coach tours london

Day tours from London

UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEYS INTO BRITISH HERITAGE

• Evan Evans Tours
• Day Tours From London

DAY TOURS FROM LONDON

A day tour from London by coach is the perfect way to venture beyond the capital and explore fascinating destinations that are a bit further afield. Our crafted itineraries are created with your preferences in mind, allowing you to either include entrances to destinations such as Windsor ,  Stonehenge , and  Bath , or enjoy free time to yourself and explore charming local areas at your own pace. 

Amongst insights and tales, our amazing and dedicated expert guides have so much to say. That’s why we’re the only tour operator that provides personal and digital audio headsets to all our guests. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of each destination, learning intriguing facts and anecdotes to impress your friends and family back home. Join us for a day of exploration, discovery, and unforgettable memories beyond London's bustling streets.

DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON

Why not choose from a selection of our most popular day tours from London?

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath

Our immersive and guided day tour to the impressive official Royal residence Windsor Castle, the world's top neolithic site, Stonehenge, and the beautiful Georgian city of Bath.

Epic Castles and the White Cliffs – Rochester and Dover Castle

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Oxford

Stonehenge and Bath Tours

Oxford & Cambridge Universities

Warwick Castle, Shakespeare's Birthplace & Oxford

Leeds Castle, Canterbury & Dover

Blenheim Palace, Downton Abbey Village & The Cotswolds

Stonehenge 'Inner Circle Access' & Windsor

Stonehenge & Windsor Tour

Recommended day trips from london, stonehenge & bath.

From £95.00

Visit two of England's UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this fantastic Stonehenge and Bath tour from London. Explore the beautiful Georgian city of Bath and visit Stonehenge, where you will decipher the mystery surrounding its construction over 5,000 years ago.

From £79.00

Explore the ancestral home of the British monarchy and largest occupied castle in the world before heading off to discover the mysterious Neolithic site at Stonehenge and the beautiful university city of Oxford.

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

As experts in sightseeing and driven by service, we're passionate about creating memories which will last our guests a lifetime.

EVAN EVANS PEACE OF MIND

You can book with us reassured that we have put numerous new hygiene measures in place, and be confident that your money is in safe hands with our flexible booking terms.

COMMITTED TO YOUR WELL-BEING

Book with confidence, make travel matter.

This is our goal. We recognize our responsibility to ensure our impact on the planet we call home, the people we visit, and the wildlife we find there, is a positive one. We take steps to address our impact in two ways; through our sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right, and through our TreadRight Foundation.

• Stonehenge Tours
• London Tours
• Harry Potter
• Paris Trips
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• Other Tours Open Top Bus Downton Abbey Lunch and Afternoon Tea Tower Of London London Eye Windsor Castle Evening Tours
• Contacts UK 020-7713-1311 US 1-800-815-4003
• All Products (29)
• Stonehenge Tours (9)
• London Tours (13)
• Paris Trips (8)
• Out Of London (10)
• Rock 'n' Roll (5)
• Harry Potter Tours (1)
• Open Top Bus (5)
• Downton Abbey (1)
• Lunch and Afternoon Tea (5)
• Windsor Castle (4)
• London Eye (4)
• Evening Tours (2)
• Value Tours (8)
• Tower of London (3)

Premium Tours offer a wide range of luxury coach tours and a vintage open top London bus tour. The coach tour begins with a tour of St. Paul's Cathedral, see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and ends at the London Eye. Our London bus tour can be packaged with an afternoon visit to Stonehenge or traditional pub lunch.

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• Windsor Castle Half Day
• Canterbury & Dove
• Stonehenge & Bath
• Harry Potter
• Canterbury & Dover
• Stonehenge & Avebury Stone Circles
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• Isle of Wight
• Stonehenge & Circles of Avebury
• Special Access – Evening
• Special Access – Morning
• Stonehenge & Windsor Castle from London
• Stonehenge Summer Solstice

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• The Roman Baths
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Outside London

For Private Tours Outside London Please Contact Us

Attractions & Activities

• The Roman Baths The Roman Baths

• Evening Cream Tea Evening Cream Tea

• Tower of London Tower of London

• River Cruise River Cruise

• Theatre: Live Shows Theatre: Live Shows

Anderson Travel

Day tours from london and attractions, day tours from london this week.

Stonehenge and Bath Guided Day Tour from London From £95

A chance to see the hard to reach locations. Absorb new horizons and see the landscapes wider. Add Entrance to the Roman Baths when booking and you will have a memorable experience. Includes a tour guide, coach transport and entrance.

Canterbury and Dover Guided Day Tour from London From £115

Take a day trip from London and visit Canterbury and Dover two of the most beautiful & historical parts of England. Includes a tour guide, entrances and coach transport.

Windsor Castle Half Day Trip from London Including Entry From £79

A Royal Experience: Our Windsor Castle Tour includes a tour guide, Windsor Castle entry and coach transport.

From London: The Cotswolds and Broadway Tower with Cream Tea From £129

This small group tour from London allows you to experience great English heritage in an inspiring location. It is designed to give you a more personal experience. Includes entry to the tower, a tour guide & coach transport.

From London: Stonehenge & the Stone Circles of Avebury From £109

This is a small group tour! Warm up to our surprise tour at West Kennet Long Barrow, a large Neolithic burial tomb and Silbury Hill, the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe. The tour includes a tour guide, entrances and coach transport.

The Cotswolds Guided Day Tour from London From £85

Come and tour the largest area of outstanding natural beauty in England. The Tour includes a tour guide and coach transport.

Oxford and Cambridge Guided Day Tour from London From £89

Take a day outside of London and explore the stunning architecture & rich history of 2 of the most famous cities in the UK. The tour includes a tour guide, coach transport and entrance.

Stonehenge and Windsor Castle Tour from London with Entry Tickets From £99

Spend more time touring the ancient and mysterious Stonehenge and Windsor home to the royal family. This tour includes Windsor castle tickets, Stonehenge entrance, a tour guide and coach transport.

Cardiff Day Trip from London From £99

Get a chance to embrace tradition and travel through the heart of history to see the places where nature and beauty combine. Includes a tour guide, coach transport and entrance.

London Rock and Roll Tour Including Abbey Road From £60

Small group tour of the Rock & Roll Landmarks of London, with a guide who worked in the industry for many years. Includes a tour guide, coach transport & entrances.

