14 History Tours in London Worth Booking Ahead

1.London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,422 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Our pick

Spend about three and a half hours walking from the City of London towards Covent Garden, stopping at four traditional pubs. Guides such as Tim, Chris, Freddie and Dave share stories of pub life, writers and nearby landmarks. Drinks cost extra, and the group is capped at 14.

“This was a great tour with Tim! Learned so much history of London and the pubs. Pubs were absolutely stunning and all very different. You can drink as much or as little as you want. Would highly recommend!”

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2.Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,993 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Walk Soho with a local English-speaking guide, stopping at historic pubs linked to music legends and London pub life. The two-and-a-half-hour route starts at Piccadilly Circus at 2 pm and ends on Berwick Street. Groups are capped at 15; drinks cost extra. Guides have included Ben, Gherto, Tom, Harvey, Callum, Danny and Henry.

“We visited four pubs in London, all with different atmospheres and history all tied to the London music scene. Our tour guide Gherto was knowledgeable in all aspects UK history, culture, and the music scene making the tour a highlight of our vacation. By the end of the tour, Gherto felt more like family than just our tour guide. Highly recommend this tour, especially if you can get Gherto as your guide.”

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3.Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,065 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $39

Join Liquid History Tours for a 3.5-hour, roughly two-mile walk from St Paul’s toward the West End. An English-speaking guide leads you through old lanes, four historic pubs and an elegant Victorian gin palace, sharing London drinking culture and local history. Drinks cost extra; the tour is for adults aged 18 and over.

“Can’t recommend this tour enough. A fabulous afternoon. From the initial booking right through to the end of the tour it was professional, well organised and great value for money. Spot on details for the meeting point, the ladies booking everyone in were friendly friendly and organised. The guide took time to introduce himself to everyone on the tour and to ask a few questions to make you feel welcome. Right from the first step he was informative, very engaging, knowledgeable and entertaining. He made everyone feel included taking time to answer any questions. We were never rushed yet the afternoon flew by. Lachlan Andrew’s as a tour guide was…”

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4.Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 836 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $39

Meet your English-speaking guide by the winged statue at Piccadilly Circus, then walk into Soho for four historic pub stops and stories linked to John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and more. Drinks are available to buy, not included. Guides such as Gherto, Ben, Henry, and Sy have led tours.

“The guide Gherto was awesome, I highly recomment this tour!”

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5.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 803 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $44

Starting at Piccadilly Circus at 2:00 pm, this two-to-three-hour walk pairs royal and celebrity stories with historic pubs around St James’s. A local guide leads a group of no more than 12, with pub recommendations and plenty of time for conversation. Drinks and food cost extra; the route ends near Green Park.

“Great pub tour with Ben and our family. He had lots of history and fun facts about each pub and the area. We enjoyed plenty of beer, gin drinks and banter. I’d do another tour with them the next time we are here!”

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6.Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 660 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $173

Walk from Cheapside toward Holborn with a private guide, stopping at historic pubs such as the Black Friar, the Old Bank of England, and the Princess Louise. Expect stories about London landmarks, pub traditions, and local characters. Guides including Lyndon, Adam, John, Lachlan, Ricky, and Freddie have led tours. Drinks are extra, and the route can be tailored to your group.

“Lyndon was a most personable and knowledgeable host. He made sure that everyone in our group had a great time -- and we did!”

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7.Rock ‘n’ Roll History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 645 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $74

Spend 3.5 hours on an air-conditioned bus tracing London’s rock story, from Chelsea’s Kings Road and Queen’s Kensington to Notting Hill and Abbey Road. Your English-speaking guide points out former homes, studios, clubs and other music landmarks. The final stop lets you walk the famous Abbey Road crossing and take a photo.

“Not only was it great seeing awesome Rock n Roll sites, but, our guide was very knowledgeable about London. Pointed out a lot of other sites & great information! Way to go Ian!”

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8.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 536 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $39

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through royal London to four tucked-away historic pubs, hearing stories about Churchill, the Royal Family, music and film. Guides such as Tom, Danny, Henry and Luke bring the streets to life with history, humour and pub recommendations. The tour lasts 2.5 hours; drinks and food are not included.

