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Self-Guided Walking Tour London

Although we do offer several fully guided free walking tours in London, they run on a somewhat regular schedule, which means you might not always be able to join us.

That's why we compiled this list of free self-guided London walks, including self-guided food and theme tours, such as Harry Potter film locations.

We've broken up these tours into the following categories.

• Neighbourhood
• Themed Tours
• GPS-Guided Audio Tours
• Other Free Things to Do in London

And if you are considering a London hop-on-hop-off bus tour, then these self-guided tours will come in handy when you are off the bus. Read our reviews of the best London bus tours .

For more ways to save money, check out our London on a Budget Guide .

Self-Guided Neighbourhood Walking Tours

Though we love showing guests around London, we realize that not everyone has the time to take a guided walking tour.

If our tour schedule doesn't work for you, or if you would rather explore on your own, then take advantage of our totally free self-guided tours!

Self-Guided City of London Tour

This tour takes you through Old London. Classic sites include St Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.

You can even watch a condensed virtual version of this tour right now.

Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone

We also have a GPS-enabled audio tour version  (sample below) and a pay-what-you-wish live guided tour option . 

Royal London Self-Guided Walking Tour

You can't leave London without seeing many of the sites included in this list.

Some of our favorites are Buckingham Palace, St. James' Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, and Trafalgar Square. 

Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone .

We also offer a pay-what-you-like live-guided Royal London Tour option  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Camden Town

Once known as the Rock n' Roll capital of the world, Camden Town is now a popular tourist destination offering many great things to do.

This is a self-guided tour to show the visitor some of the many interesting things to see in Camden Town London.

Piccadilly and St. James Walking Tour

One of the most popular touristic areas located in London's West End, this self-guided tour will cover places like Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

We also offer two guided walks that correspond to this self-guided tour, our guided tour of Soho and our Rock N Roll London Tour . 

River Thames Self-Guided Walking Tour

The best tour for photography enthusiasts!

This picturesque tour takes you along the River Thames to see sites such as the Millennium Bridge, London Eye, and Shakespeare Globe Theatre.

This tour is a great option for an evening walk. In fact, we offer this as a guided tour , usually from April through October.

And check out our audio tour version. Here's a sample.

Be sure to check out our guide to things to do at night in London for even more ideas for nighttime activities.

Self-Guided Royal Borough of Greenwich Walking Tour

Enjoy a leisurely walk through this posh neighborhood that will take you to sites like Greenwich Park, the Queen's House, and the Trafalgar.

A great way to get to Greenwich is by boat cruise .

Hyde Park and Kensington Walking Tour

This will take you through beautiful Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, past a posh royal palace and picturesque art galleries and museums.

SELF-GUIDED THEMED TOURS

In this section, we list several tours based on individuals, bands, movies, or ghosts.

Harry Potter Self-Guided Walking Tour

Dive into the magical world of Harry Potter!

This particular tour will focus on film sites in the northern part of London, such as Leadenhall, Australia House, Platform 9 3/4 as well as many other famous sights.  

Click on the map to enlarge or download to a smartphone

We also offer a guided Harry Potter Tour  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Guide to Beatles in London  

Although John, Paul, George, and Ringo hailed from Liverpool, there are plenty of London landmarks for Beatles-lovers to get their fix.

From recording studios to concert venues, shops to roof-top performances, London is filled with hot-spots for fans of the Fab Four. 

There are many guided tours of Beatles sites with live tour guides and other fans. We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour.

We also have a post on how to get to the Abbey Road Crosswalk .

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jack the Ripper Sites  

Try your hand at solving one of the most famous unsolved murder cases in history.

Our Jack the Ripper tour guides you through the area of London where the felon committed his most notorious crimes.

We've even included a photo from that era to give you a sense of how the city looked.  

We also offer a live-guided option for Jack the Ripper  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Downton Abbey London Sights  

Downton Abbey exploded onto our screens in 2010 and people from all over the world watched the lives and exploits of the Crowley Family and all the characters surrounding them.

Although Downton Abbey has finished airing, it’s still as popular as ever.

For visitors who have traveled to the U.K. hoping to see some Downton Abbey locations and inspirations, here is our helpful guide to London’s Downton Abbey connections! 

Roman London Walking Tour  

Get a better sense of just how powerful the Roman Empire once was with this tour.

Sites include the Temple of Mithras and a piece of the Roman Wall, which dates back 2,000 years.

James Bond Tour  

Use your feet and the London Underground to visit sights related to James Bond in London.

You'll see a variety of historic sites such as Somerset, Buckingham Palace, and Whitehall, and you'll learn all about their connections to the character.

Literary Walking Tour - Hampstead Heath  

Hampstead was the birthplace of big names in the literary industry.

Hampstead is considered one of the more beautiful London boroughs and it is full of places for true literature lovers to explore.

Jimi Hendrix Sights  

London was an important city for this American rock legend. We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour.

David Bowie Sights  

Born in London, David Bowie left an indelible mark on this city. We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour.

London Ghost Tour  

Only for those bold enough to take a ghost tour on their own! Want some company? Join us for a guided ghost tour of London.

Wizards of London Game

This self-guided walking tour london app puts you in the shoes of a wizard to solve a mystery while discovering some of the most notable sites in the city.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Questo Experiences (@questoapp)

Haunted London Game

Discover the more frightening side of London's history as you attempt to solve a mystery during this haunted self-guided exploration game.

Queen: The Quest Must Go On Game

Fans of the band Queen may want to consider taking part in this self-guided exploration game which will task them with solving a mystery based on their music.

Get a taste of London with our free self-guided food tour: 

East London Food Tour  

It is possible to eat from any of the world’s cuisines when you are in the East End of London, but here is a small DIY tour that will have you sampling some of the best the East End has to offer those with a hunger for delicious food.  

Be sure to check out our pay-what-you-wish  tour guide led version  (watch video above).

Soho, Chinatown, and Piccadilly Food Tour  

Explore culturally and culinarily diverse neighborhoods of Soho, Chinatown, and Piccadilly.

We've curated a list of the best restaurants in the area to give you a real taste of London!

Exmouth Market Food Tour

Venture out to Exmouth Market, the “real” London that's tucked just far enough away from other touristy parts with the best street food that London has to offer.

Covent Garden Food Tour  

Try out the culinary delights in one of London's liveliest neighborhoods in the West End.

Borough Market

Discover the best eats you can find in Borough Market and get some ideas for what types of food you might want to get here. 

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Self-Guided London Walks

These London walks show you the best routes for your self-guided sightseeing tour to Big Ben & Co . This huge metropolis offers many areas that are perfectly suitable to explore by foot . The city-walks routes will help you to discover these areas in a relaxed way and experience the top attractions of London by foot.

Walking Maps for Download & Printing

On the detail pages of the self-guided walks you will find a free PDF walking map for download and printing! Simply save this map on your Smartphone or make a printout for on the way. So you will be able to focus on your sightseeing tour and explore the attractions of London .

St Paul's Cathedral on the Route

City & Thames Sightseeing Walk

This route from city-walks runs mainly on pedestrian paths without traffic. Like the section along the Thames and the two pedestrian bridges on the route. In this part you will have a beautiful view across the vastness of the river Thames and in good weather conditions even a little feeling of southern flair may arise. But the sightseeing will also not be neglected at this walk. Come along to St Paul's Cathedral , one of the largest churches in London. Stroll by the Freemasons' Hall , a building which is the headquarters of the mysterious Freemasons organization. Enjoy the vibrant bustle of Covent Garden , an entertainment district with many shops, restaurants and cafes ...

Big Ben on the Route

Westminster Sightseeing Walk

This route starts on the lively Piccadilly Circus and leads you across the boulevard The Mall to the Horse Guards Parade square. If you start your walk at a certain time you will be able to see the Changing of the Guard there. Among the sightseeing highlights of this walking tour through the London borough of Westminster you will find the Big Ben with its characteristic bell sound , the impressive building of the Houses of Parliament , Westminster Abbey church and the well-known Buckingham Palace . St. James's Park and Green Park on the route offer good opportunities if you want to rest and relax on your self-guided tour.

