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Tours & Events
Best Tours in London
Last Updated
August 2, 2023
London, the historic and cultural heart of England, is renowned for its diverse range of high-quality tours. Among the best is the tour of the iconic Tower of London, where visitors can delve into a thousand years of history, exploring everything from the royal palace and treasury to the prison and home of the Crown Jewels. Another exceptional experience is the Churchill War Rooms tour, which transports you back to World War II, providing an intimate look at where Sir Winston Churchill and his team strategized. One distinct feature of these tours is the expert guidance provided by tour leaders, many of whom hold PhDs. This level of expertise ensures a depth of knowledge and insight that enhances every aspect of the tour, offering visitors an engaging and educational exploration of London's rich history and culture.
London, the historic and cultural heart of England, is renowned for its diverse range of high-quality tours. Among the best is the tour of the iconic Tower of London, where visitors can delve into a thousand years of history, exploring everything from the royal palace and treasury to the prison and home of the Crown Jewels. Another exceptional experience is the Churchill War Rooms tour, which transports you back to World War II, providing an intimate look at where Sir Winston Churchill and his team strategized. One distinct feature of these tours is the expert guidance provided by tour leaders, many of whom hold PhDs. This level of expertise ensures a depth of knowledge and insight that enhances every aspect of the tour, offering visitors an engaging and educational exploration of London's rich history and culture.
Tower of London Tour
Embark on an insightful three-hour Tower of London tour, guided by an expert historian well-versed in British history. This engaging tour uses the iconic Tower of London as a backdrop to delve into and discuss the rich tapestry of British history and culture. Together, you will unravel the myriad roles the Tower has played over its nearly 1,000-year history. From serving as William the Conqueror's strategic outpost to becoming a prison and execution site that saw the beheading of two of Henry VIII's wives, you will exit this tour with a profound understanding of the Tower of London's pivotal role in British history.
The tour begins outside the tower, where you'll examine the oldest part of the structure constructed by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. As you enter, your guide will elaborate on the architectural developments of the Tower of London, its significance as a castle, and its use as a royal residence. You'll visit the execution site and delve into the harrowing stories of those executed and imprisoned here, including famous prisoners like Guy Fawkes. You'll also get to see the legendary ravens that have been at the tower for over 300 years, the ceremonial guardians known as the Beefeaters, and the breathtaking Crown Jewels.
Please note that due to venue rules, guided tours are currently restricted in some areas, including the White Tower, the Jewel House, and the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula. However, you will still be able to explore these areas independently, with your guide providing all the necessary information for a comprehensive experience. Depending on your preference, you may enter the White Tower, the oldest part of the Tower of London, or explore the many other towers, perhaps witnessing the graffiti carved into the walls by prisoners in the Beauchamp Tower. This tour offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating stories and historical significance of one of Britain's most iconic landmarks.
British Museum Tour: Crash Course
Embark on an enriching journey through the halls of the British Museum, one of the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of art and artifacts. With over 8 million objects, the museum's vast collection includes treasures such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles, and the Assyrian Lion Hunt. On this three-hour, in-depth tour, you'll be accompanied by a local expert—a licensed archaeologist or historian—who will offer you unique insights and perspectives on these remarkable exhibits. This guided walk explores not only the museum itself but also its controversial history of collecting, providing you with a deeper context for understanding its many works from antiquity. Not limited to just the well-known Egyptian and Greek treasures, the tour also highlights some of the museum's lesser-known Assyrian, Persian, and Mesopotamian artifacts.
This immersive tour starts with an overview of how the British Museum came into existence in the mid-eighteenth century. You'll begin your exploration in the Enlightenment Gallery, formerly known as the King’s Library, which was the first part of the new museum building. Here, you'll learn about the evolution of archaeology from the work of antiquaries and delve into the birth of art history through the study of ancient Greek sculpture and vase painting. The tour then moves on to the museum's most important rooms, including the Egyptian collection. You'll discover how ancient texts were deciphered and compare the decoding of hieroglyphs and cuneiform, the two earliest scripts.
The tour further deepens your understanding of ancient history as you explore the Rosetta Stone and nearly 130,000 pieces of cuneiform tablets from ancient Iraq. Depending on your interests or your guide’s specialty, the focus may shift to the art of ancient Iran and/or ancient Iraq or delve into the Parthenon Marbles. By the end of this enlightening tour, you'll emerge with a greater appreciation for this major institution and its critical role in intellectual life worldwide. Please note that all museum exhibits are subject to closure at short notice, but your expert guide will explain any closures at the start of the tour and refocus as necessary. The tour includes timed admission tickets and three hours with a Ph.D. or MA-level guide.
Churchill War Rooms Tour
Embark on an enthralling journey through history with a visit to the Churchill War Rooms, in the company of an expert historian. This three-hour tour allows you to delve into one of London's most significant periods - the 267 days between September 1940 and May 1941 known as the London Blitz. The German forces launched over 70 air raids on the city during this period, drastically impacting daily life in London. You will also learn about the pivotal role Winston Churchill played as Prime Minister during World War II. Your exploration begins at the Churchill War Rooms, where you will gain insight into the daily operations of this highly secure bunker. The tour includes skip-the-line tickets, saving you time on your historical adventure.
