The Gherkin Tours
1 Review

Affectionately nicknamed “The Gherkin” for its unusual shape, the dazzling glass-fronted skyscraper at 30 St. Mary Axe is among London's most distinctive landmarks, looming 590 feet (180 meters) over the City of London financial district.
The Basics
The Gherkin is not typically open to the public, although the top floor hosts a private member’s club and there are a number of bars and restaurants in the piazza at the base of the building.
Enjoy impressive views of The Gherkin during a London Thames River evening cruise or a ride on the London Eye; see the landmark up close on a walking tour of historic London; or combine a visit with nearby London attractions like London Bridge, The Monument, the Tower of London, or St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There’s no regular public access to the inside of The Gherkin.
- Most of the bars and restaurants in the building are wheelchair-accessible.
How to Get There
Located in the City of London financial district, The Gherkin is within walking distance of the Tower of London, the Monument, and Old Spitalfields Market. The closest tube stations are Aldgate on the Circle and Metropolitan lines, and Liverpool Street Station on the Central, Hammersmith & City, Circle, and Metropolitan lines.
When to Get There
The striking landmark looks even more dramatic at night, when its shimmering facade is illuminated.
The Gherkin: An Architectural Marvel
Largely regarded as a masterpiece of contemporary architecture, The Gherkin’s award-winning design was the work of Norman Foster, whose company also renovated buildings such as the Reichstag in Berlin, London City Hall, and Wembley Stadium. While best known for its resemblance to—you guessed it—a gigantic gherkin, the eye-catching design also includes energy-conserving features such as spiraling light wells and ventilation shafts. Today, the famous office building houses companies such as Swiss Re and Sky News.
Address: 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8EP, England
15 Tours and Activities to Experience The Gherkin
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Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise with Optional London Eye
Discover the grandeur of London aboard the open-top, double-decker Big Bus on this hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour. With your 1-, 2-, or 3-day ticket, design a personal itinerary with stops including Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral and more. Enjoy unobstructed views and onboard commentary as you view the city’s highlights and upgrade to The Big London Day Out option to get an aerial view of the city aboard the London Eye giant observation wheel. Hop off to enjoy a Thames River cruise, currently operating Friday to Sunday only.
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From
$48.45
From
$48.45
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

High-Speed Thames River RIB Cruise in London
Let your adrenaline levels go through the roof during a white-knuckle ride on the Thames River. Climb aboard a modern RIB (rigid-inflatable-boat) and satisfy an appetite for adventure as you soar past iconic landmarks like Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the London Eye. Enrich your knowledge of English history as you listen to illuminating onboard commentary, and experience the exhilaration of super-fast speeds up to 35 miles (56 km). Enjoy an intimate atmosphere on this small-group tour, limited to 12 people.
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From
$55.15
From
$55.15
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use

Thames Rockets Sunset London Speedboat Experience
Nights are made for chilling and chatting, and Thames Rockets renowned guides love nothing more than showing you the river when all the other boats have disappeared, and with just the winding Thames and London’s romantic sights between you and the sunset, you’ll feel like the most important people in town. With only the very best hand-picked guides at your service, you’ll soon be giggling past the Gherkin and tittering by the Tower.
As Tower Bridge cruises into view hold on tight as your expert skipper opens the throttles and rockets you down the river! Find out why they're famous for their speedboat experiences as you twist and turn through Canary Wharf and listen to a medley of all the latest hits!
This high speed ride is sure to take your breath away, so once back to Tower Bridge you'll receive a seasonal drink to calm your nerves and bobble back to the London Eye feeling fired up.
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From
$62.05
From
$62.05
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use

East tour of London by the traditional Electric Black Taxi (Electocab Ltd)
IN THIS PARTICULAR TOUR WE BEGIN BY VISITING “STRAND” AND ITS JEWEL '‘THE SAVOY”. THROUGH ALDWYCH WE DISCOVER “THE ROYAL COURTS OF JUSTICE” AND LUDGATE CIRCUS BEFORE THE EXQUISITENESS OF “ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL” CAPTURES OUR ATTENTION. ON THE WAY TO TOWER BRIDGE WE OBSERVE THE GHERKIN AND THE INFAMOUS TEN BELLS PUBS WHERE JACK THE RIPPER FOLLOWED TO EXECUTE HIS VICTIMS. THEN WE DISCOVER THE ASTONISHING TOWER OF LONDON, WHERE THE METICULOUS CROWN JEWELS IS KEPT. TRAVELLING ALONGSIDE THE NORTHBANK WILL PROVIDE US WITH A FASCINATING VIEW OVER SOUTHBANK BEFORE REACHING TRAFALGAR SQ. THROUGH NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE. IN THIS TOUR YOU WILL ALSO DISCOVER THE AREAS SUCH AS BRICK LANE, SHOREDITCH, OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET AND MUCH MORE.
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From
$226.92
per group
From
$226.92
per group

