Historic Pub Crawl in London with The Great Weekender
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2.5 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate physical activity; comfortable walking shoes recommended
Overview
Join a guided walk through London’s most historic pubs, uncovering secrets and stories from centuries past. An authentic way to experience the city’s rich drinking culture.
Private - The Great Historic Pub Experience
Ages 18+ • 2.5 Hours • Max of 15 People
Select participants and date
About This Adventure
Embark on The Great London Pub Experience, a 2.5-hour journey through the city's most historic and hidden pubs. Guided by a local, explore secret alleyways, hear captivating stories, and sip drinks in unique settings, including a pub with medieval jail cells. Discover the rich culture of London's iconic watering holes!
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
Arrive Early
Get to the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour starts to settle in and meet your guide.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The tour involves walking through narrow alleyways and historic streets, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
Bring Cash or Card
Pubs may not accept all payment methods, so bring cash or a credit card just in case.
Pace Yourself
Enjoy the drinks at a comfortable pace—there’s plenty of time for stories and sightseeing.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- City pigeons
- Sparrows
History
Many pub interiors date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, serving as landmarks of London’s evolving social scene.
Conservation
The tour supports local pubs by promoting their rich history and ensuring responsible drinking and preservation of historic sites.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in London
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Stable, supportive footwear ideal for walking through historic city streets.
Light Jacket or Sweater
London weather can be unpredictable, so bring an extra layer.
Small Backpack or Bag
To carry personal items and any extra layers comfortably.
Notebook and Pen
Jot down stories or notes from your guide for future reference.