The best walking tours in London to see the city like a local
No matter how long we’ve lived in a city or how many times we’ve visited a place, there’s always more to discover. As it turns out, a bit of free time on a random day—or even a full week off work—isn’t nearly enough to see it all.
It often feels like we’re missing something—the secret corners, the stories behind them, and a sense of direction. Maybe it’s because we’ve been enjoying ourselves too much exploring solo when what we really needed was to join a tour for a change.
Well, the best walking tours in London have got your back, with historical, themed, food, and budget-friendly choices. As you walk, they might just reveal what you didn’t know you were looking for—the gift of seeing the city like a true local.
Historical walking tours
Jack the Ripper Tour
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Website: https://thejacktherippertour.com/
Contact details: +44 7803 067544
Starting location: Outside Exit 3 of Aldgate East Station
Duration: 1 hr 45 mins
Times:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 5 PM and 7:30 PM
Pricing:
- £21 – Adult
- £13 – Child
Retracing the steps of the infamous killer in East London at night, Jack the Ripper Tour isn’t for the faint-hearted. But on the off chance that you are, booking a daytime tour starting at 10:30 AM is probably best.
You and 29 others will meet outside Exit 3 of Aldgate East Station at your chosen time to begin, with dedicated Ripperologists and enthusiasts as your guides. From there, you’ll walk to the actual murder sites and learn all about Jack the Ripper’s victims.
Ripper-Vision, a handheld projector, makes storytelling immersive—transporting you to Victorian-era London. In a flash, you’ll find yourself in Whitechapel’s shadowy streets of 1888, a time of poverty, fog, and swirling theories about the killer’s identity.
For those who prefer small groups, a private group tour option is available. This includes stops for drinks and snacks at one of the few original Victorian public houses the Ripper and his victims passed by many decades ago.
Westminster and Churchill War Rooms Tour
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Website: https://londontopsightstours.com/tour/visit-churchills-ww2-bunker-see-30-london-top-sights/
Contact details: +44 20 3105 8852
Starting location: Outside the Ritz Hotel, next to two red telephone boxes
Duration: 5 hrs
Times: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM and 1 PM
Pricing:
- From £75 – Adult
- From £38 – Child
You might want to wear comfortable shoes for this one—it lasts five hours. That’s three hours walking around Westminster Abbey, hearing stories about the monarchy, and another two in the war rooms, reliving the atmosphere of wartime London.
Along the way, you’ll pass iconic landmarks like Big Ben and Downing Street—a great moment to take some photos. You may even witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, though it’s only on certain days and it’s usually the 10:00 AM tour that gets to see it.
Once you’ve wrapped up the outdoor part of the tour, it’s time to head underground to the Churchill War Rooms. Here, you’ll see where Churchill and his war cabinet actually worked during World War II—and this time, you’re free to wander at your own pace.
Charles Dickens Walking Tour
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Website: https://www.dickenslondontours.co.uk/
Contact details: +44 20 8530 8443
Starting location: Outside Borough Underground Station
Duration: 2 hrs
Times: Selected Sundays – 11 AM
Pricing: £12 per person
Another unique way to experience London is by walking through it just as Charles Dickens once did. This tour follows in his footsteps, beginning along a historic stretch of road where he once stood, gazing up at The Monument during a troubled time in his life.
Then, you’ll make your way to meet “… the crowding ghosts of many miserable years…” or the Marshalsea Prison, a grim chapter in Dickens’ life as it held his father for debt. Things take a cheerful turn at the Secret Garden, which he had a hand in creating.
It goes on to the Cross Bones Graveyard, a maze of cobblestoned passageways, a galleried coaching inn, and a couple more until you reach London Bridge. It’s at that final stop where we, Oliver Twist readers, can picture Nancy’s doomed encounter with Mr. Brownlow.
To walk you through all this is Richard Jones, the author of Walking Dickensian London. Rain, shine, snow, or fog, he’ll be at the meeting point waiting for you—so if the weather forecast says there’ll be light rain, bring an umbrella and dress accordingly!
Cultural and themed walking tours
Harry Potter Walking Tour
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Website: https://www.tourformuggles.com/
Contact details: +44 20 4548 3535
Starting location: Monument Tube Station
Duration: 2 hrs
Times: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM, 10:30 AM, 11 AM, and 2:30 PM
Pricing:
- £17 – Adult
- £15 – Child
Calling all the Potterheads out there (myself included)! The Harry Potter Walking Tour takes us to the wizarding world by visiting iconic film locations—like Leadenhall Market, which served as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Philosopher’s Stone.
