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. Kerry Wilkins

    Myself and 2 friends took the Hidden London Tour
    on Sept 2nd 2024, with Simon.( standing in for Shaun)
    Simon took us round the hidden backstreets of the City and really brought the history of the city to life.
    After the tour we had lunch in a wonderful Olde World pub , pointed out by Simon.
    All three of us really enjoyed the tour. We intend to do another and would definitely recommend London Walks.

  2. Sharon Webb

    Adam led the walk today and was excellent. Despite the group being about 30 people he was loud enough to hear and very good at organising this number of people. Excellent knowledge. Thoroughly enjoyable

  3. Ami

    Decided to book the Hidden London walk very last minute and it was the best choice we made on the trip. Richard III, our guide, was deeply knowledgeable, witty, inviting, and a very capable storyteller. He managed to make two hours feel like half an hour. Highly recommend.

  4. Ememe

    Excellent tour guide. The places (and the history) we saw we couldn’t have done without Richard.

  5. Jane usher

    Absolutely fantastic very informative walk by Simon Law stepping I for Shaun
    There is so much to see hear about Hidden london.
    Simon knew his subject in sideout and back to front. He had a very witty personality.
    I would highly recommend this walk to everyone.

  6. Jennette Keattch

    Excellent tour by Simon Law. Witty, informative and interesting I definitely recommend this walk. I can’t wait to book another tour. Thanks Simon.

  7. Max

    Simon Law was great on Hidden London. Knowledgeable, amusing, and a loud voice. Saw places for the first time despite living in London for 78 years!
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  8. Ashleigh Ranson

    Our guide today, Simon, was amazing. Made the tour so interesting and fun. Even though over the years we’ve walked so many miles across London and discovered so much more on this tour with Simon!!! It was just so interesting and came away with the wow factor and a superb way to spend a few hours.

  9. Kristy

    Loved hearing about the -centuries-old history of the sites on this delightful walk. I’d follow Shaughan and his anecdotes anywhere!

  10. Vicky Phillips

    I’m just writing to say how much I enjoyed the Hidden London tour with Simon yesterday (Monument to Fleet Street). I’ve lived in London most of my life and am quite interested in history. My daughter arranged for us to go on the walk as a surprise for me, and I would have previously assumed it was mainly for tourists, but Simon was incredibly knowledgeable and hardly anything he talked about was something that I already knew. Most of the rest of the group were visitors to the UK and I’m sure they won’t find time to write a review but they seemed to thoroughly enjoy it aswell. I shall definitely come on another walk in the future!

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