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
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.
• 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.
Free Jack the Ripper Walking Tour of London – Whitechapel 1888
Step back in time and follow the trail of the world’s most infamous unsolved serial killer on our Free Jack the Ripper Walking Tour of London. Journey into the dark heart of Victorian London as we transport you to the Autumn of Terror, 1888, when the streets of Whitechapel were gripped by fear.
Over the course of just three months, under the cover of darkness, Jack the Ripper brutally murdered five women and then disappeared without a trace. His identity was never discovered, leaving behind one of the greatest true crime mysteries in history.
On this expert-led Jack the Ripper tour, we uncover what really happened. You’ll explore the real crime scenes, examine the most compelling suspects and theories, and hear chilling details of the murders — while also learning the often-overlooked, tragic life stories of the women involved, placing the crimes within the harsh social realities of Victorian East London.
Discover how these events changed London forever, shaping everything from policing and journalism to popular culture. From modern-day Jack the Ripper tours and barber shops to films, books, and conspiracy theories, we explore the lasting legacy of Jack the Ripper more than a century later.
Historic Locations Visited
Along the way, you’ll visit many of the most notorious and atmospheric locations connected to the case, including:
Whitechapel
Mitre Square
Frying Pan Alley
Spitalfields Market
The Ten Bells Pub
Christ Church Spitalfields
St Botolph's Without Aldgate (So-called Prostitute Church)
Tour Details
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Finish: Spitalfields Market, close to Liverpool Street Station
Price: Free (tips welcome)
Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast, history lover, or visiting London for the first time, this Jack the Ripper walking tour is one of the most unforgettable things to do in London at night.
Places are limited — book your spot now and experience London’s darkest story where it really happened.
Please note: Groups of more than 6 people and educational or school groups must contact us in advance to arrange a private Jack the Ripper tour, as they are unable to join the public tour.
• 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.
On this Rock ’n’ Roll Walking Tour of Soho, we explore the salacious, scandalous, and sensational history of an area that has always lived life louder, faster, and freer than the rest of London. Charles Dickens called Soho a place of “smoke and song", very little has changed.
From secret political meetings led by Karl Marx, to an eight-year-old Mozart astonishing London audiences, Soho has long attracted radicals, creatives, revolutionaries, and rule-breakers. It was home to Casanova, playground of princes and prostitutes, and the epicentre of a cholera outbreak that nearly brought Victorian London to its knees.
But Soho’s true legend was forged in music.
Walk the streets where The Beatles played their first and last London gigs, where Beatlemania exploded, and where the British music industry was turned upside down in the 1960s. Visit legendary venues that launched the careers of The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and countless others who defined rock history.
We’ll explore the remnants of Soho’s infamous red-light district, once filled with strip clubs, sex cinemas, and late-night haunts where musicians, gangsters, and celebrities collided. Stroll down Carnaby Street, the epicentre of Swinging London, where fashion exploded, the miniskirt was born, and youth culture finally took control.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories of outrageous scandals, drug-fuelled nights, police raids, banned records, and performances that changed music forever. Discover how Soho transformed from a dangerous, seedy neighbourhood just a few decades ago into one of the most fashionable, creative, and culturally influential areas of the capital.
Tour highlights include:
- The London Palladium Theatre
- Trident Studios
- Carnaby Street
- Liberty London
- Golden Square
- The Bag o'Nails
- The John Snow Pub
- Soho’s old red-light district
This tour is perfect for music lovers, pop culture fans, history buffs, visitors looking for unusual things to do in London, and locals who want to experience the city’s wild side.
Book now and discover why Soho became the beating heart of rock ’n’ roll, rebellion, and nightlife in London.
Please note: Groups larger than six people and educational groups must arrange a private tour in advance.
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.
• 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.
When night falls over London and the crowds thin, the city reveals a darker and far stranger side. Shadows stretch across the streets, whispers echo through the parks, and the ghosts of London’s past begin to stir. Welcome to Ghosts, Ghouls & Ghastly Murders, a haunted London walking tour that blends ghost stories, forgotten serial killers, bizarre myths, and macabre history, all delivered with a healthy dose of humour
This is not a jump-scare horror tour. Instead, it’s a funny, entertaining, and darkly fascinating ghost tour of Westminster, perfect for travellers who enjoy spine-tingling stories without taking things too seriously. Expect laughs, gasps, and the occasional uncomfortable historical truth.
Starting at the atmospheric Cleopatra’s Needle, perched ominously beside the murky depths of the River Thames, we uncover tales of cursed monuments and restless spirits. From there, we wander through some of London’s most historic and haunted locations, revealing stories that range from the genuinely chilling to the downright ridiculous.
Along the way, you’ll hear:
Tales of ghosts said to haunt the London Underground
Stories of spectral sightings in Green Park and St James’s Park
The gruesome mystery of the Thames Torso Murderer, one of London’s most disturbing unsolved cases
The shocking regicide of King Charles I, and how his execution left a permanent scar on the city
Legends, myths, and morbid curiosities that most visitors and many Londoners never hear
Our route takes in some of the most iconic locations in central London, including:
Cleopatra’s Needle
Great Scotland Yard
Horse Guards Parade
Banqueting House
St James’s Park
St James’s Palace
Green Park
As we explore royal parks, government buildings, and shadowy corners, you’ll discover that London’s history isn’t just written in books — it lingers in the air, clings to the monuments, and occasionally refuses to stay buried.
This 2-hour ghost walking tour finishes at Green Park Station, making it easy to continue your evening in central London if you’re brave enough.
Whether you’re a fan of ghost tours, true crime, dark history, or quirky storytelling, this experience is one of the most entertaining and unusual things to do in London at night.
👻 Places are limited, so book now and join us for London’s funniest walk on the dark side.
Important information:
Groups larger than 6 people and educational groups must contact us in advance to arrange a private tour, as they cannot join the public tour.
