Britain · HISTORY TOURS IN LONDON

Top 15 History Tours in London

32 tours  ·  from $9

The 15 best history tours in London you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour - Starting outside St Paul’s Underground Station
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London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

1.Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

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

Spend 3.5 hours walking from St Paul’s to the Strand, stopping at four old pubs and a Victorian gin palace. Guides such as Dave, Tim, Freddie, Shadow, and Lachlan mix London history, pub lore, humor, and practical drink tips. Bring cash, comfortable shoes, and ID. Drinks cost extra.

“We had the best time exploring London’s pubs: great atmosphere, fun stories, and amazing beer! Our guide Shadow was the absolute highlight: funny, knowledgeable, and full of energy. She made everyone feel welcome and turned the evening into something truly special. Highly recommend this tour (especially with Shadow)! 🍻✨”

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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour - Four pubs, four chances to see Soho differently
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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

2.Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

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

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through Soho with an English-speaking guide such as Gherto, Henry, Ben, or Sy. Visit four historic pubs, hear stories about Lennon, Hendrix, Bowie, Mozart, and The Who, and buy drinks as you go. Expect stairs, narrow lanes, rain or shine, and an adults-only group.

“The tour itself was really good, but what made it truly awesome was the tour guide, Henry. He was incredibly friendly, funny, informative, and rock n roll in every sense of the word.”

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London: Rock 'n' Roll History Tour - Starting in central London
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London: Rock ‘n’ Roll History Tour

3.Rock ‘n’ Roll History Tour

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

Spend 3.5 hours tracing London’s rock story through Chelsea, Kensington, Notting Hill, and St John’s Wood. Your English-speaking guide, often Clive, Ian, Colin, or Richard, pairs music tales with neighborhood history, then helps you take the classic Abbey Road crossing photo.

“Loved the tour! Our guide, Steve knew so much and had lots of stories to tell.”

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London: Royal Historic Pubs Walking Tour - Four Pubs, Four Different Slices of London
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London: Royal Historic Pubs Walking Tour

4.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Tour

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

Meet your English-speaking guide at Piccadilly Circus and walk through London’s royal district, stopping at four historic pubs near Buckingham Palace. Hear stories of Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, James Bond, the royal family, and Ed Sheeran. Drinks cost extra, and the tour is for adults only.

“This tour was fantastic, and our guide AL was an absolute delight, what a character! Way more than just a Pub tour, so much history and other fun storys. The group was small enough to get comfortable with everybody, and again, AL ist the man...totally worth it. 5/5”

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London: Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower - Crossing Tower Bridge into Southwark
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London: Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower

5.Medieval History Walking Tour from The Tower

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

Walk from Tower Hill to St Paul's with historian Mick Priestley, crossing Tower Bridge and following the Thames past the Tower, HMS Belfast, Borough Market, Winchester Palace, Shakespeare's Globe, and Millennium Bridge. Expect vivid medieval stories, archive images, questions, and a brisk two-hour route.

“We had an absolute blast on this tour! We had a fairly small group which made things easy and the whole tour felt very relaxed. Mick is super knowledgeable and his passion for history really shines through in his delivery. We learned a lot and saw some beautiful sights along the way. Mick was happy to point out good photo ops as well and made some great recommendations after the tour. He was excellent at keeping everyone's attention, especially in some of the more crowded areas where things got a little bit more distracting. An absolute gentleman through and through, thanks again!”

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London: Witches and History Bankside Walking Tour - Southwark Cathedral and the stories beneath the stones
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London: Witches and History Bankside Walking Tour

6.Witches and History Bankside Walking Tour

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

Follow a costumed guide such as Gary the Grey, Beatrix, or Veronica from London Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral. Hear true stories of suspected witches, pass Borough Market, The Clink, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Millennium Bridge, and enjoy a lively outdoor history lesson.

“Pleasant walk with guide Garry , we were satisfied and got that we awaited. No long climb , but fresh 75 minutes walk with nice views and informations.”

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London: Natural History Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour - Meeting your guide on Exhibition Road
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London: Natural History Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

7.Natural History Museum Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

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

Spend one focused hour with an English-speaking guide at London’s Natural History Museum. You’ll see major highlights such as the 82-foot blue whale, dinosaur skeletons, gems, and Earth science galleries, with Paul often praised for making the museum clear and engaging for adults and children.

“Paul, our guide, was super. He was very knowledgeable and friendly and took us to all the key stops at the museum. He engaged so well with our 8 year olds and made the tour a great one for us all. Thank you, Paul.”

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London: 2-Hour Historic Pub Tour - Dylan Thomas, lost manuscripts, and literary mischief
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London: 2-Hour Historic Pub Tour

8.2-Hour Historic Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 133 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Walk two hours with an English-speaking guide, usually George or occasionally Matt, through London’s historic center. Hear stories of Dylan Thomas, Victorian gin, and a notorious poet’s duel, visit old pubs, and finish with a free half pint at one of Dickens’ regular haunts.

“Terrific! Really interesting tour with great conversation. Enhanced our holiday. George was really lovely, knowledgeable and fun. Thanks for making our day and giving us a new perspective of London, area and history!”

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London: Historic London Pub Walking Tour - Meeting at Embankment Station
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London: Historic London Pub Walking Tour

9.Historic London Pub Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 94 reviews · 4 hours · from $18

Join an English-speaking guide such as Rachel, Mike, Adam, or Carolina for a four-hour walk from Embankment to Covent Garden. Enter four old London pubs, including an 800-year-old licensed premises, hear local stories, and choose your own drinks. Bring ID, wear good walking shoes, and leave large bags behind.

