As a city packed with history, culture, great food, and film locations, London always has something new to discover. Thanks to knowledgeable guides, walking tours are a brilliant way to learn the city’s secrets.
Tours can help you explore more of your favourite parts of London or open you to something completely new. There are also plenty of tours for families or to have fun with something different.
Here, we’ve compiled some of London’s best walking tours covering everything from Royalty to Harry Potter, Silent Discos, and doughnuts.
Child-Friendly London Walking Tours
Harry Potter Tour & Magical Afternoon Tea
Tickets from £98.00: Harry Potter Tour & Magical Afternoon Tea
Highlights: Afternoon Tea at The Wizards Exploratorium; Platform 9¾; Goodwin’s Court
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
This walking tour takes you across London to see places that inspired Harry Potter and locations from the films. It also includes visits to two Harry Potter shops with a tour discount and ends with an afternoon tea at The Wands & Wizards Exploratorium.
What’s the itinerary for the Harry Potter Tour & Magical Afternoon Tea walking tour?
The tour starts at Platform 9 3⁄4 and heads to Cecil Court, Goodwin’s Court, The Palace Theatre, House of Spells, Leicester Square, Westminster, Borough Market, London Bridge, and The Wands & Wizard Exploratorium.
How to book Harry Potter Tour & Magical Afternoon Tea walking tour
Book from £98.00, including the guided tour and afternoon tea, online at Viator.
Harry Potter: Tour for Muggles
Tickets from £17.00: Harry Potter: Tour for Muggles
Highlights: Inspirations for Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron; Globe Theatre; Borough Market
Duration: 2 hours
This tour guides you around London, looking at the real-life locations that inspired the Harry Potter books and films. It also features a quiz to test your magical knowledge and includes insights into the making of the movie.
What’s the itinerary for the Harry Potter: Tour for Muggles walking tour?
This tour starts at Leadenhall Market before going to the Bank of England Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral, Former City of London School, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Golden Hinde, the Clink Prison Museum, and ending in Borough Market.
How to book Harry Potter: Tour for Muggles walking tour
Book from £17.00 for the 2-hour small group guided tour online at Viator.
Paddington Bear walking tour
Tickets from £64.00: Paddington Bear walking tour
Highlights: Paddington Station; Portobello Road Market; Notting Hill
Duration: 3 hours
This walking tour takes you to the many London places that are associated with Paddington. From Paddington Station to 32 Windsor Gardens, the guide will share facts about the Paddington Bear stories. You will also see Paddington-inspired artworks for great photo opportunities.
What’s the itinerary for the Paddington Bear walking tour?
The tour begins at Paddington Station before visiting Notting Hill, Portobello Road Market, inspiration for 32 Windsor Gardens, and Paddington-inspired artwork.
How to book Paddington Bear walking tour
Book from £64.00, which includes the fully guided walking tour online at Viator.
Mary Poppins walking tour
Tickets from £17.00: Mary Poppins walking tour
Highlights: St Paul’s Cathedral; Bank of England; view from a rooftop terrace
Duration: 2 hours
Exploring iconic places from Mary Poppins, this tour also explores the locations from the original and sequel films. It also features a view of the London skyline from a rooftop terrace.
What’s the itinerary for the Mary Poppins walking tour?
The Mary Poppins walking tour begins at Temple Station, where you can visit Middle Temple Hall, Fleet Street, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Royal Exchange Building London.
How to book Mary Poppins walking tour
Book from £17.00 for the Mary Poppins guided tour and rooftop terrace view online at Fever.
Dinosaur Discovery tour
Tickets from £172.00 for a group of up to 5: Dinosaur Discovery
Highlights: Natural History Museum; Dinosaurs gallery
Duration: 2 hours
The content of this guided tour has been created with kids in mind to take a scientific look at dinosaurs. It explores the Dinosaurs gallery at the Natural History Museum, one of the world’s largest dinosaur collections.
