free walking tours in london england

Best things to do and see in London

London is a city that hides a great number of secrets, corners, and traditions worth discovering. For this, it is essential to have the help of a professional guide who can lead us on our journey. Their goal will always be to explain everything necessary to understand and discover the culture, architecture, and cuisine of the city. If you decide to take a free tour in London (in the morning or in the afternoon), you will surely be able to visit some of the most important points of interest in the capital of the United Kingdom . There are theetours to learn all about the world of Harry Potter or guided routes where you can visit Westminster or other neighborhoods. Moreover, you cannot leave this place without seeing the Big Ben, visiting Buckingham Palace, or seeing the best views of the city at the London Eye. Monuments and attractions that are a must-see include the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, Hyde Park, the Abbey and the Palace of Westminster. Additionally, you cannot miss Trafalgar Square, walking along the River Thames, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Soho, St. James's Park, the Notting Hill area, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, or the Camden Town area. We advise you to seek advice from local gurus who perfectly know English culture and its history if you want to expand the information on what to see in London or how to get there. If it is the first time you are doing a free walking tour , you will see that booking is completely free . You can read the reviews of other walkers who have already done some guruwalk to learn more about the tours available in London as well as in the rest of the United Kingdom. 

What is included in the essential free tour of London?

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Free Tours in London

Explore London with our wonderful free walking tours!

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Pay What You Can

No fixed price No hidden costs Free booking It’s very simple: at the end of the tour you can leave a donation to your guide

WE PROMOTE CULTURE

Why free tours.

Our free tours in London are designed to promote culture and provide everyone with the opportunity to participate.

We leave it up to you to determine the value of the tour!

Guaranteed Departure!

The tour will also take place in the rain

Departure is 100% guaranteed

Available Free Tours in London

Harry Potter Tour

Jack the Ripper Tour

102 Reviews

Macabre London Tour

Royal Tour Westminster

224 Reviews

London City of Sin Tour

Street Art & Graffiti Tour

Richmond and Richmond Park Tour

Soho & Mayfair Tour

Available as private tours only at the moment.

Amazing Women in London Tour

Ghost Tour London & Haunted History

Witches Tour London & Witchcraft History

City of London Tour

A Very Mayfair Christmas Tour

Spies and Intrigue in London Tour

Crime and Justice in London Tour

Greenwich Tour

Beer and Gin History London Pub Tour

Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens Tour

Are you looking for tours during your vacation in London?

Here is our calendar with all available tours

FREE WALKING TOURS IN LONDON

London is a captivating dream destination to spend your holidays, and we want to offer everyone the opportunity to explore this extraordinary city.

Our London Free Tours will take you on an exciting journey through the city’s rich history. Our guides, young, dynamic, and fun, deliver information engagingly without being boring. Our goal is to allow guides to express their personalities, giving you the chance to discover not only London’s most famous areas but also the city’s secret and lesser-known places. Allowing guides to create tours based on their passion means they will put their heart into their work, transmitting enthusiasm to all participants.

Our London tours are designed to reflect the love we have for this city, ensuring you have an authentic and thrilling experience during our tours.

Explore the fascinating streets of London and immerse yourself in 2000 years of incredible history. Our free walking tours are designed to entertain you with curious facts, fascinating anecdotes, and the promise of hidden gems and secrets to discover!

Privacy Overview

Walking Tours and Experiences in London

Free Royal Westminster Tour*

Explore the history of the Royal family and Parliament as you see London's most famous sights, from Buckingham Palace to Big Ben.

     Schedule  - See Calendar

     Meeting Point - The Clermont Hotel

     Duration - 2.5 Hours

Free Historic City of London Tour*

Learn the story of the City of London's evolution from Roman trading port to the most powerful financial district in the world.

     Schedule - See Calendar

     Meeting Point - Tower Hill

Free London in a Day Tour*

Explore all of the London Landmarks in one tour ! Everything from Big Ben to the Tower of London and everything in between!

     Schedule - Private Tour Only

     Duration - 5 - 6 Hours

Free Jack the Ripper Tour*

Travel back to the Autumn of Terror 1888 and investigate a series of murders that sent shockwaves through London.