Attractions

See the overview of the most popular destinations in the city ...

Interactive Map

Orientate yourself and find quickly the top favorites for your trip ...

Walks & Sightseeing

Explore London with the assistance of these self-guided routes ...

Top 10 Sights

Get some important information, facts and tips for your visit ...

Shopping Tips

Malls, department stores and shopping streets in the center ...

Free Museums

Discover impressive art treasures and highlights of our history ...

Travel Guide

See the overview of all topics with a brief description for each ...

About city-walks.info:

Hello, my name is Wilhelm Balint . I am the author of this web page and the face behind city-walks.info . I love to experience the unique atmosphere of a city during a walk . Whether crowded tourist attractions or hidden sights , every place can look beautiful with the right viewpoint! city-walks.info should help you with tips and useful information to discover these beautiful views of the city. Read more ...

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On this page, most popular sights, tickets & sightseeing passes, things to see and do, from our blog.

OPEN TOP SIGHTSEEING BUSES

London tours, popular tours from london, free self-guided walks.

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Free self-guided London walks

Easy to follow walks covering the main sights of central london.

Using our London self-guided walking tours

These walks are designed as an aid to exploring Central London independently. We believe the best way of seeing London is on foot, supplemented by the use of public transport where required. These notes have focus on what you will see and where, no attempt is made to be a substitute for a good guide book on London.

With a good London street map or map app on your phone you'll have no problem following this walk and be fully equipped to make interesting diversions and adaptations with confidence.

The four walks here cover much of the main areas of Central London a first time visitor will want to cover. These walks encourage visitors to explore London independently and uncover the joys of walking London. You'll be surprised how much you can cover and how much more you see by walking.

London Icons Walk   City of London Walk   Kensington Walk   London Shopping Walk   Professionally guided walking tours London  

1 - The London Icons Walk

This walk as its title suggests, covers many of the major blockbuster reasons that draws first time visitors to London.

The major sights that you must bring back a picture of: Buckingham Palace , Big Ben, Westminster Abbey , Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and many more, are featured on this self-guided walk.

We show you how to link these together into a memorable first day in London and many other fascinating places as well.

St James's Park is at the centre of this circular walk, a great place for a breather and some rest and recreation.

London Icons Walk

2 - The City of London Walk

The original City of London was built to the east of the area most visitors today visit - Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the West End entertainment area.

All the above places were outside the original walled city, now called the City of London. Today the City of London is the main business area, a major world financial centre. But as the area is London's oldest its full of interest.

The main formal sights of this walk are Tower Bridge, Tower of London , St Paul's Cathedral and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

The joy of this walk for many people though will be savouring the non tourist atmosphere and understanding London better both past and present. Its a great place to poke around and explore.

City of London Walk

3 - The Kensington Walk

Just to the west of the very centre of London is Kensington . Many people will have their accommodation here.

This relatively short leisurely walk starts out in Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens, London's largest Royal Park .

After a visit to Kensington Palace , it's a short walk over to the Albert Hall and the South Kensington Museums.

For most people the museums here will keep you occupied for a full day, each one of them is free.

Just before you get to the Albert Hall you come to the impressive Albert Memorial.

The walk finishes with some upmarket shopping in Knightsbridge where Harrods is situated, just 10 minutes walk from the museums.

Kensington Walk

4 - The London Shopping Walk

Yes, the walk does cover the tourist haunts of Oxford Street , Harrods and Hamleys toy shop.

But it is also enjoyable for those who are not great fans of mainstream retail therapy.

We also cover some specialist areas. Electronics at Tottenham Court Road, the music scene at Denmark Street and books at Charing Cross Road.

There's also China Town, the gentlemen's outfitters of Savile Row and Jermyn Street, and the luxury shops of Bond Street amongst others.

And of course Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street and Harrods and Harvey Nichols at Knightsbridge

Shopping Walk

Guided walking tours in London

Self-guided walking tours are great. But as an alternative you might want to consider taking a professionally guided tour. These tours are all led by knowledgeable experts who will entertain you with stories of London from long ago, as well as discovering both the iconic and the not so well known landmarks of our famous capital.

London may never look the same again...

For a further selection of London walks plus tours, see our page Central London tours

ULTIMATE LONDON SIGHTSEEING WALKING TOUR

Ultimate London Sightseeing Walking Tour

• Small group London walking tour of top London sights • Knowledgeable local London tour guide • Short journey on Underground - valid payment method needed

HIDDEN LONDON SIGHTSEEING WALKING TOUR

Hidden London Sightseeing Walking Tour

• Secret walking tour of hidden London sights • Discover hidden gems and London's history with your local London guide

ROYAL LONDON WALKING TOUR

Royal London Walking Tour

• See St James's Palace, Buckingham Palace & Jermyn Street and many more • 2-hr walking tour in London • Professional guide

HARRY POTTER WALKING TOUR FOR MUGGLES IN LONDON

Tour for Muggles - 2-hr walking tour in London visiting Harry Potter locations

Adult £18.25, child £16.25

• See the real-life inspirations for Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Ministry of Magic • Learn more about Harry Potter and the filming of the movies from an expert guide • Choice of departure times available throughout the day • Small-group tour limited to 20 people ensures a personalized experience

POPULAR LONDON ATTRACTIONS - ADVANCE PURCHASE AND/OR FAST TRACK TICKETS

• Attractions

The walks on this site are self-guided and free. You simply select the walk you are interested in doing, print them out and follow them. Each walk includes directions. The walks are also available to buy as a set with maps, or as individual booklets.

Things are always changing in London. Although many of the landmarks mentioned are hopefully going to be there for years to come, others may not. Prices quoted are for guidance.

If you find a detail or price that has changed, please let us know .

The walks are not overly detailed. After all, you are probably on holiday! They simply guide you through an area of London, highlighting key points of interest and landmarks, and including some trivia you might not know – hopefully, just enough detail to make the walks interesting.

Like any big city, London has its share of urban problems such as street crime and muggings. Although all walks take you through areas of London that are usually safe and generally busy with people, please do them in daylight hours. Besides, you get to see more that way!

Buy all our walks and the self guided bus tour in a handy booklet

However, for just  £3.50 you can buy all walks in a single pdf booklet. The booklet includes directions, maps and more.

Bridges Walk

Ripper Walk

Cultural Walk

Riverside Pubs Walk

Nautical Walk

Writers Walk

Theatres Walk

Shopping Walk

Privacy overview.

Best things to do and see in London

London is a city that hides a great number of secrets, corners, and traditions worth discovering. For this, it is essential to have the help of a professional guide who can lead us on our journey. Their goal will always be to explain everything necessary to understand and discover the culture, architecture, and cuisine of the city. If you decide to take a free tour in London (in the morning or in the afternoon), you will surely be able to visit some of the most important points of interest in the capital of the United Kingdom . There are theetours to learn all about the world of Harry Potter or guided routes where you can visit Westminster or other neighborhoods. Moreover, you cannot leave this place without seeing the Big Ben, visiting Buckingham Palace, or seeing the best views of the city at the London Eye. Monuments and attractions that are a must-see include the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, Hyde Park, the Abbey and the Palace of Westminster. Additionally, you cannot miss Trafalgar Square, walking along the River Thames, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Soho, St. James's Park, the Notting Hill area, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, or the Camden Town area. We advise you to seek advice from local gurus who perfectly know English culture and its history if you want to expand the information on what to see in London or how to get there. If it is the first time you are doing a free walking tour , you will see that booking is completely free . You can read the reviews of other walkers who have already done some guruwalk to learn more about the tours available in London as well as in the rest of the United Kingdom. 

What is included in the essential free tour of London?

