We offer several fully guided walking tours in London; they run on a regular set schedule, which means you might not always be able to join us.
That's why I've compiled this list of free self-guided London walks, including food and theme tours, such as Harry Potter film locations.
These self-guided walks were written by me, Margaret, manager of Tours a London and a London guide for over 12 years!
I've broken up these tours into the following categories.
- Neighbourhood
- Themed Tours
- Food Tours
- Bus Tours
- GPS-Guided Audio Tours
- Other Free Things to Do in London
And if you are considering a London hop-on-hop-off bus tour, then these self-guided tours will come in handy when you are off the bus.
Read my review of the best London bus tours.
Self-Guided Neighbourhood Walking Tours
Though I love showing guests around London, I realise that not everyone has the time to take a guided walking tour.
If our tour schedule doesn't work for you, or if you would rather explore on your own, then take advantage of our totally free self-guided tours!
The free tours we offer below cover:
- City of London
- Royal London
- Camden
- Piccadilly & St James
- River Thames
- Greenwich
- Hyde Park
- Kensington
Self-Guided City of London Tour
In London, we have a city within a city: The City of London.
Covering just one square mile, this is one of the oldest and most interesting parts of our capital!
On this tour, you will find big London sights like St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.
However, you'll also find some hidden gems that I've chosen because they tend to be favourites with the guests on my tours (like Hodge!).
I think this tour really encapsulates the spirit of London.
I will walk you through the oldest parts of our city, but you will also see some of the newest (and most controversial) buildings in the UK - like The Shard.
The walk will take you through 2,000 years of history, from Roman London straight through to the Blitz of WWII and even touches on what the future might have in store for us!
Sites Covered: St. Clement Danes, Fleet Street, Royal Courts of Justice, Temple Bar, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, St Bride's, Bank of England, Royal Exchange, the Monument, London Bridge, the Shard, Tower Bridge, Tower of London
Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours
Difficulty Level: This tour covers a fair amount of distance and will see you walking up two hills.
There are only a handful of opportunities to sit down so I would describe this as Moderate.
My Top Tip: Take time to enjoy a pint - or a bite - at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.
It's one of the oldest and best-known pubs in the city and is one of my favourites.
You can even watch a condensed virtual version of this tour right now that my colleague Sinead made.
Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone
I also have a GPS-enabled audio tour version (sample below) and a live guided tour option.
Royal London Self-Guided Walking Tour
In my opinion, this is THE London Tour!
I've included all the major sights you would expect like Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben but with additional stories and anecdotes you won't find in your guide books.
I specialised in the history of the British Monarchy at University, so if you are a royal lover then this is the tour you'll want to take!
I wanted to include tales of stories and scandals dating back centuries as I introduce you to some of the most important people who have shaped our city today.
I'll also take you to the centre of our UK government to visit politicians and prime ministers as you see the locations where the country is governed.
And, I include some beautiful landscapes along the way.
Sites Covered: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Clarence House, St. James's Palace, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square, St. James's Park, Horseguard's Parade, Downing Street, Churchill War Rooms, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben
Duration: Around 2 hours, if you don't include the ceremony.
Difficulty Level: This is a casual stroll, so you can really take your time and you won't be covering too much ground.
Although there are not many opportunities to sit - you can take a break in St. James's Park or Trafalgar Square should you choose.
I would describe this as Easy.
My Top Tip: Try to plan to start your tour around 10:00am, as that will get you onto the Mall just in time for the Changing of the Guard ceremony!
I love to take my guests there on our Royal Westminster Tour so if you see me - say hello 🙂
Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone.
I also offer a live-guided Royal London Tour option as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version.
Camden Town
Camden Town's history is linked with the history and evolution of music in London.
Various venues in this eclectic area have played host to greats like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Amy Winehouse, and The Sex Pistols (just to name a few).
So on this tour, I've tried to include a number of these iconic music venues toggle you a real feel of the spirit of this London neighbourhood.
However, as a historian, I always want to include some classical stories and architecture.
I've also included the home of George Orwell, the historic Camden Market, and the stunning Regent's Canal.
I wanted to put some street art into the tour as well but the street art in London is ephemeral.
So, the art that I saw when I wrote this tour may now have been replaced by something different.
If it was changed for better or for worse, however, is up to you!
Sites Covered: Electric Ballroom, Arlington House (George Orwell home), Camden Lock, Regent's Canal, Camden Market, Primrose Hill
Duration: 2 Hours
Difficulty Level: The optional walk up Primrose Hill is a difficult one as it's quite steep.
Aside from that, this tour does cover a lot of ground and, again, there are not too many places to sit.
