walks tours london

.

.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of London for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

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 .

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

An email you’ll actually love

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Over 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.

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.

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.

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 exploore 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 meet 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 7pm start is past the little ’uns bedtimes).

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leisure Pass London Widget

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Claim your listing
• Time Out Offers FAQ
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Offers
• Time Out Worldwide

Europe Chevron

United Kingdom Chevron

England Chevron

London Chevron

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.

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Charlie Hobbs

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.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

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

Royal London Tour

Winston Churchill’s London Tour

Roman London Tour

Pioneering Women in the City 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

Financial London 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

Kings Cross 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

London's top walking tours... ...and a whole lot more!

Top london tours and attractions selected by discover walks experts.

We’re fairly confident that exploring London via one of Discover Walks’ many tour packages is the most worthwhile way of experiencing this colossal city.

Boasting over 100,000 walking tours a year, we’ve walked (and even cycled) millions of travelers through Europe’s most iconic streets and attractions.

Why we love our London tours

It takes skilled guides, thoughtful routes, inclusive price points and knowledge on the very best attractions in order to safely heard groups of travelers through unfamiliar places, while also maintaining that crucial enjoyment factor for London walking tours. We’re confident that travelers are in great hands so long as they’re with us, whether you’re walking, riding or eating your way through the city!

From architecture to international cuisines and world class art, our tour packages cover all corners of London Town, so that all you’ll have to focus on is putting one foot in front of the other!

Find the best tours by category now

Our selection of london's best rated tours.

Private Guided Tour of The British Museum, London

Travel around the world in this cultural institution

Private custom day tour of London

Set your own itinerary and explore London

Tour of London in 6 hours

Discover all the secrets of the city in 6 hours

London Free Tour

Enchanting stroll through London

Free Tour of Shoreditch Street Art

Art that is beautiful, ever-changing & thought provoking

Free Tour of classic London

Visit the main tourist attractions of London

Free Walk tour of Essential London

Visit to London's must-see attractions

Free Tour of London’s Ghosts, Ghouls and Ghastly Murders

The darker side of London

Private Taxi tour of Harry Potter, London

A touch of magic to your sightseeing

Free Tour of the city of London

All about the City of London

Full Day Private Tour of Classic London

A full day of exploring London's top attractions

Free Walking Tour of Jack the Ripper in London

Dare to discover the legend of Jack the Ripper

Uncover Jack the Ripper with your investigative skills, Free Tour

Unmask the ripper

London on the banks of the Thames, Free Tour

See London from a perspective of the Thames River

YOUR BEST DAY IN LONDON PRIVATE TOUR

LET US CUSTOMIZE A PERFECT DAY

Bike Tour OF London’s Best Kept Secret

The ultimate London experience!

Bicycle Tour of Classic London Landmarks

Discover the most notable sights of the city

Cycle to London’s Hidden Gems, Landmarks, iconic Pub + Try graffiti

Perfect way to explore London

Self-Guided Tour of Kent vineyards & castles by an E-bike

Experience Kent on an electric bike

Bike Tour of London Royal Parks including Hyde Park

Explore iconic landmarks by bike

Fall in love with London Bike Tour

The city’s most theatrical, artistic and culturally significant sights

Secret Bike tour of London

Discover London's hidden landmarks by bike

Bike Tour of London’s Highlights

Explore the city’s famous sights

Half-Day Bike Tour of Royal London

Visit London's royal landmarks

London’s Historic Pubs, Private Tour

Enhance your experience of London’s renowned pub culture

Tower of London Private Tour

Uncover the hidden secrets of the Tower of London

Private Tour of London by Black Taxi

Explore London in a traditional black taxi

E-Bike Tour London

Discover the history and diversity of London on an electric bike

London Private tours by E-Taxi, experienced Guide

Comfortable discover the beauty of London

Private Night Tour of London by Taxi

See London’s sights come alive after dark

London calling!