“The tour was awesome. Learned a lot of very rich history about the royal family and rock and roll culture around the area that I don’t think I ever would have found if not for this tour. Our tour guide Luke was very informative and passionate about the history of the area. Great energy and a fun person to share some beers with!”

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9.Historic Pub Walking Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 484 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $19Best value

Meet your guide at Embankment Station for a four-hour walk to four historic pubs in and around Covent Garden. Hear tales of old taverns, pub folklore, and London landmarks, with time to sit and order a drink at each stop. Guides such as Rachel, Mike, and Carolina have led the tour, but drinks and food cost extra.

“This tour was such fun! I didn’t entirely know what to expect but as a solo traveler, this was such fun! There were such fun, kind, couples and families on the tour as well. It truly can be enjoyed by all. The 4 pubs were so cute and great hosts for our group. Not to mention our exceptional tour guide who was so knowledgeable, funny and a delight to be around! Thanks for a great experience!”

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10.White Cliffs of Dover & Historic Canterbury Day Tour from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 373 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $109

Leave London at 7:30 am for a roughly 10-hour coach trip to Dover and Canterbury. Walk the cliff paths, take in English Channel views, then explore Canterbury with a guide and free time for lunch. Canterbury Cathedral admission costs extra. Guides vary, with past tours led by Lucy, Taylor, Freya, and others.

“Beautiful tour good instructions provided by guide Enough time allowed to hike the cliffs. Not for physically impaired individuals, unless you elect to see the castle vs cliffs”

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11.Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 318 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Join an English-speaking historian guide for a two-hour walk from Tower Hill to St. Paul’s, crossing Tower Bridge and following the Thames past HMS Belfast, Borough Market, Winchester Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe, and more. Recent tours have been led by Mick, also called Mike or Michael. Expect plenty of historical context, time on your feet, and a route that runs in all weather.

“Mike is an amazing entertainer with great knowledge ! The best in town!”

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12.Witches and History Bankside Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 223 reviews · 1h 15m · from $24

Meet your costumed English-speaking guide at Southwark Viewpoint for a 75-minute walk through Bankside. Hear stories of Nicholas Culpepper, Elizabeth Barton and other suspected witches as you pass Borough Market, the Golden Hinde, the Clink, Shakespeare’s Globe and Millennium Bridge. Guides have included Gary the Grey, Beatrix, Veronica and Felix.

“We spent an amazing time with Gary the Grey who is so knowledgeable and passionate about history and literature, in this tour presented from the witchcraft perspective of course! It was such an entertaining and engaging yet insightful experience, we laughed and learned a lot. The only bad thing about this tour was that… it was too short, the time just flew by! We would have gladly enjoyed a longer trip around London with Gary. 200% recommended!”

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13.Natural History Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 212 reviews · 1 hour · from $76

Join an English-speaking guide for a one-hour tour of the Natural History Museum’s highlights, including the blue whale in Hintze Hall, the Earth galleries and the Wildlife Garden. The ticket includes a reservation and an express security check. Guides such as Paul are praised for clear explanations and for helping families make the most of a short visit.

“Paul did a great job of getting us through this large museum in a good amount of time. I don’t feel like we missed out on anything, yet we were able to get through the crowds quickly!”

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14.Private Landmark Tour with Professional Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 91 reviews · 20 - 45 minutes

Meet a local photographer at the Queen Victoria Memorial for a private shoot near the London Eye, Westminster, and Big Ben. You’ll get relaxed posing guidance and edited digital photos in a secure gallery within 48 hours. Photographers who have led sessions include Mehr, Srujan, and Ahtesham, though your assigned photographer may vary.

“I booked this photoshoot and got the best photographer i could have imagined! The Foto Buddy / SR absolutely exceeded my expectations. He was professional, responsive, and incredibly accommodating on short notice. The shoot was relaxed and well organized, and the final photos turned out beautiful. Highly recommend The Foto Buddy / SR for anyone needing a reliable and talented photographer, even on a tight timeline.”

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