Isle of Wight Day Trip from London From £109

Take a day trip from London by coach to the beautiful Isle of Wight. Includes a tour guide, coach transport and entrance.

Glastonbury and Cheddar Gorge Guided Day Tour from London From £89

Adventure out of London into Somerset to areas full of history, legend & beautiful landscapes. The tour includes a tour guide, coach transport and entrance.

Private Tours from London

We also organise private tours for groups. From London tours to tours outside London. Using our luxury buses and coaches, we will pick you from a location in London or near London and drop-off at a location of your choice. The itinerary for a private group could include organising transportation, attraction entrances, guides, meals, accommodation, ferry crossings, Eurotunnel crossings and many more. For more information about the private tours we offer or to send us your itinerary please send us an email to [email protected].

Coach Tours from London

Discover daily coach trips from London to iconic spots like Stonehenge and the Cotswolds. Travel in style with our luxury coaches, expert guides, and all-inclusive packages.

Choose your London Pickup Location

We offer a range of pick-up points located in central & west London, all of which are easy to reach by public transport. You can choose to meet us at whichever pick-up point is most convenient for you.

Day Tours from London

Immerse yourself in the beauty of England with our guided day tours from London. Our knowledgeable team will lead you to both iconic sights and off-the-beaten-path treasures, all seamlessly experienced by coach.

For over 27 years we’ve strived to offer tours with the best service and outstanding value. We continue to improve and refine our tours with your enjoyment as our main priority.

Click here for the full list of attractions and day tours from London:

Privacy Overview

London sightseeing bus tours : places to visit in London

London themed tours.

Unique rooftop on wheels

• Catchy playlist
• Drinks available on board

London Kids Tour

Non-stop live guided bus tour

• Live guided in English
• Fun and educational

London by Night

Non-stop evening bus tour

• 3 walking tours
• Adult & kids commentary

London Christmas Lights Tour

• London's iconic lights

Hop-on hop-off tours: Discover London at your own pace

Must See London

Hop-on hop-off bus tour + cruise

• 1, 2 or 3 days
• 3 bus routes
• River cruise

London Discovery

Hop-on hop-off bus tour + walking tours

London Discovery + London By Night

Daytime hop-on hop-off bus tour + evening bus tour

• 3 daytime bus routes
• 1 night tour

Private Tour

Private Bus Hire London

For more details

• Team building
• Educational tours

Discover London with Tootbus , the must-do sightseeing bus tour experience!

 Enjoy our various routes to explore the city at your own pace, with panoramic views from our open-top deck buses .

Embark wherever you like on our different lines to discover London and all its iconic landmarks.  Our themed tours will immerse you in the heart of its history, culture, and architectural wonders. Whether with children on the Kids Tour , over a drink on the Bar Bus , or with your loved one on the Night Tour , there's something for everyone!

Continue your excursion beyond your sightseeing bus tour with Tootwalk . Our free guided walking tours , available through the Tootbus app on App Store and Google Play , will accompany you on your strolls in London, which will no longer hold any secrets for you. 

Let the city simply take you by surprise, welcome to London!

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The best lights of London by coach

Visiting London for a day trip or weekend away  by coach is a fabulous way to experience the capital city at its best. Why not book a brilliant weekend coach trip to London now for you and your loved ones and enjoy a fun packed getaway in the big smoke.

Visit the famous landmarks

London is famous around the globe for being the hustling, bustling, melting pot capital city of England. With so much to do and see, London is a fabulous destination for a weekend coach trip or a coach day trip. From visiting famous urban landmarks like Big Ben or the London Eye, to the hundreds of amazing food spots, the parks, the arts and historic sites, you will be hard pressed to run out of activities.

Professional customer-centred travel

When it comes to providing professional, flexible and customer-centred coach travel services to London, you can rely on Johnsons with confidence. With decades of experience in providing seamless coach travel services from weekend breaks in London by coach with overnight stays to outstanding day trips by coach to London. We also offer private and VIP coach hire for London and have the experience to help you get you where you want to go.

Fantastic London Great Breaks to explore!

We are proud to present a truly broad variety of day and weekend coach trips to London in our Great Breaks collection . Our coach trips to London offer a variety of experiences from cruising along the Royal River Thames or visiting the Chelsea Flower show in summer. For a short Great Break, our classic two-day, London City Break coach trip offers an overnight stay and the chance to explore the electric atmosphere of London’s landmarks, parks, theatre land and shopping.

Looking for a languid and uptown London coach trip experience?

Why not book onto our London Lunch Cruise and Kensington Palace G.B escapade and enjoy the uptown views and calming presence of the water of the river Thames. Our London based day and weekend coach trips are designed and curated to give you the most possible time to be making your memories, fully immersed in the magic of London.

Why book a luxury Coach trip to London?

Adding a touch of luxury to your coach trip to London is easy when you book with Johnsons. With many of our London coach trips being taken in our executive coaches with our club class extra legroom specification, you can sit back and enjoy the journey in ultimate comfort and safety.

Choose Johnsons Coaches for your London Coach Trips

If you’re looking to hire a coach privately for a large group you can also do so by contacting the Johnsons private hire bookings team on [email protected] . If you’re after a VIP coach hire service in London, then look no further than Johnsons to meet your requirements. Whether you’re organising a day trip to London to see a show or to attend an event, for large group corporate events or parties, we have the experience and coaches to meet all of your London coach travel needs.

Contact Johnsons today

To discuss what options are available to you or to book one of brilliant London coach trips or holidays , contact a member of our friendly books team on 01564 797 000 or email us on [email protected] .

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17 Best London Bus Tours in 2023 (ranked!)

This post contains affiliate links for which I may make a small commission to help keep the site running. You will not be charged extra for these items had you not clicked the links. Thank you for your help to keep the site running!

Ready to tour London by bus?

You’ve come to the right place. I live in London, and have spent a lot of time figuring out the best London bus tours so that you can make the most of your trip to this incredible city.

In this guide, we’re going to explore the best 17 London bus tours – all led by expert guides who want to share their knowledge and help you have a memorable time.

If you’re like, just cut to the chase already, then don’t worry.

⏳ Don’t have time to read the whole list?

The best London bus tour is this Hop-On and Hop-Off bus tour .

Click here to check prices and availability.

