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The 15 best walking tours in London

Those boots were made for walking, so use them to explore London’s best sights

London’s one of the most walkable capital cities in the world. Indeed, in many ways, London is the anti-L.A.: here people think you’re mad if you do drive a car around town. Besides, nothing quite lets you get to know a city like a good walk around – after all, London existed long before there were any forms of public or private transport more sophisticated than a horse. Plus, after trekking across half the city, you have the perfect excuse to sit down with a pint (or two). 

Sure, bus and boat tours are good, but there’s nothing quite like a London walking tour. From basic sightseeing treks to specialised theme tours, whether you’ve got a day, an afternoon or just an hour, there’s some sort of tour out there for you. Buckle up, folks: here’s our pick of the best walking tours in London.

Need more sightseeing inspiration? 💂‍♂️Check out our list of 101 things to do in London 🛏Or stay in one of these trendy London Airbnbs 🍽Have you heard about these 50 best restaurants in London yet ? 

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The best London walking tours

1.  Food Walking tour: West to East

If you’ve got half a day to space and a burning curiosity to find out what exactly constitutes British cuisine (and then to eat it) this epic trek should be firmly up your street. Tuck into a six-hour walking tour that will take you from Buckingham Palace (where you'll witness the Changing of the Guard) past the Houses of Parliament and onto the Tower of London, where you'll surely be ready for the delicious British delights that await. Try fish and chips, scotch eggs, pie and mash and a so-called famous doughnut (not sure about that last one tbh), before venturing over the bridge to peruse the sights and smells of delicious Borough Market.

Best for:  laid-back tours with a tonne of detail

2.  Kensington Palace Gardens tour with Royal High Tea

If you're after an excuse to wear something other than wellies, visit the gorgeous Kensington Gardens on a guided tour before sitting down and nibbling scones at Royal High Tea. The two-hour tour is soaked in royal history and all the best bits of being British (tea and cake, mostly). Although entry to the buildings isn't included, you'll be walked and talked through the gardens, marvelling at the water features and Sunken Garden, with a visit to Princess Diana's statue and ending with an indulgent high tea in the surroundings of the Kensington Palace Pavilion. How marvy!

Best for  pretty backdrops and scones 

3.  Three-hour secret British food tour

Three hours of food and snacks? Yes, please! This three-hour guided tour includes eight delicious stops in the London Bridge area, giving you an insight into the history of British food culture (which is very cultured, might we add). Starting in the historic Borough Market, you'll eat your way through classics and end the tour with quintessentially British desserts and tea. Plus, on your travels, your tour guide will enlighten you on the history of each area and there'll be a secret surprise dish, too. Our tip: wear stretchy bottoms.

Best for:  Grub, detail and umptuous views of Tower bridge and the river. 

Time Out tip: A word of warning, this tour is a little boozy...

4.  Harry Potter walking tour

Anyone who’s seen or read the adventures of The Boy Who Lived (and if you haven’t, have you been living under a rock?) will know that London is a recurring character in both the films and books. Follow in Harry’s footsteps with this 150-minute jaunt, which goes from the ‘real’ Diagon Alley through to The Leaky Cauldron, Platform 9¾ and other fantastical locales. Being Muggles, there’s obviously a bit of a limit to what we can actually see – but that won’t stop you from soaking up the magical atmosphere.

Best for: muggles, whiches, wizards big and small 

Time Out tip: If you're trying to strike that balance between a family-friendly and budget-friendly trip to the capital, you'll be pleased to know that children under four currently go free. 

5.  Westminster and the Churchill War Rooms

Few Brits have a bigger reputation than wartime PM and noted cigar smoker Sir Winston. So what better way to get a feel for the capital than via Churchill’s London? In two hours your Blue Badge guide will take you to see an array of major Westminster landmarks associated with the man, such as Big Ben and Downing Street, alongside the poignant Cenotaph war memorial. Walkers will then be led to Churchill's wartime bunker, where you can see several items that once belonged to big man, discover top-secret conversations that went on down there and soak up the drama of the room in which the fate of the world was shaped so long ago.

Best for: the history buffs 

Time Out tip:  Your meeting point is outside Westminster - the Victoria Embankment (exit 2). If in doubt look for the huge green flower stall. 

6.  Changing of the Guard guided walking tour

No experience is more quintessentially London than the Changing of the Guard: that is to say when one group of soldiers clock off and the next clocks on – with much ceremony – at Buckingham Palace. Your knowledgeable guide will also take you to see palaces, royal parks, royal residences and you'll even have an opportunity to march alongside the guards. The walk is aimed at all ages, with interesting insights for adults and plenty of fun for kids.

Best for: a taste of royal pageantry 

7.  Gangster walking tour of London’s East End led by actor Vas Blackwood

East London is definitely no longer the gangland of yore: if the Krays twins were around today they’d probably own some sort of ironic theme cafe. But there’s a rich and thrilling not-so-distant-past there, and this tour is particularly special Led by ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ actor Vas Blackwood (aka Rory Breaker), who'll share his wealth of knowledge about the villains – both fictional and real – of London’s murky underworld. During the two-hour tour, you'll hear tales of the notorious Kray twins around Whitechapel and see iconic ‘Lock, Stock…’ locations from the much-loved Brit gangster flick.

Best for:  a   gritty detour...

8.  Historic pub walking tour

You could probably spend years working through London’s endless array of pubs and not really scratch the surface. But this three-hour afternoon tour is a decent start. Discover storied alehouses and literary drinking dens on a journey that stretches from ancient Southwark to the shiny West End, on a walk guaranteed to visit at least four of the capital’s finest historic boozers. Hear the history of the buildings, learn the differences between Elizabethan coaching inns and Victorian gin palaces, and visit the watering holes frequented by Charles Dickens – and have yourself a pint, if that's how you’re inclined.

Best for: a historical taste of London, but with beer goggles

9.  Private Sherlock Holmes walking tour

Explore the world of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Great Detective – plus his beloved sidekick Dr Watson, of course – on this private three-hour walking tour of London. Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum (entry ticket not included), located at Holmes’ home of 221b Baker Street with your personal guide. Explore central London sites made famous in the filming of the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring adaptation ‘Sherlock’, such as Russell Square or New Scotland Yard. Along the way, lap up behind-the-scenes stories from the set.

Best for:  Sherlock fans and lovers of mystery and all things Victorian

10.  Blood and Tears walk

If you’re in the mood for something a little gristlier, then why not set a couple of hours aside one night to explore the capital's dark side? You’ll be taken on a journey through the darker bits of the city’s past that includes visiting execution sites, learning about grave robbers and meeting London's most notorious murderers as you wander from Barbican to Holborn. Unsurprisingly, a few details in this one are a little ghastly, so it's very much open to ages 12+ only (plus the 7 pm start is past the little ’uns bedtimes).

Best for: discovering London's gory underbelly

11.  Greenwich highlights half-day walking tour

Perhaps no London borough is quite so distinctive singular as maritime Greenwich, and this fun and educational half-day tour comes highly recommended. All the major venues are on the walk, including the Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark, Old Royal Naval College, Queen’s House and Greenwich Market. Put on your comfiest boots and join your knowledgeable guide to experience the majesty of Britain’s naval zenith and meet the spot where Thor had a fight with Christopher Eccleston in ‘The Dark World’. This tour is led in small groups, so there’ll be no pushing or shoving.

Best for:  London's maritime history

12.  Jack the Ripper tour with fish and chips

No name gets shivers running down the spine quite like Jack the Ripper, the infamous, never-caught serial killer who terrorised the foggy streets of late Victorian London. See the sinister side of the city as you follow the blood-soaked footsteps of Jack and Sweeney Todd, wandering down gas-lit alleyways on a very spooky walking tour of London. Arriving at each scary spot by coach, your guide will dish out shocking true-life details about these infamous London murderers. Get goosebumps at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the most haunted theatre in the city, and hear stories of the Ripper’s East End. Then polish the night off in style with a fish supper at a traditional East End boozer.

Best for: suspensful storytelling

13.  Bowl of Chalk walking tours

The name? It's Cockney rhyming slang for 'walk'! So that’s 'Walk walking tours’, which admittedly doesn’t have quite the same ring. Maybe don’t quibble about that to Jonnie, the born-and-bred Londoner with a passion for taking people on walks around the city and sharing some of its secrets. His weekend tours are fun, laidback and – best of all for the budget conscious– delivered on a 'pay what you can' basis. Private weekday tours can be booked too: take a look on the website for further details.

Best for: First-timers

14.  Unseen Tours

These alternative, extremely worthwhile tours are run by The Sock Mob, a social enterprise that works with homeless, ex-homeless or vulnerably housed people. And the guides who lead the four different tours of four very different bits of London – that’s Covent Garden, London Bridge, Soho and Brick Lane – have all experienced homelessness at some time in their lives. This absolutely doesn’t mean the tours are gruelling misery porn that dwells on the hardship of the guides’ lives – far from it! Actually they're fun, laidback journeys through each area's local history, with a few important details about social injustice thrown in too.

Best for: London iconography with an authentic twist

15.  East End street art walking tour

If you’re a Londoner, there’s a decent chance that you’re not so bothered about the historical side of walking tours. After all, you’re up to speed. You know it all. So here’s the chance to get to know a very different side to the capital. This two-hour tour takes attendees through the street art of the East End, wandering through alleys and markets and telling the stories of artworks through the artists that made them. Learn whose tags are whose and discover the history and meaning behind the art adorning the walls of this historic district.

Best for:  a taste of London's artsy, urban scene

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15 Best Walking Tours in London

By Julia Buckley

London is full of history. Not that you’d necessarily know it; royal palaces and top-tier museums aside, it tends to be coy about its past. Between the shapely skyscrapers of the City of London—the business area—are churches that predate the Great Fire of London; the hipster East End was once home to immigrants that changed the country’s history.

But this isn’t a city stuck in aspic; it’s making history, too. A new breed of walking tours in London will show you a different side, whether the street artists who are making waves on the ground, or the people crafting the food and drinks of the future U.K. food scene.

