Our Owner & Founder
Ian Mowbray-Williams
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.
Southampton Tours – Sonya
London-born and now living in Hampshire, close to Jane Austen country, Sonya has always had a strong interest in history — particularly how people, the landscape, and technology have shaped one another over time. England offers over 5,000 years of human story, from ancient stone circles to the modern digital world, and Sonya feels incredibly fortunate to live and work surrounded by such heritage.
Her previous career in social work and housing gave her a deep understanding of both people and buildings, which she now combines with her passion for the countryside, history, and storytelling as a driver guide.
Sonya has been working with Southampton Tours for over a year and still never tires of seeing beautiful historic houses, rolling countryside, and, of course, plenty of sheep along the way. She particularly enjoys hearing visitors’ questions and watching their reactions as they discover new places — whatever the weather may bring.
If she doesn’t know the answer to a question, Sonya makes it her personal mission to research and learn more, ensuring every tour becomes an opportunity to deepen her knowledge and share it with future guests.
Southampton Tours – Jason
Southampton Tour Guide
Whilst my own travels have largely been within Europe rather than across the globe, my true passion remains rooted here at home. There is nothing I enjoy more than meeting visitors from around the world and sharing the stories that make British history so unique. I love seeing our history through fresh eyes—and often come away from my tours with as many questions as answers.
Whether we’re exploring the grand sweep of British history or uncovering a local legend, there is always something new to discover—for me as much as for my guests. For me, a great tour is about more than just facts; it’s about sharing a journey through time and bringing the past to life for those experiencing it for the very first time.
Southampton Tours – Andrew
Andrew has always enjoyed meeting people and sharing the very best of southern England. With decades of experience behind the wheel — including coaching advanced driving and riding — guests are in safe, capable hands from the moment they step into the vehicle.
After 40 years in IT, Andrew swapped screens for scenery and now works from an “office” that changes every day. Whether guiding visitors through the ancient stones of Stonehenge or the streets of Salisbury and Winchester, he brings history to life with engaging stories, fascinating detail and the occasional tall tale (purely for entertainment, of course!).
Professional, knowledgeable and easy-going, Andrew ensures every tour is relaxed, informative and memorable.
Southampton Tours – Vince
Southampton Tour Guide