self guided tour of london

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Self-Guided Walking Tour London

Although we do offer several fully guided free walking tours in London, they run on a somewhat regular schedule, which means you might not always be able to join us.

That's why we compiled this list of free self-guided London walks, including self-guided food and theme tours, such as Harry Potter film locations.

We've broken up these tours into the following categories.

• Neighbourhood
• Themed Tours
• GPS-Guided Audio Tours
• Other Free Things to Do in London

And if you are considering a London hop-on-hop-off bus tour, then these self-guided tours will come in handy when you are off the bus. Read our reviews of the best London bus tours .

For more ways to save money, check out our London on a Budget Guide .

Self-Guided Neighbourhood Walking Tours

Though we love showing guests around London, we realize that not everyone has the time to take a guided walking tour.

If our tour schedule doesn't work for you, or if you would rather explore on your own, then take advantage of our totally free self-guided tours!

Self-Guided City of London Tour

This tour takes you through Old London. Classic sites include St Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, the Tower of London, and Tower Bridge.

You can even watch a condensed virtual version of this tour right now.

Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone

We also have a GPS-enabled audio tour version  (sample below) and a pay-what-you-wish live guided tour option . 

Royal London Self-Guided Walking Tour

You can't leave London without seeing many of the sites included in this list.

Some of our favorites are Buckingham Palace, St. James' Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, and Trafalgar Square. 

Click on the map to enlarge it or download it to a smartphone .

We also offer a pay-what-you-like live-guided Royal London Tour option  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Camden Town

Once known as the Rock n' Roll capital of the world, Camden Town is now a popular tourist destination offering many great things to do.

This is a self-guided tour to show the visitor some of the many interesting things to see in Camden Town London.

Piccadilly and St. James Walking Tour

One of the most popular touristic areas located in London's West End, this self-guided tour will cover places like Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

We also offer two guided walks that correspond to this self-guided tour, our guided tour of Soho and our Rock N Roll London Tour . 

River Thames Self-Guided Walking Tour

The best tour for photography enthusiasts!

This picturesque tour takes you along the River Thames to see sites such as the Millennium Bridge, London Eye, and Shakespeare Globe Theatre.

This tour is a great option for an evening walk. In fact, we offer this as a guided tour , usually from April through October.

And check out our audio tour version. Here's a sample.

Be sure to check out our guide to things to do at night in London for even more ideas for nighttime activities.

Self-Guided Royal Borough of Greenwich Walking Tour

Enjoy a leisurely walk through this posh neighborhood that will take you to sites like Greenwich Park, the Queen's House, and the Trafalgar.

A great way to get to Greenwich is by boat cruise .

Hyde Park and Kensington Walking Tour

This will take you through beautiful Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, past a posh royal palace and picturesque art galleries and museums.

SELF-GUIDED THEMED TOURS

In this section, we list several tours based on individuals, bands, movies, or ghosts.

Harry Potter Self-Guided Walking Tour

Dive into the magical world of Harry Potter!

This particular tour will focus on film sites in the northern part of London, such as Leadenhall, Australia House, Platform 9 3/4 as well as many other famous sights.  

Click on the map to enlarge or download to a smartphone

We also offer a guided Harry Potter Tour  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Guide to Beatles in London  

Although John, Paul, George, and Ringo hailed from Liverpool, there are plenty of London landmarks for Beatles-lovers to get their fix.

From recording studios to concert venues, shops to roof-top performances, London is filled with hot-spots for fans of the Fab Four. 

There are many guided tours of Beatles sites with live tour guides and other fans. We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour.

We also have a post on how to get to the Abbey Road Crosswalk .

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Jack the Ripper Sites  

Try your hand at solving one of the most famous unsolved murder cases in history.

Our Jack the Ripper tour guides you through the area of London where the felon committed his most notorious crimes.

We've even included a photo from that era to give you a sense of how the city looked.  

We also offer a live-guided option for Jack the Ripper  as well as a GPS-enabled audio tour version .

Downton Abbey London Sights  

Downton Abbey exploded onto our screens in 2010 and people from all over the world watched the lives and exploits of the Crowley Family and all the characters surrounding them.

Although Downton Abbey has finished airing, it’s still as popular as ever.

For visitors who have traveled to the U.K. hoping to see some Downton Abbey locations and inspirations, here is our helpful guide to London’s Downton Abbey connections! 

Roman London Walking Tour  

Get a better sense of just how powerful the Roman Empire once was with this tour.

Sites include the Temple of Mithras and a piece of the Roman Wall, which dates back 2,000 years.

James Bond Tour  

Use your feet and the London Underground to visit sights related to James Bond in London.

You'll see a variety of historic sites such as Somerset, Buckingham Palace, and Whitehall, and you'll learn all about their connections to the character.

Literary Walking Tour - Hampstead Heath  

Hampstead was the birthplace of big names in the literary industry.

Hampstead is considered one of the more beautiful London boroughs and it is full of places for true literature lovers to explore.

Jimi Hendrix Sights  

London was an important city for this American rock legend. We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour.

David Bowie Sights  

Born in London, David Bowie left an indelible mark on this city. We offer a twice-weekly Rock N Roll London guided tour.

London Ghost Tour  

Only for those bold enough to take a ghost tour on their own! Want some company? Join us for a guided ghost tour of London.

Wizards of London Game

This self-guided walking tour london app puts you in the shoes of a wizard to solve a mystery while discovering some of the most notable sites in the city.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Questo Experiences (@questoapp)

Haunted London Game

Discover the more frightening side of London's history as you attempt to solve a mystery during this haunted self-guided exploration game.

Queen: The Quest Must Go On Game

Fans of the band Queen may want to consider taking part in this self-guided exploration game which will task them with solving a mystery based on their music.

