History tours · LONDON HISTORY TOURS

15 London History Tours Worth the Morning

24 tours  ·  from $9 a head

A shortlist you could hand a friend: 15 london history tours that repay the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the thing to check before you book.

London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs - Dickens, literary London, and a 17th-century pub
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London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

1.London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,422 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Our pick

Walk from the City of London to Covent Garden with a local guide such as Tim, Chris, Freddie, or Mark. Visit four historic pubs, see St. Paul’s, Fleet Street, legal London, and literary landmarks, and buy your own beer, cider, or gin along the way. The group is limited to 14 people.

“What an incredible way to spend an afternoon in London! We loved visiting historical sites and our guide, Richie, was an absolute wealth of knowledge. The pubs we visited were gems! We loved that they were off the beaten path and were pleased with the variety of drink recommendations.”

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Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour - From Piccadilly Circus into Soho at 2:00 pm
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Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

2.Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,993 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Spend 2.5 hours walking Soho with a local English-speaking guide, stopping at four historic pubs linked to the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mozart. Guides such as Ben, Gherto, Danny, Callum, Tom, and Harvey bring the stories to life. Drinks and food cost extra, and groups are limited to 15.

“What a great way to get to know the area and context of Soho, unbelievable stories and so many interesting facts. Also the pubs we visited really were each special and would not have ventured to such interesting places without this tour. Our guide Harvey was phenomenal! He informed about interesting landmarks in Soho and made us laugh. He also had an extensive knowledge of music world and how Soho has played its part in rock music history.”

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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

3.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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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

4.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

5.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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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

6.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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London: Rock 'n' Roll History Tour - King’s Road and Chelsea, where fashion met rock
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London: Rock ‘n’ Roll History Tour

7.Rock ‘n’ Roll History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 645 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $74

Ride through London with an English-speaking rock guide such as Clive, Ian, or Colin, visiting Chelsea, Kensington, Notting Hill, St John’s Wood, and Abbey Road. Expect stories about the Beatles, Queen, the Stones, punk, reggae, and Jimi Hendrix, plus a photo stop at the famous crossing.

“Saw some great sites and the guide, Ian, was a true music lover that made the experience more genuine.”

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London: Westminster Abbey Tour with a Royal Heritage Guide - Meeting at the Abbey Shop
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London: Westminster Abbey Tour with a Royal Heritage Guide

8.Westminster Abbey Tour with a Royal Heritage Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 614 reviews · 2 hours · from $93

Explore Westminster Abbey with an English-speaking Amigo Tours guide for two hours. You’ll see the Coronation Chair, Poets’ Corner, royal graves, Gothic details, and sites tied to coronations, weddings, and funerals. Guides such as Jane, Nick, Richard, and Pauline are known for clear storytelling, though crowds can make hearing difficult.

“Tour was excellent! Nick was a great tour director, very knowledgeable with a sense of humour! Thank you Nick for a lovely morning. Deb & Gail Ps was very busy and crowded today made photo taking difficult!!”

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London: Royal Historic Pubs Walking Tour - Four pubs, four different slices of London
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London: Royal Historic Pubs Walking Tour

9.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 536 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $39

Meet your English-speaking guide by the winged statue at Piccadilly Circus for a 2.5-hour walk through London's royal quarter. Visit four tucked-away historic pubs, hear stories of Churchill, royalty, Bond, Chaplin and Ed Sheeran, and choose your own drinks as you go. Guides such as Tom, Henry, Danny, Luke and Ben are known for lively storytelling.

“Our tour was great! Henry went above and beyond to make it an 11/10 experience. He was knowledgeable and fun which created an engaging environment. Would highly recommend him specifically and this experience!”

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Historic Pub Walking Tour of London - What happens inside the pubs
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Historic Pub Walking Tour of London

10.Historic Pub Walking Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 484 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $19

Meet at Embankment Station and spend about four hours walking through London’s pub country with guides such as Rachel, Mike, Carolina, and Connor. You’ll visit four historic pubs, hear stories of old London and pub folklore, and have time for a drink at each stop. Drinks and food cost extra. The tour ends in Covent Garden.

