If you really want to get to know London, then there’s no better way than on foot. Not only is it a great way to stay active, but walking also gives you a more intimate experience of the city.
You get to dive into the history of the buildings, hear century-old stories, and stumble across spots you’d probably miss otherwise. Plus, it’s way more fun than riding the Tube or just looking out the car windows.
That said, a walking tour can quickly fall flat if the tour operator isn’t knowledgeable or engaging. Trust me, some “guides” are more about the titles than actually knowing their stuff.
To save you from wasting time and energy on boring, non-educational tours, I’ve rounded up the best walking tours in London that deliver both fun and knowledge! Check them here.
1. SANDEMANs Tours
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Website: https://www.neweuropetours.eu/london-walking-tours/
Address: No 1, 7 The Piazza
Contact Details: +1 210 201 6282
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: £
The many free walking tours SANDEMANs Tours offers are a green flag for me. They are widely known as the pioneers of free walking tours, not just in London, but also worldwide. Imagine enjoying a city while learning its history at no cost.
The free walking tour I like most is the Jack the Ripper free tour. It’s a two-hour tour filled with London’s dark history. Aside from Jack the Ripper, you will also learn facts about the devastating Black Plague, also known as the Black Death.
For paid walking tours, I recommend trying their Historic Pub walking tour. This three-hour tour will inform you about the history of brewing in London. The greatest part of the tour is the Prospect of Whitby, infamously known before as the Devil’s Tavern.
Pro Tip:
For a more personalised experience, try one of their private tours, such as the two-hour London Highlights Private tour. You can also have a Spanish-speaking tour guide!
2. Historic London Tours
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Website: https://historiclondontours.com/walking-tours
Address: 5 Whittlesey St
Contact Details: +44 7783 401129 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: £
I like Historic London Tours’ tour of the city from the perspective of two thousand years ago. Named the Roman Ruins to Blitz Bombings tour, you will learn about the city’s resilience in wars and other adversities like the Great Fire of London.
What’s great is that the tour doesn’t only focus on famous palaces like Buckingham Palace. One of the less famous palaces you might visit during this tour is Bridewell Palace.
Aside from the amazing tours, it’s impossible not to admire the tour guide’s dedication. Historic London Tours is owned by a single person, not a company. Tom Currie, the sole owner, is more than happy to spend most of his time on his passion.
Pro Tip:
If you can’t try all the walking tours in person, book a virtual tour for only £50. Tom would be happy to tour you virtually at your convenience.
3. The London Theatre Walking Tour
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Website: https://www.londontheatrewalk.com/
Address: 3 Adelaide St
Contact Details: +44 7944 842179
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:30 AM – 2 PM
Pricing: £
The London Theatre Walking Tour is for you if you’re interested in the likes of Marilyn Monroe. Not only that, you will also get to know William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and many more famous playwrights in history.
I love that their tours are for all ages. Adults, teenagers, and even kids will have fun exploring the historical theatres of London. Just if you don’t know, London is considered to be the theatre capital of the world. So, expect something nicer than ordinary.
The tour will cover almost 20 theatres in the West End area, bringing you stories from 400 years ago. Some theatres you will visit during the tour are The Harold Pinter Theatre, Fortune Theatre, and Shakespeare’s Globe.
Pro Tip:
Explore their off-tour theatre recommendations, such as The Calder Bookshop & Theatre, Golden Lion Pub (formerly St. James’ Theatre), and The V&A’s Theatre and Performance Archive.
4. Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tours
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Website: https://boogieshoessilentdisco.com/
Address: Covent Garden Underground Station, Long Arce
Contact Details: +44 7305 791906
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: £
I love the unique experience Boogie Shoes Silent Disco provides to fun seekers. It stands out because where else can you find a walking-dancing tour? It’s a bit physically demanding, but it’s a fun way to explore London’s iconic streets.
When you book a tour with this company, the city will be your dance floor. They will equip you with silent disco headphones with lively music so you can stroll while dancing to the beat. The experience is literally having fun while seeing the wonders of London.
Although their tours are not too informative, they can make your visit memorable. After all, experiencing fun activities is one of the reasons why we travel overseas. The moment you dance silly in the streets is a memory that will linger for a long time.
Pro Tip:
Their tours are available for Christmas parties and other corporate events.
5. London With A Local
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Website: https://www.londonwithalocal.com/free-tours
Contact Details: +44 7709 703141 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Pricing: £
I was surprised when I discovered that London With A Local has 11 free walking tours. With many free tours like this, there’s no need to book one of their paid tours anymore. You can spend the rest of your day exploring the city without spending except for food.