Get a taste of London with our free self-guided food tour: 

East London Food Tour  

It is possible to eat from any of the world’s cuisines when you are in the East End of London, but here is a small DIY tour that will have you sampling some of the best the East End has to offer those with a hunger for delicious food.  

Be sure to check out our pay-what-you-wish  tour guide led version  (watch video above).

Soho, Chinatown, and Piccadilly Food Tour  

Explore culturally and culinarily diverse neighborhoods of Soho, Chinatown, and Piccadilly.

We've curated a list of the best restaurants in the area to give you a real taste of London!

Exmouth Market Food Tour

Venture out to Exmouth Market, the “real” London that's tucked just far enough away from other touristy parts with the best street food that London has to offer.

Covent Garden Food Tour  

Try out the culinary delights in one of London's liveliest neighborhoods in the West End.

Borough Market

Discover the best eats you can find in Borough Market and get some ideas for what types of food you might want to get here. 

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The Ultimate Self-Guided London Walking Tour

Reid October 20, 2019 Destinations , Resources Leave a Comment

When I was in college I was briefly in England and wanted to explore London, but I only had one day to do it. I also didn’t want to spend money on a guided tour or a hop on hop off bus. Well, truthfully I did but I was a broke college kid. I needed something on budget but effective. I literally had one day in London and I felt that I needed to see as much of the city possible but didn’t know how to cram it all in.

As luck would have it, a friend of a friend who lived in London happened to have a day off and offered to show our group around the city. We lucked out and had a local London tour guide. He had lived in London his entire life and knew exactly what to see in London. He let us know to wear comfortable shoes as we’d be footing it for the day. Perfect, a London walking tour! 

For the entire day, we followed our guide’s lead and ended up having a very memorable day in the city and saw all of London’s must-see spots. Now, years later I’m sharing this information with you so you can have your very own self guided London Walking tour. I’m even going to share a map so you can keep track of where to go or customize your own walking tour.

Table of Contents

Picadilly Circus

Trafalgar square, buckingham palace, st. james park, westminster abbey, parliament and big ben, tate modern gallery, shakespeare’s globe theatre, st. paul’s cathedral, tower of london, tower bridge, london walking tour map, kensington palace, parliament square, london bridge, the fire of 1666 history, hms belfast, london aquarium, jubilee gardens, self guided london walking tour.

When we met our new found guide he told us how effective public transportation is around the city. He said that it would be easy to hop on the Underground or on a double-decker bus to get to our destinations, but that we would miss so many things along our way.

This is just a guide, use it to see what you want to see and walk past what you want to do. The entire walk I’ll outline is about 5.5 miles. It took us just over 6 hours to complete, but we did stop several places for photos and again for lunch. If you’re not interested in walking hop on a bus or on the Tube, this guide is still a great list of things to do in London.

We started our day at Picadilly Circus. Think of it as London’s Times Square. There are tons of lights, billboards, shows, restaurants, gift shops, and tourist attractions. Also, it is a very good spot to start our tour because it is very easy to get to by the London TFL bus system (Transport for London) or the Underground.

Get your fill of all the lights and load up on cheap souvenirs and get ready to walk!

After about a 10 minute walk from Picadilly Circus is Trafalgar Square. Trafalgar Square is a public square in central London that commemorates a historic naval battle, The Battle of Trafalgar, over the French and Spanish. It has some famous fountains and statues that you’ll recognize from movies and tv. It is also home to Nelson’s Column and the National Portrait Gallery.

What trip to London would be complete without seeing Buckingham Palace? The palace has served as the residence for Britain’s royalty since 1837. You might not see the queen, but if you schedule ahead you can watch the changing of the guard.

Timing is crucial for this stop if you want to see the changing of the guard ceremony. Make sure to double-check the time and keep an eye on your watch if you want to witness this. We planned our day’s start time around the changing of the guard.

Typically, changing of the Queen’s Guard starts at 10:45 am and lasts about 45 minutes. This is a cool thing to see and is a great photo op. I recommend checking it out. It is free to watch, but there is usually a crowd, so showing up a few minutes early will be helpful.

On the way to the next stop on the walking tour you’ll be able to have a nice stroll through St. James Park, just like a local would. The map attached may suggest walking on the outer street of the park, but we chose to walk through it. If you walk through, stop halfway at the Blue Bridge, which crosses the lake is another great photo spot. It offers great views of Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.

Fun fact, the park is home pelicans that have actually lived there for over 400 years. The original pelicans were a gift to King Charles II.

Continue your walk to World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey is an important part of British History and current events alike. It is used for coronations, royal weddings and is the resting place of British kings, queens, statesmen, soldiers, poets, and heroes. The abbey holds regular services but is open to the public most days. Check ahead to see what is available to see when you’re in town. There is much to see inside!

The Palace of Westminster, commonly called the House of Parliament, is the next stop on our walking tour. It serves as the meeting place for House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is also home to Big Ben which is actually just the name of the bell, not the clock tower itself. That is something we learned from our local guide. I always thought it was Big Ben was the clocktower.

Take Westminster Bridge across the River Thames toward your next stop the London Eye. Make sure you turn around and take some photos of Big Ben and Parliament from the bridge or across the river. It is a great view and the pictures won’t disappoint.

The London Eye is comparatively new to most of the sights on our London walking tour. It was completed in 2000 and at the time it was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel. The London Eye was built as a tourist attraction and offers incredible views of London and the River Thames. If you want to ride the Ferris wheel, advance bookings are recommended. The lines for tickets can get long.

A nice walk along the River Thames will bring you to the Tate Modern Gallery, a spectacular art museum that is free to visit, although some individual exhibits may have admission fees. It is worth a stop if you’re into art or want some air conditioning. If not, keep walking, you’re about to pass another great London landmark!

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 and was home to Shakespeare’s playing company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. A modern reconstruction was built in 1997 in the approximate location and now is home to tours, a gift shop, a cafe, and yes, plays.