     Duration - 2 Hours

Free Street Art of  Shoreditch Tour*

Enter a world of possibility, where the walls are blank canvases and the flick of a spray can inspire rebellion and revolution.

     Meeting Point - Shoreditch High Street

Free Harry Potter Wizarding Tour*

Leave your inner muggle behind and discover the magical secrets hiding right under your nose.

     Meeting Point - The Palace Theatre

Free Ghosts, Ghouls and Ghastly Murder Tour*

Hear the terrifying tales of London’s worst villains, who killed and were killed and then came back to kill again.

     Meeting Point - Cleopatra's Needle

Free Rock and Roll Soho Tour*

Explore the birthplace of London's Rock and Roll scene, the heart of the old Red Light District and hear tales of debauchery and drunken misadventure through the ages.

     Meeting Point - Golden Square

Free Sherlock Holmes & the Art of Deduction Tour*

Grab your deer stalker hat and explore locations visited by Sherlock Holmes in the books, films and tv show!

     Meeting Point - Piccadilly Circus ​

Free James Bond & The History of Espionage Tour*

Join and step into the shoes of the world’s most famous spy!

    Schedule -  Private Tour Only

    Meeting Point -   The Clermont Hotel

    Duration -  2 Hours

Free Queer & LGBTQ+ History Tour*

Explore London's queer hub & home and uncover 2000 years of LGBTQ+ history.

    Schedule -  See Calendar

Private Tours

Booking a tour for 8 or more people? Whether you're a school, friends or family, get in touch about our different packages.

WHAT IS A FREE TOUR? *

We run all of our walking tours of London on a pay what you think it’s worth basis. We've all had the experience of paying for an activity up front and then later on, feeling like it was not worth the money. We take that problem away. There is no booking fee for our free tours, and no payment is required before the tour begins. If you have fun then you can decide if you would like to tip your guide. The value is up to you, whatever fits in with your budget. This makes our tours affordable to everyone, regardless of their finances, but also incentivises our guides to never stop trying to improve, as the system rewards the guides who provide the best quality tours. Tipping is always voluntary and our guides will never pressure you into it, but this is their job so if you have had fun, we ask that you take a moment to consider what it was worth to you.

London Greeters Free personalised walking tours

What is a London Greet?

London Greets are free tours led by volunteer Londoners with a genuine passion for their city.

Lasting from two to four hours, our Greets explore parts of London less frequented by tourists. Whatever your interests, it's likely we have a Greet for you.

Who are the London Greeters?

Greeters are volunteers who share their passion for the city with visitors, including those coming to London for the very first time. These Londoners will help you to explore the city's hidden neighbourhoods and introduce you to the London they know and love.

The London Greeters organisation is a member of the International Greeter Association. It was born out of the 2012 Olympics and a desire to build on its legacy.

Explore Our Greets and book

There are many different Greets to explore and our Greets list shows you the different areas of London covered by our Greeters. Whether it’s the cultural, sporting, historic, architectural, fashionable or timeless that interests you, we have a Greet that will show you the hidden London.

Once you find something you like then complete our enquiry form and get ready for a city tour with a personal edge.

Free London Walking Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Free London Walking Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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The 15 best walking tours in London

Those boots were made for walking, so use them to explore London’s best sights

London’s one of the most walkable capital cities in the world. Indeed, in many ways, London is the anti-L.A.: here people think you’re mad if you do drive a car around town. Besides, nothing quite lets you get to know a city like a good walk around – after all, London existed long before there were any forms of public or private transport more sophisticated than a horse. Plus, after trekking across half the city, you have the perfect excuse to sit down with a pint (or two). 

Sure, bus and boat tours are good, but there’s nothing quite like a London walking tour. From basic sightseeing treks to specialised theme tours, whether you’ve got a day, an afternoon or just an hour, there’s some sort of tour out there for you. Buckle up, folks: here’s our pick of the best walking tours in London.

Need more sightseeing inspiration? Check out our list of 101 things to do in London .

This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click  here .

