Who We Are
Marija Lapteva (Russian language)
Marija Lapteva is the founder and CEO of Bear and Lion Tours. A qualified of a Blue Badge as well as City of London and Parliamentary guiding badges, Marija has worked in tourism and hospitality for ten years, working at and with venues including The Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, the Atheneum Hotel and St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square.
Ruth Polling (English Language)
Ruth graduated top of her year as the London Blue Badge Tour Guide of the Year 2014. London born and bred, she has been guiding in London for three years and is an International History graduate from the London School of Economics.
Ruth worked in London politics for eleven years including working in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. In addition to tour guiding Ruth lectures and runs training courses on London history and politics.
Dave Marshall (English Language)
A qualified Blue Badge Guide, Dave has lived and worked in London for over 40 years. He was a history teacher for 20 of those, as well asa freelance journalist on national newspapers. Specialities include Beatles-themed walks, World War II themed walks, and crime & punishment-themed walks and panoramic tours.