“Mike has really good knowledge of the pubs and city. He was fantastic and cared about the people in the tour.”

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London: Private Landmark Tour with Professional Photographer - Starting at the Queen Victoria Memorial
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London: Private Landmark Tour with Professional Photographer

10.Private Landmark Tour with Professional Photographer

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

Meet your English-speaking photographer near the Queen Victoria Memorial for a private 20 to 45-minute shoot by the London Eye, Westminster, and Big Ben. Photographers such as Mehr, Srujan, and Ahtesham guide your poses, adapt to families, and send edited digital photos through a secure gallery within 48 hours.

“My partner and I hardly have any good pics of the two of us so we decided this shoot would be a fun way to have some nice pics for our holiday. Our photographer Mehr was super communicative before and after our shoot. I like that she reached out after we booked to touch base. She was very friendly and took some lovely photos. All in all a great experience!!”

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London: Natural History Museum Guided Tour - From Iguanodon teeth to Sophie the Stegosaurus
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London: Natural History Museum Guided Tour

11.Natural History Museum Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $112

Spend 2.5 hours with an English-speaking art historian guide at London’s Natural History Museum. You’ll see Iguanodon teeth, Sophie the Stegosaurus, a Dodo skeleton, Archaeopteryx, Pompeii casts, Darwin’s first edition, and the Cursed Amethyst in a private or small group of up to eight.

“Luis was our guide and he was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable, animated and very accommodating to this family of 5.”

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London: Hot Tub Boat Guided Historical Docklands Cruise - Starting at Skuna Boats in Canary Wharf
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London: Hot Tub Boat Guided Historical Docklands Cruise

12.Hot Tub Boat Guided Historical Docklands Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 62 reviews · 1h 15m · from $60

Join Skuna Boats for a 75-minute cruise through Canary Wharf in a floating hot tub for up to six people. You will hear Docklands stories from an English-speaking guide, with captain Kira among the hosts, and can buy drinks and snacks onboard. Bring swimwear and a towel.

“This was a great way to spend an hour in London. The hot tub is very clean and the water is toasty … so perfect for any kind of day. We went out on a Friday afternoon and lived chilling in the sunshine with a drink in hand. A great choice of drinks are available (not just champers as it suggests on the site). Kira was our captain and really looked after us from start to finish and was the perfect host. Would highly recommend.”

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London: Historic City Walking Tour(& Rooftop Garden Access*)

13.Historic City Walking Tour(& Rooftop Garden Access*)

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · from $49

Follow guides such as Maggie, Lucas, Carolina, Matt, or Margaret through London’s ancient City, from St. Clement Danes and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese to St. Paul’s, the Bank of England, London Bridge, and the Tower. Sunday and Monday tours add Garden at 120 rooftop access.

“I really enjoyed our tour with Carolina, she has very deep knowledge about history of London but more important than that; she is a very good storyteller. You will never get bored even if she mentions about small details.”

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London: Brutalist Architecture & History Walking Tour - Meeting Evan at Russell Square
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London: Brutalist Architecture & History Walking Tour

14.Brutalist Architecture & History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 42 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $47

Join Evan for a 2.5-hour small-group walk through central London’s Brutalist architecture. See the National Theatre, Institute of Education, and Brunswick while learning how post-war politics, engineering, and social change shaped the city. One short Zone 1 Tube ride is included.

“More interaction with the buildings and the building material and compromises and work around of the Construction , he did some , it felt like a very general history of Architectural Modernism and Brutalism with us standing in front of The buildings as live illustrations . In the Main a great guide but I think enthusiasm and reading about Modernism and Brutalism is not enough I wanted more I did learn things and he was very good on The Brunswick , a great eye for detail , I would recommend this for anyone who has no knowledge of Modernism and Brutalism”

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London: Natural History Museum Private Tour & Skip the line - Finding the meeting point on Exhibition Road
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London: Natural History Museum Private Tour & Skip the line

15.Natural History Museum Private Tour & Skip the line

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 2 hours

Spend two hours with a private guide at London’s Natural History Museum. See dinosaurs, Hope the blue whale, Sophie the Stegosaurus, fossils, volcanoes, and physics displays. Guides including Damiano and Stefania tailor the visit for families and explain the museum in English or Italian.

“Our first time using a guide for a tour so didn’t really know whet to expect. Had a brilliant time at the NHM. Our guide, Damiano, was fantastic. Took our ten year old son for the tour and Damiano was great within him. Knew exactly what highlights of the museum to see, where to stand, and was very informative. Teddy really enjoyed his day. Really good tour and glad we decided to try it.”

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New in History Tours in London

★ 4.5Tower of London Crown Jewels and English Royal History TourFrom $1205 reviews
★ 4.0The London Historic Pubs TourFrom $643 reviews
★ 5.0London’s East End Food & History Tour: Choose Your Own MenuFrom $594 reviews
★ 4.8Natural History Museum Private Guided Tour5 reviews
★ 4.5World War II History in London Private Guided TourFrom $2798 reviews
★ 5.0London Private Jewish History, Synagogues and Holocaust TourFrom $2984 reviews
★ 5.0Pilgrims and Pirates Historical Pub TourFrom $793 reviews
★ 4.3Natural History Museum Guided TourFrom $939 reviews
★ 5.0Historic pub tour with Brazilian guide (in Portuguese)From $563 reviews
★ 5.0Buckingham Palace Exterior and Royal History Private TourFrom $2923 reviews
★ 5.0Gin Safari: Boozy London History on Two WheelsFrom $1143 reviews

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