Hazel Baker
CEO & Founder of London Guided Walks
Hi, I’m Hazel, the CEO and Founder of London Guided Walks. As a qualified and award-winning tour guide, and a History, Politics, and Science Tutor in the School of Culture and Communication I unite my passions for history, walking, and, of course, London. I established London Guided Walks to serve as a hub for individuals who, like me, are enthralled by the captivating narratives and landscapes that this magnificent city offers.
For the past ten years, I have been designing and leading walking tours in London that combine factual richness with compelling storytelling. With over 3,000 London walking tours to my credit, my objective remains steadfast: to provide each guest with an unparalleled, insightful experience of London.
My efforts in tour guiding have not gone unnoticed; they have earned me prestigious accolades such as the Tour Guiding Excellence Award and Best Christmas Tours in London. I take pride in my affiliations with notable organisations; I am a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors and an honorary member of The Leaders Council.
Beyond guiding walks, my expertise has also been sought for various television programmes. I’ve had the privilege of appearing as an expert guest on shows like:
- Walking Wartime Britain (Episode 3)
- Yesterday Channel’s The Architecture the Railways Built (Series 3, Episode 7).
- Het Rampjaar 1672, Afl. 2: Vijand Engeland
- Arte.fr Invitation au Voyage, À Chelsea, une femme qui trompe énormément.
- Secrets of the London Underground (Series 3, Episode 2).
- Secrets of the London Underground – (Series 4, Episode 10)
On the radio front, I’ve been a guest of both Robert Elms and Jumoke Fashola on BBC Radio London.
Public guided walks with Hazel
Book a private tour with me, Hazel Baker, and explore London with a knowledgeable and engaging guide. With over 10 years of experience and a passion for uncovering the city’s history, I create carefully curated and thoroughly researched private tours that bring London’s stories to life in an engaging and accessible way.
Whether it’s a family day out, a corporate event, or a special occasion, I’ll ensure your tour is not only insightful but also enjoyable and memorable.
For added convenience, you can enhance your experience by opting for hotel or office collection or extending your tour by an additional 30 minutes. My tours are designed to offer a seamless, enriching experience for visitors and Londoners alike.
Prices start from £225. Get in touch today to arrange your private London tour!
Book a bespoke private tour with me, Hazel Baker, and explore London in a way that’s tailored entirely to you. Whether you’re tracing your family history, getting to know a new area for work or personal life, or have a specific historical interest, I’ll create a tour that brings your chosen theme to life.
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain insider knowledge and truly understand the streets, stories, and hidden details of your chosen location.
Every bespoke tour is carefully researched and designed to match your interests, ensuring a unique and insightful experience.
Bespoke tours start at £350, and I offer a free 15-minute call to discuss your requirements and shape the perfect itinerary for you.
Get in touch to start planning your personalised London tour!
The London History Podcast from London Guided Walks is one of the top 1.5% most listened-to podcasts globally, bringing London’s fascinating past to life through expert storytelling and in-depth research. Hosted by Hazel Baker, a qualified London guide and history enthusiast, each episode uncovers intriguing stories, little-known facts, and historical insights about the capital.
From exploring famous landmarks to delving into the lives of remarkable Londoners, the podcast offers a fresh perspective on the city’s past. Whether you’re a lifelong Londoner, a visitor, or simply passionate about history, the London History Podcast is an engaging way to learn more about the people, places, and events that have shaped this extraordinary city.
Listen now on your favourite podcast platform or via londonguidedwalks.co.uk/podcast and discover London’s history wherever you are!
Beyond providing London walking tours, I am available for a variety of engagements including launch events, restaurant openings, afternoon tea experiences, book reviews, and radio and television interviews.
I invite you to explore the curated selection of guided walks and private tours I offer. Each one is designed to provide a rich, engaging experience, and I look forward to sharing the multifaceted charm of London with you.
Read Hazel's Reviews
Suzie
26th April 2025
Hazel, our fantastic guide, is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic in the way she presents the area. She always pays attention to detail, every corner has an unknown gem. Highly recommended, time really flies during the tour. We enjoyed having a chat with the guide after the tour.
Jill and Tom
26th April 2025
This must be one of the best guided walks we have been on. We learned many things about Saddlers Wells that we would never have suspected – given its current elite highbrow status! Hazel was both informative and engagingly funny and we would certainly go on any other walk she guided, knowing how expert she is on her subject.