The best London bus tour if you want the classic sightseeing experience is this Big Bus Hop-On and Hop-Off Bus Tour and the best bus tour in London if you want something a bit different is this Spooky London Ghost Vintage bus tour.

They both have hundreds of amazing reviews, so there’s no going wrong.

London is a massive city that can be much easier to explore by bus, and there are plenty of London bus tours that will cater to your specific interests, whether that be music history, architecture, filming locations in London , or something else entirely!

If you want to see what your other options are, here are the best London bus tours that are definitely worth your time.

PS – booking in advance is highly, highly recommended so you don’t miss out.

Easy Guide: Best London Bus Tour Picks

Best classic bus tours in london, 1. big bus hop-on hop-off classic london tour.

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 7,300+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1-3 day pass | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Big Bus is the most iconic London bus tour and one of my favorite of the sightseeing tours that are hop-on/hop-off style.

Choose the red route if you have less time, or the blue route if you want to see more of London, and enjoy being whizzed around the city with information at each stop about what you’re looking at (the worst kind of bus tour is one where they don’t even tell you!).

Big Bus operate in multiple cities around the world, so the formula isn’t new in London, but it’s a tried-and-tested hop-on and hop-off tour, and that’s why it makes my list as the best one if you’re just going to do one bus tour in London.

2. Vintage London Bus Tour with Optional London Eye

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 370+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

The difference between this bus tour and a normal sightseeing tour is that you get to travel in style on a vintage London bus, not one of the ugly themed hop-on and hop-off bus styles.

The London Eye can also be included in your sightseeing ticket, which is a fantastic way to cover both at once as you’ll finish at the London Eye and not waste any time in traveling there (because the bus will take you!).

This is not a hop-on and hop-off variation, so this is also great if you don’t really need to get on or off and just want to sit and enjoy the views.

3. London Tootbus Must-See Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 3,500+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 – 2 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW!

Tootbus is newer on the scene in London when it comes to bus tours, but they’re doing amazing and have fantastic reviews and lots of repeat customers.

There are three different circuits to choose from to customize your London bus experience, and the upper deck is obviously the best place to sit (particularly when you’re going over the bridges!).

Tootbus is a great option for families with kids in London , as it has a little bit more of a casual vibe than the Big Bus options.

4. London Vintage Bus Tour with Thames Cruise

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 170+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Want to combine your London sightseeing bus tour with a Thames river cruise?

This is your best bet!

So many people want to do both during their time in London, and this is a great option for that, combining land and river for an epic sightseeing day out.

For the record, I prefer doing a sightseeing cruise with sightseeing bus in the warmer months, and a sightseeing bus with the London Eye (a previously listed tour – scroll up a bit) during the colder months just for comfort.

5. Golden Tours Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 600+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 day | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Golden Tours offer a hop-on and hop-off sightseeing tour around London that rivals the other big companies, and they are easy to spot with their blue and orange coloring.

I love that the front of the upper deck is covered in case the weather is bad, while the back of the top is open to the elements in case the sun is shining (or you just want to brave it!).

They do audio tours instead of live guides on their buses, so it’s better if you want that pre-recorded experience or have already tried Big Bus or Tootbus.

Best Night Bus Tours in London

6. london by night open top sightseeing tour.

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 540+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

London is completely different at night , and even if you’ve done a London sightseeing tour during the daytime, a London bus tour at night is such a memorable experience that I recommend to all visitors.

This tour takes you all around the most iconic London attractions to see them lit up and sparkling in the dark, including the bright lights of the London Eye, the Tower of London , and the iconic Westminster Abbey.

You’ll get to see a side of the city that many people never see, and it can be a great thing to do on your first night in London to try and beat that jet lag.

7. London Christmas Lights at Night Bus Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 130+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 45 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Deck the halls in London with a beautiful Christmas lights bus tour during the winter season.

There is something so insanely magical about London in winter when the Christmas lights are on, and this tour will take you right down some of the most important streets like Oxford Street and Regent’s Street.

The best part is that on the upper deck, you’ll be right under and right up close to the lights, as well as have a great vantage point to lights on the sides of the street lighting up the shops.

It’s a really wonderful tour to take in London in the winter if you’re visiting around the holiday season, and one I recommend to my friends and family often.

Best Music Bus Tours in London

8. rock music bohemian soho and north london tour.

⭐️  RATING:  5 of 5 Stars, 12+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3.5 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

From Pink Floyd’s studio to the former home of Rod Stewart, the Rock Music Bohemian tour will take you through some of London’s most boho neighborhoods to let you into the world of rock music legends like The Clash, the Beatles, Sting, and so much more.

You’ll get to take a bus around town, meaning you can hit more places than if you go on a walking tour, and along the way you’ll also get to enjoy the architecture and charm of Camden, Islington, and of course the iconic Abbey Road.

Listen to the music blasting from your bus as you tour around the city, perfectly timed with the stops, and enjoy this wonderful world of London rock music with an expert (and hilarious) guide.

9. London Rock Legends Bus Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 350+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Another fantastic option for music fans, the London Rock Legends bus tour is a great choice if you’re wanting to see Notting Hill, Soho, Chelsea, and more – and if those don’t ring a bell to you, think: Ringo’s House, Jimmy Page’s house, and tons of Queen-related locations.

You’ll zip around the city with your guide and leave feeling like you’ve truly learned something new about the musical history of London – this tour is similar to the one mentioned above, so choose which one works best for your schedule.

10. A Ticket to Ride: Beatles in London Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.6 out of 5 Stars, 170+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  2 hours 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Join the Beatles’ vibe on a chill evening bus tour through London, catching the city all lit up.

Cruise through the ‘Beatlemania’ era, from 1962 to 1969, and beyond, hitting up Mayfair, Marylebone, St John’s Wood, and the edge of Soho. Celebrate the ‘Fab Four’ spanning over 50 years.

Swing by cool spots like the Scotch of St James Club and other joints where the Beatles hung out.

Check out the pads and offices of the band members and their manager Brian Epstein, where they partied, met their significant others, and did their thing.

And, of course, take a casual stroll across the iconic Abbey Road crossing near the legendary recording studio.

11. London Rock Music Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 830+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  8 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Wanna dive into London’s rock history?

From where the Rolling Stones rocked their first record at ‘Tin Pan Alley’ to the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing, this tour has got it all covered.

Take your pick between morning, afternoon, or go all-in with the full-day London Rock Music Tour.