The tour will take you through the intricate details of Churchill's leadership, shedding light on his key contributions in the battle against the Axis Powers and his instrumental role in forming the 'Big Three' Alliance with Russia and the United States. A visit to the iconic Map Room will reveal the techniques used for communication with the outside world during the war, and how the Cabinet War Rooms remained operational for six years. The tour provides an intimate understanding of these secretive and crucial operations that shaped the course of World War II.
After immersing yourself in the world of wartime strategy in the War Rooms, you will step out onto Whitehall. Here, the narrative shifts to other public figures of the era and the everyday Londoners who lived through these tumultuous times. As you stroll through the famed neighborhood, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Guards Chapel and Buckingham Palace. Your guide will discuss the role of the Royal Family during the war, such as King George VI's famous speech in 1939 following the bombing of Buckingham Palace, and the Queen's active support of Londoners during their darkest hours. By the end of the tour, you will have gained a profound understanding of the devastation caused by the Blitz, the resilience of the London community, and the enduring legacy of Winston Churchill.
Savoring London Food Tour
The Savoring London Food Tour is an immersive, three-hour journey that unlocks the mystery of traditional British food and drink. Guided by a local chef or food writer, participants traverse a wide section of the city, guided by their taste buds. From meeting shop owners to sampling artisanal delicacies, this tour reveals London as a gastronomic paradise full of unexpected delights. The tour begins near Green Park at the British food haven: Fortnum & Mason. Here, the focus is on the artistry of the cuisine, the aesthetics of the display, the history of the institution, and of course, tasting local delights like scotch eggs and violet creams. The journey continues with visits to a classic British cheese shop, where a trained cheesemonger guides participants through the history and variety of regional cheeses, followed by a trip to a historic chocolate shop showcasing a wide assortment of truffles and bonbons.
The tour then moves to Soho, visiting the charming family-run Lina Stores deli, which boasts beautifully displayed cured meats, cheeses, and fresh pastas. A stroll down Old Compton Street includes a stop by the aromatic Algerian Coffee Store, renowned for its vast selection of coffees and teas. Soho's diverse history, shaped by immigrants, artists, musicians, and even notorious gangsters, lends an interesting backstory to the neighborhood’s culinary scene. Despite being one of the most fashionable areas in London today, remnants of its colorful past can still be seen, intermingled with a plethora of small restaurants serving cuisines from around the world.
Finally, the tour dips into Chinatown, focusing on London's international cuisine - a key component of the city's contemporary culinary culture. Here, participants learn about the origin of Chicken Tikka Masala, one of the UK's most popular curries. Depending on the day, the tour might venture into Covent Garden to explore its history as a fruit and vegetable market, or perhaps indulge in some gelato at Gelupo on the way to the Seven Dials area. Hidden treasures await in this part of London, with gems like Monmouth Coffee, Homeslice, and Neal’s Yard Dairy nestled within a Bohemian-inspired courtyard. The Savoring London Food Tour offers an engaging, informative, and delicious way to experience the city, leaving participants with a deeper understanding of London's rich culinary tapestry.
London History Tour: Portrait of a City
Delve into the riveting narrative of London's history with the London History Tour: Portrait of a City. This immersive experience takes you on a journey through time, tracing the city's development from a humble riverside settlement to a bustling modern metropolis. Led by a seasoned historian, this tour provides an in-depth look at London's remarkable architectural evolution and the crucial role of global trade in shaping its unique story.
The adventure begins at one of the city's most iconic landmarks, the Tower of London. Built in 1078 to safeguard the city against potential invaders, the Tower serves as a tangible link to London's past. Here, we'll explore the repercussions of the Norman invasion and the intriguing separation of the City of London from the monarchy. As we continue our exploration, we'll visit All Hallows-by-the-Tower, an ancient church that has withstood the test of time, bearing witness to key historical events like the Great Fire and the Blitz.
As we navigate through the city's medieval streets, we'll examine architectural gems that reflect London's transformative journey through the ages. From the resilient St. Andrew Undershaft Church to the divisive Gerkin, each building tells its own story. A stop at Leadenhall Market offers a chance to delve into the city's trading history and the impact of flourishing coffeehouses. Depending on the day and your interests, we might also visit the Roman Mithraeum or walk through Eastcheap, culminating at the Monument, a towering reminder of the Great Fire of London in 1666 that reshaped the cityscape. The tour provides an unforgettable insight into the legacy of Sir Christopher Wren, the architect entrusted with the restoration of the city's churches post-fire, whose masterpieces continue to define London's skyline.
Our Recommended Hotels in London
Planning a trip to London and wondering where to stay? Here's a curated list of the top recommended hotels in London that offer a blend of luxury, comfort, and a prime location:
