In London it’s not difficult to find places to visit, but finding something that diverges from the typical, well-trodden tourist paths can be. Whether you’ve been to the city before, are fed up of classic tourist spots or just want to find something a bit different, there’s more than enough underneath the surface to be discovered.
Below you’ll find our pick of tours that will ensure you enjoy more than what’s on the surface of the city, with our choice based on a combination of theme, location and reviews.
TRADITIONAL BLACK CAB TOUR OF LONDON’S HIDDEN TREASURES
FROM: €68/per person
London and black cabs seem an obvious choice, but this tour diverts from the tourist routes. From the comfy back seat of your private cab, the advantage of this tour is that it ventures far beyond the obvious sites, stretching across a number of spots in London’s vast boroughs. While Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are still on the agenda, the driver unearths some lesser known, hidden locations whose quirky characteristics are often lost amongst London’s bustling activities. Encounter Roman baths, 300- year old shops, London’s smallest houses and square alongside places that were loved by a number of the city’s high profile figures, including Henry VIII’s cow shed and tennis court and Sir Winston Churchill’s cigar chair.
HIDDEN LONDON WALKING TOUR
From €13/ per person
Behind all the classic landmarks are streets and settings full of history. This tour eschews your typical destinations and dedicates time to discovering the atmosphere and history of the areas of Fleet Street and Temple. Led by a local guide, you’ll be surprised by the stories hidden in plain sight within the corners of the alleyways. This inclusive tour is ideal for anyone who wants to focus on history rather than ticking off tourist attractions.
SECRET WALKING TOUR OF CENTRAL LONDON
From €13/ per person
In Central London, there’s more than Trafalgar Square and Big Ben to see. Over 90 minutes, this walking tour will delve into the history and quirky locations that don’t feature in tourist brochures. Juxtaposed against the backdrop of the largest city of Europe, find the smallest police station in the world and explore history in the architecture of the ancient water gate, the Duke of Wellington’s nose and the most superstitious hotel in London. This tour is led by a local guide and takes small groups in order to deliver a personal experience and provide a local insight into the centre of the well known city.
MUSIC OF LONDON ROCK AND POP WALKING TOUR
From €131/ per person
For music lovers and those who wish to explore the creative side of the city, this private tour offers the opportunity to see London from an alternative perspective and learn about the city’s most famous musicians. On foot and by tube, the tour exhibits studios and locations that hosted the first gigs of some of the most iconic stars in the world as well the backdrops for filming their music. London has been home to all genres of music and performance throughout the eras from the Swinging Sixties through the ‘70s and ‘80s eras of rock, pop, punk, Britpop and Cool Britannia, so while tourists flock to the renowned sites take your chance to tour the city’s music scene.