Check out Abbey Road, swing by Apple HQ, drop by Paul’s House, Ringo’s place, and Jimmy Page’s crib, plus a bunch more.

Your rock-savvy guide will dish out insider stories about your favorite musicians while giving you the lowdown on all things music.

Best Ghost Bus Tours in London

12. spooky london ghost vintage bus tour.

⭐️  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars, 480+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Join your spooky guide as you hit up notorious local haunts, hearing tales of restless spirits and passing by places with a dark history—St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the infamous Fleet Street.

As you roll through the city, keep an eye out for top attractions like Tower Bridge while your guide spills the beans on London’s haunted past.

The cherry on top?

You’ll be cruising in a retro 1960s Routemaster with a Gothic twist.

Get set for a laid-back, eerie adventure through the spookier side of London!

13. Comedy London Ghost Bus Tour

⭐️  RATING:  4.3 out of 5 Stars, 1300+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Get ready to hop on the Necrobus for a ride on the creepy side of London! It’s like the city’s spooky history comes to life.

With on-board actors and tech tricks, this tour is all about giving you the heebie-jeebies while checking out London’s coolest and eeriest spots.

Picture this: a creepy conductor sharing all the ghostly deets, from haunted palaces to secret burial grounds.

The Ghost Bus Tour takes you all around town, hitting up the West End and cruising south of the river.

You’ll get the lowdown on Westminster Abbey, Fleet Street, The Tower of London, and London Bridge—all while soaking in the eerie vibes of the city’s oldest and most historic places.

Best Afternoon Tea Bus Tours in London

14. english afternoon tea bus with panoramic tour of london.

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 150+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 30 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Ditch the crowds and hop on a double-decker bus to check out the coolest London landmarks without any obstructions.

Cruise around, see way more stuff than you would on foot, and to top it off, indulge in some classic British afternoon tea while you ride.

There’s even a bunch of menu options, so you can munch on what you love. It’s like soaking up the vibes of London while enjoying good eats and drinks on the upper deck.

Perfect for newbies trying to figure out the city!

15. Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus in London

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 900+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  1 hour 25 minutes | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Brigit’s is one of the most iconic afternoon tea buses in London, and you can’t go wrong with one of their afternoon tea bus tours .

In addition to the regular sightseeing tour, they also offer specialty afternoon tea London bus tours like ones for kids featuring Paddington, as well as ones during the holiday season where everything gets a good dose of Christmas as you look at the lights while enjoying tea.

They’re absolute professionals at making sure that you have the best time seeing the city with your pinkies up, and visitors to the city always rate this as one of their favorite things to do in London.

Best London Movie Bus Tours

16. magical harry potter london bus tour.

⭐️  RATING:  4.5 out of 5 Stars, 130+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  3 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Harry Potter fans, all aboard!

Not the Hogwarts Express, sadly, but the Magical Harry Potter London Bus tour, where you’ll zip past so many Harry Potter filming locations while on tour.

London was where many of the scenes of the “muggle” world were filmed, and you can recognize important attractions like the Millennium Bridge featuring heavily in the movie franchise as the bridge the dementors destroy in the 6th film.

But it doesn’t stop there.

From the origins of Diagon Alley to other Harry Potter filming locations throughout the city, this is the perfect Harry Potter tour in London to pair with the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford to make sure you’ve truly followed in the footsteps of the Boy who Lived.

17. James Bond Bus Tour of London

⭐️  RATING:  5 out of 5 Stars, 30+ reviews | ⏳  TOUR LENGTH:  4 hours | ✔️  BOOK NOW

Dive into the awesome world of 007 with this super cool 4-hour James Bond tour around London!

Follow the footsteps of your favorite spy as you hit up filming spots from classics like ‘GoldenEye,’ ‘The World is Not Enough,’ and ‘Die Another Day,’ as well as recent hits like ‘Spectre,’ ‘Skyfall,’ and ‘No Time to Die.’

Get the lowdown on Bond trivia, from Sean Connery to Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

Feel the spy vibes for real as you cruise past MI6, the actual spy headquarters in London.

Kick back in a comfy mini-coach with live commentary, and soak up the cinematic thrill of Bond’s adventures all over the city!

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Heading to London? Want the best tips?

Check out my Ultimate Guide to London for Visitors. Using text, images and video, this guide is packed full of tips, tricks, safety advice, knowledge on how to get around and what to do, and more!

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Small group guided tours of England and the UK from London

Small groups.

#1 rated small group day tours from London. See the best of England with a family run company, and tour on a luxury bus with an expert guide. 

The Cotswolds, Oxford & Stratford upon Avon

Canterbury, dover castle and cliffs & kent villages, great guides, stonehenge, bath & a secret place ®, one day tours..

Make the most of your time in London with a guided tour of England’s must see destinations. Our bus tours take the back roads, with a great guide in a small group on our award winning day trips from London. Visit Stonehenge, Cotswolds, Oxford, Bath, Canterbury, Stratford-upon-Avon, Dover, Bruges & more. Don’t get lost in the crowd. Join The English Bus for the best tour experience.

Stonehenge, Bath & A Secret Place ®

The cotswolds, oxford & stratford upon avon, canterbury, dover castle and cliffs & kent villages, a cotswolds village, bath and stonehenge, warner bros. studio tour london - the making of harry potter & oxford, winter solstice sunrise tour at stonehenge 2024, belgium – a day in beautiful bruges.

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" We already had high expectations for this tour, but the English Bus managed to exceed them. "Johny," our guide/driver, struck a perfect balance between professionalism and humor. The 'secret place' was the icing on the cake. " Christopher, Massachusetts, USA - a TripAdvisor reviewer

"Lilly was absolutely LOVELY! She was enthusiastic and humorous and very well-informed! The English Bus has mastered the day tour! Thank you Lilly for one of the best days of our vacation." Karen, San Diego, USA - a TripAdvisor reviewer

"Our tour guide, Lilly was wonderful. She mixed history, culture, and enthusiasm in a way that brought the whole experience alive! The tour group size was perfect, small, but enough people to interact." Daniel, USA - a TripAdvisor reviewer

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Europe Tours & Trips from London

Find your perfect adventure! We have 452 tours of Europe that start in London, England. The most popular month is August, and tour lengths range between 2 and 61 days.

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European Horizon (Start London, End London, 11 Days)

Amazing, Remi has the best recommendations for every place we visited.