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London walking tours

1.  Food Walking tour: West to East

If you’ve got half a day to space and a burning curiosity to find out what exactly constitutes British cuisine (and then to eat it) this epic trek should be firmly up your street. Tuck into a six-hour walking tour that will take you from Buckingham Palace (where you'll witness the Changing of the Guard) past the Houses of Parliament and onto the Tower of London, where you'll surely be ready for the delicious British delights that await. Try fish and chips, scotch eggs, pie and mash and a so-called famous doughnut (not sure about that last one tbh), before venturing over the bridge to peruse the sights and smells of delicious Borough Market.

2.  Kensington Palace Gardens tour with Royal High Tea

If you're after an excuse to wear something other than wellies, visit the gorgeous Kensington Gardens on a guided tour before sitting down and nibbling scones at Royal High Tea. The two-hour tour is soaked in royal history and all the best bits of being British (tea and cake, mostly). Although entry to the buildings isn't included, you'll be walked and talked through the gardens, marvelling at the water features and Sunken Garden, with a visit to Princess Diana's statue and ending with an indulgent high tea in the surroundings of the Kensington Palace Pavilion. How marvy!

3.  Three-hour secret British food tour

Three hours of food and snacks? Yes, please! This three-hour guided tour includes eight delicious stops in the London Bridge area, giving you an insight into the history of British food culture (which is very cultured, might we add). Starting in the historic Borough Market, you'll eat your way through classics and end the tour with quintessentially British desserts and tea. Plus, on your travels, your tour guide will enlighten you on the history of each area and there'll be a secret surprise dish, too. Our tip: wear stretchy bottoms.

4.  Harry Potter walking tour

Anyone who’s seen or read the adventures of the Boy Who Lived (and if you haven’t, have you been living under a rock?) will know that London is a recurring character in both the films and books. Follow in Harry’s footsteps with this 150-minute jaunt, which goes from the ‘real’ Diagon Alley through to The Leaky Cauldron, Platform 9¾ and other fantastical locales. Being Muggles, there’s obviously a bit of a limit to what we can actually see – but that won’t stop you from soaking up the magical atmosphere.

5.  Westminster and the Churchill War Rooms

Few Brits have a bigger reputation than wartime PM and noted cigar smoker Sir Winston. So what better way to get a feel for the capital than via Churchill’s London? In two hours your Blue Badge guide will take you to see an array of major Westminster landmarks associated with the man, such as Big Ben and Downing Street, alongside the poignant Cenotaph war memorial. Walkers will then be led to Churchill's wartime bunker, where you can see several items that once belonged to big man, discover top-secret conversations that went on down there and soak up the drama of the room in which the fate of the world was shaped so long ago.

6.  Changing of the Guard guided walking tour

No experience is more quintessentially London than the Changing of the Guard: that is to say when one group of soldiers clock off and the next clocks on – with much ceremony – at Buckingham Palace. Your knowledgeable guide will also take you to see palaces, royal parks, royal residences and you'll even have an opportunity to march alongside the guards. The walk is aimed at all ages, with interesting insights for adults and plenty of fun for kids.

7.  Gangster walking tour of London’s East End led by actor Vas Blackwood

East London is definitely no Longer the gangland of yore: if the Krays twins were around today they’d probably own some sort of ironic theme cafe. But there’s a rich and thrilling not-so-distant-past there, and this tour is particularly special Led by ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ actor Vas Blackwood (aka Rory Breaker), who'll share his wealth of knowledge about the villains – both fictional and real – of London’s murky underworld. Over the two-hour tour you'll hear tales of the notorious Kray twins around Whitechapel and see iconic ‘Lock, Stock…’ locations from the much-loved Brit gangster flick.

8.  Historic pub walking tour

You could probably spend years working through London’s endless array of pubs and not really scratch the surface. But this three-hour afternoon tour is a decent start. Discover storied alehouses and literary drinking dens on a journey that stretches from ancient Southwark to the shiny West End, on a walk guaranteed to visit at least four of the capital’s finest historic boozers. Hear the history of the buildings, learn the differences between Elizabethan coaching inns and Victorian gin palaces, and visit the watering holes frequented by Charles Dickens – and have yourself a pint, if that's how you’re inclined.