There are common tours aplenty, too, but what London excels in is small-scale walking tours, done as a passion by the founders. From a lesson in black history to musicians, the emphasis on social history is strong. Lace up those sneakers—here are 15 of the best walking tours in London for your next visit.

Tales of Plague Arrow

Look for the man holding the rat (yes, rat) on the stick near Tower Hill Tube station when meeting up with your tour group, which spans anywhere between 4 and 25 people. The walk—about two miles over the course of two hours—is professional but fun, and there's not just a guide but an actor, too, who jumps in for various scenes. Booking is highly recommended, but last-minute arrivals are also possible (as long as the tour is running).

London Fire Walk Arrow

You'll meet at Monument—not the Tube station, but the Monument to the Great Fire of London the station takes its name from. This is a lovely, relaxed tour with David Steer, who calls the project his "baby." It's all on foot—two miles in two hours—and advance reservations are essential.

Jermyn Street Fashion Walk Arrow

A seriously professional private tour, curated to your preferences. They recommend groups no larger than eight, and it's all done on foot. Art History UK has a pool of 15 guides, four of whom lead the Jermyn Street walk. Most have a background of art or history, combined with fashion, and one even trained as a tailor.

Mayfair: A Spy's Guide Arrow

Detour is a revolutionary app that provides walking tours, narrated by real experts, on your phone, guided by GPS. One of 15 walks in London, this one is narrated by Annie Machon, a former MI5 operative (read: U.K. spy). The joy of it being app-based is that you can do it at any time you wish, although ideal times are noted on the app for each tour.

Jessica Puckett

Matt Ortile

Olivia Morelli

Alex Van Buren

Historic Pubs, Food & Beer Tour Arrow

Think of this as a walk with friends rather than a tour (groups are capped at 12). You meet at a prime selfie spot—at Rotherhithe, overlooking the Thames—then catch the Overground to Wapping to hit the pubs. By reservation only. Five of London's most historic pubs in four hours is a blessed kind of endurance task.

Tour for Muggles Arrow

This is as delightfully bonkers as England gets. The tour starts near London Bridge Tube station and moves on to locations used in the Harry Potter films (and a couple of book locations). There's one Tube ride (London Bridge to Westminster) but otherwise it's all on foot, and a fair amount of ground is covered in 2.5 hours. Groups are capped to 20 and run the gamut from families to millennials, and even pensioners.

London Urban Adventures: Soho Historic Pubs Tour Arrow

This isn't the raucous gathering you'd expect—guests are there for the history of Soho as much as for the pubs. The two founders and guides (they will be taking on co-workers in 2018) are very knowledgeable about Soho—one was an archeologist before he took this up—and their enthusiasm shows. Rather than deliver a script to a set itinerary, they switch up their stops, tailoring the pubs they stop at to the group's interest.

Shoreditch Street Art Tours Arrow

An insider's guide to the London street art scene, with groups led by photographer and writer David Stewart who's been part of the scene for 15 years. It's all on foot, and takes 3.5 hours with a break in the middle. David is ingrained in the scene—and he'll take you past everything from Banksy works to stickers stuck on lampposts.

Walk Eat Talk Eat Arrow

The three guides who do this tour come from different backgrounds spanning writing, acting, and comedy, but all have a passion for London and know the area well. There's a set itinerary, but the guides tailor their talks to their own interests—and those of the group, of course. Forget Borough Market—this tour takes you to in-the-know places you won't have heard of, like Maltby Street Market and Jensen's Gin Distillery in Bermondsey.

SideStory Travel: The Actor's Stage Arrow

This super-curated private tour is led by Michelle Butterly, an actress who's trod the boards of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. It's a private tour so Theatreland is your oyster. Everything is accessible, though you should warn beforehand if you need adjustments. Anyone who loves theater or acting will love this tour.

Black History Walks: Notting Hill Arrow

This is a fascinating, professionally run tour—one of eight Black History Walks in London (the other walks include one around St Paul's and Bank). Reservations are essential; groups meet at the nearest Tube station. The tour dives deep into the background of the Notting Hill Carnival. It's also an eye-opener into a history that's far longer than many people realize.

Undiscovered London: Camden Markets and Musical Legends Tour Arrow

This is a major tour that you can just turn up for, though reservations are preferred. Led by a guide (plus a 'busker' who accompanies the tour) groups of up to 25 meet at music venue Koko, appropriately enough. The guides—drawn from a pool of 30 who work for tour agency Undiscovered London—are mostly actors, so they're good at engaging your attention.

London Loo Tour Arrow

Fittingly, you meet at Waterloo Station, beside the public toilets. From there you walk to the West End, via various public toilets—about 1.5 miles in up to two hours. Groups are capped at 20. The tour ends at an underground bar in a former public toilet. (Drinks are discounted.) People wanting to scratch a little deeper under London's surface will love this.

East End Walks Arrow

East End Walks is a collection of 15 tours run by one man, David Rosenberg. The tours are spread out across the month, but all cover the social history of the traditionally working class area. Groups are capped at 30; you meet near the Tube station. Rosenberg, whose grandparents emigrated to the East End as children, is passionate about the area and its social history—it holds the story of the working class, which is rarely told. His enthusiasm is infectious.

Royal London Full Day Experience Arrow

Context Travel calls on up to 12 experts (mainly historians) for this private tour, and everything is customized to your requirements (you get a pre-tour questionnaire). Plus, they'll pick you up from your hotel or meet you at Westminster Abbey, you're free to take a taxi if you get tired, and guides use iPads to bring things to life. Make sure to reserve at least 48 hours ahead.

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LONDON WALKING TOURS

Because london is more interesting on foot, welcome to richard's guided walks of london, tours with author and qualified blue badge guide richard jones.

ANYONE CAN SHOW YOU LONDON ON RICHARD'S WALKS YOU'LL DISCOVER IT

London is a city of secrets and, at first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking that the 21st century cityscape of gleaming glass towers and busy main roads has little to offer you.

But, scratch the surface, delve into the backstreets, the hidden courtyards and the tucked away alleyways and you will soon discover that there is much more to London than the well known, and well trodden tourist haunts.

Indeed, London keeps her treasures well hidden from all but the most prying of eyes.

And, on Richard Jones's fascinating and insightful London walking tours, Richard is on a mission to introduce you to the secret and timeless city that cowers behind the modern buildings.

Walking tours offer you the perfect way to gain a true appreciation for, and an understanding of London's colourful past and vibrant present.

Conducted at a gentle pace, and with plenty of stops for you to take in your surroundings, they make an ideal way to get to grips with the vivid history, diversity of cultures, and the modern verve that are the lifeblood of this fantastic city.

In two hours you'll learn more, see more, discover more and experience more than you ever thought possible.

And all in the company of one of London's most established walking tour guides, a guide who is also a published author who has written more than 20 books on London and Britain, and a guide who has been devising and leading his walks since 1982.

A TRULY FASCINATING CITY THERE'S SO MUCH TO SEE

London is a fantastic place, both to live in and to visit, and it has so much to offer visitors and residents alike.

But the ONLY way to really discover the many and varied parts of the city is to walk. When you explore on foot, you're there on the ground, absorbing the atmosphere, taking in the sights and the sounds of the City whilst, at the same time, getting a genuine feel for the 2,000 years of history in which the streets of London are steeped.

Where else can you walk with Dickens; be enchanted by Shakespeare; be terrified by Jack the Ripper; follow in the footsteps of the Beatles over the World's most iconic pedestrian crossing; hunt for ghosts in timeworn burial grounds; stroll past magical locations where the Harry Potter movies were filmed; stand on the sites of long ago executions; delve into timeless villages that are centuries removed from the modern age; or simply chill out in a 16th century riverside inn or tavern watching the daily comings and goings of the 21st century outside?

Where else can you turn a corner and suddenly be transported back into London's past to find yourself surrounded by buildings and courtyards that have changed little, if at all, in over two hundred years?

And, the best way to get to these places is on foot. Cars and coaches, quite simply, can't get into the narrow alleyways and hidden backstreets where this lesser known side of London awaits your discovery.

NEWSPAPER REVIEWS OF RICHARD'S TOURS Quotes From Newspaper Articles About The Walks

"...Walking Tours of London are now a crowded market, but Richard Jones keeps ahead of the pack with impeccable research, and having honed his performance in more than 5,000 tours..."

"...This is amongst the most reliable of the London walks. Richard Jones is a committed storyteller who shares his enthusiasm in the alleyways and hidden courtyards of the city..."

"...The joy of walking about with an enthusiast such as Richard Jones is the discovery of a place you thought you knew; not rediscovery, but truly seeing it for the first time"

"...Without a single prop Richard Jones succeeds in conjuring more potent memories out of the area than from a neighbourhood full of palaces...

"...Richard Jones, a delightfully animated guide, takes his captivated audience past some parts of London its a sure bet they would never see otherwise..."

DON'T JUST SEE THE CITY EXPERIENCE IT SEE MORE, DISCOVER MORE, ENJOY MORE

On a guided walk you are not separated from London's past and present by a glass pane or windscreen - as you would be in a car or on a bus tour.

A walking tour puts you right in the thick of it so that you get to, not just see London, but also experience it.

Narrow alleyways, that a coach or a bus would simply speed past, can become doorways of discovery through which you can uncover hidden gems of bygone London.

Commemorative wall plaques, that you might just catch a brief glimpse of through a bus window, can be your introductions to forgotten residents whose stories will intrigue and engross in equal measure.

A nondescript piece of street furniture, that you might not even notice from a coach, can be your key to unlocking the past, enabling you to connect with the everyday lives of long ago citizens.

A rusting iron gate, that from a coach would look like nothing particularly special, can creak open to reveal an overgrown churchyard in which you can stand by the graves of some of the most famous and colourful figures from London's past.

This is the London that guided walks help bring to life. The hidden and offbeat places that cars and buses simply cannot get to. The old buildings, ancient thoroughfares and atmospheric alleyways which, once discovered, are seldom forgotten.

A DOYEN OF THE LONDON WALKING TOUR SCENE A FULLY QUALIFIED AND LICENSED LONDON GUIDE

But, if you're going to explore London on foot, it's a good idea to do so in the company of a friendly and professional guide who has the local knowledge and the expertise to break the city's many and varied neighbourhoods into bite-sized chunks in order to make sense of the urban sprawl that is London.

