Best Walking Tours of London [Themed and sightseeing options]
There are so many walking tours of London available that the choice can be overwhelming. In this article, we compare the best themed and sightseeing walking tours to help you choose the right one for you.
Undoubtedly of the best ways to explore London is on foot and what better way to do that than to take a walking tour of London. However there are so many to choose from that it can be overwhelming picking the right tour to match your interests, budget and timescales.
In this post you will find a comparison of different London walking tours to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
I have divided the post into 2 sections:
- The best SIGHTSEEING London walking tours
- The best THEMED London walking tours
Tip – If you are visiting London in winter do check out the availability of your chosen tour as they run less frequently during the colder months. On the flip side also remember if you are visiting during peak season to book your tour in advance to avoid disappointment!
Remember that themed tours will be focussed on places connected with the theme rather than the main tourist highlights of the city (although you may see some of London’s main sights, landmarks and attractions too)
If you are a first time visitor to London I highly recommend highlights of London tour as the perfect option to get your bearings and become acquainted with the city.
Always wear comfortable shoes and check the weather forecast before your London walking tour to ensure you are fully prepared.


Best sightseeing walking tours of London
If you would prefer to take a walking sightseeing tour of London England and see the main highlights of the city in a few hours this is the selection for you.
I have curated these best London tours from a couple of tour companies including Get Your Guide and Take Walks.
Get Your Guide is a tour aggregator and offers a comprehensive range of tours in London.
Most tour bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours before (just double-check the terms and conditions when you book), you can pay in your own currency so there are no exchange fees and tickets can be downloaded onto your phone so no need to worry about keeping bits of paper safe.
I love taking tours – whether it is a themed walking tour or a sightseeing walking tour. With Get Your Guide, you know exactly what the cost is so no unexpected surprises.
Take Walks offer a number of small and exclusive tours in London. Their groups generally number 12 -15 and offer memorable experiences with well-planned itineraries.
NAME OF TOUR | LENGTH OF TOUR | HIGHLIGHTS OF TOUR | BOOK HERE |
---|---|---|---|
London's Top Sights: Walking Tour with Fun Local Guide | 4 - 5 hours | 20 of the major sights of London are included in this walking tour | BOOK HERE |
London: Old City Walking Tour | 3 hours | Millennium Bridge, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral and more | BOOK HERE |
London: Changing of the Guard Walking Tour | 1.5 hours | Your expert guide will take you to the best viewing point so you don't miss a thing and take the best photographs - find out about the history behind the ceremony | BOOK HERE |
Walking Westminster: Big Ben & Houses of Parliament | 1 hour | Get the best views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from special vantage points. | BOOK HERE |
Private 90-Minute London Kick-Start Tour with a Local | 1.5 hours | Private tour with a local - find out insider tips as you visit London's must-see spots | BOOK HERE |
London: Top 20 Sights Walking Tour and Clink Prison Entry | 6 hours | See 20 of the major London sights plus visit the Clink - the UK's oldest prison! | BOOK HERE |
Westminster to Tower Bridge Customized Tour with a Local | 4 hours | Private personalised tour - see the sights and get an authentic insight into local life | BOOK HERE |
London: Top 20 Sights Walking Tour and The Shard Entry | 2 hours | Includes a skip the line ticket to the Shard | BOOK HERE |
15 themed walking tours of London
In this section discover the best themed walking tours of London including those based around popular TV shows such as The Crown and Killing Eve.
The grid provides an overview of the different London walking tours available and key important details. More information on each tour can be found in the article below.
NAME OF TOUR | LENGTH OF TOUR | HIGHLIGHTS OF TOUR | BOOK HERE |
---|---|---|---|
Magical London - Harry Potter Guided Tour | 2.5 hours | Platform 9 3/4 Diagon Alley The Leaky Cauldron | BOOK HERE |
Mary Poppins Walking Tour | 2 hours | St Paul's Cathedral, Bank of England | BOOK HERE |
Charles Dickens Walking Tour | 3 hours | Borough Market, Dickens House Museum | BOOK HERE |
Killing Eve Walking Tour | 3 hours | 10 filming locations including London Bridge and Southwark | BOOK HERE |
The Crown Walking Tour | 2.5 hours | Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, Buckingham Palace and more | BOOK HERE |
Shakespeare in London Tour | 3 hours | The Globe Theatre, Clink Prison and Southwark Cathedral | BOOK HERE |
Notting Hill Rom-Com Tour | 1 hour 40 mins | Portobello Market | BOOK HERE |
Movie Hot Spots Tour | 2 hours | James Bond, Harry Potter, Brigid Jones and more locations | BOOK HERE |
Doctor Who Tour | 2.5 hours | London streets featured in the legendary TV series Doctor Who | BOOK HERE |
Paddington Bear (TM) Walking Tour | 2.5 hours | Visit London landmarks from 2 films and 20 books | BOOK HERE |
Sherlock Holmes Tour | 2 hours | Visit locations from the book, TV series and films | BOOK HERE |
Bridget Jones Tour | 2.5 hours | Visit locations seen in all 3 movies. | BOOK HERE |
James Bond Walking Tour | 2 hours | Visit locations used in "Skyfall", "SPECTRE" and other Bond movies | BOOK HERE |
Jack the Ripper | 2 hours | Visit Whitechapel and walk in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper | BOOK HERE |
Grim Reaper Tour | 2 hours | Tower of London, Plague Pits, the East End | BOOK HERE |
Plan your visit to London
For further practical tips and advice to help plan your London visit and itinerary –
- London Travel Guide – my step-by-step guide to planning your London visit and a great place to start!
- Planning to visit London’s popular sights? Read my guide on how to book London Attraction tickets
- Visiting London for the first time? Read my essential travel tips for London.
- How to plan your London itinerary – What to do and see in London (including the top 23 sights, landmarks and attractions plus a bucket list guide that includes London’s hidden gems.
- Budget London Guide – How to plan your London trip without breaking the bank.
- 31 free things to do in London
- London accommodation guide – How to choose the right area and accommodation for your stay.
- Guide to London Eye – best ticket options
- Tower of London – Guide to visiting one of London’s most popular attractions