Are there essential free tours in london in spanish, what can i expect from the harry potter free tour in london, what will i discover on the jack the ripper free tour in london, what is the free nighttime tour in london like, what will i see on the free tour of old london, free walking tour near london, others cities to visit after london, find other guruwalks in london, where are you traveling to.

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The Ultimate Self-Guided London Walking Tour

Reid October 20, 2019 Destinations , Resources Leave a Comment

When I was in college I was briefly in England and wanted to explore London, but I only had one day to do it. I also didn’t want to spend money on a guided tour or a hop on hop off bus. Well, truthfully I did but I was a broke college kid. I needed something on budget but effective. I literally had one day in London and I felt that I needed to see as much of the city possible but didn’t know how to cram it all in.

As luck would have it, a friend of a friend who lived in London happened to have a day off and offered to show our group around the city. We lucked out and had a local London tour guide. He had lived in London his entire life and knew exactly what to see in London. He let us know to wear comfortable shoes as we’d be footing it for the day. Perfect, a London walking tour! 

For the entire day, we followed our guide’s lead and ended up having a very memorable day in the city and saw all of London’s must-see spots. Now, years later I’m sharing this information with you so you can have your very own self guided London Walking tour. I’m even going to share a map so you can keep track of where to go or customize your own walking tour.

Table of Contents

Picadilly Circus

Trafalgar square, buckingham palace, st. james park, westminster abbey, parliament and big ben, tate modern gallery, shakespeare’s globe theatre, st. paul’s cathedral, tower of london, tower bridge, london walking tour map, kensington palace, parliament square, london bridge, the fire of 1666 history, hms belfast, london aquarium, jubilee gardens, self guided london walking tour.

When we met our new found guide he told us how effective public transportation is around the city. He said that it would be easy to hop on the Underground or on a double-decker bus to get to our destinations, but that we would miss so many things along our way.

This is just a guide, use it to see what you want to see and walk past what you want to do. The entire walk I’ll outline is about 5.5 miles. It took us just over 6 hours to complete, but we did stop several places for photos and again for lunch. If you’re not interested in walking hop on a bus or on the Tube, this guide is still a great list of things to do in London.

We started our day at Picadilly Circus. Think of it as London’s Times Square. There are tons of lights, billboards, shows, restaurants, gift shops, and tourist attractions. Also, it is a very good spot to start our tour because it is very easy to get to by the London TFL bus system (Transport for London) or the Underground.

Get your fill of all the lights and load up on cheap souvenirs and get ready to walk!

After about a 10 minute walk from Picadilly Circus is Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is a public square in central London that commemorates a historic naval battle, The Battle of Trafalgar, over the French and Spanish. It has some famous fountains and statues that you’ll recognize from movies and tv. It is also home to Nelson’s Column and the National Portrait Gallery.

What trip to London would be complete without seeing Buckingham Palace? The palace has served as the residence for Britain’s royalty since 1837. You might not see the queen, but if you schedule ahead you can watch the changing of the guard.

Timing is crucial for this stop if you want to see the changing of the guard ceremony. Make sure to double-check the time and keep an eye on your watch if you want to witness this. We planned our day’s start time around the changing of the guard.

Typically, changing of the Queen’s Guard starts at 10:45 am and lasts about 45 minutes. This is a cool thing to see and is a great photo op. I recommend checking it out. It is free to watch, but there is usually a crowd, so showing up a few minutes early will be helpful.

On the way to the next stop on the walking tour you’ll be able to have a nice stroll through St. James Park, just like a local would. The map attached may suggest walking on the outer street of the park, but we chose to walk through it. If you walk through, stop halfway at the Blue Bridge, which crosses the lake is another great photo spot. It offers great views of Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.

Fun fact, the park is home pelicans that have actually lived there for over 400 years. The original pelicans were a gift to King Charles II.

Continue your walk to World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey is an important part of British History and current events alike. It is used for coronations, royal weddings and is the resting place of British kings, queens, statesmen, soldiers, poets, and heroes. The abbey holds regular services but is open to the public most days. Check ahead to see what is available to see when you’re in town. There is much to see inside!

The Palace of Westminster, commonly called the House of Parliament, is the next stop on our walking tour. It serves as the meeting place for House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is also home to Big Ben which is actually just the name of the bell, not the clock tower itself. That is something we learned from our local guide. I always thought it was Big Ben was the clocktower.

Take Westminster Bridge across the River Thames toward your next stop the London Eye. Make sure you turn around and take some photos of Big Ben and Parliament from the bridge or across the river. It is a great view and the pictures won’t disappoint.

The London Eye is comparatively new to most of the sights on our London walking tour. It was completed in 2000 and at the time it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. The London Eye was built as a tourist attraction and offers incredible views of London and the River Thames. If you want to ride the Ferris wheel, advance bookings are recommended. The lines for tickets can get long.

A nice walk along the River Thames will bring you to the Tate Modern Gallery, a spectacular art museum that is free to visit, although some individual exhibits may have admission fees. It is worth a stop if you’re into art or want some air conditioning. If not, keep walking, you’re about to pass another great London landmark!

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 and was home to Shakespeare’s playing company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. A modern reconstruction was built in 1997 in the approximate location and now is home to tours, a gift shop, a cafe, and yes, plays.

From the Globe Theater, take Millennium Bridge across the Thames. Millennium Bridge is a uniquely designed footbridge and is worth a photo or two itself.

Across the river, you’ll find St. Paul’s Cathedral, which a classic piece of London history and dates more than 1400 years. It is an Anglican cathedral. You do have to pay to enter as a tourist but admission gives you access to the cathedral floor, crypt, and galleries. 

A short walk from St. Paul’s you’ll find the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Tower of London holds a lot of history and was once a palace and a notorious prison. There is an entrance fee, but it is worth it to gain access to all of the museums, exhibits, and even catch a glimpse of iconic crown jewels. Tours are also available.

You can’t go to London and not visit Tower Bridge. It is probably the most iconic sight in town. If you look ahead at the schedules you may be lucky enough to see the bridge go up to let a ship through. You can walk across the bridge and even see the engine rooms that make the bridge lift and drop.

Tower Bridge is the end of our walking tour. From Tower Bridge, it is a short walk to Tower Station. Here and you can catch the Tube or a bus to anywhere in London.

As promised here are the links to the google maps. I’ve split them in two because google wouldn’t let me put all of the destinations in one map. Here they are London Walking Tour Part One and London Walking Tour Part Two.

More London Sights to See

If you don’t think this self-guided London walking tour has enough destinations or you aren’t interested in some of the stops try adding these to your walking tour. They are all fairly close to your walking route.

Between Picadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.  Where some of London’s playhouses reside, think Broadway in New York.

Historic/government buildings and nice views.

Just a bit past Buckingham Palace is Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens another royal residence.

Horse Guards Parade – An open place they use for ceremonies and events on the East side of St. James Park. They usually have traditional English guards on post here.

A park with some monuments great views of Parliament.

The current version of the London Bridge is really just a bridge and isn’t too significant, but when in London, right?

All around the St. Paul’s Cathedral there are markers describing the area affected by the fire of 1666. You’ll have to keep an eye open, some of the markers are hidden.

Just down the river from Tower Bridge is the retired WWII vessel which is now a museum.

Just across Westminster Bridge from Parliament.

A public park near the London Eye.

We hope that you’re able to take this walking tour of London. I loved my time there!

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Free London Maps

To download our free self-guided walking tour maps, just click on the images! Each map comes with an additional page of information about the route and all of the highlighted places of interest.

This Is (Possibly) The Most Efficient Sightseeing Tour Of London

Want to do all the attractions , very quickly? Then here's the perfect London sightseeing map for you!

Ever wanted to go for a walk and hit up almost all of London’s sights in one fell swoop? Well, Redditor magulagie has the answer for you. They’ve created the ultimate London sightseeing map for tourists in a hurry. Just over five miles long on the map, it takes in a ton of London’s most iconic features, and if you avoid going inside any of the places you pass, it’ll only take about two hours ! Who needs to be filled in on all the historic interiors, anyway?

