Green Park underground station, London (Green Park exit, by the fountain)
Guided by Claire or David M. or Jan or Karen or Peter
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Weekly | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter Summer | Reserve Online |
“Aesthetically, London is just beautiful; it’s a gorgeous city. The architecture, monuments, the parks, the small streets – it’s an incredible place to be” Sara Bareilles
Short read: “I’d put this one in the top three of the 59 different London Walks that I’m personally able to guide. It’s got everything I want in a walk” (David).
Long read: Okay, that’s the “opinion” – here’s what it’s based on. 1) It’s olde, vintage London. There are secret passageways that take you into the 16th-century. And the 18th-century is par for the course. It’s so well preserved it’s a miracle the whole neighbourhood hasn’t been sold off to a museum. 2) So, as you’d expect, visually it’s very appealing.
3) It’s storied. It’s storied because it’s full of character, full of characters, and marinated in history. 4) It’s nooked and crannied. Why is that important? “Well, maybe it’s just me, but I like to see things other people don’t get to see” (David again). 5) It’s got wonderful guides. Their names are Jan, Peter, Claire and Karen (winner of the big one –the Tourist Board’s Guide of the Year Award).

The Old Palace Quarter walk takes place at 2.30 pm every* Friday. The meeting point is just outside the Green Park exit – by the fountain – of Green Park Tube Stop. N.B. the walk ends at St. James’ Palace, a couple of minutes’ walk in the Park from Green Park Tube. Though putting it thus – “walk in the Park” – borders on lèse-majesté. Because it’s the most exclusive walk in the Park. It’s the Queen’s Walk – the royal promenade! *Not Dec. 25






“The original and best – there are several companies offering walking tours of London but London Walks (London’s oldest) is easily the pick of the bunch” London, Cadogan Guide
“award-winning London Walks are unrivalled for quality and range” American in Britain Magazine
“Best Tourism Experience in London” Gold Medal Winner, Visit London
“27th December 2.30 pm. Sunny afternoon. Jan led a wonderful tour which was easy to follow (in more ways than one), and full of historical and architectural facts. I’ve been on a few of these over the years and all have been well-researched, well-led and ideal for me and my three 20-something kids. We went to a walk the day before (Boxing Day) but the rainy weather was so horrendous that we bailed out 20 mins before it started. The ‘just turn up’ policy is ideal for such situations but I felt a bit guilty nevertheless. These walls take place whatever the weather.” nigelw101, Lincolnshire UK, TripAdvisor, December 2019

If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Old Palace Quarter walks do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Old Palace Quarter Walk – 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 Peter or Niamh 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.

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, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.

“a world of clubby, oak-panelled rooms”

You’ll see where God was killed.
“If this were a golf tournament every name on the Leader Board would be a London Walks guide”
Want a racier description of the walk? Try this: if you’re prim and prudish better give this one a miss. Because this walk’s, well, juicy. This area’s 1660s Party Town. It’s the historical ‘Rock n’ Roll’ walk of the swinging 1660s and beyond. Real life ‘Game of Thrones’ stuff. Bedroom antics back then – and hey presto it’s Jon Snow the bastard today. Not to mention Samantha Cameron. So, yes, Hello Party Town! Welcome to Love Nests out West! The chapter headings are delicious and salacious – let alone dizzying, dazzling, sizzling, dumbfounding. Maiden Lepers. The Return of the King. Boots Washed in the Froth of the Finest Champagne. Duels in Pickering. Legover London & Mistresses off the Mall. Bowler Hats. Human Toilets. James Bond. Raindrops Keep Falling on My Bet. Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The Assassinated Racehorse. The American Bar Associations. The Man Who Laid Down His Wife for His Country. The Prime Minister and the Actress. ‘Well [Giggle] He Would, Wouldn’t He?’ And that’s just for starters.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Jackie Driver –
Wonderful walk around St James. I’ve walked the main streets around this area many times, but this is another example to tell me to walk the side and back streets. So much to see, small squares, churches, olde world alleys and pubs. Excellent thank you.
Heidi Woodham –
Our tour guide was David for the Old Palace quarter walk. He was so knowledgeable and told us stories from history in a very engaging manner. This was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours learning new facts about my home city. Our group of 7 consisted of tourists from Italy, Germany and Canada plus my friends and I from UK and David managed to link all of our home towns and countries into his tales.
Andrew Navakas –
Karen was amazing. Sooo much information. It was a truly wonderful and interesting walk. Could not recommend more highly. She’s a lovely character, and really made our day.
Patricia Nelson –
We took the Old Palace Quarter Tour with Allison and it was amazing! Allison was so knowledgeable and made it so interesting and fun! We started at Green Park and ended at St James Palace, and really got to see some hidden gems and learn about the history and clubs that are in some of the buildings. She brought us to Burlington House and St James Church and more. It was a wonderful few hours learning about this section of London, both historically and present day. Allison added so so much to my appreciation of the area that I never would have known without it being pointed out. I highly recommend Allison and this tour!
Jeff Waters –
Fantastic Tour! Peter is a master storyteller and brings London alive. I’ve taken many tours with London Walks and this one has been the best thus far!
Carole –
A lovely meander with a wonderful guide who was entertaining, knowledgeable and engaging.
Ralph Dixon –
Excellent walk. Very entertaining & informative. Peter certainly knows his stuff & was a delightful guide
David Kennedy –
Claire was very friendly and informative, and clearly has a great love for London and its history. Her keen insight into the personalities and motivations of the people who shaped London’s home story and architecture, as well as her keen sense of humor, combined to make the walk a delightful experience!
Nicole –
Claire was amazing and we were hooked immediately! An utterly enjoyable, educational, and lively way to learn about a part of London we weren’t familiar with before. If you have a chance to take this tour, grab it!
Mark –
We did this tour with Richard III. He is so much fun and full of knowledge of the area. Very interesting walk. One of the better London Walks we have done & we have done quite a few.