Things to Do in London
• Enjoy citywide views from a climate-controlled glass pod featuring LED lighting and a rotation system that ensures a smooth ride in any weather.
• From Buckingham Palace to the Houses of Parliament, this ride delivers all the postcard-worthy London views you could ask for—no zoom lens required.
• Take your visit up a notch and pick from a range of upgrades in the next step, like fast-track entry, curated beverages, and more.
Would you like to see the city with a native English-speaking tour guide who has had the honor of being a full-time tour guide in multiple European cities since 2014? Then read on. 👇
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, allowing you to take photos of:
- Buckingham Palace
- Houses of Parliament
- "Big Ben"
- Westminster Abbey
- Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column
- Horse Guards Parade
- Wellington Arch
- St Martin's In The Field
- National Gallery
- Apsley House
- RAF Bomber Command Memorial
- The Commonwealth Gates
- St James' Palace
- The Mall and Pall Mall
- Crimean War/Nightingale Memorial
- Waterloo Place
- 10 Downing Street
- Churchill War Rooms
- On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday the 11am tour will see and hear the army band march by us for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Unless it is cancelled due to rain.
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 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.
Having done these tours for the better part of a decade, I can usually field any history question you may have about the nation or the city, and can also offer suggestions of the best places in the city for gin, pretentious coffee (my vice), or the most memorable dining experiences with something unique to them.
I hope to see you soon,
Theo
Hello and welcome to my Westminster tour. I'm Jill inviting you to join me for a lovely stroll from Victoria station, past Buckingham palace, through St. James, Whitehall and to the houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey . We'll encounter the history and highlights of the area, including part of the Changing of the Guard ceremony if you join me for my 11 o clock tour on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Also, the Captain's inspection at 3 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during my 2pm tour. I have lived in London for twenty years and led my tours for five of those. I've worked in many of the buildings we'll see along the way and gathered lots of stories and tales from the history of the city.
We'll meet at the Ferdinand Foch horse statue opposite the Shakespeare pub at Victoria Station.
During the tour, we'll pass the Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace, make our way down the Mall encountering other lovely habitats and hidey holes of the Royal Family and their ancestors.
Passing St. James Park down the Mall, we'll then make our way down historic Whitehall experiencing all things parliamentary, police-like, and political party-ish.
We'll finally arrive at the Houses of Parliament to say hello to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. I love to make sure my walkers get the most out of their visit so please come with lots of questions so we can make your tour your own.
• Behold the world-famous collection of Crown Jewels, a display of 23,578 exquisite gemstones still used in royal ceremonies today that are guarded round-the-clock.
• Venture into the White Tower, the oldest part of the fortress, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and see its displays of arms and armour.
• Stand on Tower Green, where the tragic fates of royal figures like Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey unfolded, as you listen to stories of executions and betrayals.
• Enhance your visit: dive deep with an AI-powered audioguide, join an expert-led English tour, enjoy a meet-and-greet with Beefeaters, or add a Thames River cruise.
Street art is often described as the most important artistic movement of the 21st century, but its roots stretch back much further than spray cans and brick walls. On this Free Street Art Walking Tour of Shoreditch, we explore how modern urban art grew from centuries of protest, creativity, and working-class expression, and why East London has become synonymous with it.
Yes, you can visit the National Gallery or Tate Modern to see masterpieces behind glass, but on this tour you’ll experience art where it truly lives: on the streets, in alleyways, on shutters and walls, constantly changing, reacting to politics, culture, and the city itself. No two tours are ever the same.
Starting outside Shoreditch High Street Station on Braithwaite Street, we dive into the history of Shoreditch, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields. These areas were shaped by waves of immigration, industry, poverty, rebellion, and reinvention. From French Huguenots and Jewish communities to Bangladeshi migration, the neighbourhood has long been a place of outsiders, creativity, and resistance.
Street art here is not just decorative, it is political, provocative, and deeply connected to class struggle, identity, and gentrification. As we walk, you’ll learn how Shoreditch transformed from one of the poorest districts in London, once the killing ground of Jack the Ripper, into one of the city’s most fashionable and desirable neighbourhoods.