But of course, that’s not all—there’s also the Cecil Court, with its row of antique bookshops, map dealers, and magical-looking storefronts said to have inspired Diagon Alley. Not to mention King’s Cross Station, where students board the Hogwarts Express through Platform 9 ¾.
And when you come across the Australia House, you’re right to assume that it looks like Gringotts Wizarding Bank. You may also recognize the exterior of Grimmauld Place, Sirius Black’s family home and the Order’s headquarters, at Claremont Square, Islington.
Feel free to dress up in robes to really get into character when you snap some photos in each spot. Moreover, it helps to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early so you can settle in, not miss anything, and mingle with the other 19 people coming along.
Notting Hill Walking Tour
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Website: https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/place/51003850-notting-hill-walking-tour
Contact details: +44 (0)20 7332 1456
Starting location: Outside Notting Hill Gate station
Duration: 2 hrs
Times: Saturday – 10:30 AM and 2 PM
Pricing:
- From £17 – Adult
- From £10 – Child
No shame if you’re joining this tour just because you’re a fan of the Notting Hill movie and want to see in person where they shot most of it. If I were you, I’d dream of entering The Travel Book Shop, where the “I’m also just a girl standing in front of a boy” line was said, too.
There’s more to that, though! Once you start walking from outside the Notting Hill Gate station, keep an eye out for some celebrity homes owned by stars like Hugh Grant, the Notting Hill actor himself, and Stella McCartney, fashion designer and Paul McCartney’s daughter.
Vibrant markets are all around as well, selling everything from vintage clothes and antiques to handmade crafts and mouth-watering street food. Just save some room for delicious international cuisines, as you finish the tour at Portobello Road Market.
The Beatles and Rock’n’Roll Tour
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Website: https://www.walks.com/popular-walks/beatles/
Contact details: +44 020 7624 3978
Starting location: Exit 1 of Tottenham Court Road Station
Duration: 2 hrs
Times: Tuesday to Sunday – 11 AM, 1 PM, 2 PM and 4 PM
Pricing:
- £20 – Adult
- £15 – Students & seniors
- £5 – Child
Listening to music isn’t exactly ideal while crossing the street, but The Beatles and Rock’n’Roll Tour might make it hard to resist. Especially when you reach the famous Abbey Road crossing, and you just want to blast Come Together or Here Comes the Sun in your ears.
Don’t worry, your rock star of a guide will make sure you’re still able to soak up London’s music history without doing that. Whoever they are for the day, they’ll lead you to neighborhoods like Soho and Denmark Street aka the “Tin Pan Alley”, where music legends recorded their hits.
Be on the lookout for Amy Winehouse’s personal favorites—like The Hawley Arms pub and Camden Market, which influenced much of her iconic style. There’s also the former coffee bar where Cliff Richard and Tommy Steele were discovered.
Food and drink walking tours
Borough Market Food Tour
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Website: https://londonbitestours.com/food-tour/borough-market-food-tour/
Contact details: [email protected]
Starting location: Borough Market
Duration: 3 hrs
Times: Tuesday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Pricing:
- £85 – Adult
- £60 – Child
All you need is yourself, a camera, and an empty stomach for the Borough Market Food Tour. Food and drinks are included in the ticket price and are enough for a big lunch, so you won’t leave starving.
Only those who’ve already booked a tour can know the starting point, which is indicated in the confirmation email. Wherever that is within the market, expect British culinary classics like sausage rolls and fish & chips.
That, along with other sample artisanal cheeses, fresh seafood, and more, comes with fun and fascinating stories about the Borough. Your professional, local guides who are passionate about London’s food scene are also up for a private tour if you have a gluten-free diet.
Historic Pub Walking Tour
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Contact details: +44 (0)20 7332 1456
Starting location: St. Paul’s Underground Station (Exit 2)
Duration: 3 to 4 hrs
Times: Monday to Sunday – 2 PM
Pricing: £49.99 for two
At the Historic Pub Walking Tour, you’ll be visiting London’s oldest inns, taverns, and gin palaces. Led by a knowledgeable guide who’s got loads of ghost stories up their sleeve, get your ears ready for some spooky (but fun) tales about these ‘haunted’ alehouses.
When we say ‘oldest,’ we mean pubs dating back to the 1500s—like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, which Charles Dickens used to hang out in. Another is the Thames’ Prospect of Whitby, once a regular meeting place for sailors, thieves, and even pirates.
