Old London Walking Tour with Classic Afternoon Tea | Semi-Private Tour

Your Livtours Semi-Private Old London Walking Tour will weave you around the oldest buildings from the 2000-year-old Roman settlement to the towering modern skyscrapers of the financial capital of the world. Step back in time on your journey through a city torn apart by plague, the great fire, and the blitz and hear the stories of how this financial phoenix of a city always rises from the ashes. With small groups of under 6, follow an expert Londoner as they guide you through the center of a city that once ruled more than a ¼ of the world before stopping for the great British tradition of a full afternoon tea. Recharged and ready you will head onwards to explore more of what is known as the Square mile or to Londoners as simply the city.

This neighborhood is an architectural history book that spans two millennia, in the shadow of the towering skyscrapers of the modern city is a labyrinth of courtyards, alleyways, and medieval churches. Follow a local historian as they guide you through the streets of this fascinating city. Passing famous London landmarks such as Saint Paul’s Cathedral, destroyed 4 times and rebuilt after the great fire, Temple, a series of churches once run by the famous Knights Templar, and Her Majesties fortress The Tower of London.

• Uncover stories of London old and new at its beating heart, The City
• Discover the historic “Square mile” of the old City of London on this 3.5 hour tour
• Enjoy a traditional British afternoon tea in London's historic center
• Benefit from local knowledge finding hidden gems tucked behind famous monuments
• Traverse over 2000 years worth of history as you cross the square mile West to East
• Take your time to enjoy the sights with your guide with group sizes under 6 people

Your Livtours Semi-Private Old London Walking Tour with Classic Afternoon Tea will start in the west of the historic ‘square mile’ before weaving your way past monument after monument until you reach the infamous Tower of London. It is hard to imagine today that the sprawling metropolis of London was once just a square mile north of the River Thames. Firmly established by the Romans in 50ad they built a series of defensive city walls around the outpost then known as Londinium, parts of these 2000-year-old walls can still be seen today. The city has since expanded through the area you will explore is still referred to as the City. Dwarfed by the glass towers of modern financial capital the old city is littered with reminders of London’s ancient past, Your local guide will lead you through bombed-out churches, cobbled courtyards, and side passages of yesteryear sharing the stories behind historic treasures unknown to most visitors.

Starting in an area known as a temple, your tour will take you past exciting and hidden sights such as the lesser-known Church of the Knights temple, the English headquarters of the mysterious medieval religious order violently betrayed and forced into obscurity in the 14th century. You’ll also pass the literary ale den, Ye Old Cheshire Cheese pub, favourite watering hole of Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and many other great writers. Step inside churches destroyed by the firing inferno of the London Blitz dubbed the ‘Second great fire’ and admire the tenacity of Saint Pauls, a gallant survivor of the horrors of war, and learn about the gripping and grisly Tower of London. As well as living and breathing British history, your intimate small group semi-private tour will allow you to taste British tradition as you break up your adventure by enjoying the art of Afternoon Tea. Enjoy beautifully typical cup of British tea (or coffee) with a selection of savouries and sweet cakes. This 3.5-hour tour is jam-packed with sights stories and something for all wanting to get to the heart of London old and new.

• Full British Afternoon tea
• St Clement Danes Church (from outside)
• Fleet Street
• Temple church (from outside)
• St Brides Church
• Great Fire Monument
• St Paul’s Cathedral (from outside)
• See damage from the Blitz of WW2
• River Thames views
• Tower Bridge views
• Richest square mile in the world
• Fully guided experience

All LivTours Semi-Private Group Tours are limited to 6 guests per tour guide. Our commitment to maintaining our uniquely tiny group sizes can sometimes be a little tricky, mathematically speaking. For example, we want to ensure that traveling families and friends can tour together so on rare occasions we may add one or two guests in order to not split groups. On that same note, you may also find yourself on tour with less than six people! We thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

 

 

By selecting Choose Dates Later / Buy as Gift at booking, any tour can be purchased without fixed dates. This is the perfect option if you want to purchase your tour as a gift for a loved one, or if you are in the pre-planning phase of your vacation. After booking, you will receive a Travel Voucher Code and full instructions on how to schedule your tours when ready. Once your travel plans are confirmed, you can easily use the Travel Voucher Code on the LivTours website to formally schedule your tours. You can find out more here.