HISTORY WALKING TOURS IN THE UK

History Walking Tours in the UK: 15 Guides Who Know the Back Streets

31 walks  ·  from $11 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 history walking tours in the UK worth the money, each with its price, its length and the one thing to know before you commit.

A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour - Beginning beside Belfast City Hall
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A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

1.A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,883 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Walk central Belfast for 2.5 hours with a local English-speaking guide, visiting City Hall, Donegall Place, the Cathedral Quarter, Ann Street, and the Beacon of Hope. Guides such as James, Anne, Mylie, Róisín, and Rory bring political history and personal memories to a balanced account of The Troubles. Expect 1.5 miles of easy, flat walking.

“Excellent tour. Miley was a phenomenal guide. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn some fascinating history about Belfast.”

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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour - Meeting the guide near the Adam Smith statue
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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

2.Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,361 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Spend two hours walking Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with an English-speaking guide. Expect medieval streets, folklore, Scottish Enlightenment stories, Harry Potter connections, and stops near Mercat Cross, St. Giles Cathedral, and the Grassmarket. Guides such as Koffe, Max, Euan, Ben, and Graeme are known for lively storytelling and local tips.

“Mr G was very informative, friendly, and accommodating. We would absolutely recommend him. We would never have seen this city in such detail and short amount of time had we not have taken the tour. 5 stars!”

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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh - Guides who make the difference
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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

3.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with a local guide for about two hours. You’ll see St Giles Cathedral, Mercat Cross, George Heriot School, and Edinburgh Castle from outside while hearing lively tales of Scottish history. Guides such as Max, Greg, Angus, Jule, and Ben bring their own stories and humor. Comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing are essential.

“A very nice Edinburgh Old Town tour. I learned a lot, and Max guided us in a clear and engaging manner.”

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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History. - The Minster gives the route its grand backdrop
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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

4.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $18

Join Shadows of York at 6:30 pm outside the Guy Fawkes Inn for a 90-minute walk through York’s dark past. Guides such as Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie combine theatrical storytelling with gruesome history, taking you around the Minster and toward the Shambles. Expect cobbles, outdoor stops, a group of up to 35, and an entertaining English-language tour.

“Dan was our guide and he was phenomenal. Absolute best story teller I’ve encountered. He was also able to suggest some great places to eat after the tour completed. Highly recommend.”

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Private Historical Walking Tour of York - York Minster, from foundation to modern life
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Private Historical Walking Tour of York

5.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,324 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Walk York’s historic centre with a private guide such as Alan, Chris, Sean, Karen, or David. Over two to three hours, you’ll connect the Minster, York Castle, Clifford’s Tower, the Shambles, historic streets, and major buildings with stories from Roman, Viking, medieval, and Tudor York. Central hotel pickup is available.

“Great sense of humor and exceptionally knowledgeable. Good flow to the tour and ar just shy of 3 hours we saw all the mahor historical sites.”

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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour - Starting near St. Giles’ Cathedral and the Mercat Cross
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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

6.Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,290 reviews · 1h 15m · from $24

Join guides such as Hazel, Juniper, or Angelica outside Caffè Nero near St. Giles’ Cathedral for a 75-minute walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Hear the human stories behind Scotland’s witch trials, visit historic closes and streets, and finish at Grassmarket. Expect character-led storytelling, some humor, steep sections, and a respectful look at injustice.

“my tour was amazing! loved every second and was welcomed into Junipers little coven of baby 🧙‍♀️ Juniper is passionate about this terrible history of beautiful, clever and smarter than men ladies who were accused of witchcraft. loved every second & will happily go again! $$$ well spent 🥰🧙‍♀️💜🖤✨️”

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London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour - From St Paul’s to the old city lanes
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London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

7.Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,065 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $39

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”

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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour - Seeing Edinburgh as a city built in layers
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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

8.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Meet your professional guide at 10:30 a.m. on Edinburgh’s High Street for a two-hour walk through the Old Town. Expect medieval and modern history, legends, top landmarks, and lesser-known details before finishing at Greyfriars Kirkyard. The tour is listed in English, with French also offered in the tour description.