Be aware that parts of the Market have cobbled stones. I would describe this one as Moderate.
My Top Tip: Take this tour in the later half of the week, and late in the afternoon so you can finish off at a pub and enjoy some live music!
I like The Dublin Castle and The Blues Kitchen.
Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone.
Piccadilly and St. James Walking Tour
London's West End is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
In this walk, I wanted to include some tourist hot spots like Leicester Square, where Londoners never actually go but where visitors might like to visit to tick it off their list.
But I also wanted to include some off-the-beaten-track locations like St. James's Square/Church and the beautiful Piccadilly Arcade.
I finished the tour in Berkeley Square, as I feel like there is something there for every one: the most haunted house in the city, the birthplace of the late Queen, the home of our first Prime Minister and a clandestine meeting location from the book/tv series Good Omens (one of my favourites!).
I like to have a coffee and relax in the square at the end of the tour - I'd suggest you do the same.
Sites Covered: Leicester Square, Swiss Court, M&M's World, Piccadilly Circus, St. James's Square, St James's Church, Fortnum & Mason, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly Arcade, The Ritz, Berkeley Square
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Difficulty Level: This walk doesn't cover too much ground and there are many opportunities to stop and sit. I would say this is an Easy one.
My Top Tip: Go inside Fortnum & Mason! This is one of my favourite stores in all of London.
It's got history, it's beautiful, and the ground floor sells some of the most delicious treats you will find anywhere in the city.
Definitely take the time to go inside and grab yourself something tasty to eat or drink.
Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone.
We also offer two guided walks that correspond to this self-guided tour, our guided tour of Soho and our Rock N Roll London Tour.
River Thames Self-Guided Walking Tour
I don't think there's much better than a casual stroll along the River Thames!
I put together this walk as a way to enjoy some stunning backdrops, world-famous attractions, and some fascinating history all rolled into one.
I cover both the north and the south side of the river in this walk and I've set it to finish at Borough Market so you can enjoy a bite to eat at the end!
And, if you love taking photos, I will direct you to some of the best locations to get some iconic and picturesque shots.
Sites Covered: Houses of Parliament, County Hall, London Eye, Cleopatra's Needle, Somerset House, Temple Gardens, Millennium Bridge, Tate Modern, Globe Theatre, Winchester Palace, the Golden Hind, London Bridge, Borough Market
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Difficulty Level: Although this walk covers a fair amount of distance, there are many places to sit and relax.
All the pavements are smooth and there are step-free paths all along so I would describe this one as Easy.
My Top Tip: Travel back on a boat! I always recommend a boat ride along the river to my guests.
Many of the buildings you will have passed on this walking tour were designed to be seen from the river, so I think a boat journey is a great way to make the most of the sights.
Plus, you can take the Thames Clippers with your roster or contactless card so it's a convenient way to travel through the city.
Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone.
Here's a sample of my audio tour for you:
Self-Guided Royal Borough of Greenwich Walking Tour
I always say that Greenwich is like a village inside of a city.
I always encourage a visit to this area of London as it is filled with some quintessentially English charm.
On this walk, I've tried to balance out the history of this area along with some gorgeous views across the river and throughout the park.
I recommend going inside of the buildings where you can - most are free to enter and all are worthwhile!
Sites Covered: Greenwich Foot Tunnel, Cut Sark, Royal Naval College, National Maritime Museum, Queen's House, Greenwich Park, Royal Observatory
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Difficulty Level: This is a gentle stroll that does not cover a long distance.
However, if you wish to go to the Royal Observatory at the end, there is a steep hill to climb so keep that in mind.
I would describe this as Easy without the climb, Moderate with the climb included.
My Top Tip: Look out for a plaque in the courtyard of the Old Naval College.
There's a commemoration marker here that sits on the site of the former Palace of Greenwich, where Henry VIII and his daughters, Mary I and Elizabeth I, were born.
Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone.
A great way to get to Greenwich is by boat cruise.
And check out my audio tour version. Here's a sample.
Hyde Park and Kensington Walking Tour
I put together this walk as a way to have a bit of an organised wander through some beautiful landscape.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are both gorgeous green spaces in the centre of the city, and each hold a number of little charming gems.
I have included all of the most picturesque locations (like the Italian Gardens), some interesting additions (like the Peter Pan Statue), and some locations that definitely require further investigation (like the Galleries or Kensington Palace).
Sites Covered: Henry Moore Statues, Kensington Palace, The Sunken Garden, The Italian Gardens, Serpentine Galleries, Albert Memorial, The Long Water, Peter Pan Statue, Queen Caroline's Temple, Diana Memorial Fountain
Duration: 1.5 Hour
Difficulty Level: This is an Easy walk, with plenty of places to sit and smooth pathways throughout.