What’s the itinerary for the Dinosaur Discovery walking tour?
The Dinosaur Discovery tour begins just outside the Natural History Museum. It then guides you around the Museum with a focus on the history of dinosaurs.
How to book Dinosaur Discovery walking tour
Book from £172.00 for a group of up to 5 people online at Fever.
London Sightseeing Walking Tours
Ultimate London Sightseeing Walking Tour
Tickets from £19.00: Ultimate London Sightseeing Walking Tour
Highlights: Tower of London; Big Ben; Buckingham Palace; Westminster Abbey
Duration: 5 hours
This is a mega tour of London guiding you around the city to see over 30 sights. It gives you fun facts about London’s famous landmarks as well as introductions to less-known historic places.
What’s the itinerary for the Ultimate London Sightseeing walking tour?
The Ultimate London Sightseeing tour features 30+ sights and starts at St Paul’s Station. You’ll see Borough Market, the London Underground, the Leadenhall Building, Lancaster House, Saint Margaret’s Church on Parliament Square, Horizon 22, the UK Supreme Court, Green Park, HMS Belfast, Sky Garden, London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE, Admiralty Arch, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial, St James’s Park, Royal Exchange Building London, Bracken House, Mansion House of City of London, Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall, St. James’s Palace, Clarence House, The Mall, Great Scotland Yard, The Monument to the Great Fire of London, 10 Downing Street, The Shard, Thames River, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Bank of England, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace.
How to book the Ultimate London Sightseeing tour
Book from £19.00 for a guided tour of 30+ London sights online at Viator.
Hidden London walking tour
Tickets from £18.00: Hidden London walking tour
Highlights: Temple Church; Fleet Street; Statue of Samuel Johnson
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
This tour explores the often-forgotten but fascinating parts of London. Discover historic secrets as your guide takes you to a long-lost Underground station and the home of the Knights Templar.
What’s the itinerary for the Hidden London walking tour?
The Hidden London walking tour starts at Temple Station. It explores Fleet Street, Temple Church, St Bride’s Church, and the Statue of Samuel Johnson.
How to book Hidden London walking tour
Book from £18.00 for the Hidden London guided walking tour online at Viator
Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guards
Tickets from £72.00: Buckingham Palace and Changing of the Guards Walking Tour
Highlights: State Rooms at Buckingham Palace; Changing of the Guard; St James’s Park
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
The Changing of the Guard is a true London spectacle as the uniformed soldiers march through the streets to music. Experience this with a guide to learn more about the ceremony and find the best spot. This Buckingham Palace walking tour also takes you to the royal residence of Buckingham Palace, where you can take an audio tour of the State Rooms.
What’s the itinerary for the Buckingham Palace walking tour?
The Buckingham Palace walking tour starts at the Duke of York Monument, and then walks through St James’s Park, watching The Changing of the Guard, and visits Buckingham Palace.
How to book Buckingham Palace walking tour
Book from £72.00, including admission to Buckingham Palace, online at Viator.
Tower of London walking tour
Tickets from £78.00: Tower of London
Highlights: Tower of London; Crown Jewels; White Tower
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
As a 900-year-old fortress, the Tower of London holds history like few other places in London. On this tour, you will get to meet one of the Beefeater Guards, who will reveal the secrets and stories locked within the Tower of London. You will also have time to explore different parts of the Tower of London on your own after the tour.
What’s the itinerary for the Tower of London walking tour?
This tour covers the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, with time to explore the White Tower and Tower Green.
How to book Tower of London walking tour
Book from £78.00, including early access to the Tower of London online at Fever.
Themed Walking Tours in London
Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows
Tickets from £25.00: Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows
Highlights: River Cruise; Tower of London; Berkeley Square
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
This ghost tour claims to be for thrill-seekers and history buffs as the guide shares spooky stories with you. It includes a visit to Berkeley Square, which is claimed to be a haunted house, and an evening cruise along the Thames.
What’s the itinerary for the Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows walking tour?