Richard Jones is the ideal companion to introduce you to secret and hidden London.

Richard is a doyen of the London walking tour scene and he has been devising and conducting walks around London since 1982. But he's as far removed from the dry as dust school of guiding as it is possible to be.

As well as being a first rate London historian, he is also a born raconteur and an accomplished entertainer whose passion for his subject, together with his natural flair for presentation, will breathe life into the history you will encounter when you join him on one of his walks.

He is a member of the Institute of Tourist Guiding, the official governing body for tour guides in England, and is a proud possessor of the Blue Badge Tourist Guide qualification, the highest accolade awarded by the aforementioned Institute.

You can, therefore, rest assured that you are in capable hands as you enjoy a memorable tour that proceeds at a gentle pace and which leaves behind the busy main roads to venture into the backstreets and hidden places where history was made and where time, well and truly, stands still.

MEMORABLE WALKS OF LONDON UNRIVALLED EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE

With so many companies now offering guided walks around London you can find yourself hard pushed to decide which one to go with

If you choose Richard, he guarantees to provide you with a quality tour and, to that end, he will go out of his way to ensure that you get the most out of your time with him.

Richard's walking tours cover a wide variety of different neighbourhoods and themes and each one has been mapped out to ensure that almost every second of the walk is crammed with interesting and fascinating locations and stories.

He totally understands that a tour should be as much about looking and seeing as about hearing and learning.

He will, therefore, go out of his way to ensure that you get to see things that you might easily pass by without noticing them; whilst, at the same time, enlightening you as to why you should notice them, as he regales you with their stories and histories.

It's these quirky, offbeat elements that help make a walking tour the best way to really experience London.

In short, each one of the London walking tours that Richard offers has been carefully crafted to achieve the perfect blend of interesting places and fascinating facts and stories.

Richard strives to give you an unrivalled insight into the area and theme that your tour with him encompasses.

A GENTLE AND RELAXED STROLL WE GIVE YOU TIME TO ENJOY IT

Richard conducts his walking tours at a relaxed and gentle pace.

He prefers to think of his walks as being more like guided chats and discussions, during which you can interact with your guide and your fellow walkers.

His tours feature frequent stops, at many of which you will be able to sit and rest as you listen to your guide tell you about your surroundings.

It is this relaxed element that makes these walks such an enjoyable experience, since you're able to take your time.

Richard always ensures that every member of the group has arrived at each location before he begins his narrative about that location.

When crossing roads, he will always pause and ensure that every member of the group is safely across before continuing.

In short, there's no rushing on one of Richard's London walks, and that's a promise!

You can ask as many questions as you wish, and you can discuss the places visited as you enjoy two or so hours of leisurely and informed entertainment.

There really is no better way to get the true feel for the backstreets and hidden quarters where the real London is just waiting to be discovered.

ENTERTAINING AND INFORMATIVE TOURS YOU'LL LOOK A LOT, LEARN A LOT AND LAUGH A LOT

Indeed, you'll be in the company of a guide who knows how to present his information in a way that is both informative and entertaining, which is why his London walks are as popular with residents as they are with visitors.

He likes to think - and his clients seem to agree - that he's managed to achieve just the right balance of historical fact, intriguing gossip and juicy scandals (at least on the walks where we encounter juicy scandals) in a way that really brings the people you hear about and the area you explore on a particular tour to vivid and colourful life.

He honestly believes that his clients shouldn't have to endure a guide who drones on and on in a dull monotone about dry dates and dusty facts.

It's one thing to have the knowledge, it's quite another to have that rare gift of being able to impart that knowledge in a way that is going to keep your audience engrossed throughout the course of two or so hours on the streets of London.

Richard is a born raconteur whose passion and enthusiasm for his subject will be apparent from the moment you meet him, whilst his talent at presentation will, quite literally, bring the streets of London to vivid and vibrant life right before your eyes.

YOU'LL HEAR EVERY WORD EVEN ON THE BUSIEST STREETS

One of the comments that Richard gets, time and again, from those who join his walks is that people really appreciate the fact that they can actually hear their guide.

It's surprising how many guides don't know how to project their voices so that every member of their group can hear what they're saying.

Think about it. How many times have you been on a tour and the guide's voice has been drowned out by background noise, or has simply been inaudible?

All those fascinating facts, interesting snippets of history, great anecdotes, or witty one liners missed because you simply couldn't hear what your guide was saying. In effect you have only had half the tour you paid for.

Would you/did you really enjoy that? Wouldn't your tour experience have been so much more enjoyable if you'd heard every word and got the whole story, instead of just occasional snippets when the traffic noise decreased?

We think that guide audibility is such an important criteria for a walking tour that we make a 100% guarantee that, if you join one of Richard's walks, you'll hear every word, no matter where you're standing in the group. If you can't, we promise to make a no quibble refund to you.

DISCOVER A WELCOME DIFFERENCE WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

Richard never forgets that, when it comes to walking tours in London, there are a huge number of companies to choose from. Far more than were around when he began his walking tour guide career in 1982.

So, should you choose to join one of his tours, he will go out of his way to ensure that your time with him is both enjoyable and entertaining.

You will find him friendly, approachable and knowledgeable.

As he puts it, he prefers his walks to be more like guided chats and discussions than like guided tours, so you are never obliged to simply stand there and listen.

He encourages participants to feel free to join in, to interject, and to ask as many questions as they wish to ask.

His tours are never rushed, and he's more than happy to stay behind after the tour, should you have further questions or should you be seeking recommendations for other things to do in London.

Once you have completed a walk with Richard you get sent a summary of the tour which features a round-up of the information you will have heard and links to the websites of the locations visited so that you can go back to them again should you so desire.

In addition, Richard also compiles a monthly list of free and unusual things to do, which features some great and unique suggestions that really will enhance your enjoyment of London.

So, if you want to get to know London better, and you want to explore the City's colourful past and vibrant present in the company of an expert guide whose sole objective is to ensure that you enjoy an informative and entertaining tour, then give Richard Jones a try and see for yourself that, when it comes to London walks, his tours really do offer you a welcome difference.

WHAT RICHARD'S CLIENTS SAY Feedback from some of those who have taken Richard's Tours

"Richard. The tour yesterday met and surpassed all our expectations. Not only did you bring Dickens to life and vividly describe his environs, but your entertaining manner was great Theater. You should advertise as a walking tour, one-man play".

Dean Scribner

Sarah Hennessy

"Thank you for an amazing, fun and fact filled walk. This is the third walk I've been on with you and have gained so much from each of them. We will definitely book again... We both like the look of the city pub walk (or is it a stagger?!). Richard is an amazing guide - his depth of knowledge is incredible!"

"Richard, as usual you were brilliant, very entertaining....no one does a London tour like you...looking forward to our next tour with you!"

Sue Metcalf

"Thanks for a great walk on New Year's Day. It was fantastic, even though it rained the whole time. We will be coming up and do more walks with you. Thank you again and Happy New Year."

Roland Hughes

"Dear Richard. We just wanted to thank you so much for a fantastic tour this afternoon, Dickens Christmas Carol Tour, it was as magical as I hoped it would be. We enjoyed ourselves so much. Looking forward to booking the next one now. Thank you so much"

Sally and Greg Ramsdale

"Richard. Thank you for bringing warmth to a cold and wet day. As usual it was excellent. Hopefully we will see you again. We fully intend to revisit the Guildhall and Goldsmiths. You never fail to whet our appetite to explore London."

Malcolm and Pat Rous.

"I'm writing to ask you to pass on to Richard my sincere thanks for such a fantastic tour today. On the tube ride home my students were all commenting on how much they had learned and on how engaging Richard was as a guide."

Craig Duncan Associate Professor of Philosophy Ithaca College, New York

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The 11 Best Walking Tours in London for Every Interest

George Rose/Getty Images

The best way to immerse yourself in a new city is on foot, a sentiment that is particularly true of London. The British capital has many historical details that can be missed from a moving bus, so it's recommended to embark on one of the city's great walking tours, which are often themed. Whether you want to explore London's status as a popular filming location, for movies like Harry Potter or James Bond, or learn more about its history, there is a walking tour for every taste. Some tours are free for visitors, but many require tickets bought in advance, so be sure to plan ahead. Whatever your interest, here are 10 of London's best walking tours, from street art to historic pubs to romantic comedies.

James Bond Walking Tour of London

Harold Pugh/Getty Images

Calling all spies: Brit Movie Tour's James Bond Walking Tour of London will hit all the notable filming locations from movies like "No Time To Die" and "Spectre." The tour also includes remarkable places from James Bond author Ian Fleming's life. The two-and-a-half-hour trek stops by the National Gallery, Whitehall, London's oldest restaurant, MI5 and MI6, with a professional guide who can spill all the secrets about filming the hit movies as you stroll. The tour dates and times vary, so check online ahead of your trip. This is best for adults and older kids, and some of the locations aren't accessible for parents with strollers.

Jack the Ripper Tour

Go back in time on the Jack the Ripper Tour , which strolls around Aldgate and Whitechapel, where the murderer used to terrorize women. The walking tour takes place in the evenings, of course, and explores the Victorian history of East London, stopping at various sites known to the killer. The paid tour takes place nightly at 7 p.m., and it's best to book online in advance. Afterward, grab a drink at the Ten Bells Pub, where one of Jack the Ripper's victims spent the evening before meeting her end.

The Beatles - In My Life Walk

Carl Court/Getty Images

For a Beatles fan, no trip to London is complete without traversing the famous Abbey Road crosswalk. Visit the renowned studio on Richard Porter's The Beatles - In My Life Walk , which runs twice weekly. Pass the band's former Apple Shop, and see various houses and apartments where the band members have lived. Porter, who runs London Beatles Walks, is an expert in rock history, with several Beatles-themed tours regularly available for fans. His Rock and Roll - London Walk is another good option for those who want to delve into the London lives of artists like The Rolling Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix.