Teresa Jennings
22nd April 2025
Hazel is brilliant – so knowledgeable, informative and pleasant to everyone. No notes. Involves her guests by inviting them to guess/comment/contribute personal stories. We had a great day. Thank you.
Steve
21st April 2025
Great walk by Hazel with lots of variety and interest, delivered with energy and wit.
Rose
17th April 2025
This event surpassed my expectations. Hazel is the ultimate guide. She is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and patient. The small group size was perfect. We interacted with each other and Hazel was able to give each of us individual attention and support. I can’t recommend it enough!
Dinny
17th April 2025
The Smartphone Photo Walk along the Southbank in glorious evening sunshine was a delight. Hazel was very knowledgeable and a good enabler. We took better and better photographs and will get emails with tasks reminding us of how to keep improving.
Katrina D
10th March 2024
Hazel is extremely knowledgeable and presents that knowledge in a friendly, accessible way. We loved talking to her and learning about London even beyond the scope of the tour.
Mariana
June 2024
Melissa Kelly
May 2024
Hazel is extremely knowledgeable and presents that knowledge in a friendly, accessible way. We loved talking to her and learning about London even beyond the scope of the tour.
Claire
March 2024
A very enjoyable walk led by Hazel our knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Full of fascinating facts and insight into the lives of Londoners (and their relationship with drinks of the alcoholic sort) during the 18th Century, with visual aids in the form of a selection of Hogarth’s prints. The pace was just right, we could hear every word and only wish it had been longer!
Vicky
March 2024
‘Heretics and Horrors’ was an enjoyable and informative tour, our guide Hazel was interesting and knowledgeable and able to answer additional questions from the group. The walk covered an area of London I have spent a lot of time in so it was great to hear some grisly history! I will be looking to see what other walks are available in the future. We were also pleased to be able to bring our dog Ted with us.
Julie
I have recently done four walks with London Guided walks. The latest was the Oliver Twist walk around Clerkenwell and it was great. Hazel was our guide, this was my third walk with her. Her walks are very entertaining as well as educational, and we are encouraged to ask questions. The Oliver Twist walk featured places mentioned in the book, which I intend to read soon. I will definitely do more guided walks from this company, you learn so much.
Carol R
October 2024
We’re so glad this walk (Blackfriars) was recommended to us. Hazel is very knowledgeable and gave us glimpses into history and life in London that we would otherwise have missed totally. A great complement to our other activities.
Margaret G
April 2024
We booked the Victorian Covent Garden on 21 October and we are so pleased we did! Our guide Hazel was so friendly and engaging and she enthralled us with lots of stories and facts right from when we met. Our hour and a half walk absolutely sped by. Importantly, Hazel ensured we could always hear her (she had a head microphone which was great) and she gave us plenty of opportunity to ask questions. You won’t be disappointed if you book this walk. Thank you Hazel, you were brilliant.
Bridget P
November 2023
Fascinating tour given by a very knowledgeable and witty Hazel. One of the best tours I’ve done. I loved it.
Simone
June 2023
Hazel was wonderful!! So friendly and knowledgeable. The tour was so enjoyable and we absolutely loved it Thanks so much Hazel
J. Wilson
June 2023
We had an amazing Wonders of Whitehall guided walk today with Hazel. We learned so much and truly enjoyed the walk. Thank you!
Patty P
July 2023
I recommend London Guided Walks. They were extremely well organized and clear about when and where to meet. The guides were personable, inclusive, and friendly with the whole group. Most of all, they really knew their stuff. And it wasn’t all just dry facts. There was humor and deep conversation. I would advise you don’t just do one walk, do more than one – you won’t regret it. And yes, you can do more than 1 in a day. I did 3 in one day and felt so educated and excited to start the rest of my 2 weeks in London. Hazel and Ian were both great!
October 2023
Even with the weather against us Hazel kept the enthusiasm levels high. I really enjoyed the exploration of the nooks and crannies of the Covent Garden and hearing the stories that fed into the book. Recommended.
Cory F
March 2023
Hazel gave a private tour to over 25 visiting American guests as part of our wedding weekend. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time on the Victorian Covent Garden walk. Hazel is a gifted story teller and has a great way of making history come to life. She’s incredibly smart and her passion for the history that she shares comes through beautifully. I had done many London Guided Walks prior to hiring them for our private group and cannot recommend them more highly for a great day out.
