Winston Churchill's London - A Very Small Group Walking Tour

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Spencer House

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)

Mayfair

• A walk around the most exclusive area of 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 first Childhood home, 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.

Savile Row

• This is where you go to get a bespoke Suit, Shirt, or formal wear.
• Stop at Henry Poole and Co. 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.

St. James's

• "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.

Turnbull & Asser

• 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.

James J. Fox & Robert Lewis

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!

Saint Margaret's Church on Parliament Square

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.

Parliament Square

• 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.

Whitehall

• A brief look at a Pub with a conncetion to all British Prime Minsters. The Red Lion.
• 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!

10 Downing Street

• 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.

Churchill War Rooms

• The tour finishes at the Cabinet War Rooms, and Churchill Museum.
• Your guide will give you details of this once Top Secret Bunker from which Winston Churchill directed the British side of WW2.
• These secret map rooms are now open to the public, but it is strongly advised to book in advance if you intend to visit.