Tours/London/3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London
3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London
5.0(21)London3 hours
VIATOR5.0(5)TRIPADVISOR5.0(16)
+10 photos
At a glance
Duration
3 hours
Price from
$80 / person
Location
London, United Kingdom
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 21 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 15
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
The Great Weekender
Meeting point
We meet outside The Blackfriar.
Description
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 up to 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.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Tue, Wed, and Thu
Start times
2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Next available
Tue, Oct 27
Adult (ages 18+)
$80
Out at sunset: the 2:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 4:27 PM in the coming weeks.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 23.
Tour Options
3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London
Itinerary
Blackfriars Bridge
30 min
We first head to The Blackfriar Public House, discuss Tudor times up until the more modern history surrounding this area and the beautiful example of an art-deco pub in The Blackfriar.
Old Bailey
40 min
We head to a Victorian Public House outside the Highest Criminal Court of the land. We discuss crime and punishment and historic London life.
St. Etheldreda's Church
30 min
We discuss this old area of London, visiting a watering hole that is a secret to many, but was first built under the rule of Henry Viii for the workers under Bishop Goodrich.
Temple Church
Pass by
We visit the Temple district and hear the history of Common Law.
Dr. Johnson's House
Pass by
We hear the history surrounding once of the most important people in London's history.
Fleet Street
40 min
We visit and finish at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Filled with history, you will hear the stories of this great Tavern where we finish our tour.
What's included
Included
Professional Tour Guide
Not included
Alcoholic Beverages
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
21 reviews
5
21
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in London
Rated higher than 81% of 1,348 reviewed tours in London
Starting price $80 is 18% above the typical $68 for tours of similar length in London
Excurgo comparison of 4,778 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does 3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London take?
3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does 3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London cost?
Prices start at $80 per person for this London experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does 3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, starting at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Can I cancel 3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We meet outside The Blackfriar. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is 3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is 3-Hour Historic Pub Experience in London worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 21 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by The Great Weekender.
Reviews(21)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
cookjg
October 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
History of Old London through Pubs and Palaces (Gin Palaces)
Our guide Tom was affable, fun, knowledgeable and an all-around perfect guide. Turned out that we had a private tour that day with no other bookings! He met us at The Black Friar and was waiting and looking for us outside. Having the what’s app picture helped him identify me. So after intros, we Tom took us to historic locations along Fleet Street and we stopped in to a few to taste the beverages! The tour provided a historical perspective of pubs and the surrounding area. We went to some iconic pubs such as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese and also learned about Gin Palaces. Too many pubs with history to stop in, but Tom explained it all! All the way up to the Church of St Dustans, The Twinings Tea Shop, The Inns of Court, etc! What a complete and satisfying tour with the immeasurably adept guide. It filled the gaps of historical info! We left Tom at Gordon’s Wine Bar on the Victoria Embankment for a glass and a delicious meal outside after Tom walked us through the lower level icon! Thank you, Tom and The Great Weekender for a wonderful day and a fantastic tour!
Operator response
Thank you so much for such a fantastic and detailed review! We're absolutely delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time exploring London's historic pubs and hidden corners with Tom.
London's pub history is full of fascinating stories, and there's so much more to these wonderful old establishments than just enjoying a drink! From the legendary Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese to the history of Gin Palaces and the hidden gems along Fleet Street, it's great to hear that Tom brought it all to life for you.
We're also pleased that the unexpected private tour made the experience even more special, and that everything went smoothly from the moment you met at The Black Friar. Finishing at Gordon's Wine Bar sounds like the perfect way to round off a fantastic afternoon!
Tom is a brilliant storyteller with a real passion for London's history, and we'll certainly pass on your incredibly kind words - he'll be thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed the tour.
Thank you again for choosing The Great Weekender and for taking the time to share your experience in such wonderful detail. We hope to welcome you back to discover even more of London's hidden history soon!
Wesley
The Great Weekender
4
493jyotik
May 11, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Brilliant Tour, Brilliant Guide
Had a brilliant experience on this tour with Wesley. I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of learning, exploring, and having a cheeky cheers. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting London. It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
Wesley was fantastic throughout, the tour was engaging from start to finish, and you can really tell he has a genuine passion and enjoyment for London's history as well as for hosting and entertaining.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that the Historic Pub Experience was one of the highlights of your trip to London. It’s great to know you enjoyed the balance of history, exploration, and a cheeky cheers along the way! 🍻
I loved meeting you and it means so much to hear your kind words.
Thank you again for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another London adventure soon!
M
MrDoof
May 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Historic London Pub Walk
Fun walk around the city of London discovering some iconic British pubs and learning interesting bits of English history - all while enjoying a delicious beer! Wesley was hilarious and we had a great time.
