Ian Mowbray-Williams is the owner and founder of Southampton Tours and an experienced local Southampton tour guide, guiding visitors around southern England since 2016.

Before becoming a professional guide, Ian spent many years travelling the world, visiting more than 40 countries across North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe — with many more still on his list. Travel has always been his passion, but it truly began in 2010 when he completed a 20,000km charity cycle ride from London to Cape Town. That extraordinary journey became the defining experience of his life and sparked a desire to keep exploring.

After finishing the journey in South Africa during the World Cup, Ian spent the following years working and travelling around the world. He taught English in a rural town in China called Langfang, before continuing his travels through Asia and on to Australia. During more than four years on the road, he experienced many different ways of travelling — cycling, rowing, walking, hitchhiking, motorcycling, using public transport, and even riding horses — gaining a deep appreciation for cultures, people, and meaningful travel experiences.

After returning to England, Ian settled just outside Southampton and started a family with his partner, Maja. In 2016, they welcomed their son, Eryk. Becoming a father only strengthened Ian’s desire to share meaningful experiences, inspiring him to establish Southampton Tours and offer private tours from Southampton led by someone who truly knows and loves the area.

Today, Ian combines his global travel experience with local expertise to deliver private guided tours from Southampton that are relaxed, personal, and thoughtfully paced. He believes that great tours aren’t about rushing — they’re about comfort, storytelling, and taking the time to truly enjoy each place you visit.

Ian looks forward to welcoming you to Southampton and showing you around some of southern England’s most impressive and memorable sights.