Perfect for ticking a lot of London tourist map boxes, filling up that Instagram story, or just getting your bearings on foot at the beginning of a trip full of London sightseeing . It’s like the Match of the Day of finding your way around London for the first time, and this one will hit like an injury-time winner.

Naturally, we had to give the sightseeing route a try for ourselves. And it definitely gets our seal of approval!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Secret London (@secret.london)

You’ll start off at Trafalgar Square…

There’s no London walking tour map without Trafalgar Square , so we might as well kick things off with this roaring-statue-filled paradise of pigeons…and a slice of London’s history, of course. A mighty first spot, and one that Nelson would very much approve of being tucked into first place. Where else would we begin?

Take a stroll along the Mall…

When we say stroll, we mean a speedy one—we’ve got a time limit to adhere to, people! A route in honour of Queen Victoria has to be added to a London map of attractions, right? Well, not necessarily, but when it looks this grandiose, you’ll want to be making it your next stop on your sightseeing tour. On we march; our love of London building more and more with each stride…

Until you arrive at Buckingham Palace…

Can’t really miss this one, can you? The home of the Royal Family gazes out over the plush fields of Green Park and attracts millions of visitors each year. If you see King Charles , be sure to quiz him on whether he’s ticked off all these boxes on his London sightseeing tour. Will he be a mere poser on London attractions or a go-to knowledge box?

Then head along Birdcage Walk…

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ciaran Thomas (@ciaranthomas97)

After you’ve taken a selfie with the Royal Family, it’s a no-brainer to make Birdcage Walk the next pin on your walking map of London attractions . Famous diary scribe Samuel Pepys mentioned this walk in his writings way back in the 1600s, and the name of the walk dates back to the reign of King James I . Not a bad smattering of history to saunter through on the way to your next destination. Tweet tweet.

Until you get to Westminster Abbey…

Even if you’ve been before, or don’t plan to look inside, making time for the resplendent piece of gothic architecture that is Westminster Abbey on your walking tour of London is a necessity. It’s been the location of 39 coronations since 1066 , and you just need to stand and admire one of London’s crown jewels.

The Houses of Parliament, and Big Ben, are right next door…

Talking of jewels in London’s crown, it’s always nice to check out the big bonging boombox that is the Elizabeth Tower , better known as Big Ben . You can also kill two birds with one stone by adding the Houses Of Parliament to your London sightseeing day which, if nothing else, is good to tick off to say you’ve seen the place where Members of Parliament shout at the Members of Parliament sitting opposite them. And the place Guy Fawkes wanted to destroy…

Then head over Westminster Bridge…

The second path over the river in central London history, after London Bridge. It’s been here since 1750, though it’s only been green since 1970, and it’s the perfect spot for a moment of reflection on your walking tour of London… if you don’t get bumped out of the way by commuters hurrying across Westminster Bridge in the morning. Hey, it happens. Unless you’re the one who does the bumping. Then you’re the one to watch out for, you treacherous little fiend. We see you.

And you’ll get to the South Bank. Along here you’ll see the London Eye.

Though the queue might seem daunting, there’s no denying that the dome built for the millennium is something that just needs to be seen. The London Eye was even named London’s most loved landmark in a study, so at the very least you’ll need to head over there on your walking tour to see whether you agree. But if you want to crack on with the quickfire walking tour, you won’t be able to dive into a pod for the view on this occasion — they go around slooooowwwwllllllyyy.

Now for the Southbank Centre

Whether it’s a place to hang out in the summer to catch some rays or your checkpoint on the map for a cold day’s activity of viewing some art , there’s always something going on at the Southbank Centre , and you’ll likely see us banging on about it all year round !

And book stalls under Waterloo Bridge.

“I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.” Robert Louis Stevenson was a maverick with the pen, so maybe we should start adopting this practice too. If you’re looking for one to fill the first item, then you’ll find just the place on your walking tour. Maybe the man who gave us Treasure Island and Kidnapped also once carried a London sightseeing map in his pocket…

Head past that scrap of sand we call the foreshore and the OXO Tower.

While we can’t get away with calling it a beach , we’ll just play pretend for this London sightseeing tour , okay?! There’s no time for a cocktail on these shores though; there’s a tour to be getting on with! Dawdlers, be gone.

Before too long you’ll arrive at the Tate Modern .

London’s most popular art gallery, don’tcha know? Are you going to go in? NO. THERE IS NO TIME. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE REST OF YOUR LONDON SIGHTSEEING MAP.

Carry on along the river a little bit and you’ll see Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

And this is embarrassing but (for the only time on this walk) you’ll have to double back on yourself very slightly. I know, the ultimate betrayal; but still not quite as bad as the one poor Hamlet was struck with.

Then it’s over Millennium Bridge:

2000 gave us Kid A by Radiohead, but it also gave us the opening of the incredibly useful Millennium Bridge. You can decide which you prefer for yourself; though you can, of course, enjoy them simultaneously along your London sightseeing map walk through the power of headphones. What a world.

Until you reach St. Paul’s Cathedral !

I hear it’s beautiful inside, but you’re not allowed to take photos anyway so, quite frankly, who’s got the time? Anyway, it’s Christopher Wren’s masterpiece and one that you’ll need to check off your London sightseeing tour list.

Then it’s time to walk along Cannon Street…

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This bit’s a little boring, to be honest. (It’s certainly nowhere near as pretty as its namesake in Birmingham .) But there is a stunning little townhouse, now home to The Walbrook Club, hidden away down a side street along the way. Don’t spend too long searching for it, though, as there are places to go and sights to see!

…until you get to The Monument!

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Don’t ask which monument – it’s The Monument and you’ll find it near Monument station. Keep your eyes peeled, because even if it towers overhead – it’s surprisingly easy to miss! The grand monument to the Great Fire Of London in 1666 is a tall order for your London tour, but I’m sure you’ll make it worthwhile.

Now just roll down Lower Thames Street and you’ll soon get to the Tower of London!

You could go in, meet the ravens, ogle a Beefeater, check out the Crown Jewels. Or say ‘nahhhhhhhhhhh y’alright’ and carry on. There’s plenty more of your sightseeing tour to tick off. Anyway, it’s a classy fortress that might look easy on the eye, but was also used to lock people up in the Tudor period. Don’t get on the wrong side of them…

Tower Bridge is, like, right next door. Get a load of that.

Few more to go on your London sightseeing map . Getting tired yet? Good. You’ve nearly earned your end-of-tour pint. Hey! Stop thinking about alcohol and feast your eyes on Tower Bridge .

Then just a couple of minutes away you’ll reach the pretty marina at St. Katherine’s Docks:

Need a pint now… But St. Katherine’s Docks is pretty, and pretty much wraps up our London tourist map. I can hear those beer barrels being readied to fill the glasses.

Until – hurrah! – you finally arrive at a flower-festooned pub.

Well played, my tourist friend: the cheeriest of cheers to you. Now it’s definitely time for a pint !

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Lady’s Shoreditch Walks with Maps

Today I want to share A Lady in London’s free self-guided Shoreditch walks with you. This part of east London is packed with everything from street art to cool cafes, and these walking routes and maps will help you discover the best of the area.

Shoreditch Walks

From Shoreditch High Street to Great Eastern Street, Old Street to Rivington Street, Shoreditch is one of the best east London neighborhoods .

One of the coolest areas in the UK capital, Shoreditch is a great place to soak up the colorful murals and hip scene the East End is known for.

Whether you’re looking for a London walking tour entirely in the neighborhood or a street-art themed one that will take you through Spitalfields as well, I have self-guided Shoreditch walks that will cater to your preferences and let you explore the best of this east London neighborhood.

You can see more walks in the book London’s Hidden Walks , too. It’s perfect if you enjoy exploring the UK capital’s off-the-beaten-path areas. You can get it here .

Shoreditch Walk Route

My first Shoreditch walking tour starts at Old Street station. It has great transport links, so you can arrive by tube, train, bus, bike, or on foot from other parts of the city.

