Meet Tim, your guide to the history of London.
My name is Tim Hochstrasser. I was born in London and most of my life has been led in its orbit, even when I have not lived there. I studied British and European history at Oxford and Cambridge and since 1995 I have lectured in the International History Department at the LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science) in Central London. I have always been fascinated by the way history can inform and shape our understanding of our own modern world, and that’s why in my doctoral research I focused on the Enlightenment Era of the Eighteenth Century when so much of what we take for granted now came into being, whether concepts of freedom, democracy, and rights, or the scientific framework we use to understand the physical nature of the world and our own psychology. That is the area in which I have published and where my teaching focuses. The course which best represents my approach to history is an introduction to the history of human rights called ‘The Rights of Man? From the Antigone to Amnesty International’, in which I try to explain the troubled history of relations between the individual and the state or wider community and how it has changed across time.

I have worked for Context as a guide now for 5 years, but I started guiding long before that as part of my inclusive approach to teaching. Right from the start, I have taken groups of students out to museums, parks, and buildings in and around London so that they could experience the relationship between the conflicts of ideas and values and the built environment and cultural heritage within which our predecessors lived and took decisions. In fact, it was thanks to a former student who went on to work for Context that I have come to work for Context myself. I have basic French alongside my native English.

I encourage my clients to think of London as a delicious multi-layered sandwich, but one that needs time and care if it is to be devoured without indigestion. Layered historically and vertically, from the original remains of Roman London (more there than you might think) under your feet rising up to hidden gardens looming over the city from the top of high-rise buildings. Layered thematically, from the mercantile stories of the City of London’s financial district, through to the epic narratives of Westminster politics, and the darker story of London’s involvement in slavery and sugar as the capital of the empire. And layered culturally, as we can see in the material culture preserved in London’s peerless museums and galleries – porcelain, jewelry, fabrics and furniture at the V&A that continue to influence the history and practice of design; and the heritage of other cultures (including Babylon, Greece, and Rome) that were gathered into the unique collections of the British Museum.

But there might also be time, crucially, to explore some of London’s many green spaces – whether the Royal Parks from St James’ through to Kensington Gardens or Royal Greenwich, approached along the Thames by boat, with its UNESCO Heritage grouping of palaces, Palladian architecture and Meridian-line astronomical and geographical history. But beyond the grandeur, a full-day in London offers opportunities to savor more intimate locations – private pocket-parks, secret alleyways, and deserted quays along the river, where the poetry of the city is sometimes more readily accessible.

As another aspect of my life, I am a regular reviewer of the performing arts (theatre, musicals, opera, and ballet) for several websites. I lead a guided walk on the history of the London theatre which provides a framework for the theatre of the present day, and I am happy to advise clients on theatrical priorities during their visit as well in helping them structure their evenings in the city after their walking time is done.

If you have particular interests in the history of visual arts, literature or music then I would be glad to offer you bespoke tours devoted, for example, to Dickens, Shakespeare, Hogarth, and G.F.Handel involving locations individual to them, and if your focus is ceramics and furniture then a walk devoted to the resources of the Wallace Collection and the V&A is available.

I have had the chance with Context to design walks to explore new pathways through my city, and I am very sensitive to matching the particular interests of clients to those new avenues and alleyways of exploration. Every walk is unique in the questions and priorities and circumstances it addresses. In a full day with me, you will have the chance to select from my extensive portfolio of walks, whether your focus is on royalty, politics or economics, the center or the periphery of the city, museum interiors, or the many public parks or private enclaves that provide a retreat from the full-on hurly-burly of city life.

I have also led private day trips to country houses (eg. Blenheim, Chartwell), gardens (eg. Rousham, Sissinghurst), and other cities (eg. Bath, Oxford, Cambridge) outside London, and would be happy to accommodate such requests as an additional part of your individual travel itinerary.

Cost details will vary based on the exact itinerary, but all of our Private Guide itineraries include the cost of your time with your private guide. In many cases, vehicle/transportation costs, select meals, and site entrances may also be included. Your Context planning specialist will confirm exactly what is included in your personal itinerary before charging your credit card. Accommodation is not included.

Our planning experts will be in touch to help you build your perfect itinerary, but in general, try to include the following pieces of information in your request form: 

Pricing will vary by itinerary. Your planning expert will provide an itinerary and pricing proposal for your trip before confirming your itinerary and charging your credit card.

How does a Private Guide booking process work? 

Once you submit your private guide request, we’ll get in touch via email or phone to review your ideas and finalize an itinerary. We only charge your credit card once all details have been confirmed.

Yes. We can adapt the itinerary based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party.