Top London Historical Tours

With its colossal collection of more than 2,300 masterpieces, visiting London’s National Gallery can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Ensure you see the best of the gallery’s magnificent works on this 2 to 2.5-hour guided tour, led by an art enthusiast. Admire iconic pieces by legends such as Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Rembrandt, and appreciate minor details invisible to the untrained eye. This small-group tour is limited to eight people to maintain an intimate atmosphere.

Get to know London in one day on this sight-packed, full-day tour with a guide. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, see top London attractions such as Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and enjoy fast-track entry and a guided tour of St. Paul's Cathedral. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and then visit the Tower of London. Break for a pub lunch, and receive a ticket for a Thames River sightseeing cruise to use after your tour or another day. For a bird's-eye view of the city, upgrade to include a ticket for the London Eye in the evening.

Visit some of the top attractions outside of London on this day trip to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the historic town of Bath. Start at Windsor Castle, home to the British royal family, for a tour of the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel, and then continue west of London to Salisbury, home of the mysterious Stonehenge rock formations. Finally, arrive in Bath, known for its elegant Georgian architecture and Roman baths. All admission tickets are included in the tour price. Please note: Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Get acquainted with two iconic London monuments on a half-day tour of Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. While gaining fascinating insight into the royal history of Great Britain, absorb the Gothic grandeur of Westminster Abbey’s interior and head inside the Houses of Parliament—home to the renowned Big Ben—to see highlights like the House of Commons and Lord’s Chamber. From your guide, learn about the United Kingdom’s political system and major historic events while touring the prominent landmarks.

No visit to England would be complete without experiencing quintessential traditions such as the Changing of the Guard. See British culture come to life from select prime vantage points. In a small group limited to 20, observe the Queen’s iconic foot guards, clad in red tunics and bearskin hats, and watch the household cavalry put on an impressive display. Follow history-rich guide commentary with ease using a headset.

Avoid the hassle of renting a car to see rural England’s highlights with help from this full-day tour which includes round-trip transport from London. Choose from two options to find what best suits your preferences, and travel by air-conditioned coach bus with onboard Wi-Fi. You can either combine a visit to Stonehenge with a pub lunch in Lacock and a walking tour of Windsor, or opt to visit both Windsor Castle and Stonehenge with a break for a traditional English pub lunch. Both options also pass by the city of Bath, hometown of Jane Austen.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of World War II on an enriching and emotionally stirring tour of London Westminster with a knowledgeable guide. Descend to the subterranean Churchill War Rooms, an underground network of bunkers that functioned as wartime offices, and enrich your knowledge of British history with commentary that covers little known facts. As you explore, see iconic London sights like the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and delve into the life and work of former British prime minister, Winston Churchill.

Discover London’s royal history and sights on a London tour by foot and boat. Start with an early access visit to the Tower of London to see the opening ceremony and Crown Jewels without the usual daytime crowds. Then, take to the water on a half-hour River Thames sightseeing cruise. Stroll to Horse Guard’s Parade or Buckingham Palace to see the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony, and learn all about the British Royal Family from a knowledgeable local guide.

Limited time in London doesn’t have to mean a limited view of the capital. Soak up the key sights in just one action-packed day on this guided small-group tour. Explore Westminster Abbey and watch the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. Then cruise the Thames River to Tower Bridge and explore its inner workings before delving into British history at the Tower of London.

Discover two gems of southern England on this full-day coach trip to Stonehenge and Bath from London. Travel to Stonehenge, a prehistoric stone monument that rises imperiously from Salisbury Plain. Gaze at the gigantic stones, learn how the monument was used, and then continue to the UNESCO-listed city of Bath to discover this gorgeous 18th-century city independently. Choose to stroll the elegant Georgian streets and see top Bath attractions such as the Royal Crescent as you wish; or upgrade to visit the stunning Roman Baths or Jane Austen Visitor Centre.

Experience London’s traditional drinking scene on this afternoon pub crawl. Accompany your guide on a fun and educational tour in and around the city, where you’ll visit at least four historic pubs and taste different brews (own expense). Pop into centuries-old ale houses, see literary haunts favored by writers like Charles Dickens, and learn about local drinking culture through the ages.

London’s British Museum is home to a staggering collection of 8 million items, some dating as far back as the prehistoric age. Make sure you see the best of this British Museum by taking this private 2 to 2.5-hour tour of the cultural institution. Alongside an engaging tour guide, you’ll visit a curated section of cultural and artistic works that represent the diversity of the museum’s collection: see samurai armor, the Rosetta Stone and 2 million year-old tools. This private tour gives you the chance to customize your itinerary according to your interests.  