Love, Actually Walking Tour

Emily Zemler

Brit Movie Tours boasts a comprehensive look at all the best rom-com sites around London on its Love Actually Tour with Last Christmas, Notting Hill & Four Weddings Sites . There are a lot of iconic spots you'll immediately recognize, including the famed "Love, Actually" bench and the Savoy Hotel from the end of "Notting Hill." Because the two-and-a-half-hour tour covers a lot of central London, it's also a great way to hit all of the big sites, like the London Eye and Covent Garden. There is also a separate Notting Hill Tour , which visits nine filming locations around the Notting Hill neighborhood.

See 30+ London Sights Tour

John Keeble/Getty Images

Instead of picking a specific theme, try a walking tour that is all about seeing as much of London as possible. London Top Sights Tours runs a five-hour marathon tour, See 30+ London Sights Tour , that hits more than 30 famous attractions around the city, from Buckingham Palace to the London Eye to the Houses of Parliament. Kids are free with a paying adult, and tours can be booked in advance online. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring along some rain gear, just in case.

Tour For Muggles

Karwai Tang/Getty Images

While most of the Harry Potter films were shot in a studio (which fans can visit), there are numerous locations around London associated with the fantastical movies. Tour For Muggles takes non-wizards to various shooting locations throughout the city over two hours. See Leadenhall Market, the Millennium Bridge, and more as your guide offers up Harry Potter trivia and facts about the filming of the movies. While the trek is suitable for kids, it's recommended for those over age seven (or who can endure two hours of walking).

Street Art & Graffiti Tour

PhoenixNorth/Getty Images

Join Strawberry Tours on a free stroll to explore East London's street art, dubbed the Street Art & Graffiti Tour . The two-hour tour pass through areas like Brick Lane, Shoreditch, Fashion Street, Bateman's Row, and Spitalfields, where you can stop to admire works by street artists like Banksy and El Mac, Stik, and Space Invader. The tour is free and can be booked online in advance, with all tours meeting outside the Shoreditch High Street Overground Station. Check the Strawberry Tours website for updated dates and times.

St. James Jaunt

Explore the London area of St. James, located near Piccadilly Circus, to discover the past lives of literary greats. Put on by London Literary Tours, the St. James Jaunt takes visitors to see where writers like Virginia Woolf, Noel Coward, and Ian Fleming once lived, played, and worked. The tour lasts two and a half hours, typically twice a week. The guides are exceptionally knowledgeable, with lots to share about London's literary history.

Drink London Tour

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare as you stroll to several historic London pubs on Liquid History's Drink London Tour . It departs daily at 2 p.m. from the St. Paul's Underground station and includes stops at several pubs, including Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. The tour also explores Fleet Street's history and legends, like the infamous Sweeney Todd. Participants can grab a pint or a pub snack at the various stops (at their own expense) or just indulge in the historical sights.

Changing the Guard Walking Tour

London's Changing of the Guard is a real spectacle, and Fun London Tours makes it easy to see it in the best way with their Changing the Guard Walking Tour . The tour meets outside the Criterion Theatre at the Piccadilly Circus tube station and strolls around to various stages of the daily ceremony, rather than forcing you to stand in one place for its entirety. It's fast-paced (wear comfortable shoes), but it's a great way to get immersed in the event. Tickets can be booked online. Be sure to check the meeting time, as it is earlier on Sundays.

Secrets of the London Underground

Tonywestphoto/Getty Images

Uncover the hidden history of London's Underground, also known as the Tube. Secrets of the London Underground , led by Evan Evans, takes visitors from Baker Street Station, home to the world's original underground railway, through central London. It includes stops at Oxford Circus, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus and Westminster, as well as a glimpse of a former Tube station that once held Churchill's offices during the war. The tour, done one foot and via Tube (you provide your own travel card), lasts about two hours. It's perfect for those who want to literally go a bit deeper into London's past.

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London Walking Tours for the Inquisitive Explorer

Guided walks.

Buy a ticket online and join others on a public guided walk.

Private Tours

Select a tour at a date and time of your choice. Book online 24/7.

Qualified Guides

No scripts, no actors, 100% professional and insured guides.

London History Podcast. Uncover the real London.

Private Walking Tours

Pioneering Women in the City Tour

Kings Cross Tour

Financial London Private Tour

Royal London Tour

Winston Churchill’s London Tour

Roman London Tour

Women In Medicine: a Private Tour

Half Day Private Tour

Bleeding Hearts and Body Parts Private Tour

Clapham Common Private Tour

Christmas Lights Private Tour

Christmas Instagram Private Tour

Chelsea Tour

Blackfriars Private Tour

A Tale of Two Cities: Soho Private Tour

A Road to Ruin Private Tour

Greenwich Instagram Private Tour

Great Fire of London Tour

Georgian London Tour

Full Day Private Tour

Fantastic Beasts and Amazing Animals Tour

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Tour

Composers of the West End

Oliver Twist Private Tour

Medieval London Tour

London Dragons Private Tour

Instagram Tour

Historic Pub Tour

Heretics and Horrors Private Tour

Haunted London Private Tour

Hampstead Private Tour

Royal London Coronation Tour

Regent’s Canal Private Tour

River Thames Tour

Private Greenwich Tour

Pimlico Private Tour

Secrets of St James’s Tour

Secrets of Belgravia Tour

Secret Spaces in the City Private Tour

Scientists and Monsters Tour

Wonders of Whitehall Tour

White Noise Tour

Victorian Covent Garden Tour

Victorian Christmas Private Tour

The Inns of Court Tour – Lincoln and Gray’s Inn

Latest podcast episodes.

Episode 133: Royal Festival Hall’s Organ

• March 15, 2024

Episode 132: Suffragette or Suffragist?

• March 8, 2024

Episode 131: Endell Street Military Hospital

• March 1, 2024

Episode 130: Mudlarking – Stuart Finds

• February 16, 2024

Episode 129: 2 Temple Place

• February 8, 2024

Episode 128: St. James’s Palace

• February 2, 2024

Episode 127: Archie’s Journey Through Dickens’ London

• December 23, 2023

Episode 126: Transatlantic Slave Trade and London

• December 1, 2023

Episode 125: Elizabeth I, Robert Dudley in the Tower of London

• November 17, 2023

Explore London in Unprecedented Depth with London Guided Walks Welcome to London Guided Walks, the juncture where insatiable curiosity meets London’s rich cultural tapestry. London, as Britain’s beating heart, is a city awash with historical layers, pulsating with dynamic communities and replete with treasures waiting to be discovered. If you’re an explorer at heart who yearns to delve deeper into London’s rich backstory and present-day vibrancy, you’ve navigated to the ideal platform.

Unlock London’s Mysteries Through Our Bespoke Guided Walks Our fervent tour guides are keen to navigate you through London’s labyrinthine streets, unveiling its well-guarded secrets. Whether you’re a seasoned Londoner or a first-time visitor, our guided walks offer endless opportunities for new discoveries. Experience London in its full splendour: from awe-inspiring monuments and iconic landmarks to the subtle nuances that only locals recognise. Let’s set forth on this fascinating journey, shall we?

What We Offer:

Public Guided Walks in London Embark on an immersive experience as you traverse London’s eclectic neighbourhoods. These guided walks afford you the chance to uncover lesser-known facets of London, melding mainstream history with stories that are often overlooked. Perfect for locals and tourists alike, they bring London’s intriguing complexities to life. See all upcoming guided walks >>

Exclusive Private Walking Tours Our private tours offer an unparalleled intimacy, allowing us to tailor your adventure according to your interests. Traverse London’s most enthralling boroughs, from culinary havens to retail paradises, as we share exclusive insights that will enrich your exploration. Secure your personalised journey today. See all private walking tours >>

More Than Just a Leisurely Stroll Our guided walks go beyond mere sightseeing. With a meticulous focus on storytelling, we aim to peel back the layers of London’s multifarious history and vibrant present. Whether it’s a quiet sojourn through Clerkenwell’s tranquil lanes or following the footsteps of literary titans in Southwark, our mission is to provide an experience replete with deep insights.

Smartphone Photography Tours Capture London’s charm in high-resolution detail. Our smartphone photography tours provide you with the opportunity to elevate your Instagram game, while uncovering photogenic corners of the city. See all photo tours >>

Certified Tour Guides With a Wealth of Knowledge Our tour guides are not just knowledgeable; they’re passionate about sharing London’s hidden and celebrated histories. With a commitment to professional excellence and authentic enthusiasm, we promise enlightening and entertaining guided walks and private tours that will alter your perception of London.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast keen on uncharted trails or a casual tourist seeking an unforgettable day out, our guided walks are designed to offer an intricate exploration of London’s concealed history. Our tour guides are committed to making your London adventure truly memorable.

Don’t miss out on this chance to see London from a fresh perspective. Book now and reacquaint yourself with the enigmatic capital that never ceases to captivate!

So, what are you waiting for? Reserve your spot and let us help you rewrite your understanding of this marvellous city.