My Top Tip: Finish your walk with a visit to Kensington Palace!
I always think it's worth a visit both for the history and the architecture.
In this section, I list several tours based on individuals, bands, movies, or ghosts. We offer free self guided tours covering:
- Harry Potter
- Beatles
- Jack the Ripper
- Downton Abbey
- Roman History
- James Bond
- Literary London - Hampstead Heath
- Jimi Hendrix
- David Bowie
- Haunted London
- Queen (the band, not the royal!)
Harry Potter Self-Guided Walking Tour
I am a huge Harry Potter fan so this was one of the first self-guided walks I ever wrote.
I tried to include a mix of filming locations, as well as places mentioned in the books.
I'll show you more than one Diagon Alley, lead you over the bridge destroyed by the Death Eaters, and help you catch your train to Hogwarts as you traverse through the city.
Because these sites are relatively spread out, I do make use of the London Underground so make sure you have a travel card or a contactless card ready before you head out.
Sites Covered: Borough Market/Leaky Cauldron, Millennium Bridge, St. Paul's Cathedral, Whitehall/Ministry of Magic, Godwin's Court/Diagon Alley, Platform 9 3/4
Duration: 3 Hours
Difficulty Level: This tour covers a LOT of ground and you'll definitely need stamina to see it all.
I would consider this to be on the moderate to difficult side, depending on your mobility and endurance.
We offer a slightly simpler version of this tour as a paid experience which you may prefer - and it even comes with a bottle of Butterbeer!
My Top Tip: Go late, if you can!
Places like Borough Market and Platform 9 3/4 get so busy during the day.
So, making this an evening walk will help you avoid the crowds and also give you some atmospheric vibes in places like Godwin's Court.
Click on the map to enlarge or download to a smartphone
We also offer a guided Harry Potter Tour as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version.
Guide to Beatles in London
Although John, Paul, George, and Ringo hailed from Liverpool, there are plenty of London landmarks for Beatles-lovers to get their fix!
In this walk, I tried to compile the most complete list of Beatles related London locations.
I'll show you the famous ones like Abbey Road Studios and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.
I'll also show you some lesser known but iconic locations like the site of their final rooftop performance, and some curious spots you wouldn't necessarily have thought of, like the British Library!
Sites Covered: British Library, Buckingham Palace, The Dorchester, Saville Row, Masons Yard, Old Compton Street, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Difficulty Level: This is a comprehensive journey through London.
There are not too many places to sit down when exploring areas like Soho and St. John's Wood, but you will get a chance to take the tube or use a bus which will give you some respite.
I would describe this walk as moderate to hard, depending on your mobility.
My Top Tip: Take a photo at Abbey Road.
Just outside the studios is the famous road crossing where the Fab Four shot a photo for their iconic album cover - and you can do it, too!
Click on the map to enlarge or download to a smartphone
There are many guided tours of Beatles sites with live tour guides and other fans.
We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour, and Rock n' Roll cab tours, too!
I also have a post on how to get to the Abbey Road Crosswalk.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jack the Ripper Sites
After Harry Potter, I probably get asked the most question about Jack the Ripper when I'm chatting with guests on my tours.
This self-guided tour I've put together will take you to all 5 canonical murder sites as I share with you all the horrifying details of the most famous unsolved murders in the world.
I'll also give you a few theories on who the perpetrator may be...and who knows, maybe you will be the one to finally crack the case!
Sites Covered: Whitechapel, Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, Shoreditch, The 10 Bells
Duration: 1 - 1.5 Hours
Difficulty Level: Although there are cobbled stones in a few locations, and not many opportunities to sit down, the short duration of this tour means I would describe it as Easy.
My Top Tip: End your tour with dinner at a traditional curry house on Brick Lane!
Click on the map to enlarge or download to a smartphone
We also offer a live-guided option for Jack the Ripper, run by our fantastic partners at Rippervision, as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version that I put together.
Downton Abbey London Sights
Downton Abbey exploded onto our screens in 2010 and people from all over the world watched the lives and exploits of the Crowley Family and all the characters surrounding them.
Just like with the Harry Potter tour, I've tried to include a mix of both filming locations as well as places mentioned or referenced in the series.
I wanted to keep the list as inclusive as possible so I've added some sites that die-hard fans might want to visit, but casual fans may not find the extra travel time worth it (like Syon House and Kingston Town Hall).