Yes, you can drink on the tour—but just a pint or two; we wouldn’t want you zigzagging through the streets before it ends at Holborn Underground Station! It’s also for this reason that only adults aged 18 and above are allowed to join.
Camden Vegan Food Tour
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Website: https://rebeltours.co.uk/plantpowerfoodtour
Contact details: +44 7709 798957
Starting location: Camden Market
Duration: 3 hrs
Times: Monday to Sunday – 1:30 PM
Pricing:
- £73.99 – Adult and 16+
- £65 – Youth (aged 12 to 15)
- £60 – Child (aged 3 to 12)
- £20 – Drinks upgrade
Your struggle to find plant-based restaurants ends here—the Camden Vegan Food Tour is ready to take you to the best vegan eateries in the city. As you make your way from one stop to the next, stories about Camden’s rich heritage and history will serve as your appetizer.
All the delicious food you’ll try—Dim Sum, vegan fish and fried chicken, pizza with vegan cheese, fresh falafel, and two desserts—is covered in the ticket price. Just keep in mind that the menu can change depending on the day and the size of your group.
An extra £20 gets you a drink upgrade, featuring local favorites like Camden beer and gin. Unfortunately, this tour isn’t suitable for gluten-free diets—but you’re still welcome to tag along for a stroll through trendy Camden.
Free walking tours and budget-friendly options
SANDEMANs Free Tour of London
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Website: https://www.neweuropetours.eu/sandemans-tours/london/free-tour-of-london/
Contact details: +1 210-201-6282
Starting location: Covent Garden
Duration: 2.5 hrs
Times: Tuesday to Friday – 10 AM, 11 AM, and 2 PM
Pricing: Free
With SANDEMANs 2.5-hour Free Tour of London, you’ll check off many of the city’s must-see sites in one go. But first—rain, hail, or shine—you have to meet your group and guide at Covent Garden about 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
Get your phone or camera ready as you walk past Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and St. James’s Palace, where Prince William and Prince Harry grew up. A picture at Westminster Abbey might even stir memories of royal weddings and farewells.
Lend your ears to your guide as they share trivia about kings, queens, and their legacy. Also, listen as they talk about Guy Fawkes near the Houses of Parliament or Admiral Nelson over at Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square.
Rest assured that it won’t get boring—past tour-goers say the SANDEMANs team has a way of keeping things lively. And while they do it for free, it’s customary to leave them a tip based on how much you enjoyed it.
East End Street Art Tour
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Website: https://alternativeldn.co.uk/london-street-art-tour/
Contact details: +44 7551 911822
Starting location: I Goat Statue, Brushfield Street
Duration: 2 hrs
Times: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – 11 AM and 2 PM
Pricing:
- £20 – Adult
- £14 – Concession (aged 6 to 15 and over 64)
Take a break from framed paintings in museums and discover London’s street art scene instead through the East End Street Art Tour. From traditional graffiti in Shoreditch to murals and hidden sculptures, you’ll be surprised that it’s the first time you’re seeing them.
With the help and knowledge of local experts and street artists, you won’t get lost along the way and miss the stories or inspirations behind each artwork. Look forward to seeing the works of international artists such as Roa, Shepard Fairey, and maybe even a Banksy or two.
Since each guide has their own take on the tour, no two groups of 10 to 20 will follow the same route or see the same art. That way, you’ll always have a unique experience, with something new to encounter each time.
City Visitor Trail
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Contact details: +44 (0)20 7332 1456
Starting location: St. Paul’s Cathedral
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Times: 24 hours
Pricing: Free
The City Visitor Trail won’t make much sense without a map, so grab one from the City Information Center in St. Paul’s Churchyard first. Once you do, you’ll find that St. Paul’s Cathedral is just right across, and you can start your self-guided tour alone or with family.
Overall, taking the main trail is your best bet—it takes you past sights like Guildhall, the Bank of England, Mansion House, The Monument, the Tower of London, and London Bridge. Along the way, you’ll also stumble upon the well-known St. Mary-le-Bow church.
Places to stop for a rest, shopping, or food and drinks are also marked on the trail. There are even themed “side-tracks” you can try to explore a particular area in depth, from history and heritage to architecture and culture.
By the way, if you’re after something more kid-friendly, ask for the Children’s Trail map separately. It’s designed for ages 5 to 11, helping them learn more about the buildings around them through fun activities and engaging stickers.