The tour begins at Green Park Underground Station. It then covers Berkeley Square, a Royal Park, a cruise on the River Thames, the Tower of London, and St James’s Palace.
How to book Ghost, Ghouls and Gallows walking tour
Book from £25.00, including the Thames cruise, online at Viator.
Shoreditch Street Art Tour
Tickets from £20.00: Shoreditch Street Art Tour
Highlights: Street art in Shoreditch, Brick Lane, and Old Spitalfields Market
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
The Shoreditch Street Art Tour guide has kept an eye on the street art scene for almost 20 years. This means you will get a detailed look at the past and present East London street art culture. You’ll explore the best murals, stencils, and secret art spots.
What’s the itinerary for the Shoreditch Street Art walking tour?
The tour starts at Old Spitalfields Market before heading up Brick Lane to Shoreditch.
How to book Shoreditch Street Art walking tour
Book from £20.00, including the tour and a post-tour information email, online at Fever.
The Beatles walking tour
Tickets from £40.00: The Beatles
Highlights: Abbey Road Crossing; Sir Paul McCartney’s London home; Abbey Road Studios
Duration: up to 2 hours 30 minutes
London boasts a series of iconic spots for Beatles fans to visit. This guided tour takes you to Abbey Road for the famous crossing and a peek at the studios, the birthplace of Beatlemania, and more. The guide shares many stories and facts from the Beatles’ history along the way.
What’s the itinerary for The Beatles walking tour?
The tour starts from St John’s Wood and covers Sir Paul McCartney’s London home, Abbey Road, a Hard Day’s Night film spot, album cover shoot locations, the John Lennon Blue Plaque, 3 Savile Row, Kingly Street, and Marylebone.
How to book The Beatles walking tour
Book from £40.00 for this Beatles walking tour online at Fever.
Sherlock Holmes walking tour
Tickets from £17.00: Sherlock Holmes
Highlights: Royal Academy; Somerset House; Piccadilly Circus
Duration: 2 hours
This guided tour takes you through London, exploring famous locations from Sherlock Holmes’ books, films, and TV shows. This includes locations from the 1979 Murder by Decree, Guy Ritchie’s 2009 film, and the BBC series starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
What’s the itinerary for the Sherlock Holmes walking tour?
This Sherlock Holmes tour starts at Piccadilly Circus. The tour takes you to the Royal Academy of Arts before going to various book & film locations. It finishes at Somerset House.
How to book Sherlock Holmes walking tour
Book from £17.00, including stops at multiple locations, online at Viator.
Whitechapel Women walking tour
Tickets from £15.00: Whitechapel Women walking tour
Highlights: Spitalfields; Whitechapel
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
This is an alternative tour to the typical Jack the Ripper tours that tells the untold stories of the victims. This tour visits the streets where the women lived and explores what is known about their lives. It shares their stories and commemorates their deaths.
What’s the itinerary for the Whitechapel Women walking tour?
This tour starts at St Botolph’s without Aldgate Church. From there, it passes through Spitalfields and Whitechapel, with six stops along the way.
How to book Whitechapel Women walking tour
Book from £15.00, with all the money going to the charity Beyond the Streets, online at Viator.
Museum and Gallery Walking Tours
British Museum guided tour
Tickets from £60.00: British Museum guided tour
Highlights: the Rosetta Stone; Parthenon Sculptures; Lewis Chessmen
Duration: 2 hours
This guided tour will help you learn about many of the key objects from the Museum’s collection of 8 million. You will learn about and discuss these artefacts, which include the Rosetta Stone and relics of Ancient Rome. The tour explores how humans have shaped history and our modern world.
What’s the itinerary for the British Museum guided tour?
The tour meets inside the British Museum. The guide will take you around the galleries, looking at the Rosetta Stone, Ancient Egypt, the Parthenon sculptures, Lewis Chessmen, the Easter Island Moai, Ancient Rome, and more.
