free guided walking tours london

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. 

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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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Free Tours in London

Explore London with our wonderful free walking tours!

Here's what our customers are saying...

Here’s what our customers are saying…

Pay What You Can

No fixed price No hidden costs Free booking It’s very simple: at the end of the tour you can leave a donation to your guide

WE PROMOTE CULTURE

Why free tours.

Our free tours in London are designed to promote culture and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate.

We leave it up to you to determine the value of the tour!

Guaranteed Departure!

The tour will also take place in the rain

Departure is 100% guaranteed

Available Free Tours in London

Harry Potter Tour

Jack the Ripper Tour

102 Reviews

Macabre London Tour

Royal Tour Westminster

224 Reviews

Street Art & Graffiti Tour

Richmond and Richmond Park Tour

Soho & Mayfair Tour

Available as private tours only at the moment.

Amazing Women in London Tour

Ghost Tour London & Haunted History

Witches Tour London & Witchcraft History

London City of Sin Tour

City of London Tour

A Very Mayfair Christmas Tour

Spies and Intrigue in London Tour

Crime and Justice in London Tour

Greenwich Tour

Beer and Gin History London Pub Tour

Are you looking for tours during your vacation in London?

Here is our calendar with all available tours

FREE WALKING TOURS IN LONDON

London is a captivating dream destination to spend your holidays, and we want to offer everyone the opportunity to explore this extraordinary city.

Our London Free Tours will take you on an exciting journey through the city’s rich history. Our guides, young, dynamic, and fun, deliver information engagingly without being boring. Our goal is to allow guides to express their personalities, giving you the chance to discover not only London’s most famous areas but also the city’s secret and lesser-known places. Allowing guides to create tours based on their passion means they will put their heart into their work, transmitting enthusiasm to all participants.

Our London tours are designed to reflect the love we have for this city, ensuring you have an authentic and thrilling experience during our tours.

Explore the fascinating streets of London and immerse yourself in 2000 years of incredible history. Our free walking tours are designed to entertain you with curious facts, fascinating anecdotes, and the promise of hidden gems and secrets to discover!

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20 Best Free Walking Tours in London

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Are you looking for the best free walking tours in London? Don’t know which one to pick?

Check our selection of the best free tours you can experience and enjoy an up-close encounter of London’s opulent culture and eclectic architecture that are bound to etch themselves into your memory for life.

A visit to any one of the walking tours on this list is bound to add excitement to your trip, and best of all- they’re free!

Please note that some free walking tours of London are exclusively in English, while others are in Spanish or other languages. Make sure to pick the right one.

1 – Free tour British Museum London

This tour takes you on a three-hour excursion to one of the most important museums in the world!

More than eight million objects are on display giving you a glimpse of two million years of human history and rarities.

A nesting ground for both the curious and the studious, this tour is plush with information guaranteed to equip you with the knowledge that will last a lifetime.

• Book this tour

2 – Free Westminster tour + Changing of the Guard

Considered one of the most distinguished Free Walking Tours in London, this experience is coupled with a chance to witness the Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace.

Learn about the fascinating history behind this iconic tradition while strolling along several locations famously occupied by the British Royals.

Pass by the renowned Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, and the Prime Minister’s residence- this tour is packed with imperial features you’re sure to enjoy!

• See reviews

3 – Royal London free walking tour

The most famous landmarks of London are all part of the Royal London free walking tour.

Get insight on London’s Royal history as you take in the sites of Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, Horse Guards Parade, Big Ben, and more.

Loads of information wait behind every feature of this two-and-a-half-hour tour.

Hot tip: Compare the best walking tours in London and step into the city’s vibrant culture

4 – Full London in 6 hours

Got some extra time on your hands? Then use it to see the whole of one of the world’s greatest cities!

Taste the food, uncover the ancient secrets of the City of London and visit world-famous landmarks like the Tower of London, Bank of England, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

You may think six hours is a long time, but in the end, you’ll be begging for more after experiencing all the wonders that London has to share.

5 – London at Night – Royal Zone with Christmas Lights

They say everything looks different at night, and you can judge for yourself while walking the London streets at Christmas time.