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European Discovery (Summer, Start Amsterdam, Classic, 12 Days)

Couldn't recommend this the European Discovery Tour enough!! It definitely is fast pace but the Bus rides help to break it up.

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Classic Europe

The trip was perfect!!!! The tour itinerary was perfect everything flowed from the shops the tours everything!

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Best of UK & Ireland

The destinations we visited were all pretty cool. Wish that we could have spent more time at some of them.

Essential Britain & Ireland

The bus was very comfortable and even had USB ports for charging. We really enjoyed the optional live Irish dancing and show and dinner.

Britain and Ireland Delight (Summer, 8 Days)

I really enjoyed the trip

England, Scotland and Ireland end Dublin

As the one year anniversary approaches, I wish I could do this trip again!

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The European wirl was amazing. It was my trip of a lifetime.

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This tour was fabulous! We highly recommend it!

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Play & Pause: Central Europe Highlights

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Britain & Ireland Explorer (Classic, 13 Days)

We had a great holiday and highly recommend insight tours. We had lovely hotels and a fantastic tour guide.

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I absolutely loved being able to go on my trip. I got to meet so many like-minded people on it and do so much more than I ever imagined possible in 11 days!

I had an amazing experience touring Europe with Rianna. She was organised, fun, creative and knowledgeable. I learned lots from Ri but also had a lot of laughs. The trip experience was fast paced and could have been chaotic but with Ri's guidance and travel expertise it flowed seamlessly. 10/10

We wanted to leave this review for Adam, our tour guide and Florin, our bus driver. They were absolutely amazing on our tour. We felt very fortunate to have them right from the moment the tour started. Adam is kind, knowledgeable and made us feel safe every step of the way. This was our very first overseas trip and we came from Australia. For us, it was a big moment in our life. We felt very grateful to be in the hands of Adam and Florin. Adam ran the tour with expertise and fun. He had everything organised, our itinerary for each day was set out and everything was explained very well. We have met life long friends, saw so many amazing places, ate some delicious food and overall had the most wonderful time. Loved every part of our experience. Thank you so much Adam.

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London and Paris Explorer

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9 Day London and Paris Sightseeing Tour

9 days, 2 countries and 7 cities

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8 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

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Experience all the main icons of two great cities on this London and Paris trip. Enjoy an in-depth discovery of London with a side visit to Windsor, Bath, and the mystical giants of Stonehenge. It’s just a hop across the pond to Paris to explore, dine and live like a local as you soak up its joie de vivre.

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9 days itinerary trip from London to Paris visiting 2 countries and 7 cities

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore London and Paris

Discover Bath and Windsor

Visit the Roman Baths in Bath, Stonehenge, and the Palace of Versailles

View the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

See Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace in London and the White Cliffs of Dover

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Avoid These Tourist Traps In London And Visit These Destinations Instead

O ne of the world's greatest cities, London is packed with tourist attractions so impressive that you'll want to add them all to your itinerary. From the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace to the Churchill War Rooms, the list of unmissable landmarks seems endless. Don't worry, though -- it's possible to visit most of them in just a two-day trip . When you're on a tight schedule, it's important to avoid time- and money-wasting tourist traps in favor of visiting sites that are worthy of your attention. 

Whether it's an overrated and overpriced wax museum, a kitschy dungeon experience, or a super crowded viewpoint, there are many places to avoid visiting in the U.K.'s heady capital. The confusing part? Some of them top multiple lists of must-see attractions. That's where we come in. 

As someone who lived in this captivating English city for six years, I have first-hand knowledge of the biggest tourist traps to avoid when traveling to London. Plus, I can offer more impressive (and often less costly) destinations to visit instead. Don't want to take my word for it? No problem. I combined my first-hand knowledge with reviews and suggestions from other locals to create this list.

Read more: 50 Underrated Tourist Destinations Around The World

Skip Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours And Ride A London Bus

While hop-on hop-off bus tours can be a convenient way to explore a big city, they often come with a hefty price tag. If the tour is based in London, you can expect to pay over $50 per adult for a one-day pass. Instead, board a London bus, which will cost less than $7 for a day of travel. Bus fare for one ride is about $2 and the daily cap is under $7. To pay for their ride, visitors must use a contactless card or an Oyster Card, the visitor's version of which can be purchased online and mailed to your home before you leave.

Double-decker London buses offer spectacular city views, with many routes passing right by London's landmark attractions. One of our faves is the historic Routemaster Bus 15, which we suggest boarding at the Tower of London. Hop on at Great Tower Street (Stop TT) and ride west to Charing Cross Station. Be sure to sit up top for the best views along this heritage route -– you can't miss St. Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square. 

Bus 24 is another great option for sightseers. Hop on at Victoria Station and ride it to Camden High Street. Along the way, you'll pass Westminster Abbey, the Horse Guard's Parade, Trafalgar Square, and Downing Street. Grab a bite at Camden Market when you disembark or stay on until you reach Hampstead Heath where you can catch unbeatable views of the city.

Skip Madame Tussauds And Visit Buckingham Palace

It may tout itself as a top London attraction, but Madame Tussauds would be more honest if they said they were the top rip-off site. Booking in advance will save some money -- the standard online rate for an adult begins at just over $47 versus the walk-up price, which begins at almost $60. But that's still a lot of quid to dish out for wandering around an overcrowded and noisy space filled with okay-ish wax replicas of A- and B-list celebs. Yes, it's fun to take photos with the royal family and fool friends into thinking you met them IRL, but is it worth it? We don't think so.

Instead, we suggest visiting Buckingham Palace for a potential King Charles III sighting. Realistically, you probably won't spy a royal outside the palace, but at least you'll see a historic monument up close. Celebrities more your thing? Book a reservation at one of the city's most popular restaurants. Chiltern Firehouse has hosted acting greats Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper as well as soccer superstar David Beckham. 34 Mayfair is another good bet for great food and celeb spotting. Imelda Staunton and royal family members have all eaten here.

Skip Changing Of The Guard And Visit The Queen's Gallery

While you should add Buckingham Palace to your list of must-see London tourist attractions, you may want to avoid a visit during the Changing of the Guard. This formal ceremony marks the change between the old guard (on-duty soldiers) and new guard (soldiers taking over duty) for the royal palaces. Marching with a band from Wellington Barracks to the Palace, the new guard will arrive at the palace at about 10:45 a.m. A well-known event, this is a big tourist draw, which means you can expect hefty crowds queuing up an hour or more in advance, as well as pickpockets who arrive to take advantage of the chaotic atmosphere. This tourist trap, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, is one you'll be happy to miss. Sadly, watching this famed ceremony these days feels more like witnessing an overhyped marching band than it does an esteemed historic ritual.

