Hidden London
Rated 4.96 out of 5 based on 186 customer ratings
(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…
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.
Charlie –
April 22 – One of the two “Must Walk ” walks (‘Along the Thames’ is the other) Simon brought the London of Shakespeare and Wren to life with with wit, insight and inclusiveness. This wasn’t just guiding, this was augmented reality guiding. Honestly, our host was so amazing he should have his own app! And thank you, Simon, for going a little off-piste with a drop-in to St Stepehen’s Walbrook, at my request. Five stars is merely a hint of how good this tour was. Get down to Monument station and experience it for yourself.
John –
A fascinating walk visiting many hidden haunts with associated anecdotes and historic notes.
Simon stood in for Shaughan. Excellent tour. Thank you!
Sue –
Simon arrived to take our tour last Friday and although he turned up in a rush at 11am, then had to take money from about 30 of us, the tour was so much better than we would have imagined at 11am. Simon was so knowledgeable and took us to places we would have never ventured. The five of us in our group were captivated by all that he told us. We had all worked in London at one time or another but none of us knew anything of what he told us. Lots of snippets of information about origins of street names, pointing out small plaques and brickwork detail which are unseen when walking along the street. He gave us details of the livery companies and their rivalry and pointed out areas where Shakespeare had grown up, lived and his playhouses. Although we started the tour 15 mins late, the time was added on at the end with an extra 15 mins so he could complete all he wanted to show us. Highly recommend this Walk.
Helen –
A group of friends and I took this walk on Friday 3 May in the rain! We were advised by our guide, Simon, that the regular guide Shaughan was unavailable and that he was stepping into the breach. “Substitute” Simon did not disappoint and was enormously entertaining with all the historic facts and rumour that he imparted en route. I can only guess at how the “famous” Shaughan could have improved on Simon’s enthusiastic delivery and ability to keep us all upbeat in the London rain. I have been on several of the London Walks and this is the first time I’ve left a review. Don’t hesitate to book this or any other London Walk. I highly recommend them.
Richard Harrington –
Did this walk on 3rd May with Simon and it was amazing. I have worked in London for almost 50 years and there wasn’t one thing that Simon told us about that I already knew! Head was exploding with additional knowledge at the end and will certainly be joining future walks
Mary –
Simon was an amazing guide , very personable and clearly enjoyed his subject , was very knowledgeable and chatted to each member of the group during the tour .
On a wet spring day he used every opportunity to keep us sheltered which was appreciated .
I would definitely recommend and am already planning which tour to do next !
Thank you Simon
Sara Bostock –
Simon gave an informative, informed, intelligent and entertaining tour of Hidden London. Even in the rain my interest never flagged.
Hilary C –
Excellent tour guide. Witty and knowledgeable.
Shira –
Excellent tour!
Simon was absolutely fantastic and gave the tour a humoristic twist. Highly recommended!
John G Corcoran –
Just had Simon guide us through a fascinating journey around the “hidden” areas of the City of London. I’m a Londoner and I learned a lot about this area. I found Simon engaging and informed.. Excellent