London WWII In a Day Tour: Life During the Blitz

Intrigued by British history and World War II? Look no further. We’ve come up with the perfect full-day itinerary for those looking for a historic deep dive. In the company of a local historian, we'll spend our time exploring the wartime stories of London with an outdoor walking tour and heading underground to Winston Churchill’s bunker. From the bomb-riddled pockets of London that survived the Blitz to Churchill’s War Rooms, this tour is a fitting introduction for learners looking to explore London through a historic lens.

Our WW2 walking tour will focus on the impact of the war in London, from the fear of enemy invasion to the daily bomb raids and subsequent destruction. We’ll hone in on East London, the Square Mile, and the surrounding area of St. Paul's Cathedral, one of the most bombed districts during the war. We will start close to the Fore Street site where the first Nazi bombs fell, and from there, we may work our way south via St Mary Aldermanbury and the Guildhall exploring more of Churchill’s links with the area. We’ll learn of underground stations repurposed as air-raid shelters, we’ll discuss propaganda and daily life, destruction, and rebuilding, as well as the iconic role that St. Paul's Cathedral came to represent. We may stop for a coffee break at St Mary-le-Bow, destroyed and then restored after the war, before heading to the Blitz memorial north of St Paul's Cathedral. Before lunch, we’ll finish at St. Paul's Cathedral, with a visit to the American Memorial Chapel, dedicated in its entirety to the American dead of WWII.

After a local lunch, we’ll hop in a taxi or take the tube to the Churchill War Rooms to continue our education on the Blitz. In Churchill’s high-security underground bunker office and its maze of other rooms, we’ll learn about the figure of Winston Churchill, the key decisions he made as Prime Minister, and his ability to cement the 'Big Three' Alliance with Russia and the United States. After an in-depth exploration underground, we’ll emerge for a stroll nearby through Whitehall, taking in the Guards Chapel, Buckingham Palace, and discussing the Royal Family during WWII.

We will leave each other with a full day of WWII history behind us and a deeper knowledge of the havoc caused by the Blitz and how the local Londoners came together to rebuild the city to its former glory. We’ll also gain insight into Winston Churchill and his legacy as a political strategist and mythical figure in history.

Interested in a full-day art-themed tour? Check out our Full Day London Art Tour. 

Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Why is the tour limited to five guests?

Our tour is intentionally kept small, limited to five guests, to comply with the venue's restrictions on group size. Additionally, this cap allows each guest to receive personalized attention from the guide, enhancing the overall quality and intimacy of the tour.

Our tours happen rain or shine. Our guides are great at adapting their route during changes in weather. Please bring an umbrella.

For a specific family-friendly London tour, we do recommend our London in a Day for Kids tour.

What are skip-the-line tickets?

For this tour, your tickets are pre-purchased, which allows you to directly enter the security line at the War Rooms without waiting to purchase tickets. You may still have to wait in a security line or in a line to have your pre-purchased ticket scanned.   

Yes. We can arrange a car service to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel if you would like. The price of a full-day service starts at $730. Otherwise, we suggest traveling in between sites on foot, by underground train, or by taxi.