From the Globe Theater, take Millennium Bridge across the Thames. Millennium Bridge is a uniquely designed footbridge and is worth a photo or two itself.

Across the river, you’ll find St. Paul’s Cathedral, which a classic piece of London history and dates more than 1400 years. It is an Anglican cathedral. You do have to pay to enter as a tourist but admission gives you access to the cathedral floor, crypt, and galleries. 

A short walk from St. Paul’s you’ll find the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Tower of London holds a lot of history and was once a palace and a notorious prison. There is an entrance fee, but it is worth it to gain access to all of the museums, exhibits, and even catch a glimpse of iconic crown jewels. Tours are also available.

You can’t go to London and not visit Tower Bridge. It is probably the most iconic sight in town. If you look ahead at the schedules you may be lucky enough to see the bridge go up to let a ship through. You can walk across the bridge and even see the engine rooms that make the bridge lift and drop.

Tower Bridge is the end of our walking tour. From Tower Bridge, it is a short walk to Tower Station. Here and you can catch the Tube or a bus to anywhere in London.

As promised here are the links to the google maps. I’ve split them in two because google wouldn’t let me put all of the destinations in one map. Here they are London Walking Tour Part One and London Walking Tour Part Two.

More London Sights to See

If you don’t think this self-guided London walking tour has enough destinations or you aren’t interested in some of the stops try adding these to your walking tour. They are all fairly close to your walking route.

Between Picadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.  Where some of London’s playhouses reside, think Broadway in New York.

Historic/government buildings and nice views.

Just a bit past Buckingham Palace is Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens another royal residence.

Horse Guards Parade – An open place they use for ceremonies and events on the East side of St. James Park. They usually have traditional English guards on post here.

A park with some monuments great views of Parliament.

The current version of the London Bridge is really just a bridge and isn’t too significant, but when in London, right?

All around the St. Paul’s Cathedral there are markers describing the area affected by the fire of 1666. You’ll have to keep an eye open, some of the markers are hidden.

Just down the river from Tower Bridge is the retired WWII vessel which is now a museum.

Just across Westminster Bridge from Parliament.

A public park near the London Eye.

We hope that you’re able to take this walking tour of London. I loved my time there!

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Self-Guided Sightseeing Walks

If you want to see the landmarks then try The City , Seven Bridges and St. Paul’s to Big Ben . If you’re into the Royals then try Royal London . Along The Southbank is good for a leisurely stroll up the river

Along The Southbank - Take a stroll along the Southbank from the London Eye all the way to Tower Bridge, taking in views of St Paul’s and the Square Mile

The City (Square Mile) - Walk through the old City of London, past famous landmarks like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Royal Exchange and St Paul’s

Explore Roman London - Travel back in time to when London was still called Londinium, and see what remains can still be seen above and below ground 2

North Pole Expedition - A huge five-mile walk from Victoria all the way to the top of Primrose Hill via Regent Street, Regent’s Park and the penguins at London Zoo

Regent’s Canal to Camden - How about a leisurely walk along the Regent’s Canal, taking in Little Venice, London Zoo, and ending at arty Camden Town 2

Royal London - This walk takes you to St. James’s Palace, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, and the 1,000-year-old Westminster Abbey

St. Paul’s to Big Ben - Walk from St. Paul’s to the Houses of Parliament, past lots of famous landmarks like Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square

Seven Bridges - Walk down the river and cross over seven of London's most famous bridges, from Westminster Bridge all the way to Tower Bridge

West End - Explore London's theatre district with this walk around the West End, past Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden 4

Window Shopping - Walk some of London's most famous shopping streets including Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Carnaby Street

Upcoming guided walks in London

Outdoor Adventure Game: The Case of Colombia’s Finest Every day Discover some of the city's most curious locations in this self-guided outdoor adventure game

Greenwich Ghoulish Ghost Tour! Every other Sat Explore some of the creepy streets around Greenwich and hear stories about ghoulish crimes and haunted pubs

The Beatles Walking Tour: In the footsteps of the Fab Four Every Thu Walk across the Abbey Road zebra crossing and see where the band played their final gig on the roof

Sherlock Holmes Tour -- London locations from the novels & movies Until 25 Sep 2024 Walk in the footsteps of the world's greatest fictional detective and Arthur Conan Doyle

London Bridge Ghost Tour -- Two mile guided walk Every Sat Explore the dark streets and area around London Bridge and hear some spooky ghost stories and learn about its terrifying history 2

James Bond Walking Tour Until 28 Sep 2024 Walk in the footsteps of the world's most famous secret agent and see some film locations from the James Bond movies

Black Friday: Up to 15% off selected tours

Prices shown include discount | Offer ends November 28th at 11:59pm PST

Home / Blog / Destination / UK / London / A Tale of Two Cities: The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour in London

A Tale of Two Cities: The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour in London

London is known the world over as a vibrant, historical, edgy, multicultural hub with more museums, art galleries and things to see than you can shake a stick at. but did you know that we are, in fact, two cities and 32 boroughs.

To discover them all, your best bet is a self-guided walking tour.. If you’re hankering to see where it all began, start in the City of London. This is the most ancient part, where you’ll find the Tower of London and the financial district, founded by the Romans in 55 A.D.

Meanwhile, the City of Westminster is home to big hitters such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, a place of kings and queens that’s central to the British democracy. Want to see the Changing of the Guard? This is the city for you.

For London first-timers with only a few days to explore, it can seem a little overwhelming planning where to go and when. So here at Devour, we’ve devised the ultimate self-guided walking tour of London involving both cities, a boat ride, a guard change, an iconic clock tower and a whole lot more in just a few hours—plus some lunch suggestions for afterward.

Ready to hit the streets of London with us?