When you exit the station, walk east down Old Street towards Shoreditch High Street. On the way you’ll start to get a taste of the street art and hip bars and restaurants the area is known for.

When you reach Rufus Street, turn left and walk into Hoxton Square. This green space is surrounded by some of the most popular bars in the neighborhood.

When you’re done taking in the square, continue your Shoreditch walk by exiting east onto Old Street and continuing until you reach Shoreditch High Street.

If it’s a Sunday, you can take a detour up to the Columbia Road Flower Market , one of the best London markets (here’s a map of where you can find it).

If not, continue this most exciting of Shoreditch walks by turning right on Shoreditch High Street. Don’t miss the facade of George Dance the Elder’s 18th-century Shoreditch Church on your left as you go.

When you reach Rivington Street, turn right and walk all the way down it until you reach Great Eastern Street. Along the way you’ll pass famous street art, great bars, shops, galleries, and more.

Once at Great Eastern Street, cross over where it’s safe and walk southwest down Tabernacle Street. Continue on it until you reach Leonard Street. When you do, turn right.

Follow Leonard Street down to City Road. As you go, you’ll pass by one of the best coffee shops in London .

When you reach City Road, cross the street where it’s safe and turn left. You’ll soon find yourself at two local landmarks that are across the street from one another.

The first is Wesley’s Chapel. It’s a Georgian Methodist chapel and museum that was also once the home of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.

Across from it is Bunhill Fields, a former burial ground. Now a public park, it’s the final resting place of notables like William Blake, Daniel Defoe, John Bunyan, and Susanna Wesley.

You can visit one or both, or continue this loveliest of Shoreditch walks by heading south down City Road and taking in the Honourable Artillery Company, a castle-like building next to Bunhill Fields.

When you reach Worship Street, turn left and walk east down it until you reach Curtain Road. You’ll see more of the area’s famous bars as you go.

Once you reach Curtain Road, turn left and walk up to Great Eastern Street. When you arrive, cross over and turn right on New Inn Yard. It has great street art, and you’ll see the best of it as you walk down to Shoreditch High Street.

When you get there, continue this most colorful of Shoreditch walks by turning left. Walk up Shoreditch High Street and take in the scene before turning right on Calvert Avenue.

Calvert Avenue will take you past great shops and cafes until you get to Arnold Circus. Surrounded by historic buildings, it has a small green space called Boundary Gardens in the middle.

Once you’ve explored the gardens, continue your Shoreditch walking tour by heading south down Club Row until you get to Redchurch Street, one of the neighborhood’s famous shopping streets.

Turn right on Redchurch Street, taking in the hip stores and cafes as you make your way back to Shoreditch High Street.

When you get there, turn left, then cross over Bethnal Green Road where it’s safe and turn left to walk down it. Passing Boxpark Shoreditch on your right, make your way to Shoreditch High Street station.

Your Shoreditch walk ends here, but you can spend more time exploring the area if you want to.

In fact, the station is a short distance from Liverpool Street station, where my self-guided Spitalfields walk starts. You can head down there and combine the two if you want to explore more.

Walk Details

Map of the first half of the walk: https://goo.gl/maps/Z3uCNeesGMdLQRGV8

Map of the second half of the walk: https://goo.gl/maps/Gd7E63347oFAyE5AA

Further afield: Hoxton, Clerkenwell , Dalston, Angel , Bethnal Green, Hackney , Spitalfields

Shoreditch Street Art Tour

The second of my self-guided Shoreditch walks will take you around to see some of the best street art in the East End.

My Spitalfields and Shoreditch street art tour features some of London’s most famous murals. It’s a great one to do if you like a colorful surprise around every corner.

You can see my street art tour of London blog post for the full route, video, and map.

I hope reading about my Shoreditch walks has gotten you excited to see more of London’s East End. They’re good excuses to go outside, exercise, and soak up the hip east London scene.

If you’re interested in doing more walks, head over to my blog post about east London walks or take a look at all my self-guided London walking tours and maps. Happy walking!

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2 Comments on Lady’s Shoreditch Walks with Maps

I walked these streets back in the mid 80s as a Metropolitan Police officer stationed at City Road Police Station. Thanks for the memories, your lovely photos and information.

That’s great! You’re welcome.

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• Covent Garden
• Notting Hill
• South Kensington
• London itineraries
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Notting Hill , Things to do

The best notting hill walking tour – with map (self guided & free).

With its traditional architecture, bustling street markets and colourful houses, Notting Hill is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places in London . If you’re looking for the best places to explore in Notting Hill, this guide is perfect for you!

I put together a route for the best Notting Hill walking tour, including a map that you can use to do your own self guided walking tour, entirely for free! There are many beautiful corners in Notting Hill, and you don’t want to miss any of them!

Notting Hill is one of the best places for walking in London , and with its gorgeous architecture and quiet streets it’s easy to see why. This walking tour of Notting Hill will allow you to see all the main attractions and most beautiful spots.

So what are you waiting for, the ultimate Notting Hill walking tour is waiting for you!

In this guide:

• 1 Notting Hill walking tour map
• 2 Should you do an organised Notting Hill walking tour?
• 3.1 Start at Ladbroke Grove Station
• 3.2 Lancaster Road
• 3.3 Saint Lukes Mews
• 3.4 Westbourne Park Road
• 3.5 Portobello Road
• 3.6 Westbourne Grove
• 3.7 Kensington Park Gardens
• 3.8 Ladbroke Square
• 3.9 Hillgate Place
• 3.10 The Churchill Arms
• 3.11 Hornton Street
• 3.12 Phillimore Gardens

Notting Hill walking tour map

Before we dive into the step by step guide, here is a map of the ultimate Notting Hill walking tour. As you can see it can be done in around one hour of walking, the terrain is pretty flat and fairly easy for all fitness levels.

However if you’re a photo fan like me, it can easily end up taking much longer. Similarly if you enjoy vintage shopping and searching for cute London gifts , you will probably spend much longer in Portobello Road.

Make sure to time your visit to Notting Hill according to your interests, and factor in enough time in your London itinerary to properly explore this gorgeous part of London!

Should you do an organised Notting Hill walking tour?

The answer to this question ultimately depends on your interests. You can find many guided tours of Notting Hill, which will include interesting stories and anecdotes of the places you’re visiting.

If you have an interest in history these can be fascinating, as well as cool opportunities to meet other travellers. Some cool Notting Hill walking tours include:

• Guided Notting Hill Walking Tour  – a classic walking tour for those who prefer having a guide
• Notting Hill Rom-Com Walking Tour – perfect if you’re a movie fan!
• Notting Hill Photography Session – perfect for those who want to capture gorgeous photos in Notting Hill!

Alternatively, if you’re just looking to see some stunning British architecture and wander around one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in London , you can easily follow this guide and do your own Notting Hill walking tour for free.

My Notting Hill self guided & free walking tour

Personally I love starting my Notting Hill walks in Ladbroke Grove and making my way south towards South Kensington . However you could also do this tour starting at the end and it would also be fine.

Most Notting Hill walking tours start or end at Notting Hill Gate underground station, but I like to go beyond towards High Street Kensington because the architecture here is simply breath taking.

Start at Ladbroke Grove Station

I know getting around London can be a bit of a nightmare, but getting to Notting Hill is pretty easy. Ladbroke Grove Station is on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, as well as being serviced by the buses 7, 52, 70, 452, 23 and 228.

Getting here is easy, and is the perfect starting point for your Notting Hill walking tour. You can either head directly east and through the market to get to Portobello Road, or you can get there going via Lancaster Road.

Lancaster Road

Lancaster Road always features amongst the compilations of prettiest streets in London , and it’s easy to see why. With its Victorian architecture and bold colours, it’s quite a sight and unlike any other street in London.

To me it has a distinct Notting Hill feel, combining the beautiful Victorian architecture with bright and unique colours. From here simply walk along Lancaster Road, cross Portobello Road and on to your next stop.