Sites Covered: King's Cross, Temple, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Rules, The National Gallery, Criterion (now a Masala Zone, sadly), Lancaster House, St. James's Park, the Albert Memorial
Duration: 3 Hours
Difficulty Level: This is another walk that spans the length of the city centre so you'll need stamina to see the full list of sites.
However, there are opportunities to sit down and have a break on public transport so I would describe this one as Moderate.
My Top Tip: Take your time at Temple.
There's plenty to explore there, and I particularly recommend a visit to Temple Church (a bonus for any da Vinci Code fans).
Roman London Walking Tour
Many visitors on my City of London Tour are surprised to hear that our capital city was a huge trading up and stronghold for the northern reachers of the Roman Empire.
On this walk, I'll take you through some of the oldest streets in London to uncover what remains of the once mighty city of Londinium.
I like this tour in particular because I'll take you inside a few locations (like the Guildhall), not just the exteriors which is the standard for most of my self-guided walking tours.
Sites Covered: Amphitheatre, Temple of Mithras, Roman Wall, Museum of London (currently undergoing a move to new premises as of writing in 2025), Southwark Cathedral, Roman Baths
Duration: 1.5 - 2 Hours
Difficulty Level: This is a relaxed walk, although you will find yourself traipsing up and down a few hills.
Note that there are not too many options to sit, so you'll be on your feed for the duration. I would say this is a Moderate walk.
My Top Tip: Book your Temple of Mithras tickets!
The temple ruins are free to visit and are incredibly fascinating - but in the busy season the tickets book up quickly so make sure to snap up yours in advance.
We actually now offer this as one of our walking tours, led by the brilliant Canice!
James Bond Tour
I put together this walk in response to the many questions about James Bond-related London locations that I get from guests on my tours.
Again, I've gone with a mix of filming locations as well as places mentioned in the original books.
You'll notice that the SIS Building is a bit removed from the rest of the itinerary, but I wanted to include it as the scene with the MI6 building blowing up tends to be the one I get asked about the most!
Sites Covered: Somerset House, National Gallery, Whitehall, Dukes, Buckingham Palace, SIS/MI6 Buildings
Duration: 2 Hours
Difficulty Level: This walk covers a lot of ground but there are plenty of areas to have a seat (and a drink). I would describe it as Moderate.
My Top Tip: Have a drink at Duke'. Once a favourite haunt of Ian Fleming, Dukes is worth a visit in its' own right as a charming place to have a relaxing drink.
It's not cheap - but I think you'll find that its' worth it!
Literary Walking Tour - Hampstead Heath
Hampstead is my favourite part of London so I am always recommending it to my guests.
I think it's worth it to just head up and spend an entire day wandering along the charming streets, popping into independent shops, and taking a stroll across the Heath .
Follow this up with a drink and a bite at one of my favourite pubs (Spaniard's Inn or Holly Bush).
However, the focus on this walk is literary London.
I've included as many locations as possible that once housed famous authors - or, in some cases, their characters.
Sites Covered: Hampstead Heath, The Spaniard's Inn, the Mary Poppin's House, birthplace of Dracula, Keates House, Orwell's House, etc etc
Duration: 3 Hours
Difficulty Level: This route covers a vast distance so, again, you'll need stamina to complete it all.
Although there are plenty of benches to sit on, the walk through Hampstead will have you walking up cobbled pathways and up/down hills.
I would describe this one as moderate to hard.
My Top Tip: As I mentioned above, the Spaniard's Inn and the Holly Bush are two of my favourite puts in the entire city so definitely make sure to visit at least one!
Jimi Hendrix Sights
Although Jimi Hendrix was American, London played host to some important moments throughout his life, and, sadly, his death.
I put together this walk as a way to showcase Hendrix's rise to fame, which played out here in our city.
Many of the venues he played in are no longer there but I've taken you to the sites where they once stood.
We offer a Rock N Roll London walking tour, and a Rock n' Roll London cab tour!
Sites Covered: Bag O'Nails, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Royal Albert Hall, The Cumberland Hotel
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Difficulty Level: This tour spans a great distance, but that means there are opportunities to sit on public transport as you travel.
I would describe this as moderate.
My Top Tip: Book a tour of the Royal Albert Hall!
A lot of my visitors know the Hall as a music venue but not everybody realises that they do guided tours as well.
I went on one just this past month and had a great time.
I even learned things I never knew before, which is a rare thing to experience as a London tour guide!
David Bowie Sights
A born Londoner, David Bowie put Brixton on the map when he rose to fame in the mid-20th century.
Although Brixton isn't next to any of the other sites on the tour, I wanted to include it as Bowie's birthplace as I think it gives an insight into his background.
