Golden Tours

Golden Tours

Optare Visionaire bodied Volvo B9TL on Grosvenor Gardens
Founded	1984
Headquarters	Alperton
Service area	London
Service type	Sightseeing tours
Depots	1
Fleet	67 (November 2019)
Website	www.goldentours.com

Golden Tours^[1] is a UK open top bus operator and coach tour operator based in London.

History[]

Jonckheere bodied Volvo B11R in Bath in June 2018

Golden Tours was established in 1984, initially operating airport transfers and day trips for the London tourist market to must-see destinations across the UK, such as Stonehenge and the Roman Baths. Today, Golden Tours offer a wide range of fully organised and professionally guided tours to Stonehenge, Windsor, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and many more.

In 2001, Golden Tours acquired the business of Frames Rickards, which included the London franchise for Gray Line.

In June 2011, Golden Tours began operating open top bus services within Central London. As 2021, Golden Tours open top bus tours now operate in London, Windsor, Bournemouth and York.

In early 2012, Golden Tours became the preferred partners of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter and run an hourly bus service to the studios in Leavesden on board unmissable Harry Potter branded busses.

Services[]

Sightseeing Coach Tours

At the heart of Golden Tours’ operations are day excursions via executive coaches to iconic must-see destinations across the country including Stonehenge, Windsor, Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and Canterbury to name just a few. All day sightseeing tours are fully organised and professionally guided.

Open Top Bus Tours

Golden Tours have operated multiple hop-on, hop-off open top bus services in Central London since 2011. In July 2020 the service was introduced in York in partnership with local operator York Pullman and later in Windsor during December 2020. In 2021 a partnership with local Bournemouth operator Yellow Coaches saw the service expand into a fourth location; Bournemouth. Golden Tours distinctive blue buses also operate non-stop panoramic tours, night tours and themed tours such as Christmas Lights tours.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Golden Tours are the preferred partner of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Offering a variety of tour options, including return transport from Bournemouth on an executive coach and return transport from Victoria, Kings Cross and Baker Street in Central London on a branded bus, with the opportunity to watch a Harry Potter film on route to the Studio Tour.

Afternoon Tea Experiences

Golden Tours offer a variety of afternoon tea experiences, from an afternoon tea and panoramic sightseeing tour combination on a striking pink English Tea Bus, to afternoon tea at iconic venues such as the British Museum and in stunning settings such as cruising on the River Thames.

Rail Tours

Both escorted and unescorted rail tours are available for purchase to a number of UK and European destinations, including Edinburgh, Paris and Brussels.

Walking Tours

Fully guided themed and historical walking tours such as Jack the Ripper and the Beatles are available in London. Walking tours are also available in other locations across the UK including Windsor and York.

Theatre Tickets

London’s West End is bursting with musical entertainment, attracting both the international and domestic market. Golden Tours offer theatre tickets for both matinee and evening shows to popular London productions.  

Attractions Tickets

Golden Tours offer tickets to all major attractions in London and many more across the UK.

Airport Transfers

Shuttle, private and meet and greet airport transfer services are available with Golden Tours.

Private Hire and Groups

A dedicated inhouse Groups Department provide tailor-made services and rates for both group and private bookings.

Cruises

Working with a range of suppliers, Golden Tours are able to offer a variety of river cruises in London, from high end dining experiences and showboats to hop-on, hop-off commuter services.

Fleet[]

Golden Tours fleet consists of both buses and coaches. Including Open Top Double Decker Buses, Executive Coaches and Theme Double Decker Buses; Themes include English Tea and Harry Potter.

The open top fleet is made up of Volvo B9TL Optares, Volvo B9TL MCV 13, Volvo B5TL MCV16. The themed double decker’s consist of Alexander Dennis Enviro, Alexander Dennis Trident, Volvo B9TL Wright and Volvo B8LMCV 2019.

Depot[]

In July 2013, Golden Tours opened a new depot in Alperton.^[2]

Visitor Centres[]

Golden Tours have multiple Visitor Centres and Kiosks throughout Central London. Conveniently based in Waterloo, Victoria, Paddington and Westminster.

Partnerships and Relationships[]

Hotels and Concierges

Golden Tours have a close relationship with hoteliers throughout London, working with hotels, concierges and reception staff in over 500 hotels across the capital providing them with both bookings tools and a range of products

Agents

Golden Tours have an affiliation with a number of tour operators, travel agents and Online Travel Agencies both domestically and internationally.

Supplier and attractions

Golden Tours works with several suppliers around the world. Arguably their strongest relationships lie in London and the UK, suppliers include Merlin Entertainments, The Royal Collection, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Historic Royal Palaces, Eurostar, lunch and dinner venues, theatre companies to name a few.

References[]

External links[]

• Media related to Golden Tours at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website