About Me – Nicola Watts: London Tour Guide
When I was growing up London was the place to be. Easy access to galleries, museums, entertainment as well as nightlife of concerts, restaurants and shows. As far as I was concerned London was, and still is, the centre of the world. I worked for a few years, but then followed a passion and picked up a paintbrush and studied at art college, finishing with a Masters degree. After a career which involved computers, art and publishing, I was introduced to the world of guiding in 1999 when I saw a Blue Badge Tourist Guide working in Tate Britain and St Paul’s Cathedral.
It seemed to me that being able to work in London’s greatest monuments, museums and galleries would be a huge privilege. It involves all the things I love including history, art, architecture and London itself. I enrolled for the Blue Badge Guide London training course. After 18 months of classes, endless weekends to research, practice tours and over 15 exams I was awarded my Blue Badge. As well as earning my Blue Badge I was an award winner in my qualification year of ‘Best Site Presentations’.
Since then I’ve been constantly working with visitors to London. As well as being a private tour guide in London I’ve also travelled around the British Isles with groups. One company that I work with, the American Council for International Studies (ACIS), says that ‘Travel Changes Lives’. I’m lucky enough to have seen that change as I’ve introduced young people to a world beyond text books and school work. To bring it all to life for them is a great joy.
As well as London must-sees such as a Westminster Abbey tour or a visit to the Tower of London, I also work extensively in London’s museums and galleries. The British Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern are firm favourites.
Get in touch and email me so that we can plan your London experience
Nicola