How to book British Museum guided tour
Book from £60.00, including a live guide and free entry to the Museum, online at Viator.
Natural History Museum
Tickets from £73.72: Natural History Museum
Highlights: See specimens of an Archaeopteryx; Stegosaurus; Dodo
Duration: 2 hours
This tour will guide you around the Natural History Museum. It highlights some of the most fascinating specimens from its eight million exhibits. The guide will take you through the Earth’s history, from the origin of our planet to the arrival of humans. You learn stories and secrets about the museum, and private or semi-private tours are available.
What’s the itinerary for the Natural History Museum walking tour?
The tour begins just outside the Natural History Museum. You will then be guided around the Museum to see the key exhibits.
These include an Archaeopteryx, Sophie the Stegosaurus, and a Dodo skeleton. The tour will then look at volcanoes and Pompeii before some botany, seeing a slice of a Giant Sequoia tree.
How to book Natural History Museum walking tour
Book from £73.72 for this small group museum tour online at Viator.
National Gallery highlights tour
Tickets from £20.00: National Gallery highlights tour
Highlights: Monet; Leonardo; Van Gogh
Duration: 1 hour
This official National Gallery tour explores the collection with a Blue Badge guide. It uncovers art history through one of the world’s greatest collections of Western European paintings.
What’s the itinerary for the National Gallery walking tour?
This tour of the National Gallery covers significant art history from the 13th to the 19th centuries. It looks at paintings by Leonardo, Monet, and Van Gogh.
How to book National Gallery walking tour
Book from £20.00, including a VOX headset and Blue Badge guide, online at Fever.
Fun and Alternative Walking Tours
City Quest – London Espionage
Tickets from £11.00: City Quest – London Espionage
Highlights: hidden gems in London discovered via the Quest
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
City Quest is an interactive tour exploring espionage in London. Using your detective skills, you will attempt to answer questions and follow the trail around London. You will also get to explore London and discover hidden gems of the city.
What’s the itinerary for the City Quest walking tour?
The City Quest tour begins at Waterloo Station and ends next to the Royal Opera House. It takes you through London as you play the game and answer questions on route.
How to book City Quest walking tour
Book from £11.00 online at Viator. Note that internet access, a mobile device, and earphones are required but not provided.
Silent Disco
Tickets from £29.00: Silent Disco
Highlights: Dance around Covent Garden; Trafalgar Square; Theatreland
Duration: 1 hour
A fun tour that takes you around the city dancing and singing to hits from the ‘70s to swinging ‘20s. It offers you the chance to see London’s sights while being a disco with surprise flash mobs and live commentary too.
What’s the itinerary for the Silent Disco walking tour?
The Silent Disco begins at Covent Garden before heading to Trafalgar Square, Soho, China Town, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, Theatreland, Carnaby Street, and Oxford Circus.
How to book Silent Disco walking tour
Book from £29.00, which includes the tour and use of hi-tech headphones, online at Fever.
Food Walking Tours In London
Tea & Doughnuts walking tour
Tickets from £33.94: Tea & Doughnuts walking tour
Highlights: Borough Market; Bread Ahead; St. John Bakery
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
This walking tour includes tasty treats along the way as you learn more about the London food scene. Centred around the famous Borough Market, the tour will share insights on pubs, restaurants, and food stalls. You will also get to try some doughnuts and a selection of teas.
What’s the itinerary for the Tea & Doughnuts walking tour?
The tour begins with doughnuts at St. John Bakery. It then heads through Borough Market to Bird & Blend Tea Co. and Bread Ahead Bakery. It finishes with a view of Tower Bridge.
How to book Tea & Doughnuts walking tour
Book from £33.94, which includes doughnuts and tea, online at Viator.
London Walking Food Tour
Tickets from £99.00 for 2 people: London Walking Food Tour
Highlights: Borough Market; Soho; the Secret Dish
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
On this tour, your guide will introduce you to the London food scene. You will get to try British classics. Or discover new and historic venues, depending on which tour you choose.