The legendary Christmas lights make this one of the best Free Walking Tours in London as they cast their majestic glow amidst the dark winter streets.

See Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, British Parliament, and many other sites transformed with the festive gleams of Christmas lights in London!

6 – Free tour London Essential

Tour the district of Westminster and learn about key attractions that make up Britain’s culture.

You’ll see the Buckingham Palace, the Wellington Barracks and the Houses of Parliament. You’ll also take a walk through St James’s Park and might even get a chance encounter with the pelicans there.

Big Ben and the Prime Minister’s residence are also on the list, all while taking in the history of these sites along this significant route.

7 – Soho Free Tour

The scenic Soho neighborhood is a sight for sore eyes and is famously known for its connection to the likes of Carl Marx, Oscar Wilde, and Jimi Hendrix!

A place filled with artistic accents, eccentric architecture and loads of history, the Soho Tour will add flair and fancy to your London vacation.

8 – Camden Town Free Tour

The 90’s Britpop Movement is the secret behind the extravagance and eccentricities that make up London’s most alternative neighborhood of Camden Town.

Vivid colors, quirky themes, and fantastic caricatures all make up the features of this tour.

You will get an intimate glimpse of the neighborhood’s historic transformation over the years from a dwelling for the upper class to a bizarre ensemble of art, bars, and odd charm.

9 – Notting Hill Free Walking Tour

You must have seen the movie that got its name from this famous town, now you can take a walk through this affluent district with loads of famous sites.

From the homes of celebrities like Madonna and Robbie Williams to the quaint and colorful houses, bookstores, gardens, and markets, this is one of the free walking tours in London that you certainly need to add to your list!

10 – The beginnings of the City of London

If you’re a history buff, looking to learn about the origins of the City of London, this tour is the one for you.

Observe rare architecture built since Roman times, learn about the Great Fire of 1666 or visit the medieval castle of London and see its evolution over the centuries.

Marvel in the ancient wonders of London and their perseverance over all these years. This tour will certainly enrich studious minds!

11 – British Rock Free Tour

Renowned for its history and contribution to global Rock n Roll, this tour brings together the best of London’s rock culture in one visit.

Discover stories of the Beatles and Amy Winehouse while visiting places with deep roots in rock music like Oxford Street, 100 Club, Miranda Club, Punk Movement, and many more!

12 – Free Harry Potter Tour

Of all the Free Walking Tours in London, this one is the most magical! Every step of the Free Harry Potter Tour takes you on an enchanted journey in and around London.

See all the amazing buildings that influenced author J.K. Rowling’s penning of the iconic series.

Visit Diagon Alley and other shops where you can get unique memorabilia from the franchise!

13 – Free Street Art Tour

Bring out the street artist in you while walking the streets of London’s East End- also known as the mecca for art enthusiasts from all over the world.

Be amazed by the extravagant graffiti art etched along the walls of various streets.

From Brick Lane, Shoreditch, Fashion Street, Bateman’s Row, and Spitalfields, there are countless opportunities to take in awe-inducing street art on this tour.

14 – Bank of the River Thames Tour

The Borough Market, the Cathedral of San Paulo, and The Millennium Bridge are only a few of the captivating landmarks that you will come across during this tour.

Learn about the history of the theatre of William Shakespeare or visit the locations of major productions like Harry Potter and many more!

15 – London Central Walking Tour by a Local

With fun and humor the main accessory of this tour, you will get to learn about the Queens of England and how they changed the world.

One of the most engaging Free Walking Tours in London, you will encounter all the famous landmarks of Central London , including the National Gallery, St. James’s Palace, Queen Victoria memorial, and others.

16 – Free London Landmarks – West Side

Learn unknown facts and secrets about the most popular figures in British history!

Tales of Henry the VIII, Guy Fawkes, and Winston Churchill await you as you walk past the buildings in which they lived and worked.

Hear the history of London’s rise to becoming history’s biggest empire and of the people who fought and died to defend it.

17 – London Night Walking Tour

London at night is a sight to see, and you’ll realize why once you make this one of your chosen Free Walking Tours in London.