1. Tower of London (alight at the Tower Hill tube stop)

The Tower of London was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror, who arrived from Normandy, whacked an arrow into our king’s eye and then took control of the country. The work of a succession of monarchs over hundreds of years, the tower has served as a royal mint, an observatory, a zoo, an armory, a royal palace, a treasury and an execution site for two of Henry VIII’s more unfortunate wives. It’s now home to the Beefeaters , some massive crows and the Crown Jewels.

If you’re planning to visit the inside, get there nice and early for a good look at the Crown Jewels without the crowds. It’s £26 per adult if you buy online in advance, and doors open to the public at 9 a.m.

2. Tower Bridge

Just in front of the Tower of London, you’ll find Tower Bridge. Though it looks old, it’s a mere baby in comparison to the complex next to it; it only dates back to 1894.

London has 33 bridges, but this is the only one with bascules allowing the bridge to raise up to allow ships to pass through. Pretty terrifying for the driver of the Line 78 bus who, in 1952, found himself driving full throttle over the raising bridge . With no choice but to floor it, the bus jumped right over the gap and Albert Gunter got himself a day off work and £10 for his bravery.

Farther up where the river bends is Rotherhithe. In September 1620, 102 passengers set sail on a ship called the Mayflower from here—Puritans fleeing persecution for a chance at life in the New World.

3. Boat Ride down the Thames

At the front of the tower, you’ll find the pier for the Thames Clipper river bus . Grab yourself a one-way ticket (no more than £9) from the kiosk and jump on the next boat to Westminster. The boats generally come every 20–30 minutes.

While it may seem like an unexpected addition to a self-guided walking tour in London, this is a wonderful way to see all the sights along the river in a mere 20 minutes on your way to the City of Westminster.

En route, you’ll see our warship the HMS Belfast , the Monument to the Great Fire of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, St. Paul’s Cathedral and its splendid Baroque dome, the Tate Modern (free entry and full of spectacular works from surrealism to feminist art), Somerset House and the London Eye before hopping off at Westminster Pier.

4. Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

Welcome to the absolute center of British democracy and government. The Palace of Westminster, better known nowadays at the Houses of Parliament, was originally a residence for kings. It’s split into two “houses” of Lords and Commons; the tower at the furthest end is the Victoria Tower, which houses parliamentary archives.

The tower closest to you is the one known globally as Big Ben, despite the tower itself never having been called that. Its real name is the Elizabeth Tower, and to clear up the confusion, Big Ben refers to the bell housed inside the tower, made by the same foundry as the Liberty Bell.

The area around this iconic London building is Parliament Square. The church on the far side of the square is one of the most important in Britain: Westminster Abbey. It was also built by Edward the Confessor after a pretty epic dream, and is the burial place of virtually every English royal up until the 1700s.

While it’s not free to enter, if you attend an Evensong service, you’ll get to see the interior without paying a penny!

5. Whitehall

Down this narrow street, you’ll find the road of our ministries: the Ministry of Health (the one that looks ironically like a packet of cigarettes), the Ministry of Defence, and for Harry Potter fans, even the location of the Ministry of Magic. Wizard!

On this walk you’ll also pass Churchill’s War Rooms, the Old War Office, the Banqueting House—where our former king, Charles I, lost his head years before the French started executing monarchs—and the Horse Guards Parade, where you’ll find our Mounted Cavalry guarding the official entrance to Buckingham Palace. Stop for a photo!

6. Trafalgar Square

You’ve arrived at the most iconic public space in London: Trafalgar Square, home to our biggest events, from New Year’s Eve celebrations to political rallies.

It was built to commemorate the victory of Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars in 1805. This much-loved British hero never made it back from the battle, and his body arrived home preserved in a barrel of brandy. His statue stands here atop a column, looking south towards Portsmouth, where his flagship HMS Victory is still moored today.

At the back of the square you’ll find the National Gallery, totally free to enter and full of artistic classics, from the works of Rembrandt and Caravaggio to those of Monet and Rubens.

7. The Mall

This is the Queen’s personal driveway leading up to Buckingham Palace, flanked on either side by St. James’ Park (worth checking out for the pelicans) and Clarence House, the current residence of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

8. St. James’ Palace

This lesser-known sibling of Buckingham Palace is tucked just around the corner but is no less important! It was the site of a leper hospital until the reign of Henry VIII. If you want to write a letter to the Queen to complain about the weather or traffic, then you’d best send it here, as St. James’ Palace is the official seat of the royal court in Great Britain.

Bizarrely, this is the best place to watch the Changing of the Guard, the most pompous shift change in the world. After these soldiers have guarded the palace for 24 to 48 hours, they’ll march along to Buckingham Palace to change over to the New Guard. You’ll have a far better view of the event from here, and even get to enjoy the music before accompanying them to the Queen’s house.

The Changing of the Guard only occurs on certain days, which change throughout the year (check online ). The guards leave from St. James’ Palace around 10:45 a.m. Get there a little early to enjoy the full spectacle!

9. Buckingham Palace

No self-guided walking tour in London would be complete without this iconic attraction. Known as Buckingham House until Queen Victoria moved here in 1837 to escape her controlling mother in Kensington, this palace has been the “official” London residence of the UK royals ever since.

With 775 rooms, 240 bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, a cinema, a swimming pool, an operating room, a post office and tennis courts, Queen Lizzie’s house is quite the crib—even if it is not her favorite palace .

Looking at the palace, you can always tell if the Queen is home by the flag on the top. When the Union Jack flies, she’s away; when the Royal Standard flutters, she’s most definitely there.

You must be hungry after all that history!

We hope you enjoyed our whirlwind self-guided walking tour in London—but like any good Devourer, you’re probably about ready for a bite to eat now. Within walking distance from Buckingham Palace, here are a few of our biggest recommendations:

• Shepherd Market is a hidden gem right in the heart of prestigious Mayfair, packed to the brim with little eateries. If you fancy an absolute blow-out of a lunch, try Kitty Fisher’s . This small establishment is an absolute must for British produce done right.
• For a more budget-friendly-yet-still-totally-London experience, head to Soho’s Chinatown. We suggest the big, steamy bowls of king prawn noodles at Hung’s , or Jinli Chinese for spicier Sichuan cuisine—their hot pots are out of this world.