There is a tangible buzz that flows through London; one that makes this city almost foreign to the very land from which it originates. London, in comparison to the rest of the UK, is a very different entity, and in spite of its size, this is still a worthwhile place to explore on foot.

Each borough in London has a completely unique personality to the one next door. From Camden Town to Notting Hill, or Oxford Circus to Soho , you’ll observe eccentricities and photo ops that are unlike elsewhere on the continent. We’ll facilitate your free tours by foot London past the likes of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the London Eye. You’ll see London’s finest street art and numerous royal attractions and, while you’re at it, why not end the day with a dinner cruise on the Thames?

Trust us, the Brits are happy to have you in town, and locals flow symphonically with the chaos that tourism brings to the city center; “the more the merrier”, as the saying goes.

We’ve got the best experiences that London has to offer, and local guides to match. Book your tours today!”

More cities and tour options? Explore our Paris walking tours , Prague walking tours , Lisbon walking tours , and more !

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser .

• TOUR SCHEDULE

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

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

• Walking Tours
• Corporate Group Tours
• Private Tours
• Virtual Tours
• Gift Vouchers
• Calendar & Tickets
• 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!

Subscribe to my weekly articles about london's history

Social media.

• Privacy Policy

5 Whittlesey Street, London SE1 8SZ, United Kingdom

I'm trying to reduce my reliance on social media, as these sites massively limit how many people can view links to external websites unless the author pays an extortionate amount to promote them. Please consider subscribing on the link below to receive a weekly email about London's fascinating history! (Your details will never be shared with any other parties)

Cookie Policy

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.

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.

London walking tours

Explore London at your own pace with the Around audio tours made by expert guides

Browse London walking tours 📍

City of London - Crime and punishment, blood and guts

Riverside London - Bridges, bastions, boats, and Borough Market

Secrets of Covent Garden - The bits you may miss

Welcome to London - Westminster: power, people and politics

Love London? Let me share my passion with you.  

My next public tor will be hampstead village tour on 14th august you can book to join me on a circular tour of hampstead village.  having attracted the rich and famous over the last two centuries, it’s no surprise there are plenty of historical plaques in this area, which show a glimmer of hampstead’s glamorous inhabitants. please book your place here  https://londonguidedwalks.co.uk/guidedwalk/hampstead-village/, my name is rhona levene and i am qualified to lead walking tours around the city of london, city of westminster and the london borough of camden.  , though born in the north of england, london is my home. for most of my working career i worked in the music business, travelling the world with a variety of popular music artists.  , i can offer you bespoke walking tours in an area of london of your choice with a theme of your choice too.  i am more than happy though to suggest some of my favourites to you.  so next time you want to organise a get-tether for friends just for fun; a birthday, anniversary or any other "special day" you want to celebrate, let me organise a fun walking tour for you.  .

Thursday, July 28th 2022 @ 12:00 - 13:30

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

Free Walking Tours 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

Free Tours by Foot is pleased to present free walking tours of London, including guided walks, self-guided, and GPS-led audio tours.

We provide a platform for professional, freelance tour guides to lead walking tours at no upfront cost, so that you may enjoy a quality sightseeing experience no matter what your budget. 

Our model of live guided tours ensures that your tour guide must strive to give his or her best on every tour.

Searching Availability...

Everyone should be permitted to take a guided tour for a price they feel it was worth - even free!

It’s the best money-back guarantee available. 

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 AND SELF-GUIDED LONDON 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.

A Lady in London

And Traveling the World

Lady’s London Walking Map for Self-Guided Walks

Today I want to bring you my interactive London walking map. I’ve published dozens of self-guided London walking tours on the A Lady in London blog, and I want to give you a place to see them all together in one map. I hope it makes it easy for you to find London walks near you, and to branch out and explore more of the city on walks further afield.