Take a day out of your London city break to visit Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Warwick Castle, traveling to three of England’s most-popular locations. Begin with a tour of Warwick Castle before heading to Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare's birthplace. Then explore Oxford and its university buildings, and drive through the Cotsworlds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Delve into London’s legendary rock music history on this morning, afternoon or full-day tour. Hop aboard your coach and check off the English capital’s top rock ‘n’ roll landmarks, from ‘Tin Pan Alley,’ where the Rolling Stones cut their first record, to the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing. This small-group tour is limited to just 16 participants, ensuring a more intimate experience with personalized attention from the guide.

Discover some of southern England’s most visited spots on this day trip from London. Delve into the history of the British Royal Family on an audio guided tour of Windsor Castle, one of Queen Elizabeth II’s official residences. Unearth Neolithic secrets at Stonehenge, the UNESCO-listed stone circle that dates back thousands of years. Then explore Christchurch College, the Bodleian Library, and other renowned university buildings during a guided Oxford city tour.

Immerse yourself in the spellbinding world of Harry Potter™ on this trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Travel to the fabled Harry Potter studios by air-conditioned coach from central London, and on arrival, trace the footsteps of Hogwarts’ student wizards at leisure. Behold original sets such as Platform 9 ¾ and Diagon Alley; see the Hogwarts Express steam train; ride a broomstick like the cast; and uncover the behind-the-scenes secrets of the movies’ on-screen wizardry. This Harry Potter studio London tour includes round-trip coach transport and entrance tickets.

Immerse yourself in the magic and mystery of Harry Potter™ with a ful-day behind-the-scenes experience at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - the Making of Harry Potter. Enjoy round-trip transportation by superior coach from London Victoria, and spend roughly four hours exploring the spellbinding film sets independently. See the Gothic grandeur of the Ministry of Magic, walk Diagon Alley, snap photos at iconic locations such as Platform 9 ¾ and the Hogwarts Express, and admire intricate costumes and props used in the movies.

Discover three of southern England’s top sights on this full-day coach trip from London to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral, and Dover. Pass the maritime historical buildings of Greenwich on your way to scenic Kent, a county known as the ‘Garden of England.’ Take a private look around stunning Leeds Castle before the crowds arrive, and enjoy a privileged tour of UNESCO-listed Canterbury Cathedral. End your day with views of Dover Castle and the famous White Cliffs of Dover.

The Warner Bros studio might be the top ticket for Harry Potter lovers visiting London, but the city has so many magical movie locations for fans to explore. Join a group of fellow muggles for a walking tour and see the real-life locations that inspired sets such as Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Ministry of Magic.

Have exclusive access to one of London’s most popular and in-demand landmarks, and bypass the crowds, on this VIP tour of the Tower of London. Begin the tour with early, skip-the-line access, and see the tower’s storied opening ceremony. With just a small group for company, you’ll explore the landmark’s highlights. You’ll also be among the first visitors to enter the Tower of London’s world-famous Jewel House, where the glittering Crown Jewels await.

Delve into London’s rich musical history on a magical mystery tour of the capital’s rock ‘n’ roll sites. With a knowledgeable guide, tour the vibrant city in a luxury minivan and visit renowned clubs, famous hotels, and record labels associated with rock ‘n’ roll legends like The Beatles, Jimmy Page, and Bill Wyman. Receive personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to only 16 people.

Visit some of London's most iconic landmarks on this full-day tour, including a Thames River cruise and a ride on the famous London Eye. Take a tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral and admire panoramic views of the capital from your air-conditioned coach. There’s a chance to get a taste of Royal London too, as you tour the notorious Tower of London, view the Crown Jewels and watch the traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

This is a great choice for travelers interested in exploring the highlights of London’s Westminster area in half a day. Save hours of research time and join a guide for a thorough discovery tour that covers some of London’s most notable buildings. See Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, and more. No need to wait in long ticket lines as entry to Westminster Abbey is included.

Dare to discover the legend of London’s notorious Jack the Ripper on a tour like no other! Using state-of-the-art RIPPER-VISION™, innovative hand-held projectors help to recreate the atmosphere of Victorian London using spooky images, film clips and moving images. Follow your guide on a walking tour to explore the dimly lit backstreets of Whitechapel and hear the harrowing tales and conspiracy theories of London’s most notorious serial killer.

Learn about London’s darkest tales on a haunted London bus and walking tour. Experience the grisly histories of execution, rebellion, madness, and murder that shadow this ancient city. Discover the stories and sites of Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, and the Cock Lane Ghost. Visit the medieval Smithfield Market and the monument of Sir Willam Wallace, then finish in Trafalgar Square where you can purchase a tasty pub dinner and drink.