Instead, ditch the crowds and glimpse art from the Royal Collection in the Queen's Gallery or visit the Royal Mews , where you can see the royal stables and the 260-year-old Gold State Coach used at King Charles III's Coronation. The Mews are open Thursday through Monday from early March to early November. Neighboring St. James Park is another interesting place to visit. One of London's famed Royal Parks, it is bordered by three palaces and boasts a fabulous view of Buckingham Palace in particular.

Skip Platform 9 ¾ At King's Cross Station And Visit Warner Brothers Studio Tour London

If you're traveling with a Harry Potter-obsessed kid, you may want to visit Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station. But if you're alone, or with other adults who couldn't care less, we advise you to skip this overrated tourist trap. If you're already planning to be in King's Cross Station and have time to scope out this attraction, that's one thing; but if you're traveling there with the sole purpose of visiting this site, think twice. 

Set between platforms 9 and 10 (obvs) this point of interest includes nothing but a brick wall denoted with a sign. Stuck into the wall is part of a trolley loaded with fake suitcases and an empty owl cage. Those hoping for a quick photo and to score some Potter swag will be pleased;  the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ is open daily, even on bank holidays, and it sells everything from wands to clothes to makeup. 

For those who'd rather have an unforgettable and truly magical Harry Potter experience, though, head to Warner Brothers Studio Tour London -- The Making of Harry Potter in nearby Leavesden. Instead of merely looking at a wall, visitors can board the Hogwarts Express, "fly" on a broomstick, walk through the Great Hall, and explore the Forbidden Forest. Step foot in Diagon Alley, try a Butterbeer, or check out some of the film's famous props and costumes. You won't be sorry you visited.

Skip London Dungeon And Visit The Tower Of London

No matter how much the kids beg you to visit the London Dungeon, stay strong and just say "no." This kitschy tourist trap is a waste of your hard-earned money (tickets start at over $37 for adults) and it's so hokey you'll roll your eyes more times than you can count on both hands. This pitiful attraction is peppered with costume-clad actors who like to scream and cackle and its two rides (the Drop Dead: Drop Ride and the Tyrant Boat Ride) will make you wish you were at Walt Disney World; even "It's a Small World" would be more enjoyable. An escape room has also been added to increase the venue's income stream –- it costs $153 for a private game for six people.

Want a historic experience with a side of chills? Head to the Tower of London instead. There, you can tour the Torture at the Tower Exhibition, where you can get up close and personal with the stretching machine (a.k.a. the rack) and other ancient torture devices in the Lower Wakefield Tower. The Bloody Tower is another point of interest you won't want to miss. The most infamous prison on the grounds, this is where you'll learn about the alleged murder of two young princes -– Edward V and his little brother Richard –- by their uncle, Richard III.

Skip The London Bridge Experience And Visit Churchill War Rooms

Looking for a good spooking? Do yourself a favor and skip The London Bridge Experience. A tourist trap designed to bring the city's macabre history to life with the help of actors with a penchant for jump scares, you can expect to meet zombie-like versions of ghastly heavyweights Jack the Ripper and William Wallace during your visit. Tickets cost about $37 for the experience, which takes anywhere between 35 and 50 minutes. That means you could be spending more than $1 a minute. Entry fees also include a trip to the London Tombs, deemed the U.K.'s "best scare attraction," according to their site . Zombified dentists, doctors, and creepy clowns await visitors in the lower vaults of this venue, ready to pounce and scream in your face.

Instead, we suggest visiting the Churchill War Rooms. Also located underground, this fascinating historic facility is part of the Imperial War Museums. Located in the basement of Whitehall, this once-secret complex was used by former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, top government ministers, and military planners to conduct meetings and develop plans during the country's war effort during World War II. Known as the Cabinet War Rooms, this clandestine spot was used daily during the war, until August 16, 1945. Or experience that stomach drop feeling by walking the glass floors at Tower Bridge. Set nearly 138 feet above the Thames, the views are both terrifying and impressive. Tickets cost under $16 per adult. 

Skip The Sherlock Holmes Museum And Visit The Sherlock Holmes Pub

We don't recommend visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum unless you have a detective-obsessed kid who doesn't realize that the famed character is fictional. Set inside a Georgian townhouse at 221B Baker Street in Marylebone, this four-story museum has been open since 1990. Inside lie antique furnishings mentioned in the books and pretty creepy-looking mannequins. Tickets cost over $21 which isn't exorbitant, especially for London, but considering you won't be there long (the museum's quite small), this seems a bit of a waste.

Instead, head to The Sherlock Holmes  in St James. Self-described as a "Victorian-themed public house," this watering hole features a recreated version of the famed fictional detective's apartment upstairs. The entire pub is dotted with references to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved books, making it easy to feel as if you're within the pages. Plus, there's a beer garden –- the museum certainly doesn't have one of those.

Skip The SEA Life London Aquarium And Visit The London Zoo

You'll find everything you'd expect to see at the SEA Life London Aquarium. From penguins to sharks to turtles, they're all there. And as far as aquariums go, this is a pretty good one. But when you're in one of the world's greatest cities that lies on the banks of a river, not an ocean, there are plenty of better things to see. Standard tickets to the Sea Life London Aquarium cost $24 online or $51 at the door. Again, that's pretty on par for London attractions, however, it's a steep price to pay for a tourist trap. 

Instead, visit London Zoo in Regent's Park. The oldest scientific zoo in the world, this family-friendly attraction was opened in 1828 for fellows of the Zoological Society of London. In 1847, the public was invited to visit. Today, the zoo is home to 14,0000 animals including a giant, 425-pound silverback gorilla, Sumatran tigers, and Linne's two-toed sloths. While tickets aren't cheap (an adult will cost about $40 to visit on a weekday), it's easy to spend a whole day here. Or, if you aren't willing to part with that much cash, visit the smaller, and lesser-known, Battersea Park Children's Zoo . Adult tickets are more reasonably priced, at $16. There are over 100 animals at this little zoo, including wallabies, meerkats, otters, and lemurs, and plenty of opportunities to interact with animals like coatis, donkeys, and goats.

