HISTORY WALKING TOURS IN LONDON
The small-group history walking tours in London go first and the good guides are booked out weeks ahead. Here are 8 to reserve before you land, and what separates them.
Spend 3.5 hours walking from St Paul’s toward Covent Garden, stopping at four historic pubs along the way. Guides such as Dave, Tim, Freddie, Shadow, and Lachlan mix London history, pub lore, humor, and drink tips. Bring comfortable shoes and money for drinks, which are not included.
“Really great guide with a lot of history background and able to make it a nice and also funny trip”
Meet your English-speaking guide beside the Eros statue at Piccadilly Circus, then walk through Soho’s music-soaked streets and visit four historic pubs. Hear stories about Lennon, Hendrix, Bowie, Mozart, The Beatles, and The Sex Pistols. Drinks are available to buy, but the tour price covers only the guide and walking tour.
“Ben was an excellent tour guide, a lot of knowledge and was very personable and interacted with everyone.”
Walk from Piccadilly Circus through St James’s with a local guide such as Ben, Luke, Henry, Tom, or Carlos. Visit about four historic pubs, hear stories of royals and famous London figures, and sample drinks at your own cost. The small group, capped at 12, keeps the afternoon personal and social.
“Great pub tour with Henry! Full of information and stories about the pubs and the locales. Made sure we got the best beers! Strongly recommend this tour.”
Walk through the City of London and Holborn with guides such as Lyndon, Lachlan, Adam, John, Ricky, and Freddie. Visit historic pubs including Black Friar, the Old Bank of England, and Princess Louise, while hearing stories about wartime London, Dickens, the courts, gin, ale, and local legends. Drinks are optional and paid separately.
“Fantastic tour! John is the best and very knowledgeable and fun! We visited many pubs and enjoyed the historical aspect of each pub we went to. Definitely recommend this tour.”
Meet by the winged statue at Piccadilly Circus and follow an English-speaking guide through royal London. You’ll visit four tucked-away historic pubs, hear stories about Churchill, royalty, Bond, Chaplin, and rock stars, and stop near Buckingham Palace. Guides may include Danny, Tom, Henry, Luke, Carlos, Ben, or Al.
“Our guide Henry was interesting well informed and engaged all the group to have a fabulous tour”
Join Mick Priestley for a lively two-hour walk from Tower Hill to St Paul’s. Cross Tower Bridge, see HMS Belfast, Borough Market, Winchester Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe, and more while learning how London grew around the Thames. Expect strong historical detail, hidden corners, photo stops, and a steady pace in all weather.
“Mick was great! We saw some historic sights which we would not found (not on the ‘normal’ tours), and Mick was on hand to explain the significance and background of the area. I found this a great tour (although my feet may not agree!)”
Follow a costumed witch guide such as Gary the Grey, Beatrix, or Veronica from Southwark Cathedral through Borough Market and Bankside. Hear true stories of London’s suspected witches, see The Clink, Winchester Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Millennium Bridge, and finish near St Paul’s. This English-language walk lasts 75 minutes and runs in all weather.
“Excellent! Gary the grey was funny, knowledgeable and a real character… we had a child with us and she loved asking him questions and learning with lots of laughs along the way. Highly recommended, thank you Gary for a great night x”
Start at Embankment Station and walk with an English-speaking guide to four historic pubs around Covent Garden. Expect local stories, pub folklore, time to buy drinks, and guaranteed seating at an 800-year-old licensed pub. Guides have included Rachel, Mike, Carolina, Adam, and Caroline.
“The tour was excellent, very informative and was a good way to see the town and quench your thirst at the same time!”
Pick a city, a century or a supper.