Experience London like never before as you walk through Piccadilly Circus, China Town, Covent Garden, and other magically illuminated attractions while also indulging in the nightlife and bright city lights.

18 – Free London Food Tour

Let your palate be your guide on the Free London Food Tour!

Learn about the history of London’s chic East End while savoring some of the best foods representing the myriad cultures and people who migrated to London.

Try London’s famous chips or a sumptuous samosa – bite after bite you’ll still want more no matter how many foods and stories you come across on this tour!

19 – London in a Day with Changing of the Guard and Views from Above

Did you say two tours in one day? Our wish is your command! This tour packs in a full day of must-see sites in Royal Westminster and the City.

Loaded with non-stop information as you visit the Buckingham Palace- where you’ll see the Changing of the Guard ceremony –  the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, and others-  you won’t believe how quickly time flies while on taking in London in an entire day!

20 – The Origins of the City of Londinium Free Tour

Founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago, the City of London has evolved into one of the world’s most successful financial and business hubs.

On this tour, you can see both modern and ancient sites that make up this fascinating city including the Tower of London, the Bank of England, and the Old Church.

With deep-rooted history and endless fact-filled anecdotes, this tour will equip you with all the information you need about the origin of this city.

We hope you enjoyed our selection of the best free walking tours in London.

Do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions regarding London’s free walking tours.

Enjoy London and have fun 🙂

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• Tours in London

London Essentials - London in under two hours Free Walking Tour

Overview of the tour in London

Through years of experience, I have learned that these tours are most enjoyable for you if I hone it down to just the most exciting stops and the most interesting stories. Alfred Hitchcock once said, "the length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder," and I think that applies doubly so to a tour. You're on holiday, I appreciate that. You want to see the main sites, take the best photos, maybe laugh a little, and then head off on to the next adventure. With that in mind, I keep the tour to an entertaining one hour and fifty minutes. During that time we will see the main sites. More important than the sites themselves are the stories. Little insightful or interesting anecdotes; what the little horse steps are at Waterloo Place, why Constitution Hill is called that when we don't... um.. Have one, tales from the Battle of Britain, the Gunpowder Plot, what the Queen did next when she woke up to find a drunken man had climbed the walls of Buckingham Palace and broken into her bedroom at 7am, etc, etc. I hope to see you soon, Theo

This activity includes:

• Nelson's Column
• Trafalgar Square
• Horse Guards Parade
• Palace of Westminster
• St James's Palace
• Churchill War Rooms
• Buckingham Palace
• Waterloo Place
• Entrance to Downing Street

Meeting point

The grass next to the Wellington Arch

I will be in the middle of Hyde Park Corner, on the raised grass area near the Wellington Arch, carrying a black umbrella. IMPORTANT—Please go to the right arch, the Victorians liked arches. Please go to the Wellington Arch NOT Marble Arch, it's an easy mistake to make...

Things to note

Please note, I will be on the raised grass next to the Wellington Arch NOT underneath the Arch.

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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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

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• 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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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 .

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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.

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Due to unforeseen circumstances, All tours have been canceled.

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• Royal London and Changing of the Guard Tour
• Fire, Pestilence and Plague Tour
• The Southbank Tour, Bankside Brothels and Beer
• Secrets of London Tour
• Secrets of of London Two, Revolution Rebellion and Religion Tour
• Private Tours

Royal London and Changing of the Guard

A fascinating walk around Royal London including the Changing of the Guard, taking in the splendour and glamour of our capital. See three royal palaces, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben on this fully guided tour.

10:30 Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

View details

Fire, Pestilence and Plague

For hundreds of years the City of London has been ‘plagued’ by disaster, from the sacking of the city by Queen Boudicca, to the bomb damage during the Blitz. Along the way you’ll encounter mass graveyards from the plague, execution sites and sinister stories. A tour not to be missed!

Wednesday and Sunday 2:30pm.

Experience the real history of London, the people’s history! Southwark has long been associated with debauchery, but has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Join our expert guide on this unique tour of Bankside and discover its compelling history.

Saturday 2:30pm.