9.  Private Sherlock Holmes walking tour

Explore the world of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Great Detective – plus his beloved sidekick Dr Watson, of course – on this private three-hour walking tour of London. Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum (entry ticket not included), located at Holmes’ home of 221b Baker Street with your personal guide. Explore central London sites made famous in the filming of the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring adaptation ‘Sherlock’, such as Russell Square or New Scotland Yard. Along the way, lap up behind-the-scenes stories from the set.

10.  Blood and Tears walk

If you’re in the mood for something a little gristlier, then why not set a couple of hours aside one night to exploore the capital's dark side? You’ll be taken on a journey through the darker bits of the city’s past that includes visiting execution sites, learning about grave robbers and meet London's most notorious murderers as you wander from Barbican to Holborn. Unsurprisingly, a few details in this one are a little ghastly, so it's very much open to ages 12+ only (plus the 7pm start is past the little ’uns bedtimes).

11.  Greenwich highlights half-day walking tour

Perhaps no London borough is quite so distinctive singular as maritime Greenwich, and this fun and educational half-day tour comes highly recommended. All the major venues are on the walk, including the Royal Observatory, National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark, Old Royal Naval College, Queen’s House and Greenwich Market. Put on your comfiest boots and join your knowledgeable guide to experience the majesty of Britain’s naval zenith and meet the spot where Thor had a fight with Christopher Eccleston in ‘The Dark World’. This tour is led in small groups, so there’ll be no pushing or shoving. 

12.  Jack the Ripper tour with fish and chips

No name gets shivers running down the spine quite like Jack the Ripper, the infamous, never caught serial killer who terrorised the foggy streets of late Victorian London. See the sinister side of the city as you follow the blood-soaked footsteps of Jack and Sweeney Todd, wandering down gas-lit alleyways on a very spooky walking tour of London. Arriving at each scary spot by coach, your guide will dish out shocking true-life details about these infamous London murderers. Get goosebumps at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the most haunted theatre in the city, and hear stories of the Ripper’s East End. Then polish the night off in style with a fish supper at a traditional East End boozer.

13.  Bowl of Chalk walking tours

The name? It's Cockney rhyming slang for 'walk'! So that’s 'Walk walking tours’, which admittedly doesn’t have quite the same ring. Maybe don’t quibble about that to Jonnie, the born-and-bred Londoner with a passion for taking people on walks around the city and sharing some of its secrets. His weekend tours are fun, laidback and – best of all for the budget conscious– delivered on a 'pay what you can' basis. Private weekday tours can be booked too: take a look on the website for further details.

14.  Unseen Tours

These alternative, extremely worthwhile tours are run by The Sock Mob, a social enterprise that works with homeless, ex-homeless or vulnerably housed people. And the guides who lead the four different tours of four very different bits of London – that’s Covent Garden, London Bridge, Soho and Brick Lane – have all experienced homelessness at some time in their lives. This absolutely doesn’t mean the tours are gruelling misery porn that dwells on the hardship of the guides’ lives – far from it! Actually they're fun, laidback journeys through each area's local history, with a few important details about social injustice thrown in too.

15.  East End street art walking tour

If you’re a Londoner, there’s a decent chance that you’re not so bothered about the historical side of walking tours. After all, you’re up to speed. You know it all. So here’s the chance to get to know a very different side to the capital. This two-hour tour takes attendees through the street art of the East End, wandering through alleys and markets and telling the stories of artworks through the artists that made them. Learn whose tags are whose and discover the history and meaning behind the art adorning the walls of this historic district.

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WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN LONDON

• PRIVATE TOURS

Free Tour of London

Book the original London free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guid ...

London Soho Free Walking Tour

Discover the vibrant heartbeat of Soho by embarking on an unforgettable tour through London's iconic ...

London Old City Free Walking Tour

Discover major London landmarks on this 3-hour London Old City Tour!