Skip The Shard And Visit Level 10 At The Tate Modern

There's no denying that The Shard is impressive. In fact, it's one of the most spectacular buildings in the world . The viewing platform was opened by the queen on February 1, 2013, with the main restaurants (Aqua, Oblix, and Hutong) following suit that summer. Set across the Thames from another bucket-list-worthy London building, the Gherkin, this engineering masterpiece towers 1,016 feet above the city and boasts 11,000 glass panels. 

Dubbed a "vertical city," there's plenty to do inside, like spend serious coin on a meal with a view, or zip up one of the 44 elevators to the viewing platform. That 360-degree view will cost you, though -- about $36, or more if you add a glass of champagne. And if you visit on a day that's rainy or misty (honestly, London is often both of those things), you're basically paying for a ride in a lift.

Instead, head to Level 10 at Tate Modern, where you can enjoy a drink or snack (including sandwiches and salads) while ogling the impressive view of the Thames, St. Paul's Cathedral, the BT Tower, and Blackfriar's Bridge. You won't have to pay a thing unless you choose to grab a bite or a warm cuppa. The Skygarden at 20 Fenchurch Street is another must-visit for a free skyline vista. The highest public garden in London, this leafy space is as stunning as its views are remarkable.

Skip The London Eye And Visit Hamstead Heath

We are well aware that some of you will disagree with this addition to our list of tourist traps to avoid when traveling to London, but hear us out. Yes, the London Eye is iconic. Yes, it offers fantastic views of the city. And yes, it's deemed a top London attraction you won't want to miss . That said, visiting this popular landmark can cause more headaches than enjoyment. First created as a temporary point of interest, this 443-foot-tall, "cantilevered observation wheel" is the largest of its kind in the world, according to its website . And if you catch a ride on one of its 32 pods on a sunny day, you can see up to 25 miles in all directions. The problem is that thousands of others have the same idea, which means you could stand in line for more than two hours on a particularly busy day. Standard tickets start at over $32 online or more than $57 for a walk-up.

Instead, visit Hampstead Heath for a unique city view you probably never knew existed. Parliament Hill stands over 321 feet tall, making it one of the highest natural points in the city. If the weather is ideal, you can see to the Gherkin, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Houses of Parliament. Speaking of the Gherkin, it's another great spot to enjoy unparalleled views. Grab a drink and snack at Iris Bar at Searcys at the Gherkin , then relax with a side order of stunning vistas.

Skip Harrods And Visit Peter Jones And Liberty

Harrods is to London as the Colosseum is to Rome -– a historic icon that's become synonymous with the city. The world's most famous luxury department store, this Knightsbridge institution is impossible to miss -– it's eight floors tall and an entire block long, not to mention over one million square feet in size. Inside, you'll find 20 restaurants, a beauty salon, a bank, and 300 separate departments selling over 5,000 brands. You'll also see price tags so high you might suffer sticker shock. Due to its notoriety, Harrods is often packed with tourists, making it difficult to enjoy the plush interior.

If you're hoping to shop during your London holiday, there are plenty of excellent places to visit instead. Sloane Square is home to the Peter Jones & Partners department store. Owned by John Lewis, this vast shop is filled with enough enticing merchandise that you'll find it tough to leave empty-handed. Grab a bite at The Top Floor Restaurant (on the 6 th floor) for captivating views of Chelsea and beyond.

Liberty is another recognizable landmark located on Regent Street. A heritage-listed building; this stunning Tudor-style store is as beautiful outside as it is indoors. Built between 1922 and 1924, it is worth a visit, if only to admire the impressive architectural features (the price tags here are also quite shocking).

Our Ranking Methodology

Having lived in London for six years with two young children, I visited pretty much every tourist attraction the city has. From renowned points of interest like the Tower of London to remarkable museums, I've seen the top sightseeing destinations multiple times, including many kitschy tourist traps I wish I'd skipped. To create this list, I used my experiences at these attractions to determine which locales are tourist traps that should be avoided and I included alternatives that are more than worthy of your time and money. I also consulted reviews from other locals and travelers, as well as their tips, to ensure the list is solid.

Read the original article on Explore .

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All the Taylor Swift events and parties happening in London for the Eras Tour

From drag brunches and quizzes to party buses and mini-golf, the capital is officially entering its Eras Tour era

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour isn’t just any world tour. So far, it’s boosted economies by millions of pounds, created literal shockwaves and has spawned hundreds of spin-off parties in each and every city she’s performed in.

After stopping off in North and South America, Australia and parts of Europe, soon it will be London’s turn to host the Eras Tour . If you’re heading to the real thing and just want to warm up your vocal chords for ‘All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)’ or you missed out on tickets but still want to get your Eras fix, here’s our comprehensive roundup of all the Swiftie shindigs happening across the city. 

RECOMMENDED: 🏡  You can stay in these official Taylor Swift Eras Tour-inspired Airbnbs in London . 🎤  Taylor Swift in the UK: Eras Tour timings, setlist and everything you need to know .

T aylor Swift events and parties in London

Taylor swift themed quiz at waterstones piccadilly.

Who does the red scarf belong to? What's Tay’s lucky number? Were these words written by Swift or Shakespeare? Put your Swiftie knowledge to the test at this quiz hosted by author Kat McKenna at Waterstones Piccadilly. Stick around after the quiz is over to take part in some friendship bracelet making. It’s happening on June 11 at 6.30pm. You can secure your place here . 

Swiftageddon

The OG of Taylor raves. In its own words, this clubnight is ‘dedicated to worshipping at the altar of Taylor Swift’ and has organised a bunch of pre-parties at Troxy ahead of the main event. It’ll start with a night dedicated to the songs of  Fearless, Speak Now  and  Red  on Friday, June 7 then pay homage to 1989 ,  Reputation, folklore  and  Lover  on Saturday, June 8, followed by  Debut, evermore, Midnights  and  The Tortured Poets Department  on June 15.  You can book your ticket here . 

Taylor Swift Drag Brunch at OXBO Bankside 

Die hard Swiftie Sofia Stardust will be polishing up real nice and hosting a one-off Taylor-themed bottomless drag brunch at OXBO Bankside on Saturday, June 29. Expect live renditions of Tay’s biggest hits, Eras-inspired desserts and cocktails and a game of Swiftie bingo with prizes.

