Swinging Sixties London Tour

Swinging Sixties London

MUSIC & ART COLLIDE IN SWINGING 60S LONDON

London in the 1960s was a cultural hotbed for music, art and fashion.
 
From the Beatles to the Stones and The Who to Jimi Hendrix; it was home to and scene some of the most exciting music and cultural phenomenons that endure to this day.
 
This storytelling tour shares the stories of some of the personalities and also, what really made it all happen and what was going on in London to bring it all together!
 
You’ll hear the story of how John met Yoko, how the Beatles made their last public performance and how The Who’s Tommy was born, as well as some The London Storyteller’s own personal anecdotes. 
 

You will see some of the hidden locations, as well as the former homes of musicians from the explosion of creativity in swinging sixties London and hear stories including those garnered from The London Storyteller’s  anecdotes, research and interviews with some of the movers and shakers who saw and shaped a whole scene going.

This three and a half hour tour is a walking tour with a couple of connections by cab exploring through Mayfair into Soho and then up to the famous Abbey Road Studios.   

Included is a drink on the way and a couple of links by taxi, additionally we can also include a visit inside of Jimi Hendrix’s home by prior arrangement (please contact info@thelondonstoryteller.com if you would like this included).

Inclusions & Customisations

Private Guide

Hosted by The London Storyteller, you and your guests will be given an exclusively hosted tour. Tom Barclay Matchett draws from his passion and experience as a musician as well as unique insights from the primary research of his thesis exploring the cocktail of London's pop culture and radical art in the 1960s.

Refreshments Included

We'll be stopping off at a suitably storied watering hole along this tour for a quick break and refreshment with a drink for all guests included in the price of the tour.

Go Bespoke!

Why not make a day of it and extend the tour to see even more of the finest city on earth! Please email us at info@thelondonstoryteller.com to let us know more about what you would like to discover.

Pick Up & Drop Off

The tour starts at the conveniently located Green Park Station and ends at a well located tube station for returning to the city centre. We can also offer a pick up and drop off service too.

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TOUR ITINERARY

Meeting Point: Green Park

Located just a stone’s throw from London’s upmarket Mayfair district and Buckingham Palace, Green Park Station is really well connected offering the Jubilee, Victoria and Piccadilly underground lines.

Chapter One: A Whole Scene Going

We’ll visit a hidden cultural hotspot where the world of art and popular culture collided. Expect some surprising the stories, anecdotes and the tale of how John met Yoko . Plus, what happened when Jimi Hendrix landed in London and just why did Britain and London produce so many great musicians in the 1960s?

Chapter Two: A is for Apple

As George Harrison once wrote, its “one for you nineteen for me”, we’ll explore the story of how sky high super tax led the Fab Four to forming a different kind of revolution and bring them to one of last great moments of glory. Expect tales of extravagance extraordinaire in the heart of the establishment and some secrets from one of the most surprising addresses in London.

Chapter Three: The Birth Of Tommy: From Soho down to Brighton and then the World!

When it comes to London bands in the sixties, there’s no substitute for The Who (apologies Mick, Keith and The Kinks) but how did four Shepherd’s Bush geezers go from being almost broke and on the verge of implosion (into a band we now know as Led Zeppelin) to conquering the world with that craziest of all ideas; the story of a pinball messiah told through a rock opera. You’ll discover the story of how The Who’s Tommy was born and where Messrs Daltrey, Townshend, Entwistle and Moon set out to conquer Woodstock.

Intermission: Pirate Pals

We’ll stop off at a once legendary music venue (now a pub) for refreshment, where you’ll hear the story of one of Britain’s great broadcasters (and personal friend) and his adventures as a pirate radio DJ.

Chapter Four: A Day In The Life

Itinerary We’ll visit the places a couple of London’s biggest 1960s music legends called home. From Hanoverian ghosts to infamous busts by the boys in blue; tales will be told of how sixties began not just to swing but to spin out of control.Content

Chapter Five: And In The End, Abbey Road

We’ll round our magical mystery tour off with a visit to the location of the famous Abbey Road Studios. Its not only where Pink Floyd cut their first album and the Beatles made Sgt. Pepper, as well as much of their other great music under the watchful eye of George Martin but also home to the most famous crossing in the world of rock n roll. To wrap up your swinging sixties session, The London Storyteller will happily show you to a nearby pub or to the local underground station with a selection of Beatles memorabilia.

Experience Notes

This tour begins outside Green Park Station at the Buckingham Palace exit next to the fountain of Diana The Goddess of Hunting.  We can arrange to meet you at another central London location upon request for which we charge upwards of an additional £30. 

This tour ends at Abbey Road Studios.  We will happily show your to the nearby tube station which can take you back into town swiftly. 

Meeting Point

End Point

READY TO BOOK? LET'S MAKE THAT DREAM COME TRUE!

"Tom was a knowledgeable and friendly guide who communited with ua ahead of time to tailor the tour to our interests and needs. My fiancé uses a wheelchair and Tom was very considerate when planning the tour so that it would be handicap accessible. We also brought our two youngest children (13 and 9) and they loved visiting Abbey Road Studios and signing the wall. Tom was very knowledgable and interesting to talk to; his passion for music was evident from our first interaction. Tom even recommended a great pub near our end point and made reservations for us. The next time we visit London we will absolutely seek him out for another tour."
Laurie
United States
"We spent the day learning about the history of British rock music and the swingin sixties on our tour with Tom. He shared so many nuanced details about this period that we would have never come across ourselves. Tom is truly an expert in all things art, music and history and we feel very lucky to have spent the day with him!"
Michael
United States
"We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Tom. He knows SO MUCH, and he has a passion for what he is sharing. What a likeable and friendly guide. I'm certain one day you won't be able to book a tiny tour with him because he is going places. Good luck Tom and thank you! P.S. I'm sure you will never forget us: 20lb note + Swedish Embassy...haha!! :)"
Tina
Sweden
"Just wow! Tom planned and put together an amazing personal guided tour for us. He carefully took into account the fact my husband is unwell and in a wheelchair and designed our tour accordingly, considering transport, bathroom stops and flexible timing in case my husband felt tired. Tom’s wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm, energy and passion for his city including the history and culture of everything about London is endless. He truly loves what he does and nothing is too much. A great character who gave us an extremely memorable experience. Thank you so much Tom! We will be recommending you to all who may wish for a special tour such as ours. Erin and Brendon, Western Australia."
Erin & Michael
Western Australia
"Tom knows his stuff and presents it really well. He is a pleasant person to be with and it doesnt feel like he is the “guide” and you are his customers. His knowledge of especially 60s music is astonishing. Well worth it!"
Nico
Germany
"It was simply great to spend a good 3 hours with Tom. Tom is highly knowledgeable when it comes down to walk around the London swinging sixties and seventies areas. He is a scholar in his field and vulgarizes everything well. A two-legged encyclopedia! Culture, music and history were all intertwined on this fabulous tour. Thanks Tom, you were a great birthday gift! 😉 Val+Pat"
Valeire, Quebec, Caada
Western Australia
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