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
• 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.
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.
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.
• 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.
When you are tired of London, you are tired of life’ the old saying goes. From the home of the British Royal Family to the packed pubs; from the heart of British politics, to the theatrical West End; from invading Romans to conquering Kings, London has it all.
On the Welcome to London tour, join us to see the city as it’s meant to be seen. Starting by the ‘mother of all Parliaments’ in Westminster, we’ll take you to the most iconic and beautiful sites you need to visit in London. We might even end near a pub, in true London fashion.
We’ll talk about why Big Ben isn’t called Big Ben, see the Abbey that has witnessed over a 1,000 years of royal coronations, walk through the royal parks of Buckingham Palace, discuss great military battles both old and new, and get under the skin of modern London at Covent Garden.
The Welcome to London tour is the perfect introduction to one of the greatest cities in the world. We’ll fuse history with tips and recommendations, and set you up for your London experience. From Winston Churchill to the Suffragettes to Queen Elizabeth II to James Bond, London has a fantastic story to tell.
Some of the sites we will see on the tour include:
- Big Ben and Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Park
- Trafalgar Square
- Pubs and Theatreland
- Covent Garden
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.
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.
• 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.
This fun, family-friendly Harry Potter tour begins outside the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, home of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. From here, your expert and enthusiastic guide will lead you through the streets of central London, revealing hidden corners, magical inspirations, and behind-the-scenes stories from both the books and films.
Along the way, you’ll explore atmospheric streets, veiled from tourists eyes, reminiscent of Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley and home to the esoteric and the occult. You’ll visit real Harry Potter filming locations, including Great Scotland Yard, and discover how everyday London landmarks were transformed into parts of the wizarding world on screen.
We’ll also take you to iconic locations such as Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, both closely connected to the Harry Potter films through world premieres and magical moments in cinema history. As we walk, you’ll learn fascinating facts about the authors time in London, how the city influenced her writing, and how filmmakers brought the books to life.
Expect plenty of laughs, interactive moments, and even a Hogwarts-themed trivia challenge, where you can test your wizarding knowledge and compete for house pride. Your guide will also share insider tips on the best places in London to buy Harry Potter merchandise, wands, spell books, and souvenirs.
This 1.5-2 hour Harry Potter walking tour finishes near Embankment Station, making it easy to continue your magical adventure across London.
Perfect for Harry Potter fans of all ages, families, couples, and solo travellers, this tour is one of the most enchanting things to do in London. Though perhaps read the books and watch the films first.
Spaces are limited, so book now and discover the magic hidden in the streets of London.
Important information: Groups larger than six people and educational groups must contact us in advance to arrange a private tour, as they cannot join the public tour.
