11+ Best Walking Tours in London, England (for ALL budgets)
Last Updated on September 4, 2024 by Lauren Allen
After countless trips to England’s capital over the years, I’ve become pretty clued up on the city’s top activities. Alongside popular attractions like the London Eye and The British Museum, there are many great walking tours in London.
Personally, I love walking tours. They’re one of the easiest ways to get to know a new destination through the eyes of a local. Plus, you can often join tours on extremely niche topics. Especially in London!
There are tours focused on Harry Potter filming locations, tasty food spots, Jack the Ripper and much more. The possibilities really are endless.
Having done many of these tours myself, I’ll help you scope out the most interesting ones for your upcoming adventure. From paid excursions to budget-friendly freebies, here are the best options:
The best walking tours in London
1 | SANDEMANs Tour of London
If you’re visiting London on a budget, cheap activities will be your saviour. As someone who lives an hour away and goes there often, I know just how expensive it can be.
Luckily, SANDEMANs New Europe has you covered. Over the years, I’ve done many of their tours in several places across the globe (including London). The number of insider tips I’ve received is honestly priceless.
Their London tour is one of my faves as it covers many landmarks like Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. If it’s your first trip to London or you’re short on time, it’s a fab way to see some tourist hotspots in a few hours.
The tours start in Covent Garden and run twice a day in English (at 10am and 11am). They also run a tour in Spanish starting at 10am so make sure you join the correct tour at the meeting point.
At the end of the 2.5 hours, you’ll be way more in the know and ready to tackle your well-planned itinerary.
Although the tours are technically free, the guides work for tips. At the end of the tour, show your appreciation by tipping them what you think it was worth. Don’t forget to thank them too – it pays to be kind!
2 | Harry Potter Walking Tours
Harry Potter fan? Then you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of magical tours to book in England’s capital. These exciting excursions take you to known film locations where your guide will share detailed insights into the films and books.
See Your City
Join this tour, which is highly rated by fellow Potterheads visiting London. Starting at Minerva Square, you’ll see some of the main sights such as the London Eye and Trafalgar Square. You’ll even stroll down the streets that inspired Diagon Alley (Cecil Court) and Knockturn Alley (Goodwin’s Court).
It’s a handy way to tick off many interest points while learning more about your favourite book/film series. But, what makes this tour stand out is the interactive elements. You’ll discover your Hogwarts House and cruise down the River Thames, all while being quizzed on your knowledge.
With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from tens of thousands of reviews, this tour is worth checking out.
Top Sights Tours
After meeting at The Parcel Yard inside King’s Cross station, this fun-filled tour is good for families as kids go free. With multiple time slots to choose from each day, you can easily plan this tour around your London itinerary.
Stopping by Platform 9 3/4, you’ll have time for photos before hopping on the underground to the next stop. Throughout the tour, you’ll also hit up London Bridge, Leicester Square, Westminster and more.
Strawberry Tours
If you’re looking for a low-cost option, consider joining the tip-based Harry Potter tour with Strawberry Tours. With no set fee, you’re encouraged to pay what you’re comfortable with. Just base your tip on the quality of the tour and how much you enjoyed it.
3 | Jack the Ripper Walking Tours
Fancy a more spooky tour or have an interest in serial killers? Then you may prefer hearing more about Jack the Ripper. This murderer from Victorian London killed at least five women known for prostitution in Whitechapel.
Having done one myself, I’ll warn you that these tours are not for the faint-hearted. If you don’t want to hear about such morbid crimes, you may want to give it a miss.
Meet the Street Tours
Beginning at 6pm on Aldgate High Street, this excursion takes you back in time to the 19th Century. You’ll delve into the gruesome past of Jack the Ripper and hear more about the horrid murders.
Throughout the tour, you’ll see the very spots the women were found and hear about potential suspects. If that isn’t enough, your guide will also share insights into what Whitechapel was like back in the day.
See Your City
Stroll through the dark streets of London stopping by the likes of Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane and Mitre Square. Listen to theories from a keen Ripperologist about who exactly Jack the Ripper could have been (as the crimes still remain unsolved).
Ending at The Ten Bells pub, you can dive deeper into Ripper’s past as this is allegedly the last place some of the victims were seen alive.
At just £10 per person, this tour is a real steal. It’s also the one I personally joined and I enjoyed every minute. My guide was knowledgeable and engaging throughout. I can’t recommend it enough!
4 | london Ghost Tour
For something a bit different, you could opt to join this 2-hour ghost walk. During this nighttime tour, you’ll hear plenty of creepy stories about murder, ghosts and weird experiences.
As you wander down through the capital, you’ll see one of the oldest churches in London and conclude your tour at St Paul’s Cathedral.
5 | London Street Art Tours
Art lover? London has you covered with their colourful street art tours.
Brick Lane, Shoreditch and Camden are popular spots to find impressive murals, but it can be hard to know where to go. When you join a tour, you’ll see the best of the best.