Soho and Covent Garden, the Wicked West End

See where the Beatles and the Rolling Stones performed and where theSoho and Covent Garden, the Wicked West End tour">View details »

Secrets of London

Experience a walking tour with a difference! On the secret hidden London tour you will hear the more unusual stories about London’s famous sights. Discover the secrets of our famous city that are hiding in plain view!

Thursday 2.30pm.

Secrets of London Two, Revolution Rebellion and Religion Tour

Our second Secrets of London tour starts and ends at Blackfriars station and will take in the most fascinating historical sites the City of London has to offer.

Friday at 14:30pm

INFORMATION

• Terms and Conditions

What to see in London?

Interesting locations in London that you can visit for free, organized into free London walking tours

Do you need a private tour guide…?

[email protected]

100 Reasons to Visit London – The Most Interesting City in The World!

8 Historic Pubs in London you Should See (All Located Near the Biggest Tourist Attractions in London )

13 Best Spots in London to Take Great Holiday Photos

Trips from London:

Stonehenge & What To See Nearby (PHOTO GALLERY)

A Lady in London

And Traveling the World

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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Harry Potter Walking Tour London

Whether you received your invitation to Hogwarts or not, everybody knows the magical world of Harry Potter.

Not only does Harry journey to and through London throughout the 8 movies, but most were filmed right here in the capital of the U.K.! 

Your expert guide will take you through London, pointing out sites and locations from the Harry Potter film series. We offer Harry Potter Tours both on foot and via Black Cab so read below to find out more!

VIEW OUR FULL SCHEDULE OF FREE LONDON TOURS HERE

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• You can take this tour anytime with our  GPS-enabled audio tour app .

Come follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous wizard on our Harry Potter Tour!

Always enchanting, often interesting, and each one easy to get to, what follows is a guide to the real-life counterparts of many of the magical locations you have seen on the big screen.

See the buildings that contain the Ministry of Magic, walk through the Underground barriers Harry and Arthur Weasley traveled through on their visit to London, stand on the bridge blown up by Death Eaters, and walk through the real Diagon Alley!

You'll also get a chance to see the grandiose 'Palace Theatre', now home to the 8th installment of the Harry Potter series- 'Harry Potter & the Cursed Child'.  Tickets?

The tour will be filled with fun facts and film references, and take you into London's theatre-land, across to London's Southbank, or through its labyrinthine Old City - depending on the day.

The journey will take you on foot and also via the London Underground.

Sites Visited On The Harry Potter Walking Tour 

• 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.)

*Please note that though we do stop at St. Paul's Cathedral and the Palace Theatre, we do not go inside.

Tour Information

Reservations:  

For groups of up to 5,  click here to reserve . If your group is 6 or more, please check out our  private tours  page or contact us.

Where :  

Meet your guide outside Costa Coffee opposite London Bridge Station.

From London Bridge Station, take the exit for "Borough Market" and cross the street. ( MAP )

The tour ends near Parliament Square and Whitehall.

Duration:  

Approximately 2.5 hours.

• Wednesdays and Saturdays at 14:00 (2:00 pm)

This tour is free to take, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done.

A  name-your-own-price tour  is a tour for anyone's budget.

• Self-Guided Tour
• Warner Bros. Studio Tours
• Other Harry Potter Tours
• Harry Potter Tours Beyond London
• Harry Potter Tours (Edinburgh)

HARRY POTTER BLACK CAB TOUR

Our friends at London Black Cab Tours can show you all the London Harry Potter sites you won't want to miss, all while being chauffeured in the comfort of an iconic black London Taxi!

This 4-hour tour will take you to iconic filming sites like Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron as well as giving you fascinating trivia about the movies from your knowledgable guides.

To find out more or to book one of these tours, contact our London Manager: [email protected]

SELF-GUIDED TOUR

If you can't make our tour, don't worry! You can use this guide below to Potter locations in London.

Or you can try our  GPS-led audio tour , which you can take any time you wish. Here's a sample.

So whether you’ve memorized the books, seen the films, or proudly own every bit of Potter paraphernalia around – join us as we dive into the magical world of Harry Potter!

This particular route will focus on film sites to the north part of London, so grab your travelcard, lace up your trainers (or grab your broom!) and follow us! 