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• Attractions

The walks on this site are self-guided and free. You simply select the walk you are interested in doing, print them out and follow them. Each walk includes directions. The walks are also available to buy as a set with maps, or as individual booklets.

Things are always changing in London. Although many of the landmarks mentioned are hopefully going to be there for years to come, others may not. Prices quoted are for guidance.

If you find a detail or price that has changed, please let us know .

The walks are not overly detailed. After all, you are probably on holiday! They simply guide you through an area of London, highlighting key points of interest and landmarks, and including some trivia you might not know – hopefully, just enough detail to make the walks interesting.

Like any big city, London has its share of urban problems such as street crime and muggings. Although all walks take you through areas of London that are usually safe and generally busy with people, please do them in daylight hours. Besides, you get to see more that way!

Buy all our walks and the self guided bus tour in a handy booklet

However, for just  £3.50 you can buy all walks in a single pdf booklet. The booklet includes directions, maps and more.

Bridges Walk

Ripper Walk

Cultural Walk

Riverside Pubs Walk

Nautical Walk

Writers Walk

Theatres Walk

Shopping Walk

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One day in London: A self-guided walking tour of London’s most famous places

July 16, 2018 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

After booking a cheap fare to London last year, I only had two days in London, including catching a sample sale in Shoreditch. As I didn’t have so much time, I ended up crafting a self-guided walking tour of London’s most famous attractions on foot to cover as much as possible during the only full day that I had in London.  Keep reading for my itinerary for one day in London!  (Map and printable directions at the bottom.)

• 1 What to know about this walking route of London
• 2.1 Bagels on Brick Lane
• 2.2 Brick Lane Market
• 2.3 Old Spitalfields Market
• 2.4 Leadenhall Market
• 2.5 Tower of London
• 2.6 Tower Bridge
• 2.7 Hay’s Galleria
• 2.8 Borough Market
• 2.9 Shakespeare’s (reconstructed) Globe
• 2.10 Millennium Bridge
• 2.11 Tate Modern
• 2.12 London Eye
• 2.13 The Instagram Shot…
• 2.14 Big Ben
• 2.15 Westminster Abbey
• 2.16 Buckingham Palace
• 4.1 Click to download your printable PDF of your London walking tour!
• 5 Have you been to London?

What to know about this walking route of London

The total distance is about ~6 miles or 10 km.  This self-guided walking tour of London should take about 5 hours to walk along this self-guided walking tour of London with stopping for food, photos, and the obligatory pint without actually going inside any of the attractions, besides the markets.  Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!

[learn_more caption=”Included in this one day guide to London” state=”open”]

Where to stay in London

Bagels on brick lane, old spitalfields market, leadenhall market, tower of london.

• Tower Bridge (London Bridge!)

Hay’s Galleria

Borough market.

• Shakespeare’s Globe

Millennium Bridge

•  Tate Modern
• The best instagram photo spot in London…

Westminster Abbey

• Buckingham Palace[/learn_more]

If you’re planning your trip to London, book your accommodation ASAP. Although food in London wasn’t as bad as anticipated, accommodation was very expensive for my short weekend in London.

I ended up staying at St. Christopher’s on Liverpool street , a boutique hostel with an option for affordable private rooms with a cozy British pub downstairs.  It was both walking distance from Shoreditch and the main attractions, which saved me a lot of money on the Tube (which is expensive!)

For those who are cringing at the thought of a hostel, friends of mine have loved staying at CitizenM, a boutique hotel with good prices and business-style amenities.  Their Tower of London hotel has views of the Tower of London although they also have a hotel in Shoreditch .   London has some stunning luxury hotels  as well.

For London, rates are high, so I recommend booking your London hotel as far in advance as possible as I recently helped a friend find a hotel in London .   99% of hotels were booked up around 1-2 months ahead for her dates.  Similarly, I recommend checking the location as some stunning hotel locations that I looked up were cheap, however when you factor in the cost of the London Tube, your hotel might end up being more than you realize and you will need to combat the rush hour crowds.

Check accommodation rates in London now!

As a New Yorker, I felt that it was  very important to compare London bagels with New York bagels.  I was very impressed with the bagels at Beigel Bake.  I recommend it with salted beef and/or salmon if you eat either.

Brick Lane Market

Brick Lane is at the heart of one of London’s coolest neighborhoods. I loved walking down Brick Lane to peek into the vintage shops, stop for a snack, and just take in the great graffiti that I saw along the way.    Click to book a full alternative tour of London, including the best graffiti.

I  loved this market, which has stood in the same place for 350+ years.  The existing building dates back to 1887 and it’s full of cute stalls.  I ended up stopping off for donuts, a cup of coffee at Department of coffee, a duck taco at the Duck Truck, and  the Diner , an American style diner for breakfast part II with unlimited coffee.  I also had a blast browsing the little stalls for beautiful clothing and jewelry.

For my Harry Potter fans here! Leadenhall Market stood in for Diagon Alley in the first Harry Potter film. It’s a stunning Victorian covered market and be sure to take a photo by the Bull’s Head Passage, which was the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.  Don’t worry: you don’t need to tap the wall to get inside.

The Tower of London is one of the main landmarks of London. The castle dates back to 1066 and it was built during the Norman Invasion.  At various points in history, it was used as a prison for political prisoners (including Queens). Notably, Anne Boleyn (of the Tudors) was executed here.  Besides the history, the British Crown Jewels are on display here, including a couple pieces worn by the Queen.

