Nothing special is required; simply ensure you're wearing comfortable clothing and footwear. If the weather forecast highlights changeable conditions be prepared either way. If warm weather is forecast, bring some water or juice with you.
Check the weather using the BBC Weather website. This will help you decide whether it's sunglasses, sun block and t-shirts all the way, or rain jackets and umbrellas (leave the poison tips at home: there was enough trouble with one of those on Waterloo Bridge back in 1978).
As a general rule, walks will still proceed if rain falls: that's what umbrellas and rain jackets are for! If cloud bursts or lightning storms occur immediately before or during the tour, shelter will be sought wherever possible until conditions improve. Lengthy disruption however may result in shortening of the tour or early completion - not through choice though!
For winter walks, if ice and snow are present, conditions will be evaluated immediately before each walk. Again, if conditions worsen during a walk, shelter will be taken until there's a respite. Lengthy disruption however may result in shortening of the tour or early completion.
My friend went on the 'Trail a while ago and it varied from the one I went on.
Tours follow the same general route from the initial rendezvous point to the end point. The route may vary however if pedestrian restrictions are in place due to official events (e.g. races, demonstrations, ceremonies etc.).
In addition, given the sheer number of buildings and related stories on the route, it is impossible to include all of them within the normal time frame. Therefore, tour guide 'Mr.X' will decide on what is included on each tour, influenced by the walking speed of tour customers (hint: the faster you walk, the more that will be covered!) and also personal preference on the day (tour guides like a bit of variety!).
London is of course a travel photographer's dream; there's an abundance of great architecture and other sights to behold and record for posterity with your trusty camera.
In general, photographs of buildings can be taken if they can be seen from a public place such as a highway or pavement. However, in certain places such as Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square photography is only permitted providing it is for non-commercial (ie. personal tourist) purposes. For commercial purposes, permission can be granted upon payment of a fee to the Greater London Authority.
However, it is an offence to cause an obstruction if you are blocking a pathway, pavement etc. in order to take photographs. Generally though, police officers will initially ask politely that you move on - please do so if this is the case!
As we are going to be walking around former and current government buildings, photography is undertaken at your own risk. The 1911 Official Secrets Act states that it is an offence to take photographs of 'prohibited places' which may be useful to an enemy. The definition of 'prohibited places' encompasses many places.
Furthermore, Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 gives police officers and Police Community Support Officers 'stop and search' powers for anyone for "articles of a kind which could be used in conjunction with terrorism". It is also an offence to take or possess photographs that may be used in the committing of, or preparation of a terrorist act.
Common sense should be applied at all times. For instance, lots of tourists walk along Whitehall and will stop outside the Downing Street gates to take photographs. In general this is tolerated, and largely depends on the judgement of individual Metropolitan Police Officers who realise that certain buildings are tourist attractions in their own right as well as government buildings.
The Intelligence Trail is not liable for any loss or damage to photographic equipment.
I want to work in intelligence! Where do I find out more?
If the website or tour has whetted your appetite, then each of the UK intelligence services have websites containing further information about the employment opportunities available.
Good luck!