London Walking Map

My London walking map shows all the routes I’ve written about. From central London walks to east London walks , it has each one labeled with the relevant walking tour.

London walks

The map includes my most popular self-guided London walks , including my Notting Hill walk , my Hampstead walk , and my Chelsea walk .

It also has everything from my secret London walks to my south London walks , west London walks , and north London walks . It has themed London walks like my literary walk , my street art walk , my historical walks , and my night walks , too.

I’ve put together lists of seasonal walks for spring , summer , autumn , Christmas , and winter , too. The routes in them are included in my London walking map as well.

If you want to bookmark or pin it on Pinterest , you can use this post as an easy reference to locate all my self-guided London walking tours.

You can read about more city walks in London’s Hidden Walks as well. You can get it on Amazon here . There are more ideas in my London walking books post, too. Some of them have printed London walking maps as well.

You can see my London walking map below. If you click on the pins, you’ll find more information about each walk, including a link to the relevant blog post with the description, route, map, photos, and videos.

Whether you love London canal walks or walks around London Bridge , you’ll find what you’re looking for.

I hope you enjoy playing around with it and that it helps you discover new-to-you areas of the UK capital.

I have additional London walks in the pipeline, and they’ll all end up on my London walking map when I’ve published them. If you want to see more of the city, you can also take a look at my London neighborhoods map .

I hope you enjoy these self-guided London walking tours as much as I have, and that you get a chance to explore all the city’s secret spaces. Happy walking!

Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!

New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email .

One of the links in this blog post is an affiliate link. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission when you click on it and make a purchase. It doesn’t affect the way you shop, and it’s a great way to support the A Lady in London blog.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

© Copyright A Lady in London 2007 - 2024. Privacy Policy.

• Introduction to the walks

Westminster

• St James’s
• Paddington to Camden Market

City of London 1

City of london 2, farringdon to clerkenwell, clerkenwell to islington, tower hill to wapping, wapping to canary wharf, east end sunday markets, charing cross to st paul’s, isle of dogs, covent garden.

• About My London Walks
• Accommodation and travel tips
• Privacy policy

Welcome to My London Walks

Self-guided walks for inquiring minds.

I originally started compiling these walks for personal use, but as more and more friends began to ask me for copies, I decided to put them online.

The walks cover some of the more well-known areas of London, as well as those not so well-known, that I find interesting and believe have played a particularly important part in the city’s development, both in the past and still do today.

They are not for the casual tourist who want to visit the ‘top sights’. Instead, they are generally rather detailed, with a lot of information about what you will see on the walk – the sort of information that I find myself wondering about as I walk around London and then spend time researching.

I’ve given more information about my interest in London and how the walks came about on the About page .

PANDEMIC UPDATE

As a result of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns a number of things have occurred in London, particularly in the central areas and Canary Wharf, often because of so many people ‘working from home’. Some of the places recommended in the walks may have closed, either temporarily or in some cases permanently, whilst other venues and attractions may now have different opening times.

“If you wish to have a just notion of the magnitude of this city, you must not be satisfied with seeing its great streets and squares, but must survey the innumerable little lanes and courts.”

Dr Samuel Johnson

THE WALKS SO FAR

Holborn to the Old Bailey

Paddington to Camden

St Pancras and King’s Cross

Please tell us your name and email address and we'll let you know when a new walk is published.

Your name Your email address

We won’t contact you about anything else and you can cancel this request at any time.

London Parks & Gardens

Guided walks and cycle tours

Gain a more in depth knowledge of the capital with a guided walk or cycling tour during London Open Gardens. Tickets for the tours, let by expert guides, are on sale now. Please note that you must  buy a London Open Gardens weekend ticket  before booking walks and tours.

If you have already purchased your ticket, revisit the booking page from the link in your booking email. Then choose the ‘See what extras you can add to your order’ links to add walks and tours tickets.

All guided walks and cycle tours must be booked in advance – there are limited places which can fill up quickly.