As we only had one day in London, I didn’t have time to wait in line as I really wanted to go inside, but the line was at least 1-2 hours.  I’d recommend purchasing tickets for the Tower of London ahead if you don’t wish you wait in line and you want to go inside. (Choose carefully if you’re figuring out what to do!)

Tower Bridge

Can you visit London without seeing the famous bridge? Interestingly enough, London Bridge is actually another bridge and the Tower Bridge is the one that you’ll want to visit. I loved walking across as the Tower Bridge has fantastic views of the Tower of London!

Hay’s Galleria used to be the warehouse used for the storage of tea brought into London.  It’s just a stunning piece of architecture, so when I visited, I had to step inside. It’s a cool example of mixed used architecture and how a building can be reimagined!

Food, finally! Be sure to get here prior to 4pm as many shops close up around then. Borough Market is London’s oldest food market and it has over 100 stalls.  You’ll find everything from French cheeses to street food to sandwiches.  We recommend avoiding the lunch rush and trying to arrive here around 11am or 1pm (or so) to avoid the crowds.

Shakespeare’s (reconstructed) Globe

Shakespeare’s original Globe Theatre stood in the vicinity of this modern reconstruction.  Even if you don’t attend a Shakespeare play at the theatre, it’s worth admiring it and imagining the London of yore.

Any Harry Potter fans here!? I mostly passed by this bridge, featured in the Harry Potter films, just to see it in person.  It famously collapsed in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”.   You don’t need to go over it to take a good photo!

Tate Modern

Did you know that it’s  free to visit most of the Tate besides special exhibitions? Be sure to step into one of London’s best museums for free to check out whatever art that you can enjoy during your time here.  (I didn’t include time in the museum as part of the walking tour.) The views over London are great from up top!

For iconic views of London, consider going up in the London Eye.  Personally, I was happy with the views from below, but I’ve seen some amazing shots taken from inside!

The Instagram Shot…

Before you cross the bridge to visit Big Ben, be sure to walk along the Thames and go down the stairs. You’ll see an archway, which has one of the most iconic views of London with Big Ben & Westminster Abbey perfectly positioned and a comfortable ledge to pose by.

Any lover of V for Vendetta must see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in person… I didn’t end up going inside as the lines were quite sizable, however it’s still worth admiring Big Ben up close!

On the left 😉

Westminster Abbey is one of the most stunning buildings in London to view up close and from across the Thames.  If you intend to visit, lines can be sizable, so try to purchase fast track tickets ahead. (Seniors and students can get discounted entry with valid identification.)

Inside the abbey museum, you can view the coronation chair, pay your respects to some of Britain’s most famous people, and admire the historic cloisters. At minimum, admire the exterior of this historic church and abbey, even if you don’t pay for entry.

Buckingham Palace

If you hope to see the changing of the guards outside of Buckingham Palace, be sure to get there early (10:15am) and/or consider reversing this walking route.  The ceremony starts at 11am and it’s worth seeing, so be sure to try to make it for the ceremony.  That said, Buckingham Palace is still worth admiring!

Your map for one day in London

Click to download your printable PDF of your London walking tour!

Have you been to london.

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

February 24, 2024 at 4:50 pm

Hi Karen! Your piece on sustainable city planning was eye-opening! It made me consider things under a whole new light. How do you think transitioning to vertical gardens could work in our urban landscape? In my small town, we trialed aquaponics at a community level, with surprisingly encouraging results. Also in older metropolitan regions, the vintage architectural footprint could be a challenge to revamp. For readers considering this route in old ciities, the historical site regulations could make a significant difference. Any insight on this? Kudos for stirring this thought-wave. 🙂

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Free self-guided London walks

Easy to follow walks covering the main sights of central london.

Using our London self-guided walking tours

These walks are designed as an aid to exploring Central London independently. We believe the best way of seeing London is on foot, supplemented by the use of public transport where required. These notes have focus on what you will see and where, no attempt is made to be a substitute for a good guide book on London.

With a good London street map or map app on your phone you'll have no problem following this walk and be fully equipped to make interesting diversions and adaptations with confidence.

The four walks here cover much of the main areas of Central London a first time visitor will want to cover. These walks encourage visitors to explore London independently and uncover the joys of walking London. You'll be surprised how much you can cover and how much more you see by walking.

London Icons Walk   City of London Walk   Kensington Walk   London Shopping Walk   Professionally guided walking tours London  

1 - The London Icons Walk

This walk as its title suggests, covers many of the major blockbuster reasons that draws first time visitors to London.

The major sights that you must bring back a picture of: Buckingham Palace , Big Ben, Westminster Abbey , Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and many more, are featured on this self-guided walk.

We show you how to link these together into a memorable first day in London and many other fascinating places as well.

St James's Park is at the centre of this circular walk, a great place for a breather and some rest and recreation.

London Icons Walk

2 - The City of London Walk

The original City of London was built to the east of the area most visitors today visit - Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the West End entertainment area.

All the above places were outside the original walled city, now called the City of London. Today the City of London is the main business area, a major world financial centre. But as the area is London's oldest its full of interest.

The main formal sights of this walk are Tower Bridge, Tower of London , St Paul's Cathedral and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

The joy of this walk for many people though will be savouring the non tourist atmosphere and understanding London better both past and present. Its a great place to poke around and explore.

City of London Walk

3 - The Kensington Walk

Just to the west of the very centre of London is Kensington . Many people will have their accommodation here.

This relatively short leisurely walk starts out in Hyde Park / Kensington Gardens, London's largest Royal Park .

After a visit to Kensington Palace , it's a short walk over to the Albert Hall and the South Kensington Museums.

For most people the museums here will keep you occupied for a full day, each one of them is free.

Just before you get to the Albert Hall you come to the impressive Albert Memorial.

The walk finishes with some upmarket shopping in Knightsbridge where Harrods is situated, just 10 minutes walk from the museums.