Saint Lukes Mews

I couldn’t write a Notting Hill itinerary and not include Saint Lukes Mews. Here you will find the famous pink house that features in the British Christmas movie Love Actually!

It has become a popular Instagram photo spot in London , and you will likely find many people queuing up to snap photos of this pretty pink house.

If you plan to do the same, make sure to pair your photo with an inspirational London quote or a clever Instagram caption !

Westbourne Park Road

Before heading back to Portobello Road and the main attractions of Notting Hill , I always recommend taking a little detour via Westbourne Park Road. Similarly to Lancaster Road, here you will find beautiful architecture and pastel colours.

I personally love this street because the houses are very consistent, with their exposes bricks and the colour limited to the details around the windows and entrances.

Portobello Road

If you’ve followed my Notting Hill walking route you will have already crossed Portobello Road a few times, and now it’s time to properly explore it!

Portobello is considered a must on any London bucket list , and always features on any London itinerary , and with good reason!

Portobello Road isn’t just pretty, it’s also alive and bustling with personality. The colourful houses are home to many vintage and quirky souvenir shops, it’s the perfect place to grab some unique London souvenirs !

Towards the Ladbroke Grove end of Portobello Road you will find also the famous Portobello Road Market. It’s home to a huge variety of market stalls, selling tasty street food, vintage clothing and fun souvenirs.

If you get hungry during your walk you are simply spoilt for choice. You could try some international street food, or pop into one of the many delicious Notting Hill cafes .

Westbourne Grove

When you get to about half way along Portobello Road I like to take a little detour down Westbourne Grove. Here you will find a row of pastel coloured houses, which make for the perfect photo backdrop.

One thing to bear in mind when photographing these beautiful houses is that people actually live here, so always be mindful and respectful about others.

Kensington Park Gardens

After the colourful chaos of Portobello Road I love going off the main road and deeper into Notting Hill. Walk to Kensington Park Gardens, and be prepared for some of the most gorgeous houses and streets you will ever see.

Here you will find traditional Victorian houses, with their tall windows and columns, and pristine white façades. When I first moved to London  I loved walking around here, and dreaming of living in one of these houses (who am I kidding, I still love doing that)!

Ladbroke Square

If you can’t get enough of these gorgeous Victorian houses, simply pop over to Ladbroke Square and you will be able to admire more stunning architecture.

The houses here have the traditional tall windows and columns, but I personally like that they’re a bit different with their exposed bricks instead of being all white.

Hillgate Place

After Ladbroke Square make your way to Notting Hill Gate, you can get there walking along Kensington Park Road or Ladbroke Terrace, two equally beautiful streets.

Your next stop is Hillgate Place and all the surrounding streets. This little pocket of Notting Hill is simply gorgeous, and with its tranquil vibe it almost feels like stepping into a colourful fairytale and out of London.

The streets here are lined with small and quaint pastel coloured houses. The houses are much smaller than the grand Victorian ones in Ladbroke Square, but are equally beautiful.

The Churchill Arms

Up next in your Notting Hill walking tour is a very famous spot. The Churchill Arms is one of the best bars in Notting Hill , but since it’s on the border with Kensington it’s often listed amongst the best pubs in South Kensington .

The floral façade make it one of the most Instagrammable restaurants in London . Especially if you’re visiting London in winter , it’s a must see on any  London Christmas lights tours , when the flowers are substituted with Christmas trees.

While the exterior is without a doubt what attracts most visitors these days, make sure to pop also inside. They serve delicious food and drinks, just what you need to refuel after your Notting Hill walk!

Hornton Street

This street is particularly beautiful if you’re visiting London in spring. Here you will find many gorgeous cherry blossom and magnolia trees, which add that pretty pop of pink to the streets of Notting Hill.

Phillimore Gardens

Similarly to Hornton Street, this is another great spot if you want to see cherry blossoms paired with pretty British architecture.

From here you can then continue on to Holland Park, one of the prettiest parks in London , for a little green break, or head home via High Street Kensington station.

Final thoughts on the perfect walking tour of Notting Hill

There you have it, the ultimate walking tour of Notting Hill! Are there other parts of Notting Hill that you think should feature on this route? Let me know in the comments below!

I visit Notting Hill very regularly, and I simply adore walking around and admiring the gorgeous and colourful architecture. With this guide I wanted to give you a walking route you could easily follow yourself, and see all the highlights of Notting Hill.

Notting Hill is one of the most iconic places in London, and one of the best areas to stay for travellers. I hope you will find this guide useful in planning your time in Notting Hill!

Enjoyed reading my free & self-guided Notting Hill walking tour? Pin it!

Greta Omoboni is a full time blogger based in London. After 3.5 years of blogging about destinations all over the world on her main site, Greta's Travels, she decided to start a new site, dedicated to her second home and favourite city; London!

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The Beatles in London: Free, Self-Guided London Walking Tour With a Map

“I can’t believe the Beatles were real”

While the incredible story of John, Paul, George and Ringo began in other parts of the world (primarily in Liverpool and Hamburg) a significant portion of their eventful seven-year reign at the top the music charts unfolded in London.

Below, you’ll find The Beatles London walking tour that will guide you to 15 of London’s iconic landmarks, connected to the Fab Four.

All the locations described below you can see for free .

MAP s of this walking tour: part 1 & part 2

Distance to cover: 6.4 miles ( 10.3 km)

Before you go… If you’d like to shorten this walk a bit, you can use public transportation between points 2 and 3. However, I encourage you to walk the entire way. In addition to seeing The Beatles’ spots, you’ll also have the opportunity to experience two royal parks…

… and London’s beautiful architecture along the way.

In need of a private tour guide…?

[email protected]

The Beatles London walking tour

1. Abbey Road Studios

This walking tour begins at the world’s most famous recording studio, located at 3 Abbey Road.

Click here to see precise location

In June 1962, it was here that Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Pete Best had their breakthrough audition.

Prior to this, they had been rejected by most of the other important producers in London.

Despite their less-than-perfect performance of ‘Love Me Do’ and other songs, the entertaining personalities of these young musicians convinced the producer, George Martin, to sign a contract with The Beatles, who were relatively unknown in London at the time.

This recording session also played a significant role in the decision to replace Pete Best with Ringo Starr .

Since most of The Beatles’ songs were recorded here , fans have been visiting this site for over 60 years, leaving their writings on the regularly repainted wall outside Abbey Road Studios.

Although you cannot visit the studio as a tourist (it is still a working recording studio) , you can certainly visit the Abbey Studio Shop located next door.

In addition to interesting music merchandise, you will be able to learn there more about the rich music history connected to this place.

Other big names who recorded their music here: Pink Floyd , Amy Winehouse , Oasis . The music for ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’ by composer Nicholas Hooper was also recorded here.

2. Iconic zebra crossing in Abbey Road

Just outside Abbey Road Studios, you can find the zebra crossing that graced the cover of The Beatles’ 1969 album, ‘Abbey Road’ .

In the photograph, John, Paul, George, and Ringo are depicted as casual pedestrians strolling across the crossing.

This scene held a metaphorical significance as they were also departing from their EMI recording studios.

‘Abbey Road’ marked the final album recorded by The Beatles at this location, as the band soon break-up.

The iconic photo has since become one of the most imitated album covers in music history, with Beatles fans still today testing the patience of local drivers while recreating the iconic scene.

The association with The Beatles led to this crossing being listed as a Grade II heritage site in 2010.

3. “ A Beatle must not marry” ( Marylebone Registry Office)

In August 1962, John Lennon married for the first time, just before the world witnessed the explosion of Beatlemania onto the music scene.

However, the band’s general marketing approach at the time was to keep the girlfriends and wives of Paul, John, George, and Ringo out of sight from their often hysterical fans.

This approach had two clear goals: to maintain the interest of the female part of their audience and to ensure the safety of these lucky individuals.