Latest Blog Posts

• Winston Churchill , World War II
• February 10, 2024
• City of London , shopping
• Borough of Camden , statues , women
• February 6, 2024
• medicine , victorians , women
• February 4, 2024
• architecture , City of London
• January 30, 2024
• Cato Street , West End , Westminster
• January 28, 2024
• City of London , statues
• January 26, 2024
• Coffee Houses , Financial Investment , South Sea Bubble
• January 24, 2024
• architecture , City of London , St Paul's Cathedral
• Royal London , Trafalgar Square

THE 10 BEST London Walking Tours

Walking tours in london.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & Changing of the Guard Tour

2. Westminster 3 Hour Walking Tour & Visit Churchill War Rooms

3. Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock

4. Guided Luxury Paris Day Trip with Optional Lunch at the Eiffel Tower

5. Westminster Walking Tour & Westminster Abbey Entry

6. London Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

7. Windsor Castle Half Day Trip from London

8. Best of London Tour inc Tower of London and Changing of the Guard

9. Magical changing the guard royal tour

10. See Over 30 Top London Sights! Fun Local Guide!!

11. Vintage London Bus Tour Including Cruise with London Eye option

12. Stonehenge and Bath Tour from London

13. Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows Walking Tour with Boat Ride

14. London: Buckingham Palace & Big Ben (& Westminster Abbey entry)

15. VIP Tower of London and Crown Jewels Tour with Private Beefeater Meet & Greet

16. Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle & White Cliffs Guided Day Tour from London

17. London: British Museum Audio Tour with Pre-booked Free Ticket

18. Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Superior Transport from London

19. London in a Day with Tower, Westminster & River Cruise

20. Early Access Tower of London Tour with Opening Ceremony & Cruise

21. London in WW2 Walking Tour with Churchill War Rooms Visit

22. Buckingham Palace Entrance Ticket & British Royalty Guided Tour

23. Small-Group Tour: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

24. Eating London: Borough Market & Bankside Food Tour

25. Best of London: Tower of London, Thames & Changing of the Guard

26. Cotswolds Tour from London with 2 course Lunch

27. Jack the Ripper Tour with 'Ripper-Vision' in London

28. Eating London: Twilight Soho Food & Drinks Tour

29. Changing of the Guard Guided Walking Tour in London

30. Priority Access Tour of Westminster Abbey with London Eye option

What travelers are saying.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Walking Tours of London

See our Calendar Below for All Tours, as well as Things to Do & Travel Tips

Featured tours.

Historic London Pub Tour

Historic london pub tour highlights.

• Royal Westminster

Royal Westminster Highlights

• St. James's Palace
• Buckingham Palace
• The Changing of the Guard **
• The Houses of Parliament
• Westminster Abbey
• 10 Downing St.
• Churchill War Rooms
• St. James's Park
• and much more!

Graffiti & Street Art

Graffiti & street art highlights.

• Whitechapel (made famous by the ‘Whitechapel Murders’ – committed by Jack the Ripper)
• Liverpool Street
• The Old Jewish Quarter

All in One Highlights

• St. Paul's Cathedral
• The Tower of London
• The Bank of England
• HMS Belfast
• London Bridge
• Tate Modern
• Millennium Bridge
• Tower Bridge
• London Monument
• River Thames
• Changing of the Guard
• Trafalgar Square
• London Underground
• Temple Church

• Harry Potter

Harry Potter Highlights

• Westminster Tube (closest tube to the Ministry of Magic as seen in The Order of the Phoenix)
• Cecil's Court (aka Diagon Alley)
• St. Paul’s (Geometrical Staircase as seen in the Prisoner of Azkaban)*
• Godwin’s Court (aka Knockturn Alley)
• The Palace Theatre (home to the ‘The Cursed Child' - the 8th story in the Harry Potter franchise) - Tickets *
• Horseguards Avenue (Ministry of Magic Staff Entrance as seen in Deathly Hallows Part 1)
• Millennium Bridge (rebuilt after the attack by the Death Eaters! (then a walk past Shakespeare's globe)
• Scotland Yard Place/Horse Guards Avenue (Ministry of Magic Visitors entrance as seen in the Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows Part 1)
• Trafalgar Square (Location of the final Harry Potter film premiere)
• Downing Street (Muggle Prime Minister's Office and location of communication between the Muggle PM and the wizarding world) Note: Depending on your guide and the day/time, the tour will finish at either Leadenhall Market or Borough Market (both sites have been used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron (as seen in the Philosopher's Stone and Prisoner of Azkaban onwards respectively.)

WWII London

Wwii london highlights.

Just some of the locations covered...

• The ruins of Grey Friar's and the Memorial Garden
• The Barbican
• The Guildhall

Walking tours of London, including guided walks, free self-guided, and GPS-led audio tours, are a great way to experience the city.

We provide a platform for professional, freelance tour guides to lead affordable walking tours so that you can enjoy a quality sightseeing experience no matter your budget. 

Our model of live guided tours ensures that your guide strives to give his or her best on every tour, from our name-your-own price tours, where you choose how much the tour is worth, to specialty ticketed tours.

• Guided Walking Tours
• Free Self Guided Tours (written and researched by our team of professional guides)
• Audio Tours (written, researched, AND recorded by the same guides!)

Everyone should be permitted to take a guided tour for a price they feel it is worth! We offer name-your-own-price tours and ticketed specialty tours to cover all budgets and interests.

• Due to city regulations and the overall enjoyment of guests, we must limit our group size and have a strict Group Policy for groups 6+.
• If your group is 10 or more, please refer to our private booking page
• Some tours have a reservation fee to help us maintain group size for popular tours and support our State School Scholarship.

Searching Availability...

REGULARLY SCHEDULED TOURS

• London All in One
• Brixton History, Street Art and Culture
• City of London
• Notting Hill Markets and Culture
• Shakespeare's London
• Graffiti and Street Art
• Majestic Mayfair
• Soho, Piccadilly Circus and Chinatown
• World War II
• Sunday Southbank
• Rock n' Roll
• Dark Side of London Ghost Tour
• Jack the Ripper

Food/Pub Tours Tours

• Borough Market and Maltby Street
• East London Food Tour
• City of London Historic Pubs
• Bermondsey Beer Mile
• Pub Crawl and Cockney Sing-a-Long
• Westminster auf Deutsch
• Royal Kensington
• London Christmas Lights
• Twilight on the Thames Night Tour

PRIVATE ONLY

• British Museum
• Covent Garden and the West End
• London Christmas Markets
• London Docks
• The Tea Tour
• The Final Journey : Execution Walk to Tyburn

AUDIO TOURS

Can't make one of our guided tours?

No problem, we have recorded some of our best tour guides giving their tours and made them available to you at any time.  

Here is how it works:

• Purchase an Audio Tour
• Receive a confirmation email with details.
• Enjoy the tour(s).

Even if you don't download any tours, you will still have access to valuable information on sightseeing, eating, and playing in London.

Available Tours:

• Royal London (Westminster)
• Harry Potter Locations  (in English and en Espanol)
• Rock N Roll London
• Thames River Walk
• Royal Borough of Greenwich
• Kensington Gardens
• Public Bus #11 (temporarily rerouted - unavailable)

Private London walking tour?

We also offer our guiding services for private groups where we can guide you anywhere in London. We are also experts in the region. 

Call us or email us and we will get back to you with a timely quote.  

And much, much more

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.

Looking for the perfect gift? Give a walking tour gift voucher!

• Walking Tours
• Corporate Group Tours
• Private Tours
• Virtual Tours
• Gift Vouchers
• Tales of London
• London's Best Pubs
• On This Day in History

+44 (0) 7783 401 129

Historic London Tours

Guided walking tours of London's fascinating history

Five-star rated historic walking tours of London

Welcome to historic london tours, about historic london tours, private london walking tours.

Learn about our passion for walking tours and London's history.

Guided London Walking Tours

Click below for a full list of the walking tours we offer.

Fancy a private guided London walking tour? Get in touch! 

Walking Tour Gift Vouchers

Looking for the perfect present? Give an Historic London Tours gift voucher! 

Can't get to London? Each tour can be offered virtual with photos and videos. 

Stories of the weird and wonderful characters and places in London's history.

Fancy a pint? Find your nearest historic pub in London!

• Gallery & Video

Get a sneak preview of our guided London walking tours.

See what other customers have said about our guided tours!

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Real London Walks

Exciting, Entertaining & Educational London Walking Tours

Kevin & Clive are Real London Walks

You can book your walks from the booking form at the bottom of each of our walking tour pages, or contact us directly.

We’d love to hear from you if you have questions about any of our London walking tours.

Upcoming Walking Tours

Symbols, Sayings and Streets of London

24th April 2024

Thames River Walk (City of London)

22 May 2024

Find all our walking tours here

“The Club thoroughly enjoyed your guided walk, Secretive London, yesterday.  Very informative but a degree of light heartedness too went down very well. Even though I have worked in Gresham Street for 21 years, there were a number of facts that I did not know, we all learnt something new. Many thanks and continue with your excellent tours” As recommended by Mark Wheeler

We aim to provide authentic London walking tours; Experiences shared and memories made for life.

We want you to get the most from our infotainment about London. We think you would prefer to walk London with Londoners like ourselves.

We are knowledgeable, friendly plus this is a undertaking we adore.

We booked the London Gin tour (party of 10) and all thoroughly enjoyed both the walk and the gin tasting with Clive. The walk was particularly interesting as a number of us were born and raised in London (east end) and there were still many gems of information about the history of gin around the city of London area that we did not know about. The gin tasting was excellent and the staff were very knowledgeable about all things gin related. We were able to stay on after the tour and enjoy some gin cocktails recommended by the staff. I would highly recommended this tour and in fact we are thinking of booking one of the other tours Clive runs showing a different side to the city I thought I knew quite well. As recommended by Asad Malik

How much does a London walk cost?

We are really excited to see you and by what we can share with you and we’ll do our best to make sure you have a great time.

All our Real London Walks cost £10 per person.

Our bespoke Gin tours cost £40 per person.

Private tours  are an ideal option for company outings, families, groups of friends and educational groups. Choose from our variety of London tours or share with us your must-visit places and we’ll design a Real London Walk especially for you!

Meet The London Spy

Winner of the 2024 Innovative Tour Company of the year in London, from the Travel and Hospitality Awards.

“Hugely enjoyed the Fleet Street Apocalypse tour, especially with the added magical ingredient.” – Simon Calder, Travel Editor of the Independent

“5 Stars out of 5, excellent, great walk down Fleet Street” – Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet

David – your guide – is a man of multiple talents: A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), after a degree in Classics and teaching English in Cairo for two years, travelling widely in the Middle East and learning some Arabic, he decided to settle down into a normal job.

Since moving to London he has worked in the Square Mile for over 25 years – starting at the bottom as a temp mailroom/photocopy operator and ending at the dizzy heights of a Vice President of a global investment bank before changing career to follow his passions and become a top rated award winning London guide.

He has always loved poking round the odd corners of the City and in 2017 qualified in the prestigious and very competitive Corporation of London City Guides course. In 2020 he qualified as an equally prestigious City of Westminster guide.

He is now a proud guide not only for the whole of the Square Mile, but also Stationers’ Hall and the newly opened Roman Bathhouse in Billingsgate, and has recently extended his walking tours to cover historical Victoria area too.

