Hidden London

(193 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

N.B. this walk will not take place on the following dates:

25-12-2026

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

193 reviews for Hidden London

  1. Ofer Sagi

    My Hidden London walk with Adam as the guide was awesome!

    He was funny and very knowledgeable and the walk was very interesting.

    He made Christopher Wren seem like a Rockstar

  2. Shafik Y

    I did this tour w/ Richard Roques and it was lovely. He was knowledgeable and funny. We saw a lot of sites that I had read about and would not have been able to done as concisely if I had to figure it all out myself. I did a second tour w/ him b/c I had such a good time on this one. I think the price point is perfect. I would do it again when I am back with others.

  3. Dorothee Oswald-Hemken

    Well done. We’ve learned quite a few new facts about the city of London and it’s churches.

  4. S Burgundy

    We had high hopes for this tour, and they were exceeded! Simon was an excellent guide who led us to spots we would have never found or known about on our own. We’ll definitely book another walk next time we come to London.

  5. Colin

    Ann was interesting, informative and highly entertaining. This walk is not to be missed and brings to life parts of London that you would never see or know about.

  6. Kimberley (Essex)

    We did the hidden London walk yesterday. Simon was a really lovely and informative guide. He made a real effort with every person on the walk. It was a really interesting look at some parts of London we have never seen. I will definitely bring my children on this one in the future

  7. Kate

    We thoroughly enjoyed our walk with Simon who was informative, entertaining, and a thoroughly nice person.

  8. Victoria Wynn

    What a gem of a walk and a jewel of a guide! Richard III was so knowledgeable and entertaining as he guided us through churches, backstreets and lanes of the City. I came away wanting to know more about so many places- definitely the sign of a great walk! Thank you, Richard!

  9. Beverley

    Very interesting and informative walk a good guide who knows his stuff

  10. Penelope McNeill Love

    Thank you Richard (the 3rd) for a really entertaining and fascinating walk – Hidden London. So many hidden gems and interesting facts! Loved the origin of Robbing Peter to pay Paul. Strongly recommend this walk and you as a guide!

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