Tours & activities in London

Free Tour of London

Book the original London free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guide

ABOUT THE Free Tour of London

No other tour covers so many major London landmarks! Have your cameras at the ready as we walk past Westminster Abbey and the Big Ben, and see where the King Charles lives as we stroll past Buckingham and St. James’s Palaces. On this 2.5-hour free walking tour you'll tick off many of London's must-see sites.

 

Your gratuity-based London Free Tour starts in front of the Apple Store in Covent Garden and finishes by Westminster Abbey. We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

 

Homes of the British royal family

Around every corner is another piece of royal history on this gratuity-based free London walking tour! Your expert local guide will take you to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of His Majesty King Charles III (some tours will even see the changing of the guard!), and you’ll walk past St James’s Palace, where Princes William and Harry grew up. You’ll also see Westminster Abbey, where the Queen was crowned, Princess Diana was farewelled, and Kate and William were married. However, it’s not only the current royals who feature on this London walking tour – you’ll also hear about other kings and queens who left their mark on Great Britain.

Some of the world’s most iconic monuments

Of course though, it’s not just the royals who helped to shape London, the UK and indeed, the world. Your guide will tell you about Winston Churchill as you walk past the Churchill War Rooms, talk about Guy Fawkes as you stroll past the Houses of Parliament, and tell you about Admiral Nelson as you visit the Nelson Column on Trafalgar Square. With other must-see sites like Covent Garden, Horse Guards Parade and of course, the Big Ben, this London gratuity-based free walking tour shows you many of London's major landmarks.

Gratuity-based Free Tour concept

The gratuity-based model of the Free Tour allows guests to support and reward only the highest quality tours, and to ensure that the tour fits within their expectations, and within their budget.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Image for meeting point

The gratuity-based London Free Tour starts in front of the Apple Store in Covent Garden

  • See the homes of King Charles III, Buckingham and St James’s Palaces respectively
  • Stand before the stunning Westminster Abbey, site of royal coronations, weddings and funerals
  • Learn about Guy Fawkes and his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament
  • Look up at the iconic Big Ben
  • See Nelson’s Column on Trafalgar Square
  • Hear about Winston Churchill outside the Churchill War Rooms
  • Stroll down the famous Horse Guards Parade

TOUR SCHEDULES

Today
10:00 AM11:00 AM
10:00 AM
PHOTOS
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
  • Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
  • Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
  • Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we’re proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world’s best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That’s why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
  • Wheelchair accessible
MAP
The Free Tour starts in Covent Garden, in front of the Apple Store Open in Google Maps
buckingham palace in london
Buckingham Palace
free tour group at St James's Park in london
St James's Park
St James's Palace London
St James's Palace
the mall london
The Mall
the national gallery and trafalgar square things to do in london
Trafalgar Square
Horse Guards Parade london
Horse Guards Parade
Westminster Abbey London
Westminster Abbey
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben London
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
Tour start Tour starts here
End start Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers

Customer reviews

What is a gratuity-based Free Tour?

 

The gratuity-based Free Tour is the best introduction to London! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 3 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The gratuity-based Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of London's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

  • The route covers many of London's major landmarks
  • The meeting point is centrally located in Covent Garden
  • The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
  • The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN LONDON

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Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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