He is also a Freeman of the City of London and a Livery Member of the Worshipful Company of Stationers who date back to 1403, and has in 2019 been a”Renter Warden” for them – ask him about it.

And a professional Magician adding extra entertainment to your walk!

Step right up, put on your comfy shoes and take part in London’s finest walking tour.

Embark on a journey around the amazing City of London and Westminster that is filled with intrigue, mystery, and of course a sprinkling of magic. David will take you on a journey through the fantastical underbelly of the city.

Delve into the capital’s darkest secrets, from murders and poisoned princes, through to the heroes that have made London the inspiring cultural capital it is today.

What is the  London Spy  and why name my site after it?

I discovered this book as part of my studies to become a City of London guide, and immediately fell in love with it – as it was written shortly after the Great Fire of London, many of the locations he describes still exists.

The London Spy is a racy, scurrilous and irreverent guide through the underbelly of early 18th Century London, published between 1698 and 1700 and written by a Ned Ward, who went on to become a City publican.

In its 18 chapters we travel with the narrator (a visitor from the country) and his City-living friend to illustrate the seamy seedy life of the time – a tide of disease, filth, crime, prostitution, cheating, swearing, and general lowlife.

The book is a great read even now and wildly entertaining, disgusting, hilarious, profane and vivid. Coffee Houses, Prison, Fairs, Court, River trips, Whorehouses are among the sites visited – as well as the partly built St Paul’s Cathedral, the Monument, The Royal Exchange, The Guildhall and the Old Bailey, and all are brought to life by the inventive slang and swearing used throughout.

Just as a taste of the contemporary slang used, here is how two boatmen hurl invective at each other as they pass on the Thames.

“You couple of Treacherous Sons of Bridewell B—s, who are Pimps to your own Mothers, Stallions to your Sisters, and Cock-Bawds to the rest of your Relations; Who were begot by Huffling, Spew’d up, and not Born; and Christen’d out of a Chamber-Pot; How dare you show your Ugly Faces upon the River of Thames, and Fright the Kings Swans from holding their heads above Water? To which our Well-fed Pilot, after he had clear’d his Voice with a Hem, most manfully Reply’d, You Lousie Starv’d Crew of Worm-pickers, and Snail Catchers; You Offspring of a Dunghill, and Brothers to a Pumkin, who can’t afford Butter to your Cabbage, or Bacon to your Sprouts; You shitten Rogues, who worship the Fundament, because you live by a Turd; who was that Hundred of Sparragrass, and dug twice in his Wives Parsley-bed before the Goodman.”

Testimonials

The London Spy – City Walks

Walking London Guided London Walking Tours

We are a guided tour company offering historical walks in London. Join us as we explore one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

London has something to offer for everyone; history, culture, the familiar, the hidden and the bizarre – the list goes on. Our guides will take you to parts of London that are away from the well-trodden tourist trail.

Walks last from between 2 and 3 hours.

London Walking Tours

Corporate walking tours team building, well-being, social events, entertaining clients.

At Walking London, we offer extraordinary bespoke tours designed to cater to both corporate and higher education groups.

We understand that the needs and expectations of businesses and academic institutions differ, which is why we've meticulously curated tours that blend culture, history, and education to create unique and unforgettable experiences in the heart of London.

Corporate Walking Tours Higher Education Walking Tours

Group Tours Thinking of bringing a group?

As well as our scheduled tours we are happy to organise walks for groups of friends, family, clubs, societies and work colleagues.

Just select a date and time to suit you and get in touch . We can also offer free, no obligation taster walks for group organisers where we can discuss your specific requirements and give you a good idea of what to expect.

Get in Touch Got any questions or want to book a tour?

Please contact us today and we will be happy to answer any questions or to discuss any specific tour requirements.

5* Rated London Walks

Contact us to book your London walk or to find out more about our 5* rated tours.

01525 851 277

[email protected]

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Westminster and Whitehall Four Palaces and a Cathedral

Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Downing Street, The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace are all readily recognisable and familiar. However, behind the familiar they all have stories and tales that are less well known. Our circular walk, starting and finishing at Trafalgar Square tells the story of these well-known sites and uncovers some of their more curious secrets.

King’s Cross to Farringdon Underground Railways, Shakespeare, Dickens, Health Spas and Stark Prisons: London’s amazing change through the centuries

As London grew rapidly in the 18th and 19th centuries, the area between King’s Cross and Farringdon changed beyond all recognition. Our walk explores the engineering marvels of the Victorian age, the struggles faced by ordinary people in a rapidly growing city and uncovers some of the darker tales of yesteryear.

Belgravia’s Historic Pubs Walk Explore the hidden back street gems of London…

It’s hard to believe that one of the most expensive residential districts in Europe was once an area of marshy land known as Five Fields. Join us as we trace the history of this exclusive area and go behind the scenes to visit the pubs that would have been frequented by the footmen, stable boys and servants. Visiting 5 pubs in total we will end our tour with a visit to The Star for a final drink and a bite to eat.

City of London Walk a circular walk of the City

From the Romans to medieval London. From Pepys to Dickens. Our walk takes us on into the 20th Century to uncover a world of firewatchers, ARP wardens and auxiliary firefighters. The City of London was a prime target for the Luftwaffe. Our walk will tell a story of bravery and courage in the face of, at times, overwhelming odds.

Sex & Drugs & Rock ’n’ roll Tour around Soho

Our new historical London walk takes us to a relatively small part of London, but one which has plenty of tales to tell! London’s playground for over 200 years. Starting at Tottenham Court Station and finishing in Chinatown this walk is a reminder that “The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.”

Pubs and Pirates from St Paul’s to Canary Wharf

Sticking to the riverside path this walk runs from the familiar splendour of St Pauls to the less familiar waterfront at Wapping. Revisit the haunts of the press gangs, pirates and their pursuers. An opportunity to see a rapidly changing London alongside a London that would have been familiar to the merchants and seafarers of the 18th century.

East End Markets from Hackney to Spitalfields

A stroll through the vibrant and ever changing landscape of the East End. On this walk you will encounter fashion, food and flowers as well as former slums and highly desirable Georgian townhouses. In other words an opportunity for a bit of history and a spot of retail therapy. Please note, this walk is only available on a Sunday.

Markets, Kites and Canals King’s Cross to Primrose Hill

In between the story of an expanding and changing London there is an opportunity to enjoy some of the best views of the capital on offer. Much of this walk follows the canal towpath and is an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the modern capital.

A Monopoly of Power and Wealth Tour around Mayfair and St James’s

Tour the most expensive parts of the Monopoly board. Bustling and vibrant, this walk takes in some of the most expensive addresses in the world. Many sights will be familiar, many less so. Our walk finishes on the Thames embankment.

In the Wake of the Boat Race from Putney to Barnes via Chiswick

Starting at Putney Bridge, this is a walk almost entirely free of traffic, our route follows the Thames Path both north and south of the river as we explore a world of boat houses and clubs, riverside pubs and striking architecture. The route takes us past Fuller’s Brewery at Chiswick.

Dickens at Christmas Get into the spirit of Christmas…

For fans of A Christmas Carol and of Charles Dickens generally, this is the walk for you! Get into the spirit of Christmas and step back to take a look at London as Charles Dickens would have seen it 150 years ago. Join us as we visit the places that featured in Dickens’ life and work and inspired him to create characters as dark, as joyous and as complex as Scrooge, Jacob Marley, the Cratchit family and as we are approaching Christmas we’ll do our best to banish all thoughts of ‘Bah humbug!!

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Walking Tours and Experiences in London

Free Royal Westminster Tour*

Explore the history of the Royal family and Parliament as you see London's most famous sights, from Buckingham Palace to Big Ben.

     Schedule  - See Calendar

     Meeting Point - The Clermont Hotel

     Duration - 2.5 Hours

Free Historic City of London Tour*

Learn the story of the City of London's evolution from Roman trading port to the most powerful financial district in the world.

     Schedule - See Calendar

     Meeting Point - Tower Hill

Free London in a Day Tour*

Explore all of the London Landmarks in one tour ! Everything from Big Ben to the Tower of London and everything in between!

     Schedule - Private Tour Only

     Duration - 5 - 6 Hours

Free Jack the Ripper Tour*

Travel back to the Autumn of Terror 1888 and investigate a series of murders that sent shockwaves through London.

     Duration - 2 Hours

Free Street Art of  Shoreditch Tour*

Enter a world of possibility, where the walls are blank canvases and the flick of a spray can inspire rebellion and revolution.

     Meeting Point - Shoreditch High Street

Free Harry Potter Wizarding Tour*

Leave your inner muggle behind and discover the magical secrets hiding right under your nose.

     Meeting Point - The Palace Theatre

Free Ghosts, Ghouls and Ghastly Murder Tour*

Hear the terrifying tales of London’s worst villains, who killed and were killed and then came back to kill again.

     Meeting Point - Cleopatra's Needle

Free Rock and Roll Soho Tour*

Explore the birthplace of London's Rock and Roll scene, the heart of the old Red Light District and hear tales of debauchery and drunken misadventure through the ages.

     Meeting Point - Golden Square

Free Sherlock Holmes & the Art of Deduction Tour*

Grab your deer stalker hat and explore locations visited by Sherlock Holmes in the books, films and tv show!

     Meeting Point - Piccadilly Circus ​

Free James Bond & The History of Espionage Tour*

Join and step into the shoes of the world’s most famous spy!

    Schedule -  Private Tour Only

    Meeting Point -   The Clermont Hotel

    Duration -  2 Hours

Free Queer & LGBTQ+ History Tour*

Explore London's queer hub & home and uncover 2000 years of LGBTQ+ history.

    Schedule -  See Calendar

Private Tours

Booking a tour for 8 or more people? Whether you're a school, friends or family, get in touch about our different packages.