Guided walks

Walks on 8 june.

• 10am and 12pm: London – 2000 years A unique journey 2000 years back in time to when London was founded
• 10am: City of London: Replanting for Climate Resilience Join the City of London’s Environmental Resilience team to learn how they will be supporting the adaptation of historic sites to face the challenges of climate change
• 10.30am: Lincoln’s Greens Through Lincoln’s Inn gardens and into Lincoln’s Inn Fields
• 10.30am: Gardens of Belgravia Pass the townhouses of the rich and famous, and beautiful garden squares
• 10.30am: From Pergolas to Pineapples A gentle tour to explore some of the City of London’s hidden green gems and find out a little about their history
• 11am: Saints and Sinners – the History of Smithfield Explore the rich history surrounding the Smithfield area, from the lows of Newgate prison to the highs of St Bartholomews and Charterhouse
• 11am and 2.30pm: Pleasure, Paradise and Pocket Parks A gentle stroll through the back streets of Lambeth delving into the history of the area and the characters that have helped to shape it
• 11.30am and 1.30pm: Gardens in the Ruins A short walk around gardens created from the bombsites of the Second World War
• 1pm: City Gardens Family Trail Look out for clues to important events in the story of the City; designed especially for families with children under 12 years old
• 2pm: Thameside Gardens 1: South Bank Visit London’s ‘wild side’, traditionally the capital’s industrial, entertainment and low-life centre, which rapidly changing character in the 20th century
• 2pm: On The Beat with Bloomsbury’s Best A light-hearted meander through some of the best open spaces in Bloomsbury where – fifty years ago – your guide was a Bobby on the Beat
• 2.30pm: Belgravia: Squares, Stucco and Scandal Visit stunning squares and cobbled mews and learn about the people who lived, loved and died here, sometimes in dramatic circumstances!

Walks on 9 June

• 10am: Secrets of the City gardens Explore the City of London through its gardens, and the green spaces in and around the Barbican in particular
• 10.30am: Quirks and wonders of Bloomsbury The iconic gardens and architectural wonders of Bloomsbury
• 11am: Southwark, its gardens and ‘hoppy’ past 
 Explore varied green spaces, retrace their sometimes unusual pasts, and weave in Dickens, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Keats along the way
• 1pm: Inns and Out Visit Temple gardens, secret courtyards, a Shepherd and Sheep, and a church which inspired a wedding cake
• 1pm: Hammersmith Thameside Stroll Discover the history of the Thames at Hammersmith, through rural beginnings, 18th century well-to-do residents and 19th century industry, to the present day
• 2pm: Temple Gardens at their height A wander around the glorious gardens of Middle and Inner Temple
• 2pm: On the Beat in Kings Cross A light-hearted meander through the Dickensian back streets and alleyways south of Euston Road, where – fifty years ago – your guide was a Bobby on the Beat
• 2pm: Thameside Gardens 2: North Bank Explore the Thames as the main artery of pre-industrial London, on its North Bank lined by the palaces, houses and gardens of royalty and aristocracy
• 3pm: Old and New Biodiversity in the City of London A walk through some of the 200 open spaces in the Square Mile, looking at how new and old biodiversity interacts in City Gardens
• Time TBC: Fanny Wilkinson’s Green Lungs for London Celebrate the life and work of Fanny Wilkinson, the first professional female landscape gardener

Cycle tours

The following cycle tours are available to book (age 11 and over only):

• Saturday 10am: Cycle Tour of West End and City Gardens
• Sunday 10am: City and Southwark Gardens Cycle Tour
• Sunday 10.15am: ‘From the grand to the local’ – a circular tour from Russell Square

Garden map guide Participating gardens Guided walks and cycle tours Self-guided walk routes

Garden selector Downing Street ballot Changes to programme

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Cool Places in London and Where to Find Them

by David Lavoile

Last Updated: April 26, 2024

It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been to the city, there’s always something to discover. Cool places in London abound.