What’s the itinerary for the London Food walking tour?
The London Bridge tour of British Classics takes you to Borough Market to try sausage rolls and fish & chips. You then head to a historic pub for British cheeses and London beers. Next, dessert, English Breakfast tea, and a surprise Secret Dish.
The Soho tour explores the London food scene, starting off with Tapas before slow-roasted pork. The tour then examines London’s Gin history, Singaporean Cuisine, and Bao Buns. It finishes at a Soho bar and a Secret Dish.
How to book London Food walking tour
Book from £99.00 for 2 people, with food and drinks included.
Free London Walking Tours
London with a Local
Highlights: Royal London; Street Art of Shoreditch; Harry Potter
Duration: Typically 2-2.5 hours
London with a Local has many free tours to choose from. These explore the key sights, history, or locations from films with their Harry Potter and James Bond tours. These tours are all free to attend, operating on a pay what you think it’s worth basis.
What sights do ‘London with a Local’ tours include?
London with a Local tours include: the Royal Westminster Tour, Historic City of London Tour, and London in a Day Tour. Also, Harry Potter Wizarding Tour, Street Art of Shoreditch Tour, Jack the Ripper Tour, Rock and Roll Soho Tour. They have tours looking at Sherlock Holmes & the Art of Deduction; Ghosts, Ghouls and Ghastly Murder; James Bond & The History of Espionage; and Queer & LGBTQ+ History.
How to book London with a Local walking tour
Book for free online at London with a Local.
London at Christmas
Highlights: the Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square; Covent Garden festive market; Christmas lights of Regent Street
Duration: 2 hours
If you’re visiting London during the Christmas season, this free guided walk will show you London’s famous festive decorations. It takes a look at traditions as well as visiting Christmas markets.
What’s the itinerary for the London at Christmas walking tour?
The tour meets outside Temple Station and shows you Christmas markets, lights, decorations, trees, customs and traditions, singing, the Cracker Challenge, and a Christmas Carol. All this at the London locations of Regent Street lights, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, Carnaby, Covent Garden, Leicester Square.
How to book London at Christmas walking tour
Book for free online at Freetour.
Which London walking tour should I go on?
Such is the diversity and history of London that there is a walking tour for almost everything! If you want to see the sights of London, the Ultimate London Sightseeing walking tour is brilliant. It features all the iconic landmarks alongside many less-known and secret places.
London has lots of kid-friendly tours. One is the Dinosaur Discovery tour, a great way to explore the Natural History Museum. Or there is the Harry Potter Tour & Afternoon Tea taking you to film locations along with a magical afternoon tea!
The Shoreditch Street Art tour is one of the longest-running tours exploring the changing street art in East London. The British Museum tour shows you more permanent artefacts stretching across human history. Or there’s the Whitechapel Women tour for some alternative history.
London has been an inspiration for books and film making it the home to a host of fictional characters. There are tours exploring Sherlock Holmes and Paddington Bear.
FAQs
Which is the best walking tour in London?
The best walking tour in London depends on what you want to see and what you are interested in. The Top 30 Sights tour covers all the major sights, while the London Food Tour has lots of food to try. The Shoreditch Street Art tour has been running for many years, bringing history and insights. The Harry Potter Tour & Afternoon Tea is a great experience introducing you to the Wizarding World in London.
Are walking tours worth doing?
Walking tours are really worth doing as they show you parts of London you wouldn’t usually see, provide unique experiences, and are informative with facts and stories. They are a great way to explore your favourite attractions or London culture in more depth.
Are walking tours suitable for children?
Yes, walking tours are suitable for children, with many created specifically for families. London has walking tours for children exploring dinosaurs, Harry Potter, Paddington Bear, and more.
What sights should a London walking tour cover?
The sights that a London walking tour should cover are Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye. However, this depends on the type of tour. If focused on a part of history, a particular attraction, or a cultural theme, then you will want to see different sights.
