History tours · HISTORY WALKING TOURS IN THE UK

The 15 Best History Walking Tours in the UK

26 tours  ·  from $9 a head

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 history walking tours in the UK earn it, priced and timed so the decision takes a minute.

A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour - Donegall Place and the city behind the shop windows
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A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

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

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

Walk 1.5 miles through central Belfast with guides such as James, Mylie, Anne, and Róisín, learning how The Troubles began, affected daily life, and led toward peace. The route includes City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, former attack sites, and the Beacon of Hope. Headsets help you follow the commentary in a group of up to 25.

“Fabulous tour with a great overview of the history and Troubles of Belfast. James was a brilliant guide with an in-depth knowledge and genuine passion for his job. Would 100% recommend.”

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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour - Meeting Adam Smith before entering the Old Town
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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

2.Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

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

Meet your English-speaking Little Fish guide outside Caffe Nero by the Adam Smith Statue, then walk into Edinburgh’s Old Town for two hours of stories, folklore, landmarks, Scottish Enlightenment history, and Harry Potter connections. Guides such as Koffe, Max, Euan, Ben, and Graeme are known for theatrical storytelling and useful pub, food, and sightseeing tips.

“Fantastic Old Town Edinburgh Tour with Ben We absolutely loved our Old Town Edinburgh tour with Ben. From the start, he was engaging, knowledgeable, and full of energy, bringing the history of the Old Town to life with fascinating stories, humor, and local insight. The tour felt well paced and never overwhelming, even with lots of historical detail. We were a bit unsure how our 4-year-old would handle a walking history tour, but Ben did an amazing job keeping things interesting and accessible. We learned so much about Edinburgh’s history and it was a great way to explore the Old Town with a knowledgeable local guide. We would highly recommend…”

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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh - The guides make the biggest difference
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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

3.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

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

Walk Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with guides such as Max, Greg, Ben, Angus, Jule, and Euan. Expect a two-hour route through the Royal Mile area, historic closes, St Giles Cathedral, Mercat Cross, George Heriot School, and an outside view of Edinburgh Castle, with stories, humor, and local tips along the way.

“Angus was such a great guide, giving us a nice tour of the Old Town quarter. Lots of laughters and emotions of surprise and curiosity were part of our 2-hour journey through the streets of the capital city of Edinburgh. My friends and I recommend it without any hesitation !”

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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History. - The Minster sets the mood
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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

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

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

Start at the Guy Fawkes Inn at 6:30 pm for a 90-minute English-language walk through York’s darker past. Guides including Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie use theatrical storytelling around the Minster and lesser-seen streets, finishing near the Shambles. Expect outdoor walking, cobbles, cold weather, and stories that can unsettle younger children.

“Wonderful ghost walk around the most spooky bits of York! Bought this for our grown up kids and they really enjoyed their evening out!”

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Private Historical Walking Tour of York - Royal stories and a building linked to Henry VIII
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Private Historical Walking Tour of York

5.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

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

Walk York’s old center with a private English-speaking guide, usually starting opposite York Minster and ending at Clifford’s Tower. Hear stories tied to Romans, Vikings, kings, Henry VIII, Guy Fawkes, and local life. Guides include Alan, Karen, Chris, Sean, and David. Central hotel pickup is available.

“Alan is an exceptional guide, incredibly knowledgeable and he made my first ever visit to York most enjoyable and informative. I would highly recommend this tour.”

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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour - Meeting your guide on the Royal Mile
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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

6.Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

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

Join a character guide such as Hazel, Juniper, or Angelica for a 75-minute English walking tour from the Royal Mile to Grassmarket. Hear the human stories behind Scotland’s witch trials, pass historic closes and wynds, and connect Edinburgh’s dark past with places linked to Outlander and Harry Potter.

“Hazel was a lovely and knowledgeable guide , it was very interesting to know more about the history of the city and its witches. We just wish it would be a little longer or maybe with deeper explanations of other aspects of history maybe considering the price. But overall it was a nice experience.”

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London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour - Starting outside St Paul’s and finding the old streets
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London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

7.Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

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

Spend 3.5 hours walking from St Paul’s toward Strand and Covent Garden, stopping at four historic pubs. Guides such as Dave, Tim, Freddie, Shadow, and Lachlan mix London stories, alehouse lore, Dickens connections, and humor. Drinks cost extra, and the tour suits adults 18 and over who can manage a gentle two-mile walk.

“Tour was fantastic, Adam was super informative and a lot of fun!”