WHAT IS A FREE TOUR? *

We run all of our walking tours of London on a pay what you think it’s worth basis. We've all had the experience of paying for an activity up front and then later on, feeling like it was not worth the money. We take that problem away. There is no booking fee for our free tours, and no payment is required before the tour begins. If you have fun then you can decide if you would like to tip your guide. The value is up to you, whatever fits in with your budget. This makes our tours affordable to everyone, regardless of their finances, but also incentivises our guides to never stop trying to improve, as the system rewards the guides who provide the best quality tours. Tipping is always voluntary and our guides will never pressure you into it, but this is their job so if you have had fun, we ask that you take a moment to consider what it was worth to you.

Guided Walking Tours

Hello! I’m Jack, an Open City trained tour guide. My walking tours of London’s hidden history are fun-filled with a focus on the quirky and off-the-beaten-track. Join me to unearth this fascinating city’s hidden gems and spot the little secret details that many miss.

As well as the public tours below, I also have availability for private tours . Click here to find out more.

None of the below dates work for you or they are sold out? Click here to sign up to my newsletter to be the first to receive future dates and my weekly blog post on a fascinating historical spot in London..

I also have four self-guided walks in my book London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers. Find out more here !

Current Walks

Lambeth’s Legendary Trailblazers: From Blake To Chaplin

Discover a lesser-known area of London but one that is packed with history. Walk in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin and William Blake as well as street urchins, pedlars and Tudor princes, as we explore off-the-beaten-track Lambeth. See all dates here .

• Sun 23rd June 11am – Sold out
• Sun 4th August 11am – Sold out

Covent Garden: Behind The Scenes

See Covent Garden like never before on this walking tour digging out the area’s secrets and scandals. Tread in the footsteps of pimps, Victorian actors and protesters as we dive into Covent Garden’s hidden corners. See all dates here .

• Sat 8th June 11am – Sold out
• Wed 26th June 10.30am – Sold out
• Wed 24th July 10.30am – Sold out
• Sat 27th July 11am – Sold out

Secrets and Symbols of the City

A walk exploring his historic heart of London: the City, aka the ‘Square Mile’. We will look at its fascinating past through the lens of its minutae: hidden gardens, narrow passageways and oft-overlooked little symbols. See all dates here .

• Fri 7th June 10.30am
• Sun 16th June 11am – Sold out
• Sun 23rd June 2.30pm – Sold out
• Fri 28th June 10.30am – Sold out
• Sat 20th July 11am – Sold out
• Sun 21st July 11am – Sold out
• Sun 28th July 2.30pm – Sold out
• Sun 4th August 2.30pm – Sold out

Smithfield Uncovered: Rebels and Retribution

A walk discovering one of London’s most historical and captivating areas. Walk in the footsteps of queens, revolutionaries, monks, murderers and merry-makers to uncover an area of extreme contrasts. Along the way will find a notorious execution site, a Black Death burial ground and a Tudor architectural gem.

• Thurs 6th June 10.30am – Sold out
• Sat 22nd June 11am – Sold out
• Thurs 11th July 10.30am – Sold out
• Thurs 18th July 10.30am – Sold out
• Thurs 1st August 10.30am – Sold out
• Sat 3rd August 2.30pm – Sold out

The Hidden Strand: Power, Wealth and Empire

A fun-filled walking tour of the hidden Strand and surrounding alleyways, unearthing its secrets and how power, wealth and empire have shaped its history. See all dates here .

• Sun 9th June 11am – Sold out
• Sun 7th July 11am – Sold out
• Wed 10th July 10.30am – Sold out
• Wed 31st July 10.30am – Sold out

Westminster’s Backstreets: Saints and Scoundrels

A walking tour of Westminster and its lesser-known backstreets, uncovering stories of heroic saints and scurrilous scoundrels. See all dates here .

• Sun 9th June 2.30pm – Sold out
• Sun 16th June 2.30pm – Sold out
• Fri 12th July 10.30am – Sold out
• Sat 20th July 2.30pm – Sold out
• Sat 27th July 2.30pm – Sold out

Recent Reviews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Best London walking tour I’ve been on! Excellent tour. Jack is very engaging and clearly loves what he does. The tour was thoroughly researched and always fascinating. It touches on some real gems along Strand, along with some great Strand facts. 10/10 would recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Historical Touring at its finest! We’ve been on a few previous walking tours and while Jack’s walking tour (of The Strand) focussed as much on history as it did on architecture, it was simply fascinating! Jack showed us so many hidden nooks and crannies and shared with us so much from London’s past that we were totally hooked! And all this delivered by a thoroughly affable and generally very knowledgeable chap. Just beware of his solid myth-busting!!!

Private Walking Tours

I also offer private London walking tours- perfect for curious Londoners and tourists who want to get off-the-beaten track! Simply email me at [email protected] .

Looking for some London history inspiration? Check out my most recent blog posts below!

St Ethelburga’s: A Church And A Bedouin Tent

The Story Behind The Wonderful Facade Of Cutlers’ Hall

The Hidden Rooms Of St Paul’s Cathedral

Thomas Cromwell And The Curious History Of Austin Friars

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A Lady in London

And Traveling the World

Lady’s Free Self-Guided Paddington Walk in London

Today I want to share another of my free self-guided London walking tours with you. This one is a Paddington walk through some of the most beautiful mews and side streets in the UK capital. If you enjoy getting off the beaten path and discovering the city’s hidden lanes, this route is for you. I’ve included a map and all the details about the distance and how long it takes as well.

Paddington Walk

Paddington is often an overlooked part of London. Many people think of it as a place to catch a train from area’s famous station. But there’s a lot more to it than just the tracks (and the cute statue of Paddington bear).

In truth, Paddington is worth a special trip. Situated on the northern border of Hyde Park, the neighborhood is known for its mews.

These pretty streets are packed with colorful houses and paved with cobblestones. Their gardens add color and their details lend charm.

My favorite thing to do in Paddington is walk around and take in these secret lanes. Today I want to share the best of them with you in this London walk.

Self-Guided London Walking Tours

If you want to explore beyond Paddington, I’ve also published walks in nearby areas like Notting Hill , Hyde Park , Marylebone , and Mayfair . My Little Venice walk also goes through Paddington Basin, so you can combine the two if you want a longer walk.

If you’re interested in more, I’ve created lots of free self-guided London walks and pulled them all together in my London walking tours blog post and my London walking map .

There are additional walks in the book London’s Hidden Walks as well. You can get it here . There are more ideas in my London walking books post, too.

If you’re looking for a guided tour, you can see options and book one here . They’re great ways to see the area with an experienced local.

My self-guided Paddington walk will take you from the station to the pretty streets of the neighborhood. Along the way you’ll discover everything from mews houses to leafy squares and hidden stables.

The route of this London walking tour goes by lots of places to eat and drink, so you can stop to get a meal, snack, or tea if you need a break. It also goes by the stylish Grand Hotel Bellevue London if you want to stay in the area. You can book a room here .

This loveliest of Paddington walking tours starts at Paddington station. It’s on several lines of the London Underground, the Elizabeth Line, and main line rail routes, so it’s easy to get to by train.

There are also plenty of local buses that serve the area, or you can arrive on foot, by bike, or on a scooter from Hyde Park or other parts of central and west London .

Whatever way you choose to arrive, you can visit the Paddington bear statue before exiting the station on Praed Street. Depending where you exit, you’ll either turn right or left to get to London Street.

From London Street it’s a quick left to go through the archway that leads into London Mews. This place will give you a taste of the hidden side streets to come.

After exploring London Mews, continue your Paddington walk by exiting back onto London Street and turning left.

Take your first left into Norfolk Square and admire the long rows of white facades with their black trim as you walk past the green space on your right.

When you reach the end, turn left on Norfolk Place and walk up to Praed Mews.

Before you turn into the mews, you’ll spot the Frontline Club across the street. It’s one of my top picks for places to eat near London’s train stations , and it’s a good spot for a meal if you’re hungry.

Whether you eat or not, turn left to get into Praed Mews. You can spend time taking in the white facades, then return to Norfolk Place and turn right.

After walking a few streets down, you’ll come to Southwick Mews. Continue your Paddington walk by turning left to go through the archway, then take some time to admire the colorful doors and facades.

When you’re done exploring, exit the mews through the archway, turn right on Norfolk Place, then take a left on Norfolk Square. You can walk down the opposite side from the one you came along earlier. This time you’ll pass by the Grand Hotel Bellevue London .

When you reach the end of Norfolk Square, turn left on London Road. Pop into Norfolk Square Mews on your left as you make your way down to Sussex Gardens. When you get there, turn right and walk the short distance to Talbot Square.

You can walk past Talbot Square or take a loop around it to see the elegant facades. Either way, continue straight on Sussex Gardens until you reach Spring Street.

Turn right there, then take your first left through the archway to get into Conduit Mews. Follow Conduit Mews as it curves around, and take in the colorful facades as you go.

When you reach Craven Road, continue your Paddington walking tour by crossing over and walking through the archway across from Conduit Mews. It will lead you into Chilworth Mews, where you’ll find more colorful houses. You can admire them as you walk down to the end.

When you reach the archway, go through, cross over Chilworth Street, and head straight through the arch on the other side. It will take you into Eastbourne Mews, where you’ll see mews houses on your left and modern buildings on your right.

Walk down to the end of Eastbourne Mews, then turn left on Cleveland Terrace. Walk down it, popping into Westbourne Terrace Mews on your right to see its colorful facades as you make your way to Gloucester Mews West.

When you reach Gloucester Mews West, turn left and walk all the way down it. You’ll take in both classic and modern mews houses as you go.

At the end, continue your Paddington walk by heading through the archway, crossing over Chilworth Street, and going straight through the archway slightly to the left across the street. You’ll now be in Upbrook Mews.

Walk down Upbrook Mews, taking in the classic facades and gardens before making your way through the archway to Craven Road.

Once there, turn left, then take a right into Smallbrook Mews. Spend some time taking in the traditional facades, then exit back onto Craven Road.

Cross the street and head straight into the entrance to Gloucester Mews. This one has lots of colorful houses to take in as you make your way to the arch at the end.

Once you go through the archway, turn left on Chilworth Street and walk down to Devonshire Terrace. Turn left on Devonshire Terrace, taking in the facades, columns, and gardens as you go.

