“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
Upcoming Wanderings
Living London wanderings offer you the opportunity to explore parts of London that remain relatively unknown and under-explored. The wanderings bring London’s magical hidden gems to life through storytelling and anecdotes of people and place. Each walk lasts about 2.5 hours including stop-offs at various locations.
Book lovers
Explore the city’s characterful literary gems
Explore London’s hidden bookshops and libraries in this eclectic wandering tour. Starting off at the beautiful Daunt Books in Marylebone, we’ll wonder down to the London Library stopping off at a number of places along the way including the oldest bookshop in London and an iconic art bookshop. Along the way I’ll be sharing stories about hidden literary gems across the city and the colourful people that frequent them. I’ll also speak about writers who’ve lived in and written about London city from Virginia Woolf to Zadie Smith.`Spaces limited.
18th November, 11am - 1:30pm/ CANCELLED
20th January, 11am - 1.30pm
17 February, 11am - 1.30pm
Living London Private Tour Package Voucher
Looking for something new and inspiring to do in London? Why not book onto a private wandering and explore the city’s hidden gems, community spaces and secret stories. I offer private tour vouchers, for bespoke wandering tours of up to 2.5 hours, covering up to 6 adults. As part of the experience, each adult will receive a copy of my book ‘On Belonging’. See below for the areas in which I run wandering tours. Once you’ve booked a ticket, I’ll be in touch with to arrange your preferred date and itinerary!
Wandering Tour Gift Vouchers
Looking for a special gift for a special person? Wandering gift vouchers enable your loved one the opportunity to discover London’s hidden gems and stories and to create lasting memories of their own. Gift vouchers can be used against any Living London wandering tours and Airbnb Experiences (up to the value of the voucher). Following your purchase, a gift voucher will be sent to your email address together with instructions on how to redeem the voucher.
Living London Wanderings
Walworth
Explore a vibrant street market, a multi-cultural garden, and a hidden crypt
Book Lovers
Explore the city’s characterful literary gems
Kensington
Explore hidden mews, beautiful churches and characterful green spaces
Alperton
Explore a striking temple, canal side hidden gems and an iron age hill fort
Shoreditch
Explore community gardens, quirky shops and cafes, markets and a city farm
Camden
Explore a mosque, canal-side gems, enjoy views of London form a hill top and discover London’s most vibrant market
Tooting
Explore hidden markets, a cemetery, the grounds of a Victorian psychiatric hospital and a unique museum
Chelsea
Explore gardens, houses, a museum and the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Peckham
Explore interesting cafes, shops, a cemetery, Japanese garden and the South London gallery
Kings Cross
Explore secret gardens, churches, cafes and community projects and discover the unique history of the area
Southbank
Explore unknown cultural gems, a riverside beach and uncover street art
Secret Gardens
Explore the city’s beautiful hidden gardens
Richmond
Explore a secret garden centre, meadows, and gardens
Hoxton
Explore community gardens, quirky shops, markets, the hidden canal-side gems and colourful mosques and museums
Hounslow
Watch the planes take off from Heathrow, explore an expansive country park and visit an ancient church
River Wandle
Explore an animal farm, markets, the remains of an old chapter house and a National Trust park
Greenwich
Explore a city farm, traverse an underground tunnel, visit the beautiful naval colleges, characterful markets and a royal park
Finsbury Park
Explore wetlands, wander through the longest nature reserve in London, traverse woods and discover vibrant high streets
Streatham
Explore places of worship, art deco buildings, secret gardens, local community projects and quirky cafes
Erith
Explore otherworldly erith, the longest pier in the city, a Grade II listed church and a hidden cafe in a former library
Brixton
Explore community greenhouses, markets and the Black Cultural Archives
Greenwich Peninsula
Explore riverside sculptures, a nature reserve, quarries and the iconic flood barriers
Vauxhall
Explore hidden museums and galleries, a tropical community garden and an urban farm
Bethnal Green
Explore canal-side parks, churches, markets, temples, a museum of Childhood and a myriad of other hidden gems
Secret Lambeth
Explore street art, mosaic projects and discover lesser known galleries and museums
Southwark
Climb a hill, explore docklands, and a quirky nature reserve
Westbourne Park
Explore hidden canal-side gems including a community garden, graffiti yard and the Trellick Tower
Forest Hill
Explore the wondrous Horniman’s Museum, hidden nature reserves, quirky galleries and artist studios
Dalston
Explore beautiful spaces, gardens. houses and community projects and get to know this fast changing and eclectic area of Hackney
Tottenham
Explore Bruce Castle, Lordship Rec, Markfield Beam Engine and skate park and a host of other local wonders
“Saira is a brilliant guide and an excellent host. I’ve done many guided walks in London and hers was unique - she has boundless curiosity and was able to show me places that I’ve never heard of, let alone been to! Her love of London is also infectious and I left feeling inspired to venture out on my own wanderings more often. If you want to get to know the real London, from a Londoner, I’d highly recommend Saira’s walks.”
"Saira's walk through Dalston was absolutely great!! She knows her stuff and showed me lots of really fascinating and beautiful places you wouldn't see if you were just walking through Dalston on your own. Besides her knowledge, Saira is super friendly and funny – so I'll definitely come back for more tours!"
-Marion, Secret Dalston Wandering
"This tour is for anyone who wishes to explore non-touristy areas in London (particularly Hackney). My favourite activity was the picnic we had in the cemetery. Made some new friends and Saira (tour guide now turned friend) made sure everyone felt included and comfortable. She's knowledgable, charismatic and does her best to fit everyone's request( for e.g. slower walking pace esp for ppl with bad knees). Thank you Saira!"
-Syakila, Secret Dalston Wandering