As time passed, all members of the band did eventually tie the knot.

The third location to see during this walking tour is the Marylebone Registry Office, which hosted three of The Beatles’ weddings.

Paul McCartney married here his first and third wife (Linda Eastman in March 1969 and Nancy Shevell in 2011) and Ringo Starr tied the knot here with his second wife Barbara Bach, in 1981.

Barbara Bach played a James Bond’s girl in the 1977 movie The Spy Who Loved Me .

The Marylebone Registry Office has been witness to the unions of other famous personalities as well, including Liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit, as well as Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith .

4. Flat where John and Yoko got arrested

Between 1965 and 1969, Ringo Starr owned flat no 1 at 34 Montagu Square (ground and basement levels).

During this relatively short period, the flat had quite a succession of famous tenants.

Initially, Ringo lived there briefly himself.

After he moved out, the list of tenants over the next four years included names such as Paul McCartney and Jimi Hendrix .

Jimi Hendrix composed here The Wind Cries Mary but got eventually evicted by Ringo for damaging the flat.

However, the flat is most famous for the eventful occupancy of John Lennon & Yoko Ono .

The famous couple got raided here in October 1968 by Scotland Yard’s Drug Squad and later charged with drug possession.

It was also at this location that they took the famous naked photo featured on their experimental album Two Virgins.

Despite all of this (or perhaps because of it!) the place earned a blue plaque in 2012, commemorating only John Lennon’s brief residence at this address in 1968.

5. The house where Paul dreamed “Yesterday”

The melody of one of the most covered Beatles songs, Yesterday came to Paul in a dream.

When he woke up, he was convinced that it was someone else’s melody; he just couldn’t recall where he had heard it before.

After a while, when no one claimed it, he recorded the tune with a working title Scrambled Eggs .

The dream came to Paul when he slept in the top room at the back of 57 Wimpole Street, the next point on this walking tour.

In 1965, 57 Wimpole Street belonged to the family of his girlfriend at that time, Jane Asher.

6. Place where Beatlemania began

When it comes to the Beatles, often it is hard to pinpoint accurate dates for some of the critical events in the band’s history (even the members of the group could not agree on some of them).

However, we do know for sure when and where the so-called Beatlemania started.

On October 13, 1963, the Beatles played at the London Palladium, and here, for the first time, they experienced the hysterical screaming of their fans.

The next day, while describing the atmosphere at the Sunday show watched on TV by some 15 million people, newspapers used the term Beatlemania for the first time.

The term has been used ever since.

From 1966 the Beatles management offices were located next door to London Palladium, at no 5-6 Argyll Street.

7. The statue of John Lennon at Carnaby Street

Just around the corner from London Palladium and former Beatles’ offices you can find the seating statue of John Lennon.

8. Where the Beatles bought their suits!

No. 63 Old Compton Street 60 years ago, it was the location of Millings, also known as the Beatles’ tailor.

Currently the site is occupied by restaurant.

Millings provided the Beatles with over 500 suits during the 1960s, including the suits they wore at Buckingham Palace (more on that in a moment).

Douglas Millings (the tailor) was featured in the 1964 movie A Hard Day’s Night.

9. Where the Beatles logo was created (and Ringo bought his drum set!)

In April 1963, Ringo Starr and Brian Epstein arrived at Drum City, which was then located at 112A Shaftesbury Avenue, to purchase a new drum set for the Beatles.

The deal negotiated by Epstein at the shop included adding the iconic Beatles’ logo to the Ludwig drum set.

Unfortunately, the Drum City shop no longer exists but the building is still there!

10. Where the Beatles entertained the royal family

On November 4, 1963, the Beatles took the stage at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London for the Royal Variety Show.

Among the audience were the 63-year-old Queen Mother and 33-year-old Princess Margaret.

However, the most memorable moment from this performance was John Lennon’s cheeky joke at the expense of the royal family, which he delivered just before their final number, Twist and Shout :

“ For our last number, I’d like to ask for your help. Those in the cheaper seats, clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you could just rattle your jewelry. “

11. The last live performance

The last the Beatles performance took place at the rooftop of 3 Savile Row in London and it lasted 42 minutes.

This was the location of Apple Corps – The Beatles Office at the time.

There was no tickets sold and no crowds, just random listeners at next door roofs and the passengers passing on the paving during their lunch break.

And of course couple of Metropolitan police officers who shut down the semi-spontaneous gig down.

The Beatles’ rooftop concert at Savile marked the end of an era and today the site is honored with the blue plaque commemorating that.

12. Where John Lennon met Yoko Ono

In September 1965, in the basement of 6 Masons Yard, friends of Paul McCartney opened Indica Books and Gallery, an alternative space for art and books.

The name of the gallery was inspired by the type of cannabis, Indica .

McCartney, a strong supporter of the venue himself, encouraged John Lennon to visit the gallery. On November 7, 1966, Lennon attended an exhibition by the Japanese artist Yoko Ono here.

The rest is history.

In Mason’s Yard, you can also find a Yoko Ono-inspired mural.

13. Buckingham Palace!

There are countless places connected to the Beatles in London, and perhaps Buckingham Palace is not the first one that comes to mind.

However, two years after Beatlemania took the world by storm ( and only three years since their last concerts at the infamous, shabby Hamburg clubs!) , on October 26, 1965, John, Ringo, Paul, and George arrived at the Palace in Lennon’s black Rolls Royce to collect their MBEs from the Queen herself.

MBE stands for Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

According to John Lennon, the band smoked marijuana in the palace toilets!

Although The Beatles wore the medals on their 1967 album cover for S gt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band , John Lennon returned his MBE in November 1969 with a note:

“Your Majesty, I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra conflict, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against ‘Cold Turkey’ slipping down the charts. With love, John Lennon of Bag.”

Decades later, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were knighted here for their services in music (Paul in 1997 and Ringo in 2018). George Harrison declined the OBE honor in 2000.

14. The house where Beatles’ manager died

Just behind Buckingham Palace gardens, on the charming Chapel Street, you can find the former residence of Brian Epstein, the man often credited with the commercial success of The Beatles (No. 24).

This house hosted many joyful moments for The Beatles, including the release party for the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

But it also witnessed a very tragic one.

On August 27, 1967, Brian Epstein was found dead here.

The cause of death was ruled as an accidental overdose of sleeping pills combined with alcohol.

He was only 32 years old.

For some, this event marked the beginning of the end for The Beatles.

Out of respect for Epstein’s family’s privacy and to avoid attracting media attention, The Beatles did not attend his funeral.

15. The Beatles’ Pub

In a small street behind Brian Epstein’s flat, you can find a pub called the Horse & Groom .

This is your chance to experience a place that was frequently visited by The Beatles themselves between 1965 and 1967.

This charming and well-hidden pub provided the band members with a peaceful escape from the bustling streets of London and the loud screams of their fans.

Inside the pub, you can find a few photos commemorating their visits.

This is the final stop of this walking tour.

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.

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• About & Partnership
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Welcome to London! – Free Tour

‘When you are tired of London, you are tired of life’ the old saying goes. From the home of the British Royal Family to the packed pubs; from the heart of British politics, to the theatrical West End; from invading Romans to conquering Kings, London has it all.