With its many landmarks, trendy areas and places of interest, you could strike a pin in a map of London and be no more than a few meters from something to take your breath away. But it is also big… very big.  

So, we thought why not explore this magnificent metropolis focusing on areas? Instead of traipsing into the center everyday from your affordable Airbnb, check out some of our best picks in areas close to you.

London is a city of many centers, and this guide will help you save time and money while finding unforgettable hidden gems in the Big Smoke.  

Table of Contents

North London

An institution of tourism in the north of the city, the vibrant and eclectic area of Camden has been wowing visitors and locals for years. 

Known for its alternative fashion, art, and music scene, you will find unique shops, street food stalls, and live performances just in Camden Market alone. Other noteworthy venues include the Jazz Cafe , the famous Roundhouse , and KOKO if you want to get your dancing shoes on. 

Hampstead Heath

Take a stroll through this treasure of a park, offering picturesque views of the city. For budding photographers, Parliament Hill is one of the best spots for a panoramic view of London’s skyline. 

Little Venice

Cradling the central section of North London we have the Regent’s Canal, a small postcard from the past of the booming trade back in the industrial age.

Today, you won’t find working docks and steam powered barges, but a route that passes though some of the most desirable parts of the city.  To take it all in you can take a boat trip along the canal for a unique perspective of the city. 

Of all the areas it passes through, however, our pick is Little Venice. A quaint mix of houseboats and waterside cafés, wandering though this enchanting canal is great way to pass a lazy afternoon, far from the madding crowds of the city center.

Alexandra Palace

Going north in the fullest sense of the word, another place you can enjoy stunning views of London is from Alexandra Palace .

This iconic venue hosts events, concerts, has a boating lake and a park you can enjoy for a leisurely day out. If you are coming in winter, then why not join the locals at their famous ice rink.  

Honorable mentions in North London

As you can see, there are plenty of cool places in North London that can show you different ways of enjoying and discovering the city.

If you have more time, you can research and discover even more great places in North London to visit when exploring this area of the city while saving time and money.

Make sure to add Kenwood House, Highgate Cemetery, The British Library, and Islington  to your must-visit list.

West London

Portobello road market.

From its beautiful pastel-colored houses to its antique stalls and vintage clothing, it would be a crime to not begin with Portobello Market when talking about West London. It is one of the best antique markets in London , for sure.

The market is also located in fashionable and lively Notting Hill (if you’re visiting in the morning, these are the best breakfasts in Notting Hill ). So, even if you are to venture out from this iconic street, you will be sure to find something of interest as you stroll through these beautiful London area.

Kew Gardens

If a relaxing day surrounded by lush greenery, blooming flowers, and iconic glasshouses sounds up your street, then the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is for you.

Steeped in over 250 years of history, this love letter to precious plant life is special, and certainly worth the trip out of the center. Don’t miss the treetop walkway for a unique perspective. 

Holland Park

West London is known for being greener than most of the city, and therefore it should be no surprise that another park is on our list. In Holland park, you can easily escape the hustle and bustle in its peaceful surroundings. A real gem is the Kyoto Garden, a Japanese-inspired garden complete with peacocks and a waterfall. 

Here you can also enjoy the Holland Park Opera , an outdoor opera venue found in this unique setting. Their annual summer festival showcases a range of opera productions. 

Westfield London

Avoid the crowds of Oxford street and scratch your shopping itch by going to to Westfield. Located in White City (and Stratford, in east London), Westfield is one of the largest shopping centers in Europe. With numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, it’s a shopper’s paradise. 

Honorable mentions in West London

West London has a vibe of its own: it’s green, it has shopping options, some of the happiest Londoners, and so much more. If you’re looking for more cool places in West London to spend your time in this part of the city, make sure to check Ealing Studios, Syon Park, Leighton House Museum, and the Science, Natural History, and V&A Museums.