When you reach Craven Hill Mews, continue your Paddington walk by turning right and taking some time to admire its unique facades with their rounded doorways and windows.

Back on Devonshire Terrace, turn right, then turn left on Craven Road. Walk a short distance before turning right through the archway that leads to Brook Mews North.

Walk all the way down it, following it past the modern buildings as it curves around at the end.

When you reach Craven Terrace, cross over and enter Lancaster Mews. This one does a big loop, so you can walk around it to take in the pretty houses and the view of the church steeple before heading back out onto Craven Terrace.

Turn right on Craven Terrace and keep straight as the street name changes to Lancaster Gate. You’ll be able to admire the elegant facades on either side as you make your way to Bayswater Road and Hyde Park .

When you reach Bayswater Road, turn left and walk down it. If you want to, you can go into Hyde Park and explore the Italian Gardens and the Serpentine.

If not, continue your Paddington walking tour by heading down Bayswater Road past the Lancaster Gate tube station. When you reach Brook Street, turn left and walk up towards Sussex Square.

Once there, turn right on Stanhope Terrace, then take a quick right onto the curving part of Hyde Park Gardens Mews. Spend some time taking in the classic facades, then exit back the way you came on Stanhope Terrace.

Turn left on Stanhope Terrace, then right on Sussex Square. As you go around the green space, you might spot a blue plaque dedicated to Winston Churchill on your right.

Follow Sussex Square as it curves around to the left, then exit the square onto Bathurst Street. Walk along it until you reach Sussex Mews West. You can go through the archway on your left to see the mews, which has beautiful houses.

When you’re done exploring, continue your Paddington walk by exiting back out onto Bathurst Street, crossing over it, and walking straight through the arch on the other side. It will take you into Bathurst Mews, one of the most famous streets in the area.

Bathurst Mews is known for being home to Hyde Park Stables, and you might see horses while you’re here. Even if you don’t, you can follow the mews as it curves around and take in the colorful doors and pretty front gardens.

Walk all the way down to the end and exit out the archway that leads to Sussex Place. When you reach Sussex Place, cross over and go straight through the archway that leads into Radnor Mews.

You’ll find more pretty houses here, and you can admire them as you make your way to the other end.

When you reach Radnor Place, continue your Paddington walk by turning left. Cross over Sussex Gardens and keep straight as the street’s name changes to Norfolk Place. Walk all the way up to Praed Street and turn left.

You’ll be right by St Mary’s Hospital and the Alexander Fleming Museum now. You can go inside if you want to. This free museum is dedicated to the life and work of Sir Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist who’s best known for his discovery of penicillin.

Inside you can see Fleming’s laboratory, which has been restored to its 1928 condition. You can also explore the story of his life and the discovery and development of penicillin.

Whether you visit the museum or not, continue your Paddington walk by heading down Praed Street to Paddington Station.

Your self-guided Paddington walking tour ends where it began. You can pick up the tube, a train, a bus, a bike, or a scooter here, or spend more time exploring the area.

Map and Details of the Paddington Walk in London

Time: 1.5 – 2.5 hours (depending on time in the cafes, restaurants, gardens, parks, and pubs)

Distance: 3.7 miles (5.95 kilometers)

Map of the first third of the walk: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qrHLGs4CbgE9FqwJ6

Map of the middle third of the walk: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4jx8C8CHxZBFCtTU9

Map of the final third of the walk: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xtQHLJfJUix5E9GU8

Further afield: Notting Hill , Bayswater, Marylebone , Hyde Park, Mayfair , Little Venice , Maida Vale

Paddington Walking Tour

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Paddington walk and that it’s inspired you to get out and explore London’s hidden mews and leafy squares. This local area is worth discovering, and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do when you visit.

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CityTrotter London/Paris Walks 4+

Self-guided, gps-based walks, citytrotter ltd, designed for iphone.

• 5.0 • 1 Rating

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CityTrotter features step-by-step, GPS-based guided tours in London and Paris. Both well-known attractions and local gems are present in the app. NEIGHBOURHOODS Walking itineraries in popular areas (Montmartre, Westminster, Notting Hill, Camden, Covent Garden and Soho, the South Bank...) and lesser known areas such as Highgate. ART TRAILS Outdoor art walks such as "Wembley Park Art Trail" and "Shoreditch Street Art". THEMES Themed itineraries such as "Paris highlights", "London highlights", "Harry Potter filming locations" and even "brutalist architecture". CUSTOM WALK Dynamic walking itineraries starting anywhere you want (London only).

Version 1.10

New city: Paris!

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Great way to see the city.

I love this app. My husband and I were able to discover new places as well as see many classics in a new way. While walking around the neighborhoods you will see shops and pubs you would normally not find as well! Very intuitive. I have trouble with maps a lot of the time, this made it easy to get from spot to spot.

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The developer, CityTrotter Ltd , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

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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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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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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

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Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

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Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

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The Origins of the East India Company Part 1 - City of London Walking Tour

Join us for a fun walking tour in the City of London to explore the fascinating Tudor origins of the East India Company!

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• Sunday June 9 11:00 AM
• Saturday June 22 11:00 AM
• Saturday July 6 11:00 AM
• Thursday July 18 11:00 AM
• Saturday July 27 11:00 AM
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The Golden Hinde

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About this event.

• 1 hour 30 minutes

Experience a fascinating and immersive walking tour exploring the East India Company's historic beginnings in Tudor England. Trace the steps of English merchants who established the company in 1600 - uncovering its important role as a significant precursor to colonial rule. Visit the sites of iconic buildings and places that played a part in this journey.

What Do I Need To Bring?

The event involves a fair amount of walking, and it is advised you bring some snacks/drinks with you and wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

We will provide children with activity packs and pens/pencils to complete. There are prizes for the East India Company sleuths, too.

This is an outdoor event.

Start: The Golden Hinde & End: Lloyds Building Leadenhall Street

We meet outside The Golden Hinde.

• United Kingdom Events
• Greater London Events
• Things to do in London
• London Tours
• London Community Tours
• #walkingtour
• #eastindiacompany

Organised by

Pride 2024: where to learn about London's LGBTQ+ history

Did you know that an 18th century British Duchess and her husband were in a polyamorous relationship with another woman?

Don't beat yourself up if you didn’t – Britain’s queer past has often been forgotten, or even purposefully hidden.

And so June, Pride month , is a great time to learn about some of the key events and crucial moments that have shaped modern life for the LGBTQ+ community.

With dedicated queer museums and gallery spaces throughout the city, there are now quite a few places in London where you can learn about queer heritage – beyond the all important pubs and bars which served London’s LGBTQ community over the years.

So whether you fancy delving into the archives, going for a walking tour, or dancing in a drag bar, here are some of London’s best spots for LGBTQ + history .

Queer Britain

Better late than never: after four years of planning, May 2022 finally saw the opening of what, astonishingly, is the UK’s only museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history. The accessible museum is an inclusive space that proudly welcomes everyone – regardless of gender and sexuality – and is dedicated to celebrating “the stories, people and places that are intrinsic to the queer community in the UK and beyond.” It is free to visit and includes four galleries, a workshop, an education space and, of course, a trusty gift shop.

queerbritain.org.uk

Bishopsgate Institute

The library in the Bishopsgate Institute has a whole section for LGBTQ+ history, with areas dedicated to the collections of significant organisations. It holds placards and press cuttings for groups including Outrage! which was set up in response to the murder of gay actor Michael Boothe, who campaigned through non-violent action for the human rights of queer people. The Lesbian and Gay Newsmedia Archive contains around 250,000 press cuttings about the LGBTQ+ experience from the late 19th century to now, as well as t-shirts, banners and club flyers.

bishopsgate.org.uk

Queercircle

In 2022 Queercircle opened its doors for the first time. A wheelchair-accessible creative space completely dedicated to presenting the work of queer artists, the gallery and library holds exhibitions, residencies, and workshops and there’s also a dedicated project space to boot. All this means that it’s a fantastic spot to learn about LGBTQ+ history. Past events have included a listening session on UK Black Queer party culture, exhibitions from bones tan jones and the Queer Youth Art Collective, and poetry readings.

queercircle.org

Gay’s The Word

As the oldest dedicated LGBTQ+ bookshops in the country, Gay’s The Word is a treasure. The shop has everything from young adult fiction to crime and romance, as well as enough non-fiction books to last you through to next year’s Pride month. Many will have learned about Gay’s The Word from the hit film Pride, which told the story of LGSM (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners). The bookshop served as headquarters for the campaign group, which raised money and support for striking Welsh miners in the Eighties. A plaque for Mark Ashton, who led the group before he died aged 26, adorns the outside wall.

gaystheword.co.uk

Chiswick House

As same-sex relationships between women were never a criminal offence, it can be difficult to find records of lesbian and bisexual histories – but there were a tonne of “romantic female friendships” in the 18th century. Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire and resident of Chiswick House , though married to a Duke, had a number of affairs with women, which we know about through letters. She and her husband even entered into a polyamorous relationship with Lady Elizabeth Foster, who they invited to live with them at one point.

chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk

Admiral Duncan

A stalwart of Old Compton Street in Soho, the Admiral Duncan has been open since 1832. In 1999, it was the target of a neo-Nazi nail bomb attack, which killed three and injured more than 70. A plaque in the bar commemorates the dead and injured, and a memorial chandelier reads “we shall never forget our friends”. Showing the queer community’s strength of spirit, the pub reopened weeks later and is still the home of drag nights and raucous fun.

admiral-duncan.co.uk

Queer History Walking Tour

Whether you’re new to London or have been here for years, there’s no better way to get to know the city than through a guided tour. Cabaret performer Mark T Cox provides a particularly good one, which stops off at iconic spots including the LGBTQ+ nightclub Heaven, the Admiral Duncan, and what was formerly a Molly House (spots where men could meet and have sex in the 18th and 19th century) – and it’s completely free, too.

The two-hour tour is part of London With A Local, which means Cox isn’t always going to be the guide on the route, so if you specifically want to hear from Cox, check out his website for his next guiding dates.

londonwithalocal.com/lgbtqtour

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