Along the way, you’ll see an incredible range of styles including stencils, murals, paste-ups, stickers, sculptures, and large-scale spray art, with works by some of the world’s most famous and influential street artists, including:
- Banksy
- Shepard Fairey
- Roa
- Mr Cenz
- Fanakapan
- Otto Schade
- Dreph
- Zabo
- Dale Grimshaw
- Stik
We also explore key historic locations such as Brick Lane, Spitalfields Market, and the Old Truman Brewery, while discussing the Battle of Cable Street, anti-fascist resistance, and the ongoing impact of gentrification on local communities.
This 2-hour free street art tour finishes near the Old Truman Brewery, right in the heart of Shoreditch’s creative district. Perfect for art lovers, photographers, culture seekers, London locals, and first-time visitors looking for an authentic, alternative side of the city.
Book now to experience Shoreditch’s street art, history, and culture before it changes again.
Please note: Groups larger than six people and educational groups must arrange a private tour in advance.
• With departures every 15 minutes, operating throughout the day, plan your travel flexibly and easily, even if your flight gets delayed.
• Take advantage of free WiFi, handy USB plug-ins, and room for bulky luggage and even bikes, so you can ride comfortably while staying connected.
• Enjoy flexibility with round-trip tickets valid for an entire month from your chosen date, giving you ample time to complete your trip at your own pace.
• At Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, or Stratford Station, major rail lines are easily accessible, with multiple restaurants and shopping areas nearby.
Step back in time 2,000 years and explore the City of London, on this special sightseeing tour. Starting at Tower Hill Station, our Free Historic City of London Walking Tour guides you through the centuries, tracing the journey from its founding as a trading settlement along the River Thames to becoming one of Europe’s leading financial centres, home to some of the quirkiest glass skyscrapers on the planet.
Walk in the footsteps of Romans, Vikings, and Normans, and hear about Julius Caesar’s arrival, the Viking occupation, and William the Conqueror’s Norman conquest. Discover how the City developed through the medieval period, the construction of London’s stone fortress, The Tower of London, and the bustling trade that made it the hub of commerce for centuries.
Experience stories of survival and resilience as we recount the Great Fire of London, the devastation of the Blitz, and how Londoners rebuilt their city time and again, leaving iconic landmarks that endure today. See history and modernity collide as 12th-century churches and Roman walls stand shoulder-to-shoulder with glass towers and futuristic architecture, capturing the City’s ever-changing skyline.
Tour highlights include:
London’s Roman Wall - remnants of Londinium
The Tower of London - royal fortress, prison and home of The Crown Jewels
Tower Bridge - the world-famous drawbridge
The Shard - Britain's tallest skyscraper
The Monument to the Great Fire - a symbol of rebirth
Mansion House - historic home of the Lord Mayor
Bank of England & Royal Exchange - financial institutions shaping global trade
St Paul’s Cathedral - architectural masterpiece and survivor of the Blitz
Along the way, your expert guide will share fascinating stories of ordinary Londoners and extraordinary events, from medieval merchants and Tudor citizens to daring heroes of wartime London. Discover the quirks of a self-governing square mile whose laws and governance have kept it distinct from the rest of the capital for centuries.
The tour concludes at St Paul’s Cathedral, leaving you in the perfect location to continue exploring the City. Ideal for first-time visitors, Londoners, families, history enthusiasts, and architecture lovers, this tour blends Roman and medieval history, financial district landmarks, iconic London architecture, and the City’s resilience through fire, Blitz, and rebuilding.
Book now to explore 2,000 years of history in the heart of London’s financial and historic district!
Please note: Groups larger than six people and educational groups must arrange a private tour in advance.
• Get up close with 150+ lifelike wax figures, including Harry Styles and other A-list stars, and marvel at the precision of their craftsmanship.
• Step into immersive sets, from the Marvel Universe 4D movie experience to selfie moments with the Royal Family on the palace balcony.
• Travel through London’s past on the nostalgic Spirit of London ride and test your bravery in the chilling Chamber of Horrors.
• Upgrade your ticket with fast-track entry or add the Champagne Bar Experience with a complimentary drink for a wholesome experience.
Welcome! My ‘London Essentials’ tour will cover the key sites within the historic royal quarter. Beginning at Wellington Arch marking the triumph of the Duke of Wellington against Napoleon, it ends at Westminster Abbey, the Royal Church of Coronation. On route, we will explore such highlights as Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, The Horse Guards Parade, Downing Street and The Houses of Parliament.