Kensington Walk

4 - The London Shopping Walk

Yes, the walk does cover the tourist haunts of Oxford Street , Harrods and Hamleys toy shop.

But it is also enjoyable for those who are not great fans of mainstream retail therapy.

We also cover some specialist areas. Electronics at Tottenham Court Road, the music scene at Denmark Street and books at Charing Cross Road.

There's also China Town, the gentlemen's outfitters of Savile Row and Jermyn Street, and the luxury shops of Bond Street amongst others.

And of course Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street and Harrods and Harvey Nichols at Knightsbridge

Shopping Walk

Guided walking tours in London

Self-guided walking tours are great. But as an alternative you might want to consider taking a professionally guided tour. These tours are all led by knowledgeable experts who will entertain you with stories of London from long ago, as well as discovering both the iconic and the not so well known landmarks of our famous capital.

London may never look the same again...

For a further selection of London walks plus tours, see our page Central London tours

ULTIMATE LONDON SIGHTSEEING WALKING TOUR

Ultimate London Sightseeing Walking Tour

• Small group London walking tour of top London sights • Knowledgeable local London tour guide • Short journey on Underground - valid payment method needed

HIDDEN LONDON SIGHTSEEING WALKING TOUR

Hidden London Sightseeing Walking Tour

• Secret walking tour of hidden London sights • Discover hidden gems and London's history with your local London guide

ROYAL LONDON WALKING TOUR

Royal London Walking Tour

• See St James's Palace, Buckingham Palace & Jermyn Street and many more • 2-hr walking tour in London • Professional guide

HARRY POTTER WALKING TOUR FOR MUGGLES IN LONDON

Tour for Muggles - 2-hr walking tour in London visiting Harry Potter locations

Adult £18.25, child £16.25

• See the real-life inspirations for Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Ministry of Magic • Learn more about Harry Potter and the filming of the movies from an expert guide • Choice of departure times available throughout the day • Small-group tour limited to 20 people ensures a personalized experience

POPULAR LONDON ATTRACTIONS - ADVANCE PURCHASE AND/OR FAST TRACK TICKETS

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Candace Abroad

A London & Travel Blog

London , London Walking Tours · August 16, 2023

Self-Guided Walking Tour London: A Quick Stroll Through Central 2024 (+ Map)

Table of Contents

Read on for a handcrafted self-guided walking tour in London: Today I’ll be taking you through a quick stroll through Central. Enjoy!

This post may contain affiliate links. Check out my  Disclosure & Privacy Policy  for more information.

Central London will always have a magic to it. The architecture, iconic buildings, and picturesque London scenes all fit for any travel book .

Although I love discovering the lesser-known gems of London, Central London will always have a place in my heart. Whether it’s for a tourist experience or to reignite your love of the city, a quick stroll in Central is all the remedy you need to get your London feels back.

Walking Time: 4 km, 54 minutes

This self-guided walking tour through Central London starts at Waterloo and ends at Buckingham Palace. Easy to do in a short afternoon or a whole portion of the day — depending how much you savor each sight.

With further a-do here’s a self-guided walking tour for a quick stroll through Central London to roam the city and take in beautiful and iconic spots along the way. I’ve also listed what to bring and detour suggestions at the end of the post. Let’s start shall we?

Waterloo Station

The UK’s largest and most iconic station, it’d be hard to visit London without a venture to Waterloo. Filled with busy Londoners and tourists alike it’s a great place to sit and watch the rush of the city.

Once you’ve had your fill of people watching and maneuvered the exit signs (there’s many) head out of exit 5. Reaching the bottom of the steps you’ll see a peaky view of the Shard on your right, and may want to take a minute to appreciate the station exteriors, they’re lovely! 

Sutton Walk 

A short stroll will lead you to Sutton Walk. Nothing particularly special aside from the odd art gallery displays and in British fashion, a row of pubs greeting you on arrival. 

Met with post 9-5’ers of the city you’ll see blue-collared locals sipping away the work day under the arches of Waterloo Tap, Black Tap, and Azzuro to name a few. 

Southbank Centre Food Market 

But if you can hold your stomach I wholeheartedly recommend popping into Southbank Centre Market. Filled with every international food under the sun this market grabs every one of your senses — it’d be a shame to pass without grabbing a bite. It’s also apart of the Southbank Centre with interesting events always on offer.

Open Friday-Sunday be sure to grab something savory and sweet before making your way to our next stop. 

Jubilee Park 

Food in hand and a London Eye view to match Jubilee Park is the perfect picnic spot and a Central London favorite. A public park created to mark the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II you’ll often see visitors along the grassland taking in the riverside views and appreciating the city. 

Soak in the rare London sun, watch the passerbyers and of course, take a snap of the London Eye. 

The Queen’s Walk

Perhaps the most iconic of walks in London, the Queen’s Walk is where you’ll find yourself next. The movie backdrop to Doctor Who and Fantastic Four (to name a few) there’s definitely a cinematic feeling to having Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, and the London Eye all within your peripheral view.  

Take a lazy walk down the pier and admire the spectacular views of the city. While minding your food and the notoriously hungry seagulls and pigeons at bay. 

Big Ben & Westminster Bridge 

Walking up the stairs at the end of the Queen’s Walk you’ll find yourself on Westminster Bridge. It’s hard to miss London’s claim to fame roaming anywhere along Central, but this is the crème de la crème of Big Ben views. 

Roam to the middle of the bridge and take in a breathtakingly scenic snapshot of London on your right and Big Ben waiting on your left. Although Big Ben still finds itself scaffolded, a photo is still very much in order. 

Victoria Tower Gardens 

Tucked around the corner of Big Ben you’ll find a Central London gem, Victoria Tower Garden. A cozy little garden that feels hidden from the rest of the capital it’d be easy to miss but well worth the visit. 

Nestled between the Lambeth River and Houses of Parliament take a lovely couple minutes amongst the memorial statues and a bit of tranquil from the city.  

