Britain · HISTORICAL TOURS
The 15 best historical tours you can book right now, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Walk London’s historic pubs and gin palace on a 3.5-hour route from St Paul’s to the West End, with at least four classic stops.
“Ricky and Diggity were great guides. Very informative and engaging. Good craic. Discover loads of new beers and pubs that we would not have otherwise. Made our trip to central London very enjoyable.”
1-year Portsmouth Historic Dockyard pass from $62, with Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, submarines, and a harbour cruise.
“The Victory tour was excellent. It was great to go at our own pace with the informative audio guide which brought everything to life. The Mary Rose was equally absorbing and all the exhibits were brilliantly presented. The 4D film at the end was a bonus! The staff were friendly and enthusiastic and we had a really memorable visit. We shall be returning to explore much more of this inspiring Dockyard before our tickets expire. Thank you for such an enjoyable day!”
Walk York with a costumed witch guide, mixing real witch trial stories and key sights like York Minster on a 75-minute route.
“Magnificent Merlot was amazing! He made the tour incredibly fun and engaging. Would definitely recommend this tour.”
A 2.5-hour Soho pub walk with four historic stops, music legend sightings, and a guide who turns alleyways into stories.
“The tour itself was really good, but what made it truly awesome was the tour guide, Henry. He was incredibly friendly, funny, informative, and rock n roll in every sense of the word.”
3.5-hour Rock 'n' Roll History Tour by air-conditioned bus, hitting Chelsea, Kensington, Notting Hill and Abbey Road with a pro guide.
“The tour was just fantastic and along with the great sights and stories, it also served as a wonderful immersion into neighborhoods such as Chelsea, Kensington and Notting Hill, which I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.”
London’s royal pubs on foot: 4 hidden stops for British beer, Churchill tales, and secret alleys near Buckingham Palace. 2.5 hours.
“This tour was fantastic, and our guide AL was an absolute delight, what a character! Way more than just a Pub tour, so much history and other fun storys. The group was small enough to get comfortable with everybody, and again, AL ist the man...totally worth it. 5/5”
A theatrical Liverpool Haunted History tour on Hope Street with ghost stories, two cathedrals, Lennon links, and a cemetery of 58,000.
“Fun way to spend an hour and half in Liverpool and learn some history on the way. Would rate the guides very highly - their theatirical presentation was well thought out with little extras to engage the group They quickly built a good rapport with us and broke down reservations of what to expect. The guides worked well as a team - and responded to the public passing by well. I absolutely loved these two guys - and would willimg go on any other tour with them Give them a try -.I dare ypu!”
2.5-hour Jack the Ripper tour through Whitechapel with historic pub stops, The Ten Bells and Spitalfields Market, from $40.
“Jude, our tour guide was amazing!! He was very knowledgeable and seemed to enjoy history. Thanks again Jude!”
Walk 6,000 years of York with a lively guide, climb medieval walls, bust myths, and finish by All Saints’ Pavement.
“I went there with my son for his 25th birthday. He's into Viking and Roman history. The guide was damm amazing. His knowledge about York was second to none. He explained the history and myths of Viking and Roman history, with understanding and humor. It was a memorable day and we will definitely be back to York again.”
A 90-minute York ghost walk mixing humour with execution and plague stories, led by lively guides near the Guy Fawkes Inn.
“Me and my partner absolutely loved it. The history and the ghost stories were amazing and made me jump a few times! The lady (sorry can’t remember her name) was superb in retelling the history and the ghosts of York.”
An hour walking Derry's 400-year-old walls, from St Columb's Cathedral to Bogside murals, with clear stories of the Siege and Bloody Sunday.
“The tour was excellent. Fantastic information delivered in an engaging way. Highly recommended.”
Walk the Old Course in St Andrews, learn golf origins and Open history, snap pics on Swilkan Bridge, finish at Jigger Inn.
“It was really good. our guide had a great sense of humour. My husband loved it as he is an avid golf fan. Would highly recommend it.”
Medieval London by Thames: Tower of London to St Paul's. Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, Globe and more in a 2-hour walk.
“2 hours of interesting facts, sights and facts about medieval London We loved it and thanks for the great tour!”
Meet a costumed witch guide for a 75-minute Bankside walk through witch trials, Southwark sights, and The Clink prison.
“we had Beatrix in our tour and she was so engaging! the tour provided a very interesting history of witchcraft and persecution within London! Would recommend!”
Walk Call the Midwife filming locations with a costumed guide at Chatham Historic Dockyard, then explore ships and exhibits all day.
“Excellent tour guide , very knowledgeable, we were shown many of the film set areas. Thank you”
Every kind of day out, from stone circles to stadium tunnels.