I combine personal experience with informed historical perspectives so I can share the distinctive character of each site with peculiar details, fun facts, and local tales. My particular focus is the incredible history of the monarchy. As we walk, I will be sure to convey its far-reaching impact on the city, both politically and architecturally.
City of London Tour: From Sugar and Slaves to Tea and Opium.
Welcome, I'm Justin. But some friendly advice! If you just want to take pretty pictures to put on social media (and don't really like walking much), I am the wrong tour guide for you! My tours attract people who love ideas, history and books. If that is not what interests you, book another tour 🙂
I have 5 walking tours on GuruWalk: 1) The City), 2) Soho, 3) Covent Garden, 4) the South Bank, and 5) Mayfair & St James, which together have over 3,300 reviews averaging 5 stars (the highest on GuruWalk in London).
City of London is my flagship tour.
This tour takes you through the "City of London", which is not the same thing as London!
The "City", as it's known to locals, is many things. Nowadays, we know the "City" as the central business district, with its many iconic skyscrapers, towering over ancient churches (providing the chance to take some stunning photos). It's also, however, the "old town", built within the footprint of the Roman city of Londinium.
The "City" also has its own police force, ancient laws and unique government and once financed the largest Empire the world has ever seen, spanning a quarter of the globe.
From being a European backwater in the 1500s, London became the largest city in the world in the 1800s, the centre of immense power and wealth.
I'll tell the story of London's rise by walking with you along the English capital's oldest streets, many of which date back 2000 years.
The triumph of London is also often a tale of "dirty money", from the Bishop of Winchester's brothels; sugar and the slave trade; and the East India Company's rape of a subcontinent and hooking of China on opium. Come with me to learn all about London's secrets
Highlights of the tour include:
- The Monument: Centre of the Great Fire of London.
- The Gilt of Cain: The City of London's first open recognition of the contribution of slavery to their wealth.
- The Modern City: the Gherkin, Cheese Grater, Scalpel and Walkie Talkie. Where the City stands in the world today.
- The Golden Triangle:The tiny alleys that housed the coffee shops of the 17th & 18th centuries frequented by stock market speculators and fraudsters but which also gave birth to modern capitalism.
- The Bank of England and the Royal Exchange: Financiers of sugar and the slave trade.
- Leadenhall Market: Stunning Victorian marketplace used as a set in a Harry Potter movie.
The tour will end a short walk from the Monument Tube Station where the tour started. I do have a card reader so can can take credit/debit cards for tips.
The South Bank: A Social History of Pubs, Prisons, Prostitutes and Shakespeare's Plays
Welcome, I'm Justin. But some friendly advice! If you just want to take pretty pictures to put on social media (and don't really like walking much), I am the wrong tour guide for you! My tours attract people who like ideas, history and books. If that is not what interests you, book another tour 🙂
I have 5 walking tours on GuruWalk: 1) The City, 2) Soho, 3) Covent Garden, 4) the South Bank, and 5) Mayfair & St James which together have over 3,300 reviews averaging 5 stars (the highest for GuruWalk in London).
My South Bank tour is especially liked by those interested in history and literature
The South Bank of the Thames at Southwark is one of the oldest parts of London. The wealthy and powerful traditionally lived and worked north of the Thames in the "City of London" and pushed the theatre, entertainers and lower classes across London Bridge into Southwark.
The area is fascinating and associated with the birth of English theatre. It is also the oldest part of London south of the river. Apart from Southwark Cathedral, it does not have big, impressive buildings like Westminster Abbey and St Paul's but it has so many different stories to tell!
Highlights of the tour include:
- The George Inn: Ancient galleried pub reputed to have staged Shakespeare's plays
- Crossbones Graveyard: Home to 15,000 bodies of paupers and prostitutes
- Borough Market: London's foodie mecca
- Southwark Cathedral: Rich in American associations, from the founder of Harvard University to a governor of England's first successful colony in North America, Virginia
- The Clink Prison: Used to imprison religious dissenters, the forerunners of America's Pilgrim Fathers
- The Golden Hind: The ship that opened the door to the English colonisation of America
- The Globe Theatre: Plays were popular entertainment in the late 1500s and early 1600s. Shakespeare was not high culture, but a fun night out for the masses!
I do have a card reader so can can take credit/debit cards for tips.
