Britain · HISTORICAL TOURS
The 15 best historical tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Join Liquid History Tours for a 3.5-hour walk through London’s old pub district. A guide such as Tim, Chris, Freddie, Mark, or Dave leads you to four traditional pubs near St. Paul’s, Fleet Street, and Covent Garden. Drinks cost extra, and the group is limited to 14 people.
“Great experience Freddy and the rest of the group were amazing group of people. We really bonded over some drinks”
Join DC Tours at Belfast City Hall for a 2.5-hour, 1.5-mile walk through the city centre and Cathedral Quarter. Hear the political story of The Troubles, personal memories, and the road to peace from guides such as James, Anne, Mylie, and Róisín. Headsets help you follow every word in groups of up to 25.
“A terrific insight into Belfast’s amazing history. Our guide Anne did an amazing job including her personal history and knowledge”
Walk Edinburgh’s UNESCO-listed Old Town with guides such as Max, Greg, Angus, Ben, and Jule. Over two hours, you’ll hear lively stories while seeing St Giles Cathedral, Mercat Cross, George Heriot School, and Edinburgh Castle from outside. Expect cobbles, some hills, English commentary, and a route shaped by your guide.
“Kofe was great. Very engaging and informative. Explained as we we went along. Knew his stuff, as it should be. Would definitely recommend!”
Follow an English-speaking guide from Piccadilly Circus through Soho’s music and pub history. Over about 2.5 hours, you’ll visit four characterful pubs linked to the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mozart. Guides such as Ben, Gherto, Harvey, Tom, and Callum bring the stories to life. Drinks cost extra.
“This was a fun experience. Ben, our guide, was very funny and knowledgeable and enthusiastic all the time. We tried 4 different pubs and met lots of interesting people. Would do it again! Thank you Ben for the great afternoon :)”
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Holly, Chihon, Emily, and James, then enter an exclusive section of the South Bridge vaults. Expect Scottish history, city legends, Canongate Kirkyard, uneven ground, winding steps, and plenty of time for questions. Groups are capped at six, keeping the pace personal.
“The tour was very interesting and informative. Our guide was fantastic at explaining the historical context of each place we visited.”
Join Shadows of York at 6:30 pm outside the Guy Fawkes Inn for a 90-minute walk through York’s darker past. Guides including Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie use theatrical storytelling, grim facts, and local tales around the Minster before finishing near the Shambles. Expect cobbles, cold air, group participation, and entertainment rather than a formal history lecture.
“Dan was fantastic! The tour was fun and informative. He has a theatrical way of explaining the stories so they’re spooky but you learn a lot. If your debating on which tour to book, you won’t be disappointed with this one! Thanks Dan and team 😊”
Meet your guide at Mercat Cross for a short Old Town walk, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Expect 75 minutes of stories about workshops, taverns, poverty, medical crimes, and life beneath South Bridge. Guides such as Linda, Veni, Nicola, and Charles are known for lively delivery. Low light and uneven floors require care.
“What a fascinating piece of history. Really interesting and informative. Our guide was clear and enthusiastic and it was well paced and had loads of interesting facts which made the tour a really fascinating part of our trip to Edinburgh”
Walk York with a private guide such as Alan, Chris, Karen, Sean, or David, starting near York Minster and ending by Clifford’s Tower. Expect two to three hours of stories about the Minster, kings, St Mary’s Abbey, the Shambles, and York Castle, with commentary shaped around your interests.
“I chose this tour because I wanted to learn about all of York’s history from the Romans to the Vikings to Henry VIII to Guy Fawes and everything in between. Chris was an amazing tour guide. He knows sooo much about history and weaves the stories so well. His local knowledge of York is impressive. He went above and beyond to make the day educational and amazing.”
Meet your English-speaking guide outside St Paul’s Underground station for a gentle two-mile walk through London’s old streets. Visit four historic pubs, including a tavern dating to 1549 and an elegant Victorian gin palace. Guides such as Dave, Tim, Freddy, Shadow, and Lachlan mix local stories, humor, and practical pub tips.
“Our guide Freddie was fantastic. We had a great time learning some pub history and meeting new friends.”
Use your Ultimate Explorer Ticket to visit the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, HMS M.33, submarine HMS Alliance, and naval museums. Take the harbour tour and weekend waterbus, then return as often as you like for 365 days. You will need to exchange your voucher at the Visitor Centre before entering.
“Loved all of it Just ran out of time to see everything so were able to go back the next morning to finish last bit”
Meet at 351 High Street at 10:30 am for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s historic center. Your professional guide explains the city from medieval times to the modern day, mixing major sights with lesser-known stories. English and French options are advertised, though language availability should be confirmed when booking. The walk ends at Greyfriars Kirkyard.
“Very informative. Now I see the city with different eyes. History and places were a good match. There were also many tips.Auto-translated”
Follow a costumed witch guide from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate through the Shambles, King’s Square, Petergate, York Minster, Stonegate, and Barley Hall. Hear true stories about Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, John Wrightson, and Margaret Clitheroe, plus tales of hauntings, rogues, and York’s darker past. The tour is in English and runs in all weather.
“The Magnificent Merlot was an amazing tour guide, very knowledgeable it amazed me how much he knew & remembered, very talented! He was very funny & entertaining. The tour itself was very interesting & factual, definitely great value for money, I recommend it to anyone interested in witches & York history.”
Join local historians such as John or Julio for a 1-hour-50-minute walk from the Royal Liver Building through Liverpool’s medieval core, Georgian streets, old docks, and Royal Albert Dock. Expect strong detail on trade, shipping, and the city’s role in the Atlantic world, with outdoor stops and a brisk pace.
“So informative and the guide was super clued up.....so much history and what an important city Liverpool once was.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Piccadilly Circus and walk through Soho for 2.5 hours, stopping at four historic pubs. Guides such as Gherto, Henry, Ben, Sy, and Al bring stories of Lennon, Hendrix, Bowie, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones to life. Drinks cost extra, and the tour runs rain or shine.
“I couldn't wish for anything better. The tour started on time and was very well organised. The best of the tour was our guide, Ben Cooper, is very friendly and funny ,filled with very interesting information and you can tell he loves what he does. Thank you Ben for your enthusiasm, 😊”
Walk from Parliament Square to Canongate Kirk with guides such as James, Joe, Robert, and Kieran. Expect true stories of executions, plague, crime, body snatching, and Edinburgh’s old streets, with humor and strong storytelling. This is a history walk with grim edges, not a traditional ghost tour.
“Loved this walking tour - Robert, our guide has great energy. It lasts about 1h45. Learnt a lot about unsuspecting artifacts all over the royal mile.”
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