Historic London Pub Tour

Step back in time and discover the best pubs in London on this exciting and historic London pub tour. This London walking tour takes you on a journey through centuries-old taverns and hidden watering holes, where famous writers, politicians, and even royals once gathered. Unlike a standard London pub crawl, this historical pub tour of London blends storytelling and heritage with the atmosphere of authentic British pubs, offering the perfect balance of education and entertainment. Led by expert guides, this pub tour of London reveals fascinating tales of Britain’s drinking culture, from medieval alehouses to Victorian gin palaces, all while you enjoy classic pints and local favourites. Recognized as one of the best London walking tours, this historic London pub tour guarantees unforgettable memories, a taste of real London life, and a chance to raise a glass in some of London’s best pubs.

Tour Description

Step into centuries of British pub culture and discover the best pubs in London with this historic London pub tour.

This London walking tour will take you through the heart of Covent Garden with this London pub crawl including entry into four of the most historic and best pubs in London each with its own unique history and atmosphere. Each stop on your pub tour of London will allow you to soak in the history and heritage of centuries-old taverns and hidden watering holes whilst uncovering the fascinating stories, colourful characters, and hidden secrets of some of London’s most famous pubs.

This London historical pub tour is not a fast-paced London pub crawl. Our pub tour of London will give you plenty of time to enjoy a drink (or maybe two!) at each pub whilst your knowledgeable local tour guide regales you with tales of the pubs fascinating history. From ancient taverns with timbered walls through to the oldest licensed pub in London (it’s over 800 years old!), you’ll discover how these public houses shaped London’s history. And do keep an eye out - it is not unheard of for a celebrity or public figure to be spotted enjoying a drink in one of the pubs visited on our London historical pub tour.

This historic London pub tour is perfect for visitors who love history and want to explore traditional British pub culture with a good pint. Our knowledgeable pub tour guides will always be happy to provide drink recommendations and the history behind some of the best local beverages from ales, lagers, gins, stouts and more.

Don’t drink alcohol? No problem! This London historical pub tour is a great choice as all of the pubs visited on our pub tour of London cater to non-alcoholic drinks as well as soft drinks and water.

Your historic London pub tour isn’t just about the pubs and the drinks; it’s about experiencing the social heart of what makes London one of the worlds most loved cities. You’ll meet fellow travellers and locals alike, sharing stories and laughter in some of London’s most historical and atmospheric settings.

So join us on this memorable historic London pub tour and discover the history, charm, and spirit of the best London pubs whilst raising a glass to the timeless tradition of the British pub.

Do you have a Go City/London Pass?
Please book on our dedicated Go City/London Pass booking page instead!

Tour Highlights

⭐ Four historic London pubs each with unique history.

⭐ Guaranteed seats in the oldest licensed pub in London (800+ years old!)

⭐ Enjoy a friendly welcome at a traditional ‘spit and sawdust’ pub.

⭐ Discover the history of British pub culture.

⭐ Walk through the heart of Covent Garden.

⭐ Meet the locals and visit pubs that many tourists don’t know about!

⭐ Local drink recommendations from your knowledgeable London tour guide.

Tour Schedule

Days of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Start: 1.30pm
Departure Point: Embankment Station (Embankment Pier Exit)
Nearest Underground Station: Embankment

The Historic London Pub Tour will start at 1.30pm at Embankment Station (Embankment Pier Exit). On arrival please meet your tour guide holding the yellow umbrella.

Finish: 5pm approx.
End Point: Covent Garden
Nearest Underground Station: Holborn

The tour will finish at approximately 5pm in Covent Garden.

Tour Itinerary

Your Historic London Pub Tour will include stops at the following locations:

📍 4 historic London pubs

📍 800+ year old pub

📍 Pubs visited by the likes of Cromwell, Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Ian McKellan & more!

📍 The Strand

📍 Covent Garden Market

📍 Drury Lane

*Itinerary subject to change.

Tour Price

Adults (18+ years old) - £14 per person

Children (5 - 17 years old) - Tour not available to guests under 18 years old.

Infants (0 - 4 years old) - Tour not available to guests under 18 years old.

Go City/London Pass
This tour is also available with a Go City/London Pass. If you have purchased a Go City/London Pass please book on our Go City booking page instead.

Make it a private tour
This tour is also available as a private tour. Click here to book a private tour.

Important Information

WHAT IS INCLUDED

✅ Walking Tour
✅ Entrance to 4 historic London pubs
✅ Professional Tour Guide

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

❌ Food & Drink (own expense)
❌ Gratuities

ACCESSIBILITY

♿ This tour is not suitable for wheelchairs or those with walking difficulties.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

All guests on this tour must be aged 18+ years old. This tour cannot welcome any guests under the age of 18 even if that person is travelling with someone who is over that age. Identification may be requested and checked by our tour guides.

PLEASE NOTE:

All drinks are at own expense.
All tours are in English only.
The total distanced walked on this tour is approximately 3 miles.
Go City/London Pass? If you have purchased a Go City/London Pass then please make make your booking on our Go City/London Pass booking page instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All of our tours are required to be booked in advance. This is due to popularity and for planning purposes.
All guests must be aged 18+ years old on the date of the tour. We cannot accept any guests onto this tour under the age of 18 years old even if they are travelling with some over this age. Please note that identification may be requested and checked by our guides and/or pub staff.
All of your guests must be included in the same booking. Please do not make separate bookings. We often run multiple tours and each booking is allocated to a tour guide before you arrive for the tour. If you make separate bookings then it is highly likely your guests will be split up with different tour guides. Please note that once we have allocated a booking to a tour guide then it cannot be changed on the day.
No. Please note that all drinks are at own expense. All pubs visited on our pub tour of London will accept both card and cash.
Please note that due to time constraints food will only be available in the last pub where you will have a guaranteed table.
The tour will cover approximately 3 miles of walking. There is no transport on the tour.
The tour will visit 4 of the best pubs in London.
The pubs visited on the tour may vary from date to date. We cannot advise in advance which pubs the tour will visit on a specific date.
For policy reasons Groups or Travelling Parties of 9 or more people must contact us before booking the tour. Failure to contact us prior to booking will result in bookings being cancelled and/or being turned away at the start of the tour without refund.

Tour Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was so much fun. Lyndon was informative and very entertaining! It was great to be shown historic spots we wouldn’t have found on our own as tourists. (Tripadvisor, 2025)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Our guide, Eric, was outstanding—knowledgeable, engaging, and full of fascinating stories that brought each pub's history to life. (Tripadvisor, 2025)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rachel was the best guide we had such a great experience. Such insightful info about pubs history and the drinks at each stop. (Viator, 2025)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very fun, off the usual tourist path activity. You get taken to 4 different pubs each with their unique characteristics and drinks and historical relevance.
(Get Your Guide, 2025)

Book a Tour

Book your Changing of the Guard Tour in just 4 easy steps!

1) Select your date from the calendar

2) Select number of people

3) Accept the terms and conditions

4) Complete booking

It’s that easy!

What is the Waitlist? If you see ‘Join Waitlist’ on the calendar then the tour is sold out on that date. Join the waitlist for free and we will contact you by email if spots become available to book.