Hidden London
Rated 4.96 out of 5 based on 187 customer ratings
(187 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…
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.
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.
Kate –
We thoroughly enjoyed our walk with Simon who was informative, entertaining, and a thoroughly nice person.
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!
Beverley –
Very interesting and informative walk a good guide who knows his stuff
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!
Judith Tait –
We loved our hidden London tour with Richard (the 111) He was very entertaining and knowledgable. I now know where the phrases – at sixes and sevens- originates, and several others. The highlight was meeting the master of one of the liveried London guilds – fabulous !
Antonio –
Simon was excellent, really brought the tour to life whilst also giving lots of interesting facts. Very informative and passionately presented. Great performance; I loved every bit of it. Thank you, I learned a lot of new details about the wonderful City of London. Would definitely recommend this tour. Money well spent!
Tracy Krumins –
Very interesting, funny and informative tour by Simon. We really enjoyed learning more about London.
Tracey Costanzo –
Great tour by Simon. So interesting and entertaining!
Robert & Juliana – 21 November 2025 –
As the only Canadian “American couple” on the tour we were privileged to be learning about London’s hidden secrets with other Londoners and locals. Simon was a great host and full of knowledge while he kept us hustling on a crisp and cold London day (another hidden secret). Starting at the Monument, then the fabulous model of the London Bridge in 1400, then the Wren churches, Simon saturated us with great tidbits about the hidden history of the City of London. In the opinion of this geologist from Canada, the London Stone on Cannon Street, is likely a Londonium ground-zero survey marker placed by the Romans and made from local limestone. Simon made sure we were made aware of all the fantastical suggestions of origin. Thanks for a great two plus hours of time well spent.
David L –
Simon at his best–I’ve taken multiple with walks with Simon over the past 20 years (dates fade; the walk if no longer listed but I swear he once did an excellent Explorer Day walk to Cambridge) and he is always on top of his game. Today’s Hidden London, was no exception. The group ran slow..so what did he do–into overtime! We did the whole walk and got a free 30 min!!!