As a Harry Potter fan, I suggest trying their Harry Potter Wizarding Tour. The tour will take you to the locations where some scenes were brought to life. You will visit where they always buy books and ride the Hogwarts Express.
For art lovers, try the Street Art of Shoreditch Tour. In this tour, you’ll see how street artists vividly paint the story of the working classes’ struggles over the last century. One of the histories you will discover in this tour is the history of Brick Lane.
Pro Tip:
You can bring your furry friend during the tour! Although free, you can give a tip to the tour guide as a courtesy.
6. Walk Eat Talk Eat
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Website: https://www.walkeattalkeat.com/
Address: Flat 13, 35 Greencoat Pl
Contact Details: +44 7518 645937 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: £
I love Walk Eat Talk Eat because aside from your eyes, your stomach will also be satisfied with their walking tours. Most of their tours will bring you to the streets of London with both local and international food you can feast on.
What I like most is their Tower Bridge to Borough tour. It’s a tour where you experience the places Londoners love, such as the whole Bermondsey area.
It’s also great that the tour is for a small group, as it will give you a more intimate experience of the locations you will visit.
For food, the tour will allow you to feast on oysters and Ethiopian street food. You’ll also drink either a gin and tonic, a wine, or a locally made cold beer. All of these will happen beneath the historic Bermondsey railway arches.
Pro Tip:
Bring extra money if you want to eat beyond what the tour will cover for you.
7. Chillout London
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Website: https://www.chilloutlondon.com/tours/Walking-Tours-10/All
Address: Westminster Pier Victoria Embankment Red
Contact Details: +44 7884 282467 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 11 AM – 6 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 11 AM – 7 PM
Pricing: £
I appreciate the diverse range of walking tours Chillout London has. They have over 10 walking tours that will let you discover the history of places and well-known people who lived in London during their lifetime.
One of the walking tours I love from them is the Royal London Tour. You will learn more about the Royal family members, such as the places where they shop and hang out. If you’re lucky, you will witness the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.
Another tour I love is the Beatles walking tour. It’s definitely a rock and roll experience visiting Abbey Road, the crossing where one of the world’s most iconic album covers was taken. Aside from that, you will discover the things fans did to get near them.
Pro Tip:
If you’re visiting in December, don’t miss the chance to try one of their seasonal tours, such as the Christmas Lights Vantage bus tour.
8. London Walks
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Website: https://www.walks.com/
Address: PO Box 1708
Contact Details: +44 20 7624 3978 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM – 9 PM
Pricing: £
What’s great about London Walks is that they take people to various locations every day. It’s also good that they have morning, afternoon, and even evening walking tours. Every day is literally a new experience when booking a tour with them.
If you want to walk along the canal towpaths of Little Venice, I advise booking either the Wednesday or Sunday tour. It’s a perfect way to experience Italy in London. You will surely be amazed by how they perfectly emulate the atmosphere of the famous city.
I like the Monday tour most because of the secret village you will discover. The tour will uncover the dark history of the hidden village named Clerkenwell. You will learn about the riots, bombings, and murders that took place there throughout history.
Pro Tip:
Consider buying their London Walks Loyalty Card to save at least £5 for every ticket purchase, especially if you plan to book all their tours from Monday to Sunday.
9. Wonders of London
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Website: https://www.wondersoflondon.com/free-walking-tours-london/
Contact Details: +44 7444 778207 and [email protected]
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Pricing: £
Wonders of London is another tour operator on my list that offers free walking tours. They have a total of six free walking tours you and your loved ones or friends can enjoy. Most of them last for at least two hours.
One of the free walking tours I like is the Mysteries and Legends of London Tour. We all love folk tales, so it’s the obvious choice. One of the legends you will find out on the tour is the intriguing past of Bloody Mary, the 16th-century English queen.
There are also private tours within museums. Some museums where they can provide a private tour are the British Museum and the National Gallery.
Pro Tip:
Don’t book a private tour on a public holiday to avoid getting an additional 50% of your ticket price.
10. Tours By Foot
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Website: https://freetoursbyfoot.com/london-tours/
Contact Details: +44 20 3287 0675
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM – 8 PM
Pricing: £
I love the wide range of self-guided audio tours that Tours By Foot offers. This is a perfect option if you prefer to discover things alone and at your own pace. They offer 10 self-guided tours, including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and Oxford Tours.
For the actual walking tours, I love the All-in-One tour they offer. This tour will allow you to visit over 20 locations in just one go! It combines their Royal Westminster and City of London walking tours, making it cost-effective.
Another tour I find interesting is London’s Ghost & Gruesome Past. One of the haunting pasts you will discover on this tour is a cemetery where grave robberies often happen. Yikes!
Pro Tip:
Remember that any kind of pet is not allowed on public tours.
