastes; I am easily satisfied with the best." - Winston Churchill.

This exclusive shopping area in St James mainly caters to discerning Gentleman with deep pockets. This is where James Bond buys his clothes and Cologne! You will see many of the Sir Winston Churchill frequented shops, including those selling his preferred aftershaves, and even his favorite Cheese Monger.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Turnbull & Asser, 71-72 Jermyn St., W1 4 Davies Street, London W1K3DL

Churchill was a snappy dresser, but sometimes he needed something practical but comfortable when out in the grounds of his country estate Chartwell, or during the cold nights watching the bombs falling over London. Enter the 'Romper Suit' or 'Siren Suit' as it became known. Churchill trusted only one company to make these to his specifications, his shirt maker Turnbull & Asser.

This company was also the first company Prince Charles gave a Royal Warrant to.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: James J. Fox & Robert Lewis, 19 St. James's Street, London SW1A1ES

Sir Winston was hardly ever pictured without his trademark Cigar. His favorite brand was Romeo Y Julieta. On this tour you will go to the Cigar Merchant where he bought his Cigars, you can sit in his chair, and even sample a Cigar in the upstairs lounge!

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Lock & Co. Hatters, London

This St James Hatters has been making hats since 1676. They are the Worlds oldest Hat Shop. In that time they have made hats for some of the most famous (and infamous) people in history.

Sir Winston Churchill adopted Lock & Co's Cambridge and Homburg Hats as his trademarks, a long with his Cigar.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Saint Margaret's Church on Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard, London SW1P3JX

On 12th September 1908 Winston Churchill married Clementine Hozier at this Church right next to Westminster Abbey. Known as the Parish Church of the House of Commons it was a regular place of celebration, memorial or thanksgiving during the life of Winston Churchill.

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Houses of Parliament, Parliament Square, London SW1A0AA

Across the road from the Houses of Parliament the statue of Sir Winston Churchill gazes at his beloved House of Commons.

Churchill was offered a peerage, and a Dukedome but turned them both down as this would stop him or his male descendants serving in the house. Let's pause here for a while and discuss the political life and anecdotes of this extraordinary man.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: The Red Lion, Parliament Street, 48 Parliament St, London SW1A 2NH, UK

It's no secret that Churchill loved a drink, and he also loved tradition.

This Pub has served every Prime Minister a drink including Winston Churchill. He certainly wasn't going to break that tradition!

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: 10 Downing Street, 10 Downing St, London SW1A 2AA, UK

The official residence of the Prime Minister since Robert Walpole.

This famous little street is known the world over. The door that Winston Churchill walked through as Prime Minster in 1940 is preserved and on display in the Churchill War Rooms.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Blue Plaque: Sir Winston Churchill, 28 Hyde Park Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5DJ, UK

This is an optional stop, a sad one and one that requires some extra walking, but for Churchill fans it may make an important stop to pay respects at the home where he died in January 1965. If you would like to add this stop, please let me know at the start of the tour so I can adjust the itinerary to include it.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Churchill War Rooms, King Charles Street, Clive Steps, Westminster, London SW1A2AQ

Your tour includes full entry to the Churchill War Rooms, the secret underground headquarters of the War Cabinet during WW2.

In May 1940 Winston Churchill entered the meeting room and declared “This is the room from which I'll direct the war”

Everything you see in this underground complex is original. The maps, charts, stationary, telephones, even the ashtrays are as they were left in 1945 when the War Rooms were locked up and left, making this one of Britain's most important WW2 sites.

Once America entered the War, this bunker became one of the key meeting sites for allied operations and planning, and many famous generals including Eisenhower met with Churchill here. As did King George and Queen Elizabeth when they met the Churchills for dinner in the bunker.

The former administration wing of the War Rooms now contains a huge Museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill. You will be able to follow his life and career, and see many of his personal belongings.

As your Private Guide, I will escort you into the War Rooms with skip the line access and offer you an introduction to the site, and advice on getting the most out of your visit, then I will leave you to enjoy this historic site at your leisure.

Duration: 2 hours