Many cool places in London (including two of the best museums ) are located in the west area of the city, so you may need to schedule some time to visit this area, or choose to stay around here, depending on the plans for your trip.

East London 

If you are staying in East London, then you would really be amiss to not immerse yourself in the diverse culture of Brick Lane. And if you’re looking for where to eat in Brick Lane , there are plenty of amazing places to discover.

Known for its street art, vintage shops, and an array of Asian, and other international cuisines, it also has an amazing Sunday market that is a treasure trove for unique finds. 

It’s technically south of the river, but nestled in the eastern part of the city. The O2 center has already become one of not just London, but also Europe’s primary concert venues.

Make sure to check what events coincide with the days of your visit. The O2 also boasts everything from shopping, restaurants, and bars, as well as stunning views of the Thames. 

Epping Forest

Escape to nature in Epping Forest, a vast ancient woodland on the outskirts of East London. The forest offers walking and cycling trails, which are perfect for a day of outdoor exploration. 

Tower of London

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a rich history dating back to 1066. Inside, you can discover the Crown Jewels, medieval architecture, and even get to meet its famous ravens and Beefeaters. 

It is definitely a visit that will teach you a lot about history, while transporting you in time.

Honorable mentions in East London

As you can see, there are cool places in London everywhere you look. East London has plenty of amazing places that you really can’t miss if you’re want to know what’s in. If you’re looking for more ideas in East London, here are a few: Victoria Park, Young V&A, Shoreditch, Museum of the Home .

South London

Borough market.

Nestling the famous Thames river, you can indulging a in a culinary adventure at Borough Market , one of London’s oldest food markets. It is one of the most popular street markets in the city. You will be able to sample a variety of international cuisines, artisanal products, and fresh produce.  

With so many stellar food options, it’s easy to not know where to start, at what is the epicenter of the London street food scene. Here you can find almost everything, if you know where to look. For this reason, our Ultimate London Food Tour of Borough Market and Southwark is an amazing way get the best of your time here. 

Greenwich is as historic as it is beautiful, so it’s no wonder it is one of south London’s most popular tourist hotspots. In such a small area you can literally choose your own adventure and tailor a unique experience without leaving the quaint “village” location.  

You can take a scenic walk in Greenwich Park, enjoy the stunning views of London. More curious minded? In the park, you can head straight to the Royal Observatory and learn about the Prime Meridian . Alternatively, take some time to get familiar with Greenwich Market , a lively place with stalls selling handmade crafts, vintage finds, and delicious street food. 

Brixton Village

For all of us foodies, Brixton Village is a paradise. Hence why it’s one of the cool places in South London that you must visit.

Indulge in the diverse culinary scene of South London and discover the innovative geniuses working and living here. From Caribbean to Asian cuisine, the market offers a wide range of international flavors. 

Experience breathtaking views of London from The Shard , the tallest building in the city. Visit the observation deck and enjoy a drink at one of the sky-high bars. 

Honorable mentions in South London

Exploring South London, you’ll find places with delicious flavors, the tallest building in the city, and so much more. If you’re looking for more cool places in London, here are a few others that you can find in the south of the city: Battersea Power Station, Crystal Palace Park, The Horniman Museum, Maltby Street Market.  

As you can see, each part of this wonderful city boasts its own unique charm. From the vibrant markets of East London to the sophistication of the West, the green havens of the North, and the eclectic energy of the South, London offers an array of experiences.  

Why not delve deeper into these rich narratives by embarking on one of our guided tours ? Let our knowledgeable guides lead you through the hidden gems and iconic landmarks, transforming your visit into an unforgettable exploration of London’s multifaceted charm.  

Looking for more great London travel tips?

What You Need to Know About Solo Travel in London

London on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide for Frugal Travelers

About the author

More by David Lavoile

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to get curated travel tips, inspiration, and travel deals by joining our community of Walkers.