As someone who calls London, England home, I know that one of the best ways to explore and experience London is on a walking tour. Whether it’s to learn about the history of the royals, try the cuisines of the east end or soak up the atmosphere of the narrow, vibrant streets of Soho, there is so much to take in.
Below is a collection of some of the best tours and experiences you can book and join to discover what makes London one of the most wonderful cities in the world.
NOTE: As London, like most of the world, continues to go in and out of lockdown due to Covid-19, some tours may have limited availability but should be back when the pandemic eases and the world is able to open back up again.
THE EAST LONDON FOOD TOUR
Easily my favourite tour I have done in the city, this experience tells the story of east London through food. Stops include Brick Lane and the iconic Spitalfields Market, with delicious eats like bread pudding, curries and bagels. We saw colourful street art, learnt about the people who have called East London home throughout the years and by the end, we were absolutely stuffed!
Watch this video of me trying out the East End Food tour.
If you’re travelling to other parts of the UK, consider spending one day in York, as it is also home to locations that provided inspiration for places in Harry Potter.
THE HARRY POTTER WALKING TOUR
Every Harry Potter fan knows that London is dripping with sights and locations that featured in or inspired the stories of ‘the boy who lived’. This immersive walking tour brings the books and films to life as you hop around the city visiting spots, while also learning bits of London’s history. As reviews will assure you, this tour is for all ages and regardless of whether you’ve read the books or seen the films – but you really should…they have such a following for a reason)!
A bonus of this tour is the price. London tours can often be pricey, but this tour for muggles is pretty affordable. Oh, and don’t hesitate to dress up or bring your wand – it’s encouraged!
THE CLASSIC CITY TOUR
While there are plenty of niche walking tours of London to fit any interest, sometimes the classic tour that takes you to the key sights and attractions is the way to go. In a city that is steeped in more history than one could ever absorb, you can’t go wrong with an expert guide and some of the most famous buildings in the world.
While you could do a full-day tour, this can feel a bit too long with too much info to absorb. I’d suggest something 2 to 3 hours long as a jump off point.
This tour will take you to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Covent Garden, Tower of London and many spots along the way.
THE SOHO COCKTAIL TOUR
Packed full of bars, restaurants and shops, Soho is a favourite spot for both locals and visitors keen for a saucy night on the town. As the epicentre of London’s LGBT+ scene and a long history of sex, drugs and rock & roll, Soho is a must. Led by the fabulous Geri Halliwell impersonator JustMay, this London walking tour also includes some tasty cocktails!
THE JACK THE RIPPER TOUR
One of the most famous killers in history, Jack The Ripper terrorized the streets of London for years. Still, the identity of this criminal has never been proved despite many theories of who committed the heinous crimes in the city’s east end.
Like many other tours, a Jack the Ripper tour also folds in bits of history about the streets and neighbourhoods they take you to. There are quite a few Jack The Ripper tours, so I’ve provided a few to make sure you can find one that works for your dates.
THE HISTORIC PUB TOUR
How could I compile a collection of the best London walking tours without including a pub tour!? With a pub on almost every corner, partaking in the joy of drinking is an intricate part of London’s culture and there are some pretty legendary pubs too! While drinks are at your own expense, this allows you to pick the drink of your choice and keep the price of the tour itself low.
THE WRAP UP
No matter which London walking tour you pick, there is a wealth of culture, history and beauty to take in among the streets of this glorious city. As most of the above are 2 to 3 hours long but quite different from one another, consider trying a couple to get different perspectives of what makes London tick.
Have questions? Feel free to pop them in the comments below or pop me an email and I’ll do my best to assist.
And after the fact, I’d love to hear how you made out and what your favourite parts of your visit to London were!
Happy travels!