The Great Historic Pub Experience

London, England

The Great Historic Pub Experience

Ages 18+ • 2.5 Hours • Max of 15 People

Select participants and date

Date

Fri, Oct 17

Travelers

2

About This Adventure

Embark on The Great London Pub Experience, a captivating 2.5-hour journey through the city's most historic and hidden pubs. Guided by a local expert, explore secret alleyways, hear fascinating stories, and enjoy unique atmospheres at iconic watering holes, including a pub with medieval jail cells and the first Irish pub outside Ireland.

Duration: Around 2.5 Hours

Join The Great London Pub Experience to visit the finest, most historic and unusual pubs in London.

You will get to experience London like a true local visiting some of London's best traditional pubs and hidden gems with an entertaining local guide. We will explore secret alleyways and hear astonishing tales from some of London’s greatest pubs, where people have been imbibing for over 500 years.

We will learn about the origin of London's famed Gin Palaces of the 19th Century and historic Gin Palace culture as we wander through streets that would have been home to beggars, thieves and vagabonds.

We'll discover five iconic watering holes visited by some of London's most infamous characters, each with its own history to tell. These include some of the best-preserved traditional pubs in England.

Each pub we visit will have a very different atmosphere and history but all share a fine offering of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in an ornate building.

Highlights

Visit pubs frequented by London's most famous poets, writers and free thinkers!
Follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I and visit the hardest to find pub in London
Explore parts of London as a local and get away from the tourist crowd
Drink in a pub that has actual jail cells in the basement from medieval times
See the first Irish Pub outside Ireland
Hear the tales of and visit some of the famed Victorian Gin Palaces!

Includes

Professional Tour Guide
15 guests maximum

What Else You Should Know

This is a tour for those aged 18 and above - Photographic ID (18 years and over only)
It's a walking tour, but there's not a lot of distance involved. Having said that, the alleys can be very narrow and there are a small number of steps to climb throughout. Wear comfortable shoes!
Pubs will accept cash or card payments for drinks as you prefer. You will need to pay for your own drinks during the tour!
If it's raining or going to rain, please bring an umbrella.

Meeting Point

The Blackfriar Pub

Adventure Tips

Book Ahead

This popular tour has limited spaces to keep groups intimate — reserve your spot early to guarantee availability.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You’ll be walking on cobblestones and uneven city streets; sturdy footwear will keep you comfortable throughout the 2.5 hours.

Arrive Punctually

The tour departs promptly from the meeting point; arriving early ensures you won’t miss the introduction and first stop.

Bring ID

This activity is for guests 18 and older, so carrying valid photo ID is required to take part.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Pigeons commonly seen around outdoor seating areas.
Occasional sightings of urban foxes near quieter alleyways.

History

Many of the pubs on this route date back to the medieval period, serving as social hubs for centuries in London’s history.

Conservation

The tour emphasizes respecting historic buildings and minimizing impact on these irreplaceable cultural landmarks.

Discover London’s Historic Pubs: A 2.5-Hour Journey Through Time and Taverns

Difficulty

Duration

Fitness Level

Overview