“German tour with Urs was full of historical places, explanations and fun. The best tour during our stay.”

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York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour - York Minster adds scale and a dose of real history
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York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

9.Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 928 reviews · 1h 15m · from $22

Follow a costumed witch guide through York for 75 minutes of true stories, local history, and theatrical fun. You’ll hear about Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, John Wrightson, and Margaret Clitheroe while visiting the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and more. Guides include Cornelius, Merlot, Willow, Nutmeg, and Nix.

“Cornelius Piper was a phenomenal guide. He was entertaining and enthusiastic about his work. My children and I enjoyed our tour.”

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A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour - Starting beneath the Royal Liver Building
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A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

10.A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 911 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Follow a historian-led walk from the Royal Liver Building through Liverpool’s medieval core, Town Hall, Castle Street, Old Dock, Liverpool ONE, and Royal Albert Dock. Guides John and Julio bring the city’s maritime trade, commerce, Atlantic history, and wartime past to life. Expect about 1 hour 50 minutes outdoors, in English, with no admission fees listed.

“Fantastic day. I was really blown away by this knowledgeable guide who is passionate about Liverpool. Excellent value and thoroughly enjoyed. I'm so glad we booked this.”

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Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour - How 800 years led to The Troubles
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Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour

11.A History of Terror Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 854 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $35

Walk 1.5 miles through Belfast with a local guide such as James, Mylie, Anne, or Steve. Over 2.5 hours, you’ll connect 800 years of history to The Troubles, visit bombing sites and former security points, and consider the city’s road to peace.

“Thank you for a wonderful tour of Belfast James was a wonderful tour guide, who was very knowledgeable and interesting the 2.5 hours went so fast and we learnt so much about Belfast history and the best places to visit. We were a very small group and James made the tour very personal to us all, which shows his knowledge and passion for Belfast. It will stay me for a long time. Already ordered the book that was recommended as I want learn more after the tour.”

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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour - Soho’s music story begins on the pavement
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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

12.Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 836 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $39

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.”

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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London - Starting at Piccadilly Circus at 2 pm
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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

13.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 803 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $44

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.”

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Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian - The Royal Mile and Edinburgh’s civic heart
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Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

14.3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 734 reviews · 3 hours · from $20

Spend three hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town with an Italian-speaking guide. Follow the Royal Mile, hear stories of Mary, Queen of Scots and the Scottish Enlightenment, see Edinburgh Castle, pause at Grassmarket, and visit Greyfriars Kirkyard. Guides including Alessandra, Dominga, and Davide bring different energy to the history and legends.

“La nostra guida Alessandra è stata cordiale e disponibile! Tour interessante! Consigliato!”

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Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London - The Old Bank of England changes the mood
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Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

15.Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 660 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $173

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.”

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New in History Walking Tours in the UK

★ 4.8Witches and History Bankside Walking TourFrom $24223 reviews
★ 4.8Historic London Pub Walking TourFrom $1894 reviews
★ 4.8A Walk Through Time: Full History Walking TourFrom $22184 reviews
★ 4.9Pubs & History Guided Walking Tour with BeerFrom $6274 reviews
★ 4.9Falmouth: Vibrant Historical Walking Tour (award-winning)From $2175 reviews
★ 4.8Pubs and History Guided Walking Tour with BeerFrom $62254 reviews
★ 4.8Dark History Royal Mile Walking TourFrom $20271 reviews
★ 4.83-Hour Historical Walking Tour in SpanishFrom $2099 reviews
★ 4.9Best of Belfast History, Culture & Art Walking TourFrom $35158 reviews
★ 4.9Belfast Walking Tour with a Local – History & CraicFrom $26130 reviews

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Food Walking Tours312History Walking Tours298Ghost and Haunted Walking Tours107Old Town Walking Tours181Private Walking Tours206City Highlights Walking Tours162
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