London River Thames Historical Walking Tour

This wonderful walking tour along London's River Thames gets you up close with some of London's oldest sights (as well as some of its newest) with an expert historian guide!
From the 11th-Century Tower of London, we’ll take you across the iconic Tower Bridge and along the banks of the Thames, to step back in time and discover London’s forgotten history – from the ancient Romans to the modern day! Hear the secrets of this amazing place and of the river itself, as we pass sights both famous and obscure - from the 15th-Century Southwark Cathedral and 12th-Century Winchester Palace, the ancient Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Millennium Bridge, and the majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral to name but a few.

Be captivated by your guide's in-depth knowledge, marvel at the sights, and hear the stories of those who walked here centuries ago! Passing world-famous landmarks that only a few other tours visit, this unique walking tour is an unmissable experience for your next trip to London.

Meeting Point

Tower Hill

London EC3N 4DJ, UK

Meet your expert guide outside the western exit of Tower Hill tube station, near Trinity Square, The Citizen M Hotel, and the 'Tower Hill Tram' burger van. Your guide will be holding a flagpole with a Union Jack flag flying from it.

What's included:

• Expert Guide

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Tower of London

London, EC3N 4AB

Pass by the infamous Tower of London, and learn of its 900+ year history, from the time of William the Conqueror to the modern day! Originally built in 1078, The Tower is one of history's most infamous and notorious buildings, and has been the scene for countless historical events throughout its history.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP

Cross The Thames on the iconic Tower Bridge, and learn how it was built!

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

HMS Belfast

The Queen's Walk, London, SE1 2JH

See the famous WW2 battleship, that saw action in various conflicts and took part in the D-Day landings!

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

London Bridge

London, EC4R 9HA

Learn the history of London Bridge from its beginnings in the year 43AD, through medieval times and the 1212 Great Fire of Southwark, the English Civil War of the 1640s, and up to the modern day!

10 minutes

Borough Market

8 Southwark Street, , London, SE1 1TL

Pass the 900 year-old Borough Market, beneath early Victorian railway arches and through the oldest food market in the world.

10 minutes

Southwark Cathedral

1 London Bridge, Montague Close, London, SE1 9DA

Southwark Cathedral has stood exactly as you'll see it since 1420, although a site of worship has existed here since the year 606. Numerous historical figures now lie at rest inside the building, and the cathedral was used, in the 1550s, as a site for countless heresy trials by 'Bloody Mary' - the notorious daughter of Henry VIII.

10 minutes

Golden Hinde

Cathedral Street, St Mary Overie Dock, London, SE1 9DE

Standing at St. Mary Overie dock, learn of Sir Francis Drake's famous 1577 round-the-world voyage, and the controversies that surrounded it!

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Winchester Palace

Clink Street, London, SE1 9DG

See the ruins of the 12-century Winchester palace, originally one of medieval London's most important and spectacular buildings. It played host to various Kings and Queens in centuries gone, stood in the centre of the notorious 'Liberty of the Clink', and features the country's oldest prison!

10 minutes

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

21 New Globe Walk, , London, SE1 9DT

Painstakingly rebuilt after a cannon-related fire in 1613, the beautiful Shakespeare's Globe Theatre stands immediately by the banks of the Thames, directly opposite St. Paul's Cathedral, and is like stepping back in time to 16th-century London!

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Thames River

, , London

Learn of the 30-million-year history of the Thames, and of the horrors and unpleasantness that took place here between the 11th century and Victorian times!

10 minutes

Millennium Bridge

Thames Embankment, London, SE1 9JE

Cross The Thames once more on London's famous Millennium Bridge and marvel at fantastic views along the river on your way to St. Paul's!

10 minutes

St. Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD

The masterpiece of legendary British architect Sir Christopher Wren, St. Paul's cathedral is one of the most spectacular buildings in the world, and has stood majestically atop Ludgate Hill since the 1670s. It is an unrivalled display of 17th-century architecture, and, with a site of worship having stood here since the 7th century, countless historical events have taken place here and continue to do so!

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included