Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led London Welcome Tour

Your first taste of London, side-by-side with a local guide
From US$430 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
2.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Big Ben
  • Piccadilly Circus
  • Trafalgar Square
  • Horse Guards Road
  • Carnaby Street
Traveler Testimonials

"Catered to our own interests"

"Our tour with Jonathan was awesome. He was so knowledgeable, and catered the tour to our own interests."

-Amanda P.

"Hugely informative"

"Our tour was a hugely informative overview of the city and its most famous landmarks. Mark knew literally everything there was to know about everything, but very kindly tailored his tour to our 11-year-old son’s interests."

-Brian L.

"Engaging with both adults and kids"

"Harry was an amazing tour guide. He was very engaging with both the adults and kids and provided an outstanding overview of London which set the stage for the rest of our visit."

-Jordana F.
Photos & Highlights
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Tour Description
If London has captured your imagination, our 2.5-hour orientation experience offers a fresh perspective on the history, art, and culture of the British capital. Join an expert to add context to your visit and set yourself up for deeper exploration on your own.
Experts
Marc Marc
Art Historian
Alex Alex
Local Guide
Janice Janice
Local Guide
Noah Noah
Local Guide
Imogen Imogen
Historian
Philippa
Local Guide
Fred Fred
Local Guide
Tim Tim
Tour Guide
Charlotte Charlotte
Local Guide
Laurence Laurence
Local Guide
Jonathan Jonathan
TOUR GUIDE
Fintan Fintan
Doctoral Student
Tim Tim
Historian
Alexandra Alexandra
Local Guide
Ever imagined gazing over the Thames, standing in awe beneath Big Ben’s towering clock, or watching London’s iconic red double-decker buses weave through the city’s bustling streets? Join a local expert to explore both the landmarks that define London and the hidden corners that bring its two-thousand-year history to life. Share your interests, and your guide will tailor the experience to ensure a tour that’s uniquely yours.

Will you take in the vibrant colors and energy of Carnaby Street? Can you keep pace with the lively rhythm of Piccadilly Circus? Discover historic Trafalgar Square, where echoes of past triumphs still linger, or take a stroll along Horse Guards Road. Pause on King Charles Street—you might just feel Churchill’s presence, inviting you to step inside the War Rooms.

Along the way, you’ll not only see London’s most iconic sites but also get a taste of its flavors with a small treat from your guide’s favorite spot—your first step to experiencing the city like a local. From ancient churches and Big Ben to the Beatles and World War II, London’s history isn’t just preserved—it’s alive in its streets, buildings, and stories. Every step reveals a new chapter, and every turn invites another adventure. By the end of your journey, you’ll leave with a deeper connection to the city, a wealth of knowledge, and a roadmap for further exploration—perhaps even a new friend.
  • You’d like to learn how to navigate the city while seeing a highlight of London’s most iconic monuments and sites. 
  • Along with the sites and monuments, you’d like to experience the energetic streets of Soho, a London hot spot, and get insider recommendations from your expert. 
  • You’re looking for an eye-opening introduction to the two-thousand-year history of London with a local expert by your side.  
  • Carnaby Street 
  • Piccadilly Circus
  • Trafalgar Square
  • Horse Guards Road
  • St. James Park 
  • Westminster
  • Big Ben

Additional Trip-Planning Resources

A few things that pair well with this tour: 
Does the tour include the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace? 
No, this tour does not include the Changing of the Guard, if you are interested in this experience you can check out our Half-Day Royal London Tour with Changing of the Guard.

Does this tour include the London Eye? 
This tour does not include an interior visit of the London Eye, but you will still be able to see it exteriorly as you approach the City of Westminster, right on the Thames River.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
The tour is fast-paced and includes some narrow alleys and cobbled streets. We do not recommend this tour for clients with severe mobility issues.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Where You'll Start
(5.0) 24 Reviews

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Alex was amazing! Excellent guide!
Marc was an absolute pleasure to spend time with. He acclimatized well to our family of six, our interests, and our tolerances. Always mellow and calm - he was just what we needed for our first morning as a family in London. I'd recommend him without condition to others wanting a great tour and fantastic way to get one's bearings in the city.
Fred did a fantastic job providing our family a tour of London. He was friendly, interesting and engaging. We had a great time. Thank you!