We also have a guide to Harry Potter locations  across London, which includes many more places for you to visit.

Click here for our full interactive tour map .

The tour starts at Liverpool Street Station

Take the Exit for Bishopsgate and when you step out of the station, turn RIGHT onto Bishopsgate.

Continue walking in this direction until you reach Leadenhall Street and turn LEFT.

Take the first RIGHT into Leadenhall Market. For directions from each stop, use the map or audio tour.

1. Leadenhall Market -  Diagon Alley/Leaky Cauldron 1

Leadenhall Market has sat in this location since the 14th century ( map )!

However, most of what you can see today dates from the late 1800s and served as another filming location for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron.

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, this is the location that was used for the filming of Diagon Alley. In fact, at 42 Bull’s Head Passage you will spot a storefront for an optician.

However, this shop front – painted blue – was used to serve as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in the first Harry Potter film.  

Read our full post on finding the real Diagon Alley in London .

2. Borough Market, 7A Stoney Street Diagon Alley/Leady Cauldron 2 

In the muggle world, this shop is a charming florist with a prime location in the historic and popular Borough Market ( map ).

But in the world of Harry Potter, this is actually the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, as seen in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

It is just outside of this shop that the Knight Bus slams to a halt and drops Harry off (via Palmers Green and Lambeth) just outside the pub on Diagon Alley, setting off a car alarm in the process!

The interior shots of the Leaky Cauldron were filmed on a soundstage, however, so it’s just the facade that was used during filming.  See our full post on Harry Potter in Borough Market  as well as finding the real Diagon Alleys .

While you are here, take our self-guided food tour to fill up your belly.

3. Millennium Bridge - Site of Death Eater Attack 

Watch out for Death Eaters as you make your way from the north to the south bank of the River Thames over the Millennium Bridge ( map ).

Originally intended to be opened in the year 2000, the bridge was not structurally sound and it had to be closed for a further 2 more years.

From 2002 it remained in place, spanning the river until a gang of Death Eaters battled on top of it and completely destroyed the entire structure!

Well…in the Harry Potter universe that is.

This bridge served as one of the scenes of the dramatic air-borne broomstick battle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince .

Learn more with our full post on the Millennium Bridge .

4.  Australia House Gringotts Bank

The longest continuously occupied diplomatic mission in the U.K., (built entirely with marble shipped all the way from Australia), Australia House served as the setting for Gringotts Wizarding Bank ( map ).

Unlike other sites on this tour, it is the interior of this building that was where scenes were filmed for  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone . 

It's here that Hagrid takes Harry to the wizarding bank for the first time.  

The scene was filmed in Australia House's Exhibition Room which is, unfortunately, not open to the public.

A polite word with the security officers at the door may reward you with a peek through the windows, but this is not always guaranteed.

5. Lincoln’s Inn Fields - Number 12 Grimmauld Place 1

A charming square with buildings now occupied by lawyers and surgeons, many believe that Lincoln’s Inn Fields holds the inspiration for the outside of Number 12 Grimmauld Place ( map ).

Muggles may have trouble viewing the house, of course, since there are a number of charms placed on it to protect its’ exact location.

However, if you take a look near number 13 you may just see a glimmer out of the corner of your eye that will clue you into the houses’ precise location.

6. Piccadilly Circus - Where the Trio Go On the Run

On the run from Death Eaters at Bill and Fleur’s wedding in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , Harry, Ron, and Hermione apparate straight to central London.

In the books, they arrive on Tottenham Court Road and go into a nearby restaurant.

For the Deathly Hallows Part, I film, however, the trio turns up right in front of a passing No. 19 bus in the middle of Piccadilly Circus ( map ).

Hermione tells us “I used to come here with Mum and Dad".

They arrive at night with Piccadilly’s world-famous electric lights on display which lend a little magic of their own to this popular London destination!

Just off Piccadilly Circus up Shaftesbury Avenue, you can spot a row of stone pillars that the trio walks past as Hermione explains to the boys where they are.

Somewhere along this road is the cafe where the trio stops to have a rest and ends up in a violent duel with Death Eaters…so mind your step!

