DIANE BURSTEIN
IS YOUR QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED BLUE BADGE TOUR GUIDE
The largest choice of London Guided Tours on the internet
PUBLIC TOURS
Open to everyone on published dates
GROUP TOURS
Hundreds Of Tours For Your Group
VIRTUAL TOURS
Online Tours
She Leads The Largest Number of London Guided Tours On The Internet
PUBLIC TOURS
Open to everyone on published dates
GROUP TOURS
Hundreds Of Tours For Your Group
VIRTUAL TOURS
Online Tours
Diane Burstein is one of London’s best known and most versatile tour guides. She has made a name for herself with her Secret London feature on talk radio station LBC 97.3 FM and now makes regular contributions to BBC London 94.9’s Saturday Breakfast Shows.
She is the author of a successful book “London Then and Now” which featured in BBC History magazine’s Top Ten Best Seller.
A native Londoner, Diane brings to her tours the insider knowledge that only a true local can offer.
Diane holds the prestigious London Blue Badge ( the principal London Guiding qualification) and has a BA Honours Degree in English Literature and History.
As a Further Education Lecturer, Diane teaches “Discovering London” courses for two Adult Education Colleges and has extensive experience with adult and student groups.
In addition to this, Diane is an accomplished speaker and has given talks on London related subjects to numerous groups in the Greater London area.
Listeners to Diane’s regular spot on BBC Radio London’s Breakfast Show hear this jingle sung by the show’s presenters David and Carrie Grant.
CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON TO LISTEN
bookable tours for the public
bookable tours for groups
Groups can book from hundreds of listed tours on this website.
HOW TO BOOK
Click below for tour descriptions and then contact diane@secretlondonwalkingtours.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
vouchers for private and public tours
HOW TO BOOK
Contact diane@secretlondonwalkingtours.co.uk to discuss your requirements for details of the different types of vouchers available.
Diane looks forward to hearing from you.
NEW from July 2024
From Almshouses to Art: Discover Penge
Penge dates to before the Domesday Book: transformed from communal farming lands to its current SE20 incarnation via the arrival of canals, railways and a ‘Crystal Palace’, transported from Hyde Park to Penge’s doorstep .From the obvious grandeur of the Royal Waterman’s Almshouses to the small Victorian cottages of the Alexandra Estate, built for the working poor, the story of Penge can be discovered in its architecture and streets and heard in the tales of some famous past inhabitants including a rock star, a 19th century writer, a famous cook, a punk legend, an author and some pre “Strictly” ballroom champions. In recent years Penge has become home to the best collection of high quality Street Art in London so forget trendy Shoreditch and come to Penge!!
From A Brewery To A Bedouin Tent: Discover Mortlake
Just 10 miles of London is the delightful area of Mortlake. Once a peaceful riverside village surrounded by market gardens and orchards, Mortlake became a retreat for London businessmen and their families. After the arrival of the railway Mortlake developed into a larger suburb giving employment to many in one of London’s largest breweries. The Mortlake Brewery closed down in 2015 but its Victorian buildings still dominate the town as they await redevelopment. We’ll walk along the riverside to see the University Stone marking the finishing line of the annual Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race, we’ll admire some elegant 18th century houses and see the site where the famous Mortlake tapestries were made by 17th century Flemish weavers. We’ll see a hidden air raid shelter, visit two historic churches and hear of some famous residents from Tudor times to the present day. Our tour finishes with a chance to view the spectacular tomb of a Victorian explorer.
The public Theatreland Walking tour will return at a later date. In the meantime this tour can be booked privately for groups of all sizes by emailing diane@secretlondonwalkingtours.co.uk to discuss dates.
“ I have always found her to be in a class of her own”
Sheila Clamp, Welwyn and Hatfield Council Leisure Services
“Combines an excellent knowledge of her subject matter with a friendly and engaging approach”
Emma De Souza, Society of London Theatre
“Her infinite patience knowledge and kindness will be a cherished part of our trip to England”
Paul Lindblad, Choir Director, Paul Lindblad Choristers, Chicago
“Diane gave our group a super talk. She set a very high standard for our future speakers”
Josephine Offin, Chiswick Townswomens Guild
“Diane’s depth of knowledge always astounds me”
Joan Brown, LBC Listener
“In spite of being a mixed language group, there was no problem in understanding Diane’s knowledgeable and entertaining commentary, due in the main to her precise diction which was favourably commented on by our French colleagues”.
Susan Ward, Matra Marconi
“We enjoyed the Old Jewish East End Walk and felt that we had learned a lot about our heritage”
Bernice Monty, Wanstead and Woodford Synagogue
“ A super day. The timing and arrangements were just right”
Pauline Bell, Chandlers Ford U3A
“We learned so much from our tour and our members were unanimous in their praises”
Betty Cossey. Twyford and Ruscombe History Society.
“A great tour host and guide who helped us appreciate this fine country a lot more”
David Judd, Choir Director, W F West High School Choir, Seattle.
“Thank you so much for the tour last week! Everyone enjoyed it and commented afterwards on your amazing knowledge of many London subjects, not just Dickens. In short – the day was judged a great success by all. We were blessed with brilliant weather! and an even more brilliant guide! Thank you for making this event really special.”
Stuart Lothian, Lothian Associates.
“Diane, I thought you were marvellous, to speak from memory for an hour, knowledgeably and keeping the attention of everyone is a wonderful skill to have. Thank you.”
KERRI MANSFIELD , WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGISTS commenting on the “HIDDEN HOLBORN and LITTLE ITALY” talk.
“Diane had complete mastery of her subject and, as important, of the technology”
CONNIE B, DISCOVERING LONDON GROUP commenting on the “RIVERSIDE LONDON “ talk
Over 60 of us tuned in to the equivalent of a dozen walks in less than an hour, punctuated with a story at every corner, by a truly professional historian. A wonderfully fascinating talk.
NEIL AND ANN WATSON , U3A GROUP commenting on the “LONDON FILM LOCATIONS” talk
Thanks for your talk to The Finchley Society just now. I learnt a huge amount and you kept up the pace, links and interest levels superbly well.
HOWARD D , FINCHLEY SOCIETY MEMBER commenting on the “LITERARY LONDON” talk
Virtual Tours are live streams through the internet aimed at groups or individuals. They must be booked in advance.
To find out more email diane@secretlondonwalkingtours.co.uk
With the link that Diane will give you, you can view one of her many talks in the comfort of your home along with other viewers. You can remain private or you can interact with everyone or even ask Diane questions.
I WELCOME ALL LONDON
LOVERS TO JOIN MY WALKS
PRIVACY POLICY
When you request to join Diane’s mailing list your contact details are used only to send programmes about forthcoming walking tours. These are sent out just two to three times a year. Your details are not passed on to any third parties.
© 2024 SECRET LONDON WALKING TOURS
All rights reserved