“Had a brilliant time. As a history teacher I love doing walking tours and this far surpassed previous ones I’ve done. I’ve already recommended to friends. Loved all the pubs we went in and the history which was peppered in between was amusing, really well delivered and memorable. Loved it!”

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London: Jack the Ripper Tour with Historic Pub Stops - Starting at the White Hart Pub
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London: Jack the Ripper Tour with Historic Pub Stops

11.Jack the Ripper Tour with Historic Pub Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 360 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $40

Walk Whitechapel with guides such as Cova, Jude, Becky, Sarah, and Ollie, stopping at pubs tied to the Ripper case. Hear the evidence, theories, and stories behind Annie Chapman and Mary Kelly, visit The Ten Bells and Spitalfields Market, and finish near Mitre Square. Drinks cost extra, and the tour is offered in English or French.

“Our guide was very friendly and informative. She had lots of knowledge and information about Jack the Ripper as well as the local area we walked through.”

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London: Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower - Meeting Mick at Tower Hill
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London: Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower

12.Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 318 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Join historian Mick Priestley for a two-hour walk from Tower Hill to St Paul’s Cathedral. You’ll cross Tower Bridge, pass HMS Belfast, Borough Market, Winchester Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Millennium Bridge while learning how London grew from Roman settlement to modern capital. Expect a lively pace, plenty of questions, and outdoor walking in all weather.

“As someone who has visited London several times, this was a very informative tour! Mick is super knowledgeable and would answer all your questions. If you want to understand London and its history better, this tour is definitely worth it!”

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London: Witches and History Bankside Walking Tour - Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market
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London: Witches and History Bankside Walking Tour

13.Witches and History Bankside Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 223 reviews · 1h 15m · from $24

Follow a costumed witch guide from London Bridge through Southwark, Borough Market, Clink Street, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Millennium Bridge. Hear true stories of suspected witches, witch-hunters, and persecution while taking in landmarks such as the Golden Hinde, Winchester Palace, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Guides include Gary the Grey, Veronica, Beatrix, and Felix.

“Beatrix was amazing. She really knew her stuff and delivered it so well. My daughter was utterly hooked and loved every minute of it. You don’t walk too far, so it’s fine for young kids. Beatrix kept it engaging and entertaining throughout for grown ups and kids alike. Highly recommended.”

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London: 2-Hour Historic Pub Tour - The pubs, the lanes, and the stories between them
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London: 2-Hour Historic Pub Tour

14.2-Hour Historic Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 133 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Follow an English-speaking guide, often George, through London's old center for two hours of pub lore, literary scandals, gin history, and city landmarks. Visit historic drinking spots, hear about Dylan Thomas and a poet's duel, then finish with a complimentary half pint at one of Charles Dickens' regular pubs. Expect moderate walking and a social, story-led afternoon.

“Terrific! Really interesting tour with great conversation. Enhanced our holiday. George was really lovely, knowledgeable and fun. Thanks for making our day and giving us a new perspective of London, area and history!”

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London: Historic London Pub Walking Tour - Meeting at Embankment and setting off
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London: Historic London Pub Walking Tour

15.Historic London Pub Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 94 reviews · 4 hours · from $18Best value

Start at Embankment Station and walk with an English-speaking guide to four historic pubs around Covent Garden. You’ll hear local legends, enter an 800-year-old licensed pub with seating guaranteed, and get advice on ales, craft beers, and British spirits. Guides have included Rachel, Mike, Carolina, Adam, and Michael. Drinks and food cost extra.

“Excellent tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. Loved it! Guide: Caroline”

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New in London History Tours

★ 4.3Self-Guided History City Tour with an AppFrom $921 reviews
★ 4.9Historic Pubs, British Ales & Classic DishesFrom $9336 reviews
★ 4.32-Hour Guided Tour of the British Museum and HistoryFrom $3722 reviews

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