Welcome to the official authority hub of Ye Olde England Tours. Founded by historian, author, and Freeman of the City of London Stephen Liddell, our bespoke private experiences are trusted globally by international television networks, leading national newspapers, and elite corporate travelers.
🏛️ Civic Honours & Professional Status
- Freeman of the City of London: Our founder, Stephen Liddell, holds the historic honour of being a Stationer and a Freeman of the City of London, anchoring our tours with authentic, deep-rooted civic pedigree and local historical authority.
- I am proud to be a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, a historic 600 year old City of London livery company that brings together leaders across the publishing, printing, and digital media industries.
📺 As Seen on International Television & Radio
We are proud to have had our historical insights and specialised routes featured on major television networks and radio broadcasts around the world:
- 6ABC Action News (USA): Featured on American television showcasing our exclusive Princess Diana Private London Walking Tour locations and royal history expertise.
- CBS Television Network (USA): Featured on prime-time American television highlighting our exclusive historical perspectives and private access tours within Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle.
- Al Mayadeen News Network: Featured by the international satellite news network for our definitive, in-depth expertise on World War II history and the Winston Churchill trail across central London.
- BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation): Selected as the official private tour provider for the BBC Comic Relief national fundraising campaign, guiding cast members of the television series Sherlock through their authentic filming locations.
- National & Local Radio Broadcasters: Guest historian and commentator on leading stations including LBC, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkRadio, and various BBC Local Radio stations.
- WBSM 1420 AM (USA) Our tours were featured as I reported live on the Breakfast show on the scenes in London on the day following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
📰 Global News Media & Press Accolades
- The New York Times: Retained as specialist historical consultants and referenced in a major feature in 2024.
- The Independent Newspaper: Our Secret Gardens of the City of London Tour was officially featured in their Travel section, broadcast on LBC Radio, and selected via TripAdvisor/Viator as the “Most Authentic London Experience” for travellers seeking the genuine, hidden history of the capital.
- The Daily Telegraph: Formally consulted, referenced, and featured as historical experts regarding our Lambeth Walk Tour and specialised regional history topics.
- Newsweek Magazine: Our specialised Markets of London Tour and custom YouTube video footage was officially selected, broadcast, and credited by Newsweek on their international news coverage.
- Harrods Aviation Magazine: Featured prominently for our acclaimed Sherlock Tour and high-end literary location expertise.
- The Londonist: Londons most popular website featured our Stanmore Tour and a photo of Londons hardest to find and most remote Blue Plaque.
- World of Cruising:
📚 Published Historical Works (Selected)
Our tours are built on a foundation of deep historical research and academic integrity. Founder Stephen Liddell is the author of multiple bestselling books spanning military history, social movements, and British culture:
- Lest We Forget: A Concise Companion to WWI which ties in great to both our Churchill and War Memorials Tour.
An Amazon bestseller providing an accessible yet profound look at the global conflict that redefined modern Britain. - Secret Gardens of the City of London
The #1 bestseller based on our signature tour, the Secret Gardens of the City of London which was officially rated the #1 authentic travel experience in London. - Straight From The Horse’s Mouth
A #1 bestselling exploration into the fascinating origins and quirky histories behind the British sayings we still use today as on our Nursery Rhyme Tour of London. - 101 Most Terrible Tortures In History A best selling book so you just know our Crimes & Punishments Tour & London Historic Pub Tour will be great!
A gripping, bestselling chronicle of human cruelty, documenting punishments and executions from Ancient Persia to the 21st century. - Angels of Postman’s Park A based on my very special Angels of Postman’s Park Tour inspired by the time when I saved the lives of two people a& got pushed under a tube train!
- £xcluded Voices
True accounts from the 3.8 million people intentionally left without financial support by the British government during the pandemic. This best selling book—and my work campaigning for ExcludedUK—became the subject of intense live debates on the floor of the House of Commons. Former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak were definitely not fans… which is the ultimate badge of honour.
“I don’t just research , write and give tours about social history—I actively help shape it.”
💼 Elite Corporate, Institutional & Private Delegations
When global corporations, historic institutions, and international military delegations require flawless private experiences in the UK, they trust Ye Olde England Tours. We are proud to have provided bespoke guiding services for personnel and official delegations from:
- Global Tech Leaders: Trusted by corporate groups and executives from Amazon & Microsoft who were big fans of our Jack The Ripper Tour amongst others!
- The City of London Corporation: Professionally selected to provide specialized guiding services for the Lady Mayoress of the City of London, alongside various small-group civic delegations throughout the Square Mile.
- Historical & Commonwealth Institutions: Official collaborators with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (including specialized documentary media featured on our RAF Hendon Museum Tour).
- International Government & Diplomacy: Trusted by elected members of the United States Congress and Senate, elected Heads of State across three continents, and European and Asian Royalty.
- Elite Military & Police Delegations: Providers of secure private tours for the U.S. Military, the British Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Army of Oman, and senior officers from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
- Academic Excellence: Providers of bespoke academic heritage tours for international schools, colleges, and university institutions, including Cambridge University who recently enjoyed our Plague & Great Fire of London Tour.
- Aviation & Infrastructure: Selected by Gatwick Airport for executive guiding services.
- Global Banking: Trusted by premier international financial institutions, including ABN AMRO Bank.
- Historic London Livery Companies: Specialised history guided tours for The Worshipful Company of Brewers and The Worshipful Company of Patternmakers.
- Roman Catholic, Anglican, Episcopalian and Methodist churches from around the world have booked our John Wesley Methodist and Walsingham Tours.
- VisitBritain (Department for Culture, Media and Sport): Officially contracted and booked by the national tourism agency of Great Britain to deliver specialist heritage guiding services representing British tourism. We’re so good the British government and state booked us!