Just like with the Hendrix tour, some of the locations where Bowie played in Soho no longer stand, but the vibe of that eclectic neighbourhood remains.
We offer a Rock N Roll London walking tour, and a Rock n' Roll London cab tour!
Sites Covered: Bowie's birthplace, David Bowie Mural, Heddon Street, Trident Studios, The Wallace Collection, Toy Museum
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Difficulty Level: This walk doesn't cover too much ground, and the tube ride to Brixton means there's a nice break included. I would describe this as Easy.
My Top Tip: Definitely take the time to go inside Pollock's Toy Museum! It's a fascinating place to explore.
London Ghost Tour
I love a good ghost story and, thankfully, London has quite a few!
This spooky walk is a mix of my favourite ghost stories as well as the bone chilling true history of our capital city.
I like to share the darker side of history with my guests and I think this is a fun way to do it.
Only for those bold enough to take a ghost tour on their own!
Want some company? Join us for a guided ghost tour of London.
Sites Covered: St. Paul's Cathedral, Newgate, Old Bailey, St. Andrew by the Wardrobe
Duration: 45 Minutes
Difficulty Level: This is a short walk, with not much distance covered so it is fairly Easy.
My Top Tip: Finish the walk at the Viaduct Tavern and ask them to take you into the cellar...
Wandering the streets of London can make you hungry so why not learn some history, trivia and find some good snacks along the way.
We offer free self-guided food tours covering:
- East London
- Soho, Chinatown, Piccadilly
- Exmouth
- Covent Garden
- Borough Market
I like to say that in London, you can travel the world by taste and nowhere in our city encapsulates this theory better than the East End.
I've been leading tours in the East End for over a decade now and I still love it every bit as much as I did when I started!
For this food tour, I tried to showcase the history of this ever-evolving neighbourhood through the food that I love most.
You'll get to try classics like fish and chips, modern favourites like salt beef beigels, and have the opportunity to sink a pint in a charming Victorian boozer.
Duration: 2 Hours
Difficulty Level: Although there are cobbled streets, this tour is relaxed and doesn't cover too much ground. I would describe it as Easy.
My Top Tip: Bring your appetite!
Be sure to check out our tour guide-led version (watch video above).
Soho, Chinatown, and Piccadilly Food Tour
I get asked about Soho a lot when I am speaking with my guests about their trips to London, but most of the questions are related to the night life there.
So, I wanted to create this tour to showcase the delights that Soho has to offer during the daylight hours, too!
I've included a broad range of different cuisines - as well as price points so there's a little something for every one.
Duration: 2 Hours
Difficulty Level: Although there are cobbled streets, this tour is relaxed.
It covers a fair amount of ground but there are chances to sit at most of the locations so I would describe it as moderate.
My Top Tip: As I mentioned above, it's always worth it to take the time to visit Fortnum & Mason!
Add a little money to your. budget so you can buy something tasty to take with you after you've visited.
I'm a bit biased as this is local to where I live!
I always recommend a venture out to Exmouth Market, as it's a lovely little piece of “real” London, tucked just far away from other touristy parts.
It showcases some amazing street food and is particularly popular with locals (like me) and those who work in the area.
I also consider it one of the more affordable food markets in the city.
Duration: 30 Minutes
Difficulty Level: The hardest part of this tour, is getting to the start point.
Otherwise, it is a casual stroll along the market street. Very easy.
My Top Tip: There are a number of independent shops along the market street so consider some retail therapy while you're there!
Covent Garden is another area that I think people associate with nightlife and the theatre, rather than with food.
So, with this tour, I am trying to change your perceptions!
Although these locations are a little more expensive than the other food tours I've put together, you'll have the option to enjoy little plates/tastes at most of the locations, so I think you'll find it's still budget-friendly.
Duration: 1.5 Hours
Difficulty Level: Although there are cobbled streets, this tour is relaxed and doesn't cover too much ground. I would describe it as easy.
My Top Tip: If you can, go during a weekday!
Covent Garden gets wildly busy on evenings and the weekends so you'll find it a much better experience to go when the crowds are thinner.
I don't know if there's anything I can say about Borough Market that would do it justice...just go!
It's iconic, I love it, and I never leave hungry.
On this walk, I've highlighted my usual go-to stalls and shops but I recommend you do some exploring on your own to uncover your own favourites.
Duration: 45 Minutes
Difficulty Level: This walk doesn't cover much ground, but seats are at a premium so you may not find many places to sit down if it's busy.
There are narrow passages and cobbled streets to be aware of but, otherwise, this is an easy one.
My Top Tip: The crowds here can be unbelievable so, if you can, I'd recommend visiting during the week!