7. Cecil Court and Goodwin’s Court - The inspiration for Diagon Alley? Or…the REAL Diagon Alley? 

A small alleyway just off the bustling Charing Cross Road, Cecil Court is believed by many to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley ( map ). 

The Court here is lined with original Victorian shop fronts and sells a wide variety of antique books, with a few shops fittingly providing a supply of books on the subject of magic!

In fact, the first shop on the right is actually called The Witch Ball !

On Cecil Court, you will also find Watkins Books which claims to be the oldest occultist and mystical bookshop in the entire world!

Harry Potter fans with an eagle eye may also spot a large display of Gringotts banknotes located in one of the shop windows here.

It is safe to say that Cecil Court has a touch of magic to it, easily believable as the entrance into Harry’s world on Diagon Alley.

Goodwin’s Court is much smaller and the buildings are kind of wonky – giving it a surreal feeling.

It’s easy to imagine that this little courtyard path could be an entrance into Harry’s magical world.

Because of this, many people believe that this is the exact place Rowling was trying to recreate in the Potter books.

Harry and Hagrid walk down Charing Cross Road itself in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone .

Whilst Harry is on the Knight Bus in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban he travels down Charing Cross, and Ministry cars drive down the road in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

TIP: Read our full post on finding the real Diagon Alleys

8. Trafalgar Square - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II Film Premiere 

It was here in Trafalgar Square ( map)  on the 7 th of July 2011 that the final Harry Potter film began its premiere celebrations.

On a huge stage erected near Nelson’s Column stood Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, J. K. Rowling, and dozens of others who spoke to the crowd of thousands.

From the Square, the cast and Rowling herself then walked the world’s longest red carpet to Leicester Square where the film debuted simultaneously at three different cinemas!

Trafalgar Square is also glimpsed during the opening flight battle of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as the Death Eaters fly over central London.

9. Old Scotland Yard - The Ministry of Magic 

Home to muggle politicians, both Whitehall and Great Scotland Yard (map) was used to represent the magical counterpart of our muggle organizations.

Here you will find the exteriors used for the Ministry of Magic during filming for the Polyjuice potion scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Shots taken here are also used for the trip that Mr. Weasley and Harry Take in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

In the books and the films, there is a red telephone box outside the Ministry of Magic that wizards use to access the Ministry. 

From the phone box, one must dial ‘62442’ and the phone booth acts as a lift, taking visitors down underneath the ground to the Ministry.

The red phone box used in the film was actually a prop brought in specifically for shooting so sadly, no journeys to the Ministry can be made any longer!

10. Number 10 Downing Street - Direct link to the Minister for Magic 

It is inside the Prime Minister’s office at Number 10 Downing Street ( map ) that the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes place.

It is revealed that there is a portal from the wizarding world to that of the muggle world so that the Prime Minister of the U.K. and the Minister for Magic can occasionally speak.

It is also here that Kingsley Shacklebolt works during his time as bodyguard to the Muggle Prime Minister.

11. Westminster Underground Station - Tube Station for Ministry of Magic 

It's the Westminster Underground Station that Mr. Weasley and Harry go to when visiting the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix .

At the station, ( map ) Mr. Weasley struggles at the barriers, not sure how to work the exits properly – much like many of us during our first visit to London!

For the filming of this scene, Westminster Underground Station was closed for an entire day (a very rare occurrence)!

12. No. 23–29 Claremont Square (No. 12 Grimmauld Place 2)  

Tucked away on an unassuming street in Islington lies Claremont Square ( map ), the location of Sirius Black’s familial residence, Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

The house eventually is inherited by Harry and used as the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.

This square was used for filming Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . 

The muggles that live in the square have long come to accept the mistake in numbering the buildings here, with 11 and 13 being right next to each other.

Don’t feel bad if you can’t spot Number 12, it’s kept under wraps by the Fidelius Charm, meaning only Secret-Keepers can access the building.

13. Kings Cross (Platform 9 ¾)

Every Potterhead knows that Platform 9 ¾ is the location of Kings Cross Station ( map ) that the Hogwarts Express departs from (on the 1st of September every year).