Thames Rockets Private London Speedboat Experience
Thames Rockets are committed to ensuring social distancing becomes the new norm, so they've got the perfect ‘pick me up’ balancing safety and enjoyment in equal measure.
Bring your nearest and dearest, friends, housemates, pals or family out for a truly unique London adventure for truly unique times! Come together this summer on board your very own exclusive charter experience just for you and your guests all for a very special price. You will have the speedboat all to yourselves as they whisk you out for a breathtaking blast of fresh air fun!
Their comedian guides will be ready to ensure you make the most of every second. Feel the wind on your face and the sun on your skin as you soak up every second cruising through central London once more.
Your guide will be your very own fountain of knowledge, keeping the banter flowing and offering teasers, facts and tales along the way. This will be accompanied with a brand new trademark soundtrack celebrating this great reunion.
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From
$655.68
per group
From
$655.68
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use

Discover The City Of London
The part of London known as The City is filled with history. Dive into The City's past and present with this private and customized tour. On a walking tour specially tailored to your interests, you'll see such landmarks as Leadenhall Market, an ornate, covered Victorian Market (which inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley); The Gherkin skyscraper, and and postmodern architectural wonders such as No 1 Poultry.
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From
$70.91
Price varies by group size
From
$70.91
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Jack The Ripper - The wickedest man in the world
Get a close-up look at the area of London where the notorious Jack the Ripper committed his crimes in the late 1800s. On this walking tour you’ll be shown to the back alleys, narrow streets, and buildings associated with the murderous Jack, places that would be hard to identify without the help of a local guide. You’ll hear stories about his crimes and his victims, and learn about the history of London at the same time.
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From
$72.62
From
$72.62
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

The London Eye with London Hop-on Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise
See London from the streets, water, and sky with this great-value package that lets you explore London at your own pace. Easily reach top sights without spending a fortune on cab fare with a hop-on hop-off bus ticket valid for 1, 2, or 3 days. You’ll also get an aerial view of the city aboard the London Eye giant observation wheel and glide past Parliament and Big Ben on a Thames River cruise (Fri-Sun only).
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From
$67.91
From
$67.91
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Madame Tussauds London with Hop-on Hop-off Tour and River Cruise
Explore London your way with a popular hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus that takes you directly to dozens of top attractions like Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and Downing Street. Take in views from atop the double-decker bus and ride as often as you like with a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour ticket. This combo tour also includes admission to the legendary Madame Tussauds wax museum, where you can pose for selfies with models of your favorite celebs including Benedict Cumberbatch, Kim Kardashian, and the royal family.
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From
$99.59
From
$99.59
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

SEA LIFE London Aquarium with Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise
Perfect for first-time visitors to London, this multi-part package includes many of the city’s key sightseeing experiences. Begin with a hop-on hop-off bus tour: with your 24-, 48-, or 72-hour passes, you can catch it where and when you wish. You’ll also enjoy entry to the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, will see London from the water’s edge on a Thames river cruise, and can join a free walking tour.
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From
$87.52
From
$87.52
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

The London Dungeon with London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise
Enjoy a fun-filled, stress-free, and cost-effective way to explore London when you book this four-in-one package. Choose between 24-, 48-, and 72- hour passes to a hop-on hop-off bus, and you can look forward to seeing top sights like the Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Then, enjoy the many rides and frights at the London Dungeon, plus a Thames river cruise and free walking tour.
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From
$87.52
From
$87.52
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Discover London with Telegraph Journalist Sophie Campbell
Travel around London's center with a local journalist; a perfect guide to teach you about the history and current events of the town. This private tour ticks all the top landmarks off your list and provides personalized attention for you and your party. You can move at your own pace and ask plenty of questions of your knowledgable journalist guide.
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From
$425.46
per group
From
$425.46
per group

London Eye Fast-Track Ticket with Hop-On Hop-Off Tour and River Cruise
Have only a short stay in London? See the best of the city—and enjoy a variety of sightseeing experiences—with this convenient package. Begin with a hop-on hop-off bus tour: pick from 24-, 48-, or 72-hour passes, and cruise around town at your own pace. Then, head to the London Eye, where you’ll enjoy fast-track entry and sky-high views. This package also includes a river cruise which currently operates Friday to Sunday.
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From
$104.22
From
$104.22
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

2000 years of London Walking Tour
Seeing 2000 years of London's history within a 90 minute walk around the old City of London is a breathtaking experience.
On this tour we not only show you some of our more famous sites, but also many of the secret locations which showcase London's medieval, roman and modern history.
Your expert guide will navigate you from remains of the roman and medieval wall, through to the 900 year old fortress of the Tower of London and onto a 17th century plague cemetery and to the hidden remains of the original stone London Bridge.
As we move towards the end of the tour, prepare to be amazed by the juxtaposition of ancient and modern in the heart of the financial district. High rise buildings jostle for position with old churches, pubs and market places.
Certainly a tour which requires an expert guide in order to navigate you through the alleyways and courtyards, and to reveal the secret and profound history around each corner.
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From
$22.09
From
$22.09

Alleyways and Courtyards of London
This is an amazing and completely unique tour where you'll be encouraged to notice the small details hidden along the alleyways and courtyards of the ancient city of London.
Your expert guide will take you to some of the more atmospheric locations in London, where you'll discover old pubs and even older churches, market places and medieval and even roman remains.
We don't want to reveal all the secrets to be found on this walk, but just as a taster, you'll find the location of the first coffee house in London, the remains of the medieval London Bridge, a piece of Victorian street art and the shell of a church destroyed during the Blitz.
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From
$22.09
From
$22.09
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