Published on Feb, 2025

If you are interested in learning, seeing and interacting with the remnants of the British colonial history through its legacy buildings (or not) this is the tour for you. My guide was Hareesh and he was just fantastic, very friendly, engaging and a wealth of knowledge about the buildings, the city and its history, as you would expect. This tour is a great counterpart to do with the Georgetown Heritage Walk with great symmetry but little overlap as it focuses more on the growth and expansion of Madras through the British Raj, rather than its foundation. A fantastic tour, do yourself the favor and make time for this one! TIP: Bring your water bottle and probably a hat.

Published on Feb, 2025

This tour is a great way to see the British architecture in Chennai. My guide Jainath was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about the architecture and history of the buildings and the city. He was very friendly and flexible When l said that I already had plans to visit one of the buildings on the tour, he offered to take me to another very interesting sight. I particularly enjoyed the short suburban train ride and the coffee at Central Station. I did a private tour, and was picked up punctually at my hotel. Both the driver and the car were excellent. I am very pleased to highly recommend this tour.

Published on Dec, 2024

Great walking tour around Chennai’s British architecture highlights. Hareesh was a knowledgeable and interesting guide. We enjoyed the walking, local trains and tuktuk transport.

Published on Nov, 2024

It felt typically British as we meandered around the old part of Chennai in the rain, but it did not dampen the guides enthusiasm! Hareesh took me on a tour of a range of British buildings in Chennai, explaining the history of the British time in the city and the changes they made. Meeting at Egmore station, he explained the different architectural influences on the building from British to Persian. We walked onto the Main station, learning about the effect on Chennai of the railways and the new modern metro system currently being installed. We then took the train for a stop, and took in the Ripon Building, which seemed so incongruous and, well, British, in a very Indian setting. It is still a government building, albeit with the odd addition of an Aircon unit. We passed the railway HQ, complete with a steam train, and finished with a walk around the University of Madras, which is an enchanting campus close to the beach. All in all a very interesting few hours, As a British I'm glad we did a few positive things in India, despite our aggressive colonial past. Hareesh speaks excellent English and is a very engaging guide who made time for a lovely cup of coffee. Communication from 5senses was good throughout.

Published on Oct, 2024

Great tour, lots of very interesting information. Talked love experience with train ride. Hareesh is a true sample of excellent tour guide. He demonstrated deep knowledge of history, warm personslity and highly motivated guide who truly loves history, city of Chennai, Indian culture. Highly recommended ! Thank you!