In fact, the very final scene in the last book/film is set right here on the most famous train platform in the world.

For Harry Potter fans, a visit to London wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Kings Cross – and the station does not disappoint.

Now, owing to the layout of the station, it’s not actually possible to pass through a barrier between platforms 9 and 10.

First, for the muggles among us, we would never be able to see it. The second, and the more likely reason, is that there is no actual barrier between the two platforms.

Fret not, however, as the designers of the new Kings Cross Station have got us covered, having installed an entrance to Platform 9 ¾ around the corner from the platforms being used for other railway traffic.

Luckily for us, the Ministry of Magic has come up with a clever way to allow visitors to experience the magic of Platform 9 ¾.

It is here that they have frozen a luggage trolley partially the way through the magical barrier.

Those of us who have sought out the platform will be rewarded with an opportunity to get our photographs taken right outside the barrier.

Find out even more by reading our detailed blog post .

TIP:  Next to the photo opportunity is the fabulous Platform 9 ¾ Shop , filled with sweets and scarves, wands and wizards, books, and bludgers! 

THE TOUR ENDS HERE AT KINGS CROSS STATION

Optional stop – london zoo ( m ap ).

In the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone , it is a local zoo that Harry is taken to for his cousin Dudley’s 11 th birthday.

At the zoo, Harry comes face-to-face (literally!) when the glass separating him from a boa constrictor disappears and the snake spills out onto the floor.

Harry accidentally causes the removal of the glass as well as speaking to the snake in the rare language known as parseltongue (although Harry has no idea about this until much later on in the series).

It is the reptile house at the London Zoo that was used during the filming of this scene. This has led many people to – incorrectly – assume the Dudley family had taken Harry to London Zoo.

However, when Harry travels to Diagon Alley with Hagrid for the first time, Harry tells him that he has never been to London before, which means the zoo must’ve been somewhere else.

The actual tank used for filming currently holds a black mamba, although in the film the snake is said to be a Burmese python, with a strange departure from the original text.

For those who have made the effort to both get to the zoo and pay for entry, you will be rewarded with a small plaque placed inside the Reptile enclosure that commemorates the spot where the actual filming took place.

Be sure to read our detailed post on  Harry Potter locations throughout London .

HARRY POTTER WARNER BROS STUDIO TOURS

It's easy to get to Warner Brothers Film Studios in Leavesden, a 200-acre complex where all the Harry Potter movies were filmed.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter

It’s a 20-minute train from London’s Euston Station to the Watford Junction railway station where you can catch a Harry Potter shuttle bus to the Warner Bros. Studio.

The Harry Potter studio tour starts with a live guide introduction to the Harry Potter theme and then guests are brought to the sets.

From there it’s a self-guided experience through the two sound stages and outside lot.

If you choose to go it alone, you will probably want to rent a digital guide for £4.95 for a richer experience. Not including travel time, plan on spending about 3 hours at the studios.

When: Tours run almost every day of the year. The first tour and last tour of the day depending on the date, so check their calendar.  Note: Tickets must be purchased in advance and are not sold at the Studio. 

This ticket does not include transportation from London with return (see below).

• Free – 4 and under
• £47 – Adult (16+ years)
• £38 – Child (5-15 years and must be accompanied by an adult)
• £56.95 – Complete Studio Tour Package Adult
• £47.95 – Complete Studio Tour Package Child
• £150 – Family Package (includes either two adults with two children or one adult with three children).

Find out more here to purchase tickets .

Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter – Dedicated tour Guide and transportation included

There are several tour operators that offer packages that include your ticket to the studio with timed entry and also transportation from London by coach or train.

Typically, these tours cost approximately £86 per person (less for children). Some of these companies play Harry Potter movies on the bus ride to warm you up for your studio visit.

For die-hard Harry Potter fans, this might be the way for you to go.

Included in the price:

• admission with the timed entry
• dedicated studio tour guide
• headsets when appropriate
• transportation to and from the meeting point in Central London
• one butterbeer per guest. 

When: check their calendar for availability. 

• £85 - Adult (age 16+)
• £75- Child (age 5-15)
• £40 - Infant (age 3-4)
• Free - 2 and under
• More information and to book here

Tip: Book at least a month in advance as this tour sells out quickly.

