I started Ye Olde England Tours back in 2012 with a bag full of history degrees and a growing number of published books. I was about the first private guide in Britain and have been leading the way for others to frequently lamely copy ever since. For the first 3 years, Ye Olde England Tours was entirely run and operated by myself, Stephen Liddell. When I started the tours I could only dream that it would turn out as successful as it has done. Let’s meet the team!
Ye Olde England Tours have been used by many corporate organisations as well as the British government. Production crews for BBC and Netflix shows have used us. As have the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, national and international TV news, BBC TV, Comic Relief, BBC national and regional radio, LBC Radio, Harrods, Bloomberg TV, British and foreign military and the national newspapers. Most of all by thousands of visitors from all over the world, every age and every background.
Thousands of happy customers (some who keep coming back) to enjoy our highly successful 5-star rated tours and we have dozens of them. 99% of which were unique and original when conceived. Like all successful businesses, however, there comes a time when in order for the business to continue to grow and to allow myself the odd day off, it is necessary to take things to the next level.
So in the third quarter of 2016 after working over 95 days out of 100 and turning away as many bookings as I accepted, the decision was made to expand the team and the scope of Ye Olde England Tours.
After going through over 1000 applications, I picked the some of the very best people available. We’ve been building up a growing team ever since. All of them with a passion and love for tourism, history, Britain and most importantly of all, great customer service.
Meet Our Team
Kevin hails from London’s East-End and what he doesn’t know about London, isn’t worth knowing about. With many years experience of visiting our national attractions and having given numerous tours around London, Kevin makes a great addition to the team. Rumour has it, he knows all the best pubs in the East-End too.
We also have Nigel, who has been working as a both a walking guide and a driver-guide for 6 years. Both in London and to places such as Bath, Stonehenge and Canterbury.
Next up is Marty who particularly loves all things Churchill as well as London history in general. He is also partial to a bit of the Royal Navy down in Portsmouth & good old WIlliam Shakespeare in Stratford Upon Avon. He’s made more day trips to Glastonbury than is probably good for anyone.
Dewi is from beautiful Wales and has done all manner of London Tours. He also has some theatrical background and can add a bit of drama to Sherlock, Harry Potter or indeed our West End Tour amongst other things.
Andy has been doing all of our tours in and around Edinburgh for 5 years. What he doesn’t know about Scottish history isn’t worth knowing. Andy is also a world-leading motivational speaker. Whatever tour you go on with him, you’ll end up enjoying the buzz.
Michael Has had an interesting life, before becoming a guide Michael was an actor. It seems fitting that he is often to be found on our James Bond and Doctor Who tours amongst other things.
About Me, myself and I
Stephen that’s me. I’ve been touring for over 10 years now. So long that I was on Viator and Trip Advisor before everyone was allowed on it. I haven’t had a day off for 7 years so I must love my job. I still love meeting new people every day and lots of returning travellers and referrals too. Though I know London like the back of my hand, I still find something new almost every day. I also really enjoy creating even more new and unique tours.
I have two history degrees, a published historian and hired & consulted by such prestigious organisations such as the BBC, Comic Relief, Netflix, Bloomberg, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and various tv news organisations, corporate groups, education facilities, magazines and newspapers. Doing tours for money isn’t my main motivation, it’s to show everyone the places I love and share the knowledge I have. I don’t have customers, I have people from around the world who become friends and family.
In the back office we have Emilia. Emilia performs the sometimes less exciting but no less necessary back-office admin work including finding some great guides.
It’s very important that every guide keeps up the high standard but also friendly approach that I have given to every one of my tourists. We never forget that we are lucky and honoured tat you choose us for your holiday. We’re so glad to show perhaps the best city in the world and our green and pleasant land!
We are ALWAYS looking for new guides. If you’re in London to work rather that sight-see then do contact us!
We don’t just care about having the best team or the best tours or even the best tourists. Find out why we also care about Green Tourism. Why Ye Olde England Tours are independently certified by Green Tourism as being kind to our planet and ethical in our business and support of independent suppliers.