Cosmopolitan London

Founded by foreigners, London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. A city of many peoples and many faiths. Our full day tour celebrates the diversity of Londoners both historically and in the present day, combining two very short walks, a coach tour and a visit to the beautiful Hindu temple or Mandir at Neasden.

Our day starts on the border of the Square Mile and the East End, at Spitalfields, at 10-30am for morning refreshments. In little more than a stones throw we can walk through a part of London settled successively by the Huguenots, the Jews and the Bengali and Bangladeshi communities. Back on the coach we’ll take you on a “people’s panorama” looking at the various communities that have come to London, from the Italians of Clerkenwell to the Welsh dairy farmers of the old Fleet pastures.

We’ll set down for our second short stroll, this time through Soho to London’s China Town before breaking for lunch. We’re right in the heart of the West End so there is a vast choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs.

The Swaminarayan Mandir is the first traditional Hindu Mandir built in Europe. 2,820 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and 2,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara marble were shipped to India, carved by over 1,500 craftsmen, and reshipped to London. In all 26,300 carved pieces were assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle in less than three years. It is a miracle of modern times worked by over a thousand volunteers.

The Mandir has been described as the 8th wonder of the world by The Reader's Digest and has earned a place in their book "The 70 Wonders of the 20th Century". You will be asked to remove your shoes for part of the tour. There is time for a cup of tea before heading for home at 4-45pm.

Walking on this day is designed to suit each group.

Available Monday to Saturday all year, especially recommended for the winter and spring months.

Price: Adults: £13.50      Seniors: £12.95

Coach Mileage: 25

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