OTHER HARRY POTTER LONDON TOURS

Below are a schedule and description of various free and paid Harry Potter London walking tours. We also list bus and taxi tours. 

TIP: If you are considering purchasing a multi-day, hop-on, hop-off bus ticket, keep in mind that Big Bus Tours offers a free, daily Harry Potter Walking Tour with any 2 or 3-day ticket.

Harry Potter Walking Tour  by Brit Movie Tours

This tour covers all the major sites and is 2.5 hours long.

• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2 pm (Jan – Dec)
• Daily at 2 pm (School Holidays and 1 Jun – 30 Sep)

Cost: £15 - Adult | £10 - Child (under 16)

This tour is offered at 20% off if you purchase the London Pass .

Harry Potter Bus Tour by Brit Movie Tours 

This 2.5-3 hour bus tour features many of the film locations and inspirations from all 8 films in the series.

Some of the stops include Kings Cross Station, 12 Grimmauld Place, and the sites used for the Leaky Cauldron.

There is also an opportunity at the end of the tour to buy  Harry Potter  merchandise.

When: at 2 pm on the below days

• Wednesdays (during School Holidays and Feb- Oct)
• Thursdays (during School Holidays and Jul-Aug)
• Fridays (during School Holidays and Jul-Aug)
• Saturdays (Jan-Dec)
• Sundays (during School Holidays and Apr-Oct)

Cost: £30 - Adult | £21 - Child (under 16)

Muggles Tours

This 2 ½ hour guided walking tour has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. The company that operates this tour does nothing else but Harry Potter tours – that’s how good they are!

Group size is limited to no more than 20 muggles. This tour is a great value and family-friendly!

When: These tours run almost every day most mornings and afternoons, but be sure to check their calendar of tour dates.

Cost: £18.36 Adult | £12.75 Child (11 and under)

Note: You will need to purchase a ticket for the London Underground as the tour travels by tube from Westminster to King's Cross.

London Walks

London Walks offers 2 Harry Potter tours, each covering a different part of London.

On the London Town tour, you’ll see the entrance to the Ministry of the Magic, the flight path of Death-Eaters, and other movie sites around the River Thames, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus.

The City tour includes sites like Diagon Alley and the locations used for the Leaky Cauldron as well as some famous London sites not part of the movies, like the 'Gherkin' and St. Paul's Cathedral.

When: London Town tour on Saturdays at 2 pm, The City tour on Wednesdays and Sundays at 2 pm

• £15 - adults
• £10 - super adults (65+)
• £5 - children, under 8 free

Harry Potter Bus Tour of London  

This is run by Brit Tours and is a 2½-3 hour tour that is twice the price of their walking tour, but perfect for rainy days or for those who want to relax and enjoy the comfort of their luxury mini-bus to see many of the same sites listed above.

There are opportunities to get off the bus and take pictures as well. Guides are enthusiastic and informative.

When:  at 2 pm on the following days

Schedule changes seasonally so be sure to check their calendar.

Cost: Adult (13 years+): £30 | Children (under 13): £21

Harry Potter Film Location Tours by Taxi

London Taxi offers a small group tour in a 6-seater taxi. The flat rate for the tour is £260 for 3 hours, so if your group is 6 people, you’ll pay £43.33 per person.

That may sound like a lot but you are picked up and dropped off at your hotel (that saves you public transport money for 6 people!).

The taxis are air-conditioned in the summer and the fleet is made up mostly of the new Mercedes London taxi which is also wheelchair accessible.

When: Contact them about your desired date.

Cost: £290 flat for 4 hours, £490 flat for 8 hours, maximum of 6 people.

HARRY POTTER-THEMED HOTEL 

At the Georgian House Hotel in London, Potter fans can stay in wizard-themed rooms. You can't book the rooms online, rather you need to contact the hotel for a quote.

Call them at 0(207) 834 1438 and/or email: [email protected] .  

The reviews on TripAdvisor concern the Wizard Rooms are generally very positive and a recurring comment is that these rooms are a real treat for fans.

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