London in the Blitz WWII Tour with St Paul's Cathedral

Dive into the heart of wartime London with a historian

The Finer Details
While London was never under Nazi occupation, the fear of an enemy invasion loomed over the British Isles for a good part of World War 2. The response of the British people to this fear was a memorable one, especially in London, where people lived with daily bomb raids and were surrounded by destruction. 

Tour Description

This 2.5-hour London WW2 tour focuses on East London and the Square Mile, around St. Paul's Cathedral, one of the most heavily bombed during the war. It's the perfect counterpart to our Churchill War Rooms tour. We start round the corner from the Museum of London at the Fore Street site where the first Nazi bombs fell, from there, we'll work our way south via St Mary Aldermanbury and the Guildhall exploring more of Churchill’s links with the area. 

We'll discuss how empty tunnels and underground stations along the Central Line were used extensively as air-raid shelters. Our conversation will include the fundamental role of the Ministry of Information, boosting the morale of people near and far, but also contributing to the effort to involve the US in the conflict. 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, focusing more on specific vignettes that occurred on the streets around us.

Our London in the Blitz tour will finish at St. Paul's Cathedral, with a visit to the American Memorial Chapel, a space rebuilt after being destroyed in the Blitz and dedicated in its entirety to the American dead of WW2.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?
Generally speaking, the walk begins near the Museum of London. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map. The walk ends at St. Paul's Cathedral.

What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your guide will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Will this walk visit St. Paul's Cathedral?
Yes, we generally go inside and finish the tour at the American Chapel; however, if you prefer to skip this, we can adjust the tour accordingly.

Is this walk recommended for children?
We have a Blitz walk for families that's specifically tailored for children.

Does this tour include the Churchill War Rooms?
No. This tour focuses on the area around St. Paul's Cathedral. However, we offer a Churchill War Rooms tour that can be booked separately or paired with this one for true WW2 fans.
Book a Tour
Where You’ll Go

From iconic landmarks to tucked-away local favorites, these are the places you’ll explore and experience firsthand with your Expert.

  • St. Paul's Cathedral
    London cathedral with Baroque architecture and iconic dome by Sir Christopher Wren.
  • Guildhall
  • Museum of London
What’s Included As Standard
Here’s a look at what your tour covers, plus anything you’ll want to consider arranging separately, so you can plan with confidence.
Included
  • English-speaking expert guide
    Tours led in English, offering you unbroken understanding throughout.
  • Intentionally sized groups
    A smaller group means more time for conversations and questions.
  • Tickets and entrance fees
    All entry tickets included (unless clearly stated otherwise).
  • Headsets
    Headsets are included on tours that need them, so every word can be heard.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
    We encourage tipping as a way to thank your guide after your experience.
  • Food and drink
    Refreshments are only included during a tour when clearly noted.
  • Transportation to and from the meeting point
    Guests organize pre- and post-tour transport themselves - this service can be added by request.
  • Hotel pickup or drop-off
    Unless noted, travel to or from accommodation isn’t included - this service can be added by request.
Where You'll Explore
Map of London in the Blitz WWII Tour with St Paul's Cathedral general meeting point area

Make the Most of Your Tour

Some helpful advice for getting the most from your experience, from practical prep to small on-the-day tips.

Dos:
  • Wear comfortable footwear
  • Check the weather and dress appropriately
  • Bring a bottle of water (no glass)
  • Feel free to ask your Expert anything
Don'ts:
  • Bring firearms or weapons
  • Bring sharp objects (e.g. knives, swiss army knives, switchblades, hiking sticks)
  • Dress inappropriately to enter religious sites or sacred monuments
Any questions? You can always contact us.

Don’t just take our word for it

58 Reviews

It was great! Imogen was great at taking the tour in new directions in response to our questions, and then bringing it all back together.

Photo Shared by Jeff with their review

Imogen was terrific. We loved our time with her.

Can we clone Julia? She was a delight, and understand why she is a top notch Bluebird guide! This was the last stop on my 87-yr old Dad's WWII bucket list trip, and Julia showed us how little we actually knew about the Blitz and Battle of Britain. What we didn't realize until we ended the tour at St. Paul's was that out elevator operator at St. Paul's was one of the volunteers during WWII. This is history coming alive! We have never been to London City before, so hearing its history and about the unions and trades was fascinating. Seeing the Barbican area and hearing the stories of the destructions and rebirth (no, we did not see the Slow Horses offices but were close) of the area, how the volunteer and watch actually worked, Julia made us feel a part of history. We highly recommend not only this tour while in London, but also Julia as your guide. She made history come alive!

Photo Shared by Bryan with their review

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