This diverse walking tour takes you through the hip neighbourhood of East London where you’ll find some of the coolest street art in the city. You’ll even learn more about Banksy – a world-famous street artist who is apparently from Bristol (but nobody actually knows his true identity).
If you’re anything like me, this tour will be a huge inspiration for your creativity.
Top tip: Strawberry Tours runs free (tip-based) tours if you’re low on cash but don’t want to miss out.
6 | British Food Tour
Sampling the local delicacies allows you to immerse yourself in the cultures and traditions of new destinations. London (and England as a whole) is no different. Luckily, there are some fab food tours that’ll see you try authentic and yummy dishes.
From sausage rolls and English cheeses to delicious desserts, this 3-hour secret tour is a treat for the tastebuds.
Now, what makes this tour so secret? Basically, you’ll have the chance to try an unspecified dish that won’t be revealed until you’re on the tour. How cool!
Essor also has a tour focused solely on Indian food (which is 100% my cuppa tea). Alternatively, check out the hustle and bustle of Borough Market and try some of the nicest dishes on this group activity from Global Experiences.
7 | Historic Pubs Tour of Central London
Like it or not, pubs are quite a big part of British culture. Many of us pop to the pub on a Friday night to wind down after a busy week of work, chat with our pals and have a drink.
Why not do like the locals and join a tour of London’s top historic pubs?
For anyone visiting from overseas, I’d go as far as to say it’s a bucket list experience in England. Just like eating fish and chips, road-tripping through the Cotswolds or admiring the prettiest spots in Cornwall.
On this 3.5 hour journey with Liquid History Tours, you’ll explore some of the oldest pubs in central London such as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. As you sample some beers, your guide will share quirky facts and old stories about each establishment.
Important note: You must be 18 or over to join this tour. Furthermore, drinks are not included, but you are able to purchase them yourself. Also, the place in the photos is called Upstairs at Rules and although it’s not part of this tour, it’s my favourite bar in London!
8 | The Great British Rock and Roll Music Tour
As one of the most highly-rated walking tours in London, the Great British Rock and Roll Music tour is a must for music enthusiasts. Your super energetic guide will take you through the West End sharing amazing stories and facts of the city’s music industry.
After this tour, you’ll know much more about world-renowned artists and how they lived and performed in the City of Dreams. Not only that, but you can also gain insider tips from a Londoner that will take your trip to the next level.
9 | The Beatles and Abbey Road Tour
Who else loves The Beatles? Despite being in my early thirties, I grew up listening to hits like Eleanor Rigby, Hey Jude and Let It Be.
On this unique tour, Richard Porter (author of Guide to The Beatles London) takes you to spots such as Abbey Road, Trident Studios and the building where The Fab Four played their last ever live performance.
His huge passion for the topic really shines through to create an exciting experience.
Fun fact: The Beatles played their first live concerts in Germany. Find out more in this guide to Hamburg attractions.
10 | Walking tour of Notting Hill
Known for its popular carnival, rainbow-coloured homes and the lively Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill is one of the best neighbourhoods in London.
I’ve been to Notting Hill a fair few times now and I love the eclectic atmosphere. As well as being a good place to shop, there are some great bars and restaurants in the area.
On this guided tour, you’ll hit up the market, visit a film location and hear more about famous people who have lived (or are currently living) in Notting Hill. It’s a fun way to get to know London on a deeper level.
11 | Secrets of London Tour
Explore hidden gems with a knowledgeable guide on this Secrets of London Tour. Starting at Trafalgar Square, this intriguing 90-minute excursion teaches you things that most tourists won’t discover.
It’s one of the best ways to get off the beaten path in one of the most visited cities worldwide!
FAQs
To find high-quality tours, always read the reviews. The ratings and reviews of a specific tour will give you invaluable insight into whether or not they are worth joining.
Prices vary depending on whether or not it’s a public, private or free tour. With the latter, you’re typically expected to tip what you think the tour is worth. For paid tours, you’ll pay more for a private experience.
Some walking tours are accessible in London, but it’s worth checking out the provider’s website first as not all are. This tends to depend on the route.
Comfy shoes are a must when travelling, but even more so if you know you’ll be joining walking tours. Having worn them in many countries on previous adventures, I highly recommend UIN shoes.
Tours are one of the top ways to get to know a new destination and with so much to do in London, you can learn a lot.
Final thoughts
With so many things to do in London, you could entertain yourself for weeks on end. Despite visiting so many times and living just an hour away, there’s still so much even I haven’t done.
Ultimately, these informative tours can give you a fab insight into the city and its rich past. The best thing is, they cover all sorts of topics from morbid murder mysteries to filming locations and much more. As such, London offers walking tours to suit a wide range of interests.
Just pop on your trainers and you’ll be good to go!
Which tour would you book first?
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Nancy Hann
London is at the top of my list of places to go next. Thanks for sharing these tours.
Lauren Allen
Nancy HannNo problem! London is a great city 🙂
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