Hidden London

(186 customer reviews )

Monument Underground station, London (Fish Street Hill exit)

Guided by Shaughan

Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5

Walk Times

Day Walk Type Start Time End Time
Monday Weekly 11 am 1 pm Winter Summer Reserve Online
Friday Weekly 11 am 1 pm Winter Summer Reserve Online

What are some highlights of the Hidden London Walking Tour?

Short read: pretty paths less travelled…

Hodge the Cat

Long read: Distillation of a brilliant, expert guide’s many years’ experience probing the hidden parts of London; the forgotten nooks of the world’s most elusive city. Exploring secret London – up creeping lanes, round out-of-the-way corners, past veiled islands of green – Shaughan’s at his inimitable best on this guided walking tour around the city of London. You’ll discover tales from London’s history that you’ve never heard before. And, if you ask nicely, Shaughan knows the best historic pubs in Central London as well as salacious tales about famous London residents from Charles Dickens to Jack the Ripper.

As the New York Times put it, this excellent tour is “a highly entertaining… blend of historical commentary and bizarre anecdote laced with mildly scurrilous gossip about past and present celebrities and defunct royals.” In such places and with such a guide, London’s past becomes our present.

St Magnus Martyr interior with the model of London Bridge

Our supremely knowledgeable guide, Shaughan has made two podcasts based on this great tour of some of London’s hidden gems. Listening to either or both of them will give you an exceptionally good idea of what’s on the menu – what you get on the walk – and how it’s served up, the guiding. Here’s the Hidden London –Podcast 1. And here’s Hidden London – Podcast 2.

We’re not talking conventional London sightseeing here. Don’t expect to see major sights like Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus or Westminster Abbey here. This is an insightful, off the beaten track tour of London’s past and present.

HIDDEN LONDON TOUR PRACTICALS

Hidden London takes place at 11 am every Monday morning and at 11 am every * Friday morning.

The meeting point for this secret London walking tour is just outside the Fish Street Hill exit of Monument Tube Station and that’s where Shaughan will be waiting for you. Monument underground station is of course named for The Monument to the Great Fire of London (see the photo immediately above). The Monument is just a few yards down the hill from the Fish Street Hill exit of Monument Tube Station. N.B., if you cannot see The Monument you have come out of the wrong exit of Monument Tube Station. Go back into the London Underground station and follow the signs to the Fish Street Hill exit.

How long does the Hidden London Walking Tour last?

It’s a two hour walking tour of London’s hidden tales. The walk ends in Fleet Street, a two-minute walk from Blackfriars Tube Station.    *Not Friday, December 25

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING

Don’t just take it from us…

LONDON WALKS REVIEWS

“If you want to know London better, if you want to learn some things about the world’s most cosmopolitan city that most people who spend their lives there never learn… I can think of no better investment than London Walks”  The New York Times

“London’s best city tours” The Telegraph

“Even jaded Londoners find these London Walks a source of astonishing gems of information about the city in which they live.” Daily Mail, Top London Treats

“I’d never visited London before, and Shaughan’s tour was a fantastic way to become familiar with the city and its tucked-away nooks and crannies. Plus, he’s a funny, charming, extremely knowledgeable tour guide. We visited pieces of London Bridge, the London Stone, Bracken House with its astronomical clock featuring Winston Churchill’s face…as well as taking a wander past St. Paul’s Cathedral, Samuel Johnson’s home (complete with cat sculpture), and other gems. The pub recommendations were also appreciated! Two thumbs up!!”  NewYorkBee8, TripAdvisor, October 2019

LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS

“Can I book a private tour?” It’s a question we’re often asked. And, yes you certainly can.

If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Hidden London walks do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have Hidden London – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. And – always with private London Walks and tours – we go to great lengths to make sure the guide-walker(s) “fit” is well-nigh perfect. Ring Fiona or Noel or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing. Book now

GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS

A private London Walk makes a fab present – be it a birthday or anniversary or get-to-know-your-new neighbourhood gift or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience in the City of London, now that’s special.  Memories make us rich.

LONDON WALKS – STREETS AHEAD!

Don’t just take it from us.

MIND THE GAP

It’s not even close

186 reviews for Hidden London

  1. Mark M.

    Outstanding walk today led by Simon. Informative, fun, great exercise, entertaining!

  2. Charles Harnish

    Fantastic !!! To really app the city of London, you have to take this tour. Thank you to our guide Simon.

  3. Helen Hook

    Excellent “Hidden tour” with Simon today (25th August). An incredible amount of fascinating information conveyed in an humorous and entertaining manner. Would highly recommend.

  4. Stacey day

    Did the hidden London tour with Simon on Monday 15th august. Lots of interesting information simon is very knowledgeable and really good at his job. Can’t Wait to do Another one. 100% recommend

  5. Sue Ritchie

    Excellent walk led by Simon today!

  6. Russell Casey

    Excellent tour with Simon. Plenty of information delivered in an entertaining manner.

  7. Cindy Heslin

    This morning’s Hidden London walk with Shaughan was a delightful experience. I learned so much about London’s history and character via off-the-beaten path stops and Shaughan’s stories, told with humor and his deep knowledge. I learned so many origin stories of well-known and commmonly-heard phrases and songs! Of my four London Walks tours during my week in London, this was my favorite (so far – but I have more in the coming days)! Shaughan is a very engaging guide who shows an interest in his group members – asking them about where they are from and their careers, an indication of his enjoyment of his work. This was so much more fun than a typical history walking tour! Next time I come to London, the first thing I’ll do is plan my London Walks tours.

  8. Maureen

    Entertaining and informative Hidden London walk lead by Adam. Lots of anecdotes, facts and fables! Walk opened up a fragment of London we had not previously explored. History at its best.

  9. Ben Solnit

    Simon was no mere substitute; he has The Knowledge, no question.

  10. Vita

    Great, very fun fact-filled walk! It was a great present from a friend and Adam was brilliant! We’re planning our next walk together already 🙂

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