Things to Do in London
• 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.
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 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 3,000 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.
• 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.
This is a tour about the mysteries and secrets of the British Museum.
We will travel to Egypt, Mesopotamia, the ancient Greek world, pre-Columbian Mexico, Easter Island, and other places on planet Earth.
In the fifteen months I have been working at the museum, I have gradually learned about the numerous mysteries and secrets that many of the thousands of objects in the museum hold.
In many cases, they are not what they seem to be and offer us a fascinating insight into ancient civilizations, which have left us an extraordinary legacy that we are often unaware of.
It will be a two-hour tour, and I hope you find it enjoyable, occasionally fun, and always interesting.
Thank you and see you soon,
Miguel
I know, I know! Visiting a museum can be stressful sometimes. Specially one with 8 million objects and a place visited by more than 6 million people a year… it can be overwhelming!
But at the same time, how can you visit London and not go to the British Museum??? (everybody will ask you this when you get back home, trust me!)
THAT'S WHY I PUT TOGETHER THIS ROUTE AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
TO VISIT ONLY THE HIGHLIGHTS, MOST IMPORTANT, ESSENTIAL AND FAMOUS ITEMS.
In just over one hour, I promise we will see:
- EGYPTIAN
- GREEK
- ASSYRIAN
- PERSIAN
- ROMAN
- POLYNESIAN
- BRITISH
Art and other objects, sculptures and statues. I will share some very interesting facts and stories about it.
YES IT IS POSSIBLE!
So now you’ll have time to visit other hundred (or two hundred) important and unmissable places in London!
Of course, we’ll go straight to the point when we get to the museum.
Book now, get here in time and let’s enjoy the tour.
Oh, Yes, I forgot to mention: you don’t even need to book tickets to the museum, I’ll take care of it. (Because it’s free 😉
We will meet under the columns, in front of the museum entrance just after you pass security!☺️🙏🏼
• 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.
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.
Welcome to London! My name is Rich, and as a qualified guide and lifelong Londoner, it will be my pleasure to welcome you and show you the city I love and live in.
East London is renowned for its electric mix of traditional and contemporary influences, making it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in experiencing the true essence of London and the London Market Scene.
As we wander through the lively streets of 4 of the most authentic London Sunday Markets, you will see and experience how we Londoners spend our Sundays. Experience sensory delights, vibrant sights & tantalizing smells. Sample delicious street food, browse unique handmade crafts, and shop for vintage treasures and stunning cutting-edge fashion. Discover the history and heritage that make these markets and areas so special. As a passionate East Londoner and son of a market trader, I will also share tips, history, stories, and secrets that will enhance and deepen your appreciation for this dynamic part of London's life.
The tour includes
- Broadway Market
- Columbia Road Flower Market
- Brick Lane Market
- Spitalfields Market
- The Regent Canal .. and much more!
*TIP* Skip Breakfast .....so much to taste on route !
London by a Londoner.
• 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.
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 3,000 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.
• Enjoy the convenience of round-trip travel to the studio via luxury coach, high-speed train, or door-to-door hotel transfers, with options departing from key Central London locations.
• Get access to real Harry Potter™ sets like the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, step aboard the Hogwarts Express™, and discover original costumes, including Quidditch uniforms.
• Uncover the secrets of the *Harry Potter* movie magic at *Magical Mischief* (Jan 24-Apr 27)! Witness Great Hall pranks, flying letters, and Marauder costumes.
• For a more personalised experience, upgrade to a small-group tour or choose an expert-led English tour for added depth and storytelling.
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.