Tickets start at £42 per person and can be booked on the OXBO website . 

Swiftie brunch and minigolf at Puttshack 

Score a hole in one while belting out ‘Anti-Hero’ at Puttshack’s brunch dedicated to all things Taylor on Sunday, June 23. Treat yourself to bottomless bubbly, beer and mocktails plus a round a mini-golf soundtracked by non-stop Swift and a performances from a few drag queen. Get yourself a spot here .  

Taylor Swift brunch at Ballie Ballerson

You know what they say: you can never have too many Taylor Swift brunches. This one actually happens every single Saturday, not just when the Eras tour is in town. As you dance to ‘Shake It Off’, ‘Love Story’ and ‘Cruel Summer’, you'll get to enjoy bottomless pizza, down unlimited drinks and, of course, dive into a gigantic ball pit. Reserve a spot over on the Ballie Ballerson site . 

Swiftie Tour with London Bar Bus

Scream Taylor’s most iconic lyrics over the streets on London on board this travelling rooftop bar. Every Friday and Saturday from June 1 to 22, Tootbus’ Bar Bus will be transformed into a Swiftie-mobile. There will be Eras-inspired drinks and cupcakes, plus a playlist that follows Taylor’s career from small country songwriter to huge global superstar. All aboard here . 

The Treehouse Era at Treehouse Hotel London

If you're still after somewhere to stay for your Eras experience, why not go the whole hog and book an entire Taylor Swift package at the Treehouse Hotel. For the nights of June 21-23 and August 15-20, the hotel is offering Swifties a package that includes transfers to and from the concert, a selection of friendship bracelets and tinted glasses, plus a £30 food and beverage credit so you can get breakfast at midnight post gig. 

Tempted? The offers starts at £445 per room and you can book here . 

Club de Fromage Afterparty

Head to the O2 Academy in Islington on June 22 and/or August 17 for an unofficial Eras afterparty. As per the cheesy clubnight’s normal offering, you can expect confetti cannons, balloons, hula hooping and deafening singalongs to all of Taylor's greatest hits. Book here . 

Heaven Afterparty 

If three hours of back to back Taylor on the Eras tour just isn’t long enough for you, try five hours at Heaven’s Eras Afterparty on June 23. Tickets start at just £5 . 

Eras fever  

If that wasn’t enough Taylor for you, we’ve got plenty more. Check out London’s  Taylor Swift walking tours , these Taylor-inspired Airbnbs , the south London pub featured on her latest album and all the other spots in that capital that  have been referenced in her songs . Plus, here’s our ultimate guide to the UK leg of the Eras Tour . 

ICYMI:   The World Naked Bike Ride returns to London this weekend .

Plus:   A huge Yayoi Kusama pumpkin is coming to the Serpentine .

Stay in the loop: sign up to our   free Time Out London newsletter   for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

• Amy Houghton Contributing writer

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Equipmake to electrify more buses for Golden Tours

British bus retrofitting company Equipmake has secured a successive contract with Golden Tours, which specialises in London sightseeing and UK tourism. Equipmake is to repower a further ten Volvo B5 London Tour Buses, using its in-house developed Zero-Emission Drivetrain (ZED).

• Golden Tours

The new contract for the bus electric retrofitter Equipmake to electrify ten B5 London Tour Buses follows a £ 2 million initial order in February from Golden Tours. The London sightseeing and UK tourism company was established in 1984 and specialises in tours around the capital and day trips to UK locations such as Stonehenge and Bath. Equipmake says it expects to commence delivery of the ten newly electrified double-decker buses over the coming months.

Equipmake offers the arguably most sustainable and cost-effective option of electrifying fleets by repurposing the existing chassis and body, rather than producing an entirely new double-decker bus. The company says each conversion costs less than half the price of a new electric bus. Since most buses in service for more than 14 years, the British retrofitting company finds opportunity in enabling operators to make savings by repowering their buses halfway through their operational life cycle.

In April this year, Equipmake delivered 12 retrofitted buses to York. The decarbonisation of London Tour buses is nothing new to Equipmake. Just over a year ago, the retrofitter announced the new deal with sightseeing company Big Bus Tours today for whom it will retrofit ten Hop-On double-deckers with zero-emission drivetrain technology in the British capital. While these buses are now entering service, earlier this year , Big Bus Tours extended the deal with Equipmake to electrify a further ten buses, all of which are Ankai double-decker sightseeing buses.

Equipmake has experienced a steady meteoric rise with the electrification of road transport in the UK. Last year, the company expanded its activities from electrifying buses to offer its services, technology and expertise in the aviation and maritime industries .

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News Release

Carlyle global credit to provide financing to big bus tours.

London, UK – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that its Global Credit platform has provided a one-stop shop financing package to support the growth of Big Bus Tours, the leading global provider of hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours, with more than 5 million customers annually. 

Big Bus Tours is the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing bus tours with operations across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The Company has expanded to more than 20 world famous city destinations where it provides a sightseeing experience which has become a key part of any traveler’s repertoire when discovering a new city. In 2023, the Company partnered with Equipmake, the engineering specialist, to convert a portion of its existing fleet from diesel to fully electric, demonstrating its continued commitment to sustainable tourism. Exponent, a leading European private equity firm, acquired Big Bus Tours in 2015.

Carlyle Global Credit manages $186 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, 2024. It regularly pursues investments in privately negotiated debt and capital solutions partnering with high-quality sponsors and leading family or entrepreneur-owned companies. 

Taj Sidhu, Head of Carlyle European and Asian Private Credit, said: “We are delighted to partner with the exceptional management team at Big Bus Tours, as the business continues to expand its industry leading offering across major worldwide destinations. This transaction underlines our ability to provide flexible capital solutions of scale and support the growth aspirations of strong and resilient businesses.”

Pat Waterman, Executive Chairman of Big Bus Tours, said: “Big Bus Tours is a leading experience provider in the tourism and leisure industry. Financing from Carlyle Global Credit will accelerate our international footprint expansion and our development in adjacent, synergistic activities. We are delighted to have the support of a sophisticated partner such as Carlyle as we enter this important next phase of growth.”  

Contact: 

Charlie Bristow

[email protected]

+44 7384 513568

About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $425 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,200 people in 28 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com . Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.

THE BEST Elektrostal Things to Do with Kids

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Time in Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia now

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