Operator response
Thank you for the lovely review! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed discovering some of London’s iconic pubs while soaking up fascinating bits of British history and of course enjoying a delicious beer or two along the way! 🍺
It was great to mrrt you on this tour also.
Best Wesley
B
bethane299
May 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Enjoyed this tour!
Me and my friend really enjoyed this tour around London, the guide was so knowledgeable and engaging that we got a lot from it and a great way to see the city.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your friend really enjoyed the tour and had such a great experience exploring London together.
It’s wonderful to know that the guide’s knowledge and engaging style helped bring the city’s stories to life and made the experience even more memorable. London has so much history and character to discover, and we’re so pleased the tour gave you a fun and meaningful way to see it.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon!
R
robeyt
March 1, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
The Great Weekender was THE Highlight of Our London Trip
Please excuse the tardiness of my review as life gets in the way… That being said, booking this tour was the absolute highlight of our trip to London! Wesley, started as our guide and became our friend by the conclusion. Our tour was small, myself, daughter (25) and her boyfriend (24), which played to our advantage as Wesley really brought the kids out of their shells… he is friendly, engaging and his London knowledge (not just about pubs) is infectious! We really had the best time and the kids couldn’t stop talking about the conversations we all had long after our trip was finished. Please consider booking this tour, you won’t regret it!
Operator response
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review - there’s absolutely no such thing as “too late” when it comes to sharing a great memory!
We’re thrilled to hear that your tour was the highlight of your trip to London, and even more so that Wesley made such a lasting impression. He has a real talent for turning a great tour into a genuinely personal and memorable experience, so it’s fantastic to hear how he connected with you and your family.
It’s especially lovely that your daughter and her boyfriend felt comfortable enough to come out of their shells - that’s exactly the kind of atmosphere we aim to create. Those conversations and shared moments are what make these experiences truly special.
We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Wesley - it will mean a lot to him.
Thanks again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you all back for another adventure in the future!
Warm regards,
The Great Weekender Team
A
Allison_H
December 5, 2025 · via Viator
This tour was so much...
This tour was so much more than we expected! Wesley is a terrific storyteller and his knowledge of the history regarding the area we were in was so intriguing. The pubs we visited were so unique and interesting and we really enjoyed this experience! Thank you Wesley!
Operator response
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I’m thrilled to hear the tour exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the stories, history, and unique pubs along the way. It was a real pleasure sharing the area with you, and I’m so glad the experience was such a memorable one. Cheers, and thanks again!
2
234edanam
September 10, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Drink and learn with Wesley
The Great Historic Pub Experience tour conducted by Wesley was just that : great ! Wesley was well informed , personable and professional. We learned a lot historically about the pubs, the area where they were located and general information about the time period. It was time well spent. We are already planning our next UK trip and will definitely book a tour with Wesley.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Great Historic Pub Experience and found the history, stories, and atmosphere engaging. It was a pleasure guiding you, and I’m so excited to hear you’re already planning your next UK trip—I’d be delighted to welcome you on another tour!
D
Diana_H
August 8, 2025 · via Viator
Awesome Way to Meet London
Great walking Pub tour! Wesley met us on time and took us to 4 wonderful historic pubs He shared so much history of the pubs and the area while we winded our way through street, courtyards and hidden alleys of the city. Having a pint at the pubs really makes you feel a part of London. Great way to start our trip. We highly recommend!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the walking pub tour and discovering the hidden streets, courtyards, and historic pubs of London. I’m glad the pints helped make the experience feel truly local—it’s such a fun way to start a trip. I really appreciate your recommendation!
7
727dianah
August 7, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Perfect Start to London
We had a wonderful Pub Tour provided by Wesley for our first trip to London and our first experience in the city itself.
Wesley met us promptly and led us on a tour of four fantastic historic pubs filling us with the history of the pubs and the areas they were located as we winded our way through beautiful streets, courtyards and alleyways. Wesley was delightful and truly enjoyed sharing the history and we enjoyed hearing it.
Highly recommend!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed your first experience in London on the Pub Tour and that the mix of history, hidden streets, and historic pubs made it memorable. It was a pleasure sharing the stories with you, and I really appreciate your recommendation!
S
Sarah_H
July 14, 2025 · via Viator
Exploring the local culture through fun pub crawls
Wesley was fabulous and entertaining. We enjoyed the historical background specific to the pubs and the local surrounding area. I have already recommended this tour to my colleagues. The next time we're in London I'll certainly look at other trip options with him.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed the history, the pubs, and the local stories. It means a lot that you’ve already recommended the tour to your colleagues, and I’d be thrilled to welcome you back on another adventure the next time you’re in London!
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