London Jack the Ripper Free Tour

Discover London’s darkest history – including Jack the Ripper – on this 2-hour walking tour

2-hour London Highlights Private Tour

Make the most out of your visit and discover London's main attractions with your private tour guide

3-hour London Private City Tour

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of London's fascinating history and must-see sites with your private ...

Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.

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Discover the many faces of London with a passionate local guide

From its rich history, beautiful streets, fantastic shopping and cultural richness, London has something for everyone. With so much to see and do, let some of the best local tour guides make sure you don’t miss out on the best London has to offer!

The original gratuity-based Free Tour of London  covers many of London’s top attractions including the Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. After you’ve got the overview with the gratuity-based free walking tour, delve deeper with us!

Discover one of the unmissable museums in London with the British Museum Tour which covers all the museum’s highlights.

Explore the  Old City  and see the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral and Tower Bridge. Don’t miss the chance to visit the East End with the Street Art Tour , which takes you to different parts of Shoreditch, including Brick Lane, to see street art and other gems away from the popular sites. If you’d like to discover the most enchanted side of London, the Harry Potter Tour shows you both famous and lesser know film locations. In the evening, join our  Grim Reaper Tour and retrace the steps the infamous Jack the Ripper.

If you want to escape the city for a day, why not try our  day trip to Oxford ? The tour to Oxford will take you through one of UK’s most beautiful cities.

And if you are looking for a party… join us for one of the best pub crawls in Central London.

Enjoy authentic local experiences

London is part of the SANDEMANs NEW Europe network, one of the largest walking tour companies in the world. Offering daily tours in English and Spanish, we believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of London's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style.

Aside from the gratuity-based Free Tour, in London you’ll also find unforgettable tours and experiences. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!

Tours & activities across Europe, Israel & USA

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Things to do in London

Ready to start exploring London? Check out these useful tips and don't miss any of the city's main attractions

The best accommodation in town

Finding the right place to stay can be tricky - that's why we have sorted you out with a list of our favourite hostels and hotels in London

The best places to eat in London

Don't fall into any tourist trap! Here's a list of the top places to eat in London recommended by locals

The greatest bars in the city

Discover our selection of popular spots among the locals to taste from traditional beer to delicious cocktails

The best shopping in London

Find everything you are looking for with this guide to the best shops, markets and shopping streets in London

The local expert guides we work with are proud to show you the best London has to offer!

Scroll through to learn more about these unforgettable guides, including where they’re from, why they love London and which tours they can offer you.

Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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• Royal London and Changing of the Guard Tour
• Fire, Pestilence and Plague Tour
• The Southbank Tour, Bankside Brothels and Beer
• Secrets of London Tour
• Secrets of of London Two, Revolution Rebellion and Religion Tour
• Private Tours

Free London Walking Tours

The only way to really see the amazing City of London is to walk it. Immerse yourself in this experience rich in history. See the places, learn about the people and discover more on one of our tours.

Royal London and Changing of the Guard

A fascinating walk around Royal London including the Changing of the Guard, taking in the splendour and glamour of our capital. See three royal palaces, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben on this fully guided tour.

10:30 Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

View details

Fire, Pestilence and Plague

For hundreds of years the City of London has been ‘plagued’ by disaster, from the sacking of the city by Queen Boudicca, to the bomb damage during the Blitz. Along the way you’ll encounter mass graveyards from the plague, execution sites and sinister stories. A tour not to be missed!

Wednesday and Sunday 2:30pm.

Experience the real history of London, the people’s history! Southwark has long been associated with debauchery, but has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. Join our expert guide on this unique tour of Bankside and discover its compelling history.

Saturday 2:30pm.

Soho and Covent Garden, the Wicked West End

See where the Beatles and the Rolling Stones performed and where theSoho and Covent Garden, the Wicked West End tour">View details »

Secrets of London

Experience a walking tour with a difference! On the secret hidden London tour you will hear the more unusual stories about London’s famous sights. Discover the secrets of our famous city that are hiding in plain view!

Thursday 2.30pm.

Secrets of London Two, Revolution Rebellion and Religion Tour

Our second Secrets of London tour starts and ends at Blackfriars station and will take in the most fascinating historical sites the City of London has to offer.

Friday at 14:30pm

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