Starting as a marshland with just a handful of celtic tribes, and soon subject to Roman conquest as ‘Londinium’ in 47 AD, London had a slow and unimpressive start. However, by the time of the 11th Century, the city grew as the epicentre of English royalty, throwing in several centuries of war with France, for good measure. Through sabotage, murder, and revolutions, the heads that wore the crown constantly shifted, from titanic sovereigns like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I in the 16th Century, through civil war and the ‘merry monarch’ Charles II in the 17th, to the Germanic Georges and regency in the 18th. London itself would grow as the centre of the British Empire – and arguably – the centre of the modern world, reaping the benefits of the Industrial Revolution and using the Empire’s immense imperial power to its advantage, with all the trade, violence, and suffering that came with it. With one hand dominating the globe, and the other making the most of its great wealth, the city evoked awe and wonder, developing into a hub of world-leading science, innovation, and arts. It is here that Charles Darwin would write On the Origin of Species, JMW Turner would redefine painting, and Charles Dickens would birth the modern novel, pain-stakingly putting the conditions of real Londoners to the page. After the brutal Great War of 1914-1918, Britain -and London itself- became tired and over-extended, plunging into rapid political and social changes. Just 20 years later, it would be pulled into another horrifying war, for a time fighting as the lonely bastion against the Nazi regime in Europe, as the Luftwaffe flew above wreaking havoc. By 1945, a new world emerged. With a huge labour shortage and a post-war vision to assemble, parliament turned to the commonwealth to build a modern Britain: it passed the British Nationality Act. Now, those who had previously been under the British yoke as subjects came to London as citizens. This change re-invigorated the city, setting it onto a new path. Soon London was the cultural place-to-be. Its bars were swinging with jazz and rock’n’roll, its galleries filled with contemporary art, and its theatres hosted the great plays and musicals of the century. To this day London inspires with its music and theatre scene, museums, and fashion.

Join us on our Welcome to London tour to hear and experience this astounding story yourself, and see the city as it’s meant to be seen. Starting in Westminster, we’ll take you to the most iconic and beautiful sites in London. We’ll talk about why Big Ben isn’t called Big Ben, see the Abbey that has witnessed over a 1,000 years of royal coronations, walk through the royal parks of Buckingham Palace, discuss great military battles both old and new, and get under the skin of modern London at Covent Garden. We might even end near a pub, in true London fashion. From Winston Churchill to the Suffragettes to Queen Elizabeth II to James Bond, London has a fantastic story to tell. And no worries – we’ll fuse history with tips and recommendations, and set you up for your London experience – so join us and get the perfect introduction to one of the greatest cities in the world!

Some of the sites we will see on this 2 hours 45 minutes tour include:

• Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
• The Houses of Parliament
• Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Park
• Trafalgar Square
• Pubs and Theatreland
• Covent Garden
• …and much, much more!

Roisin waz great.

Thanks Roisin !!

Great way to see a lot.

Roisin was an absolute gem! Such a great guide who made the time fly with animated stories. Would highly recommend this tour a great way to see heaps of things.

Amazing and fun!

Roisin was super animated and fun, happy to chat to us all and full of cool information. Would definitely come again

Very entertaining and great storytelling

Rosin was a great tour guide, I had a great time

This tour is also available as a Private Tour.

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• Santiago de Chile
• Santiago de Compostela

Free Tour of London

Book the original London free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guide

ABOUT THE Free Tour of London

No other tour covers so many major London landmarks! Have your cameras at the ready as we walk past Westminster Abbey and the Big Ben, and see where the King Charles lives as we stroll past Buckingham and St. James’s Palaces. On this 2.5-hour free walking tour you'll tick off many of London's must-see sites.

Your gratuity-based London Free Tour starts in front of the Apple Store in Covent Garden and finishes by Westminster Abbey.  We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

Homes of the British royal family

Around every corner is another piece of royal history on this gratuity-based free London walking tour! Your expert local guide will take you to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of His Majesty King Charles III (some tours will even see the changing of the guard!), and you’ll walk past St James’s Palace, where Princes William and Harry grew up. You’ll also see Westminster Abbey, where the Queen was crowned, Princess Diana was farewelled, and Kate and William were married. However, it’s not only the current royals who feature on this London walking tour – you’ll also hear about other kings and queens who left their mark on Great Britain.

Some of the world’s most iconic monuments

Of course though, it’s not just the royals who helped to shape London, the UK and indeed, the world. Your guide will tell you about Winston Churchill as you walk past the Churchill War Rooms, talk about Guy Fawkes as you stroll past the Houses of Parliament, and tell you about Admiral Nelson as you visit the Nelson Column on Trafalgar Square. With other must-see sites like Covent Garden, Horse Guards Parade and of course, the Big Ben, this London gratuity-based free walking tour shows you many of London's major landmarks.

Gratuity-based Free Tour concept

The gratuity-based model of the Free Tour allows guests to support and reward only the highest quality tours, and to ensure that the tour fits within their expectations, and within their budget.

The gratuity-based London Free Tour starts in front of the Apple Store in Covent Garden

• See the homes of King Charles III, Buckingham and St James’s Palaces respectively
• Stand before the stunning Westminster Abbey, site of royal coronations, weddings and funerals
• Learn about Guy Fawkes and his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament
• Look up at the iconic Big Ben
• See Nelson’s Column on Trafalgar Square
• Hear about Winston Churchill outside the Churchill War Rooms
• Stroll down the famous Horse Guards Parade

TOUR SCHEDULES

Click on 'See more dates' to check availability

• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the guide (optional)
• Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we’re proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world’s best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That’s why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
• Wheelchair accessible

Customer reviews

Wonderful, Informative Free Tour gives a great overview of London

Our guide, Trevor, really made the tour worthwhile! He was knowledgable, friendly and entertaining and Trevor's love of history and the city of London was evident throughout the tour. Given that this was a free tour our expectations were fairly low, but this was significantly better than some paid tours I've taken in the past. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Sandeman's Free Tour to anyone and plan to take their other tours in the future.

Really enjoyed our free tour of London with our guide "Big Ben". As a historian, he knew a ton about Royal history and told some great stories that I thought were hilarious. Would definitely recommend for first time visitors to London like myself as I gained some great knowledge and seen some places that I plan on going back to see in my remaining time here.

Our experiences with this company were absolutely amazing. The tour guides are very fun, outgoing, and knowledgeable. They knew a lot about what they were talking about and they provided other ideas for things to go do if you had extra time. We had Charolette in London, and she did a fabulous job!

Did a free walking tour with amazing tour guide Angus. It was nice to hear interesting stories about the different sites and the monarchs. I love this concept so much and plan to take more Sandeman's walking tours in other cities as well.

Excellent free tour

We took the free tour with Rob, who was fantastic. Excellent way to see the city and explanations were excellent. Best guide tour in the city. Free means you pay as you decide. Of course we paid, it was worth every penny.

Sandemans London Free Tour

I did the free tour with David Flannagan and absolutely loved it. His love for history showed. It was both entertaining and interesting.

Rob was my guide and he was very informative and entertaining, and also great at answering general questions about the place or certain attractions. Would highly recommend if you are newly arrived in London and want a good tour to get your bearings and get some info behind some of the monuments.

My husband and I did the free tour and the old town tour, both with Angus as our guide. We really enjoyed the two of them. We got to walk the city and learn about all the history of it. Angus is a great storyteller and very fun, definitely recommend.

What is a gratuity-based Free Tour?

The gratuity-based Free Tour is the best introduction to London! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 3 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The gratuity-based Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of London's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

• The route covers many of London's major landmarks
• The meeting point is centrally located in Covent Garden
• The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
• The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN LONDON

• Select Tour
• Private Tour

London Old City Free Walking Tour

Discover major London landmarks on this 3-hour London Old City Tour!

London Street Art Tour

Join a 2.5-hour walk through East London to see and understand some of the city’s best street art

London Harry Potter Tour

Discover the magical world of Harry Potter with local experts

British Museum Small Group Tour

Enjoy a semi-private guided tour through some of the British Museum's most interesting artefacts

Oxford Day Tour

A day tour from London to the beautiful and historic city of Oxford

London Jack the Ripper Free Tour

Discover London’s darkest history – including Jack the Ripper – on this 2-hour walking tour

London Pub Crawl

Have a great night out in some of London's best bars and clubs!

Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.

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2-hour London Highlights Private Tour

Make the most out of your visit and discover London's main attractions with your private tour guide

3-hour London Private City Tour

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of London's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...

Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

Free Tour of Liverpool

Free Tour of Edinburgh

Thank you! Your support means more to us than we can express in words. Chris Sandeman and the SANDEMANs Live Community

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