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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour - From the High Street at 10:30 am
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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

8.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

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

Walk Edinburgh’s historic center with a professional guide, starting on the High Street at 10:30 am and ending at Greyfriars Kirkyard. In about two hours, you’ll connect medieval and modern history, hear local legends, spot lesser-known details, and get practical ideas for exploring on your own. English and French are listed, though language availability should be confirmed.

“Very informative. Now I see the city with different eyes. History and places were a good match. There were also many tips.Auto-translated”

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York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour - Starting at Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate
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York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

9.Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

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

Follow a costumed guide such as Cornelius, Merlot, Willow, or Nutmeg through York’s old town for 75 minutes of true witch stories, murders, hauntings, and local history. The route links Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and small lanes. Expect outdoor walking, theatrical storytelling, and cobblestones.

“The Magnificent Merlot was an amazing tour guide, very knowledgeable it amazed me how much he knew & remembered, very talented! He was very funny & entertaining. The tour itself was very interesting & factual, definitely great value for money, I recommend it to anyone interested in witches & York history.”

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A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour - Starting beneath the Three Graces
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A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

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

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

Walk from the Royal Liver Building through Liverpool’s medieval center, Castle Street, the Old Dock, Liverpool ONE, and Royal Albert Dock. Guides John and Julio explain the city’s port, commerce, maritime past, and role in the transatlantic slave trade. Expect a fast, fact-packed route with outdoor walking and no included admissions.

“Very good history tour of Liverpool. Tour guide very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Would definitely recommend.”

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Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour - Starting at City Hall: the long road to The Troubles
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Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour

11.Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour

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

Walk 1.5 miles through Belfast with guides such as James, Mylie, Anne, or Chris, tracing the causes and human cost of The Troubles. You’ll visit City Hall, former security cordons, attack sites, memorials, and the Forgotten Troubles Memorial. The tone is balanced and thoughtful, with headsets, personal insight, and time for questions.

“We joined the History of Terror walking tour during our visit to Belfast, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. James and Eugene were our guides, and despite it being quite a rainy day, they kept the experience engaging and enjoyable throughout. Their storytelling was exceptional, they brought the city’s complex history to life and provided so much valuable backstory and context that you simply wouldn’t get wandering around on your own. They handled sensitive topics with balance, insight, and a touch of humour at just the right moments. Rain aside, the time flew by, and we walked away with a much deeper understanding of Belfast’s past.…”

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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour - Four pubs and the music of Soho
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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

12.Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Piccadilly Circus, then walk through Soho’s music and nightlife past. You’ll visit four historic pubs, hear stories about John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Bowie, the Beatles, and Mozart, and buy drinks along the way. Guides such as Henry, Gherto, Sy, Ben, and Gary are known for lively storytelling and group banter.

“Gherto was completely the best guide - the tour was worth every minute spent 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟”

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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London - St. James’s Palace gives the walk its royal setting
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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

13.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

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

Start near Piccadilly Circus and walk through St. James’s, hearing royal and celebrity stories from guides such as Ben, Luke, Henry, Tom, and Carlos. Expect a small group of up to 12, several historic pubs, useful drink suggestions, and about two to three hours on foot. Drinks and food cost extra.

“Ben was an amazing tour guide. We got lucky because we were the only ones that booked the tour on that day. We basically had our own private excursion. Ben is very passionate on what he does. We went to 4 pubs. Ben took pictures of us and sent them to us following the tour.”

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Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian - Starting near the City Chambers
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Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

14.3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

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

Meet your Italian-speaking guide at 190 High Street and walk Edinburgh’s Old Town for three hours. You’ll see the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Victoria Street, and Greyfriars Kirkyard, with stories of Mary, Queen of Scots, Presbyterian Scotland, executions, and Harry Potter. Guides include Alessandra, Dominga, and Davide.

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

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Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London - Black Friar and the art-nouveau opening stop
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Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

15.Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

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

Walk from Cheapside toward Holborn with a private guide such as Lyndon, Lachlan, Adam, Ricky, or John. Visit characterful pubs including Black Friar, the Old Bank of England, and Princess Louise, while hearing stories about London’s streets, churches, courts, Dickensian corners, and pub traditions. Drinks cost extra.

“Adam was great not a dull moment! We enjoyed his humor and knowledge of the pubs. Great experience along with the beer and gin!”

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New in History Walking Tours in the UK

★ 4.9Belfast: Best of Belfast History, Culture & Art Walking TourFrom $35158 reviews
★ 4.9Belfast Walking Tour with a Local – History & CraicFrom $26130 reviews
★ 3.6Bath : 2 Hour Historic Walking Tour With An AppFrom $919 reviews
★ 4.9Medieval History Walking Tour from The TowerFrom $24318 reviews
★ 4.9Winchester: Historic Castles and Cathedrals Walking TourFrom $16154 reviews

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