Hazel literally brought Oliver Twist to life. This walk concentrated on chapter 8, following the footsteps of Oliver from The Angel pub in Islington to the likely lodgings of Fagin in Farringdon. The tour provides a snapshot of London in 1838 when Dickens wrote the story. It’s fascinating to discover why the Regency terraces of Pentonville Road had such long front gardens, and contrast it to the cramped, barely living, conditions of the ‘Rookeries’. Hazel’s engaging style detailed the implications of herding cattle through the streets to Smithfield meat market and why you might pay someone to cross the road. It made me think differently about pollution before combustion engines, the smells, noise, customs, and why the late Victorians sanitised certain street names.
As we twisted through the allies and streets Oliver’s narrative, Hazel enriched and contextualised Dickens’ London, it really was a great walking tour.
July 8, 2021
We went on a private guided tour called Road to Ruin. Hazel was our guide and we thoroughly enjoyed our 90 minutes with her. She was very knowledgeable and entertaining and could answer all our questions. There were four of us and we all felt it was good value for money and time well spent. We would go on another of these tours at the drop of a hat. Would highly recommend.
July 8, 2021
We went on a private guided tour called Road to Ruin. Hazel was our guide and we thoroughly enjoyed our 90 minutes with her. She was very knowledgeable and entertaining and could answer all our questions. There were four of us and we all felt it was good value for money and time well spent. We would go on another of these tours at the drop of a hat. Would highly recommend.
December 24, 2021
We went out with Hazel for a Dickens’s Christmas Carol tour on Christmas Eve with our three teenage boys. Hazel was both very knowledgeable and entertaining. The time sped by and we loved every minute of it. A fantastic way to learn more about London’s history and to discover lesser known areas. Highly recommended
November 14, 2019
We joined Hazel in Westminster to begin our tour. Hazel was a wealth of historical and architectural knowledge proving interesting and insightful facts along the way. We as a small group really enjoyed the tour. It was easy to access pretty much flat. Hazel was happy to provide a few detours of things we were interested to see. We finished in a fabulous little restaurant for lunch. I highly recommend if you’re a history geek like me. I certainly will be looking forward to joining another tour soon.
October 25, 2019
Have now done two walks and I have been so impressed. Hazel is a superb guide, very knowledgeable with a lovely personality. The time passes so quickly and it is so good to learn so much and see out of the way places. These walks are good for tourists and seasoned Londoners alike as everyone will benefit. I highly recommend these walks and will hopefully be going on many more.
October 24, 2019
London Guided Walks are a great way to see London. Hazel ran the guided walk around Blackfriars and opened our eyes to things that we would normally walk by without a second glance. She is warm and friendly and immediately put the group at ease. She communicates in an engaging way and her use of a microphone means that everyone can hear. We learnt about the history of the area as well as some of the more curious facts – the King’s Wardrobe area being one of them. Highly recommend the walk.
All the tours are fantastic. I’ve been on almost 10 of them and I felt that I had learned a lot on each of them. Hazel is incredible: she knows aa great deal and has a wonderful way to communicate her knowledge : she is funny, she is friendly, she’s a lovely person. Although she’s not the one responsible for the financial tour, I highly recommend the tour: the guide is such an expert on the financial district and of London as a financial center that you get so much interesting information that you almost need a second tour! It really is a very good value for your money.
September 30, 2019
Had a fantastic tour with Hazel. She is very knowledgeable, personable and very open to answering questions. She showed us things that we wouldn’t have noticed and we got a different perspective on London, despite the fact that we have all lived there at some point! She also did a little personalized piece about a restaurant we were surprising our friends with too. Great service and responsiveness beforehand as well. Thanks Hazel!
Greenwich Treasure Hunt
September 8, 2019
We had an amazing time on Hazel’s treasure hunt in Greenwich. Not only is it a fantastic way of seeing a beautiful part of London but it was also great to make you examine parts of Greenwich you’d otherwise gloss over. A fantastic afternoon!
July 31, 2019
Heretics and Horrors (the walk, not the walkers)
A ramble round the city, at a comfortable pace, brought to life by an amazing guide. Hazel has a wonderful way of explaining; her vivid descriptions of sometimes gruesome details of the past are delivered with humour and wit. This lady is a superb communicator!