Westminster Abbey 

A Gothic abbey church famed for its monarch coronations Westminster Abbey is a mecca of British history. The cathedral grounds are a sight on its own so you won’t be disappointed between a leisurely peek or a proper view inside (you’ll need tickets beforehand). 

St. James Park 

My favorite park in London and a clear Central gem— St. James Park is postcard perfect. Chirping birds, lazy ducks, white swans, and vibrant flowers make wandering the park grounds feel like you’re in some kind of romantic film. 

In the center of the park lies the Blue Bridge offering the most charming views you’ll find of the city. With Buckingham Palace to the West and London Eye, Big Ben, and the Horse Guards Parade to the East — any time you spend in St. James Park is time well-spent. 

Buckingham Palace 

As utterly iconic as it gets. Although it’s become a rarity to make my way to the Queen there’ll always be something about Buckingham Palace. The official London residence of the monarchs it’s also the perfect end to your self-guided walking tour. 

The classic British architecture, blood red roses and golden gates will all be a bit mesmerizing, and of course, very, very photo-worthy. During the summer you can also enjoy the staterooms and on a weekday (if you’re lucky) catch the changing of the guards. 

What to Bring

• Comfortable shoes
• Picnic Blanket (for Jubilee Gardens)
• Coins for the restroom (the only restroom in route will be on the Queen’s Walk )

Detour Suggestions

In the attempt to make this a quick stroll I may have left some spots out along the way. Here are some suggestions should you choose to continue your walk.

• Check out the Horse Guards Parade up close
• Head down to Trafalgar Square
• Catch the telephones booth on Great George Street

Whichever you choose I hope you thoroughly enjoyed this self-guided walking tour through Central London.

Happy wandering,

Curious for more? Head to my highlights @candaceabroad where I take you on the tour myself!

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A Lady in London

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Lady’s Exciting Self-Guided Walk in Soho, London

Today I want to bring you another of my walks. This self-guided walk in Soho , London covers everything from the main streets to the little alleys. If you want to discover the area’s highlights, read on for A Lady in London’s Soho walk.

Soho, London

Right smack in the middle of London, Soho is home to some of the city’s best restaurants, theaters, clubs, and pubs. The area is also rife with secret courtyards, narrow alleys, and leafy squares.

This part of the UK capital is an exciting place to explore to soak up energetic atmosphere and take in the best of the West End.

Walk in Soho, London

My self-guided walk in Soho, London will take you on a journey through the most vibrant streets, squares, and lanes in the area.

From hidden spaces to electric lights, it will provide you with a broad overview of everything there is to love about this London neighborhood.

I used to do parts of this walk every morning, and it’s still one of my favorite areas to wander in London. It changes so fast that there’s something new to see every time I go, and I hope you’ll discover fresh sights on every visit, too.

There are lots of restaurants, cafes, and pubs along the way, so you can stop for a break as you go if you’d like to.

Self-Guided London Walking Tour

This most lively of London walks starts at the Oxford Circus tube station. When you arrive, exit onto the southeast corner of Oxford Circus.

Walk a few steps east on Oxford Street, then take your first right on Argyll Street to escape the shopping crowds.

Once on Argyll Street, walk south until you reach Great Marlborough Street. Take in the half-timbered facade of Liberty across from you, then turn left and cross the street safely.

Take your first right on Carnaby Street. This pedestrianized lane is famous for its shops and restaurants. There’s a lot to explore here, so make sure to absorb it all.

Turn left on Foubert’s Place, right on Newburgh Street, and right again on Lowndes Court to wind around some of the side streets, then return to Carnaby Street and head south before ducking into Kingly Court.

This courtyard has several floors of restaurants and shops to explore and underground speakeasies to discover.

When you’ve finished exploring Kingly Court, continue your walk in Soho, London by popping out onto Kingly Street, another pretty alley. Turn left to walk down to Beak Street.

Turn left on Beak Street, then take a quick right on Upper John Street. This road will lead you to Golden Square, one of the main green spaces in the area.

Explore Golden Square for as long as you’d like, then exit south on Lower James Street.

Take your first left on Brewer Street, then turn right down a skinny alley called Farrier’s Passage. This little courtyard is one of my favorite secret places in London .

Explore for a while, then exit out onto Great Windmill Street. Turn left on Great Windmill Street, then right on Brewer Street.

Walk down Brewer Street, taking in the colorful shopfronts and restaurant facades as you go. Turn left into Green’s Court, a little alley flanked by two delicious shops at the entrance.

Follow Green’s Court to Peter Street and turn right. Take your first left on Berwick Street, where you’ll find the street food market if you arrive at the right time.

Spend some time exploring the market or getting some food before continuing your walk in Soho, London.

At the end of the market, turn right on Broadwick Street. When Broadwick Street meets Wardour Street, cross over safely, turn left, and take a right into St Anne’s Court. This little alley has lots of culinary treats to discover.

St Anne’s Court will lead you to Dean Street. Turn left here, then take your first right on Carlisle Street. This road will lead you to Soho Square, one of the biggest and prettiest green spaces in Soho.

Walk around Soho Square for as long as you’d like, then continue your Soho walk by exiting the square south down Greek Street.

This is another road with great restaurants, clubs, and bars, so make sure to take everything in as you go.

When you reach Old Compton Street, turn left. You’ll notice one of the prettiest pubs in London on the corner.

Pass the pub, then take a right down Moor Street. This lane will lead you to Charing Cross Road. Turn right to get to Cambridge Circus, where Charing Cross Road meets Shaftesbury Avenue.

Continue across Shaftesbury Avenue and walk down Charing Cross Road to the Leicester Square tube station. Your self-guided walk in Soho, London ends here.

Soho, London Walking Tour

Map of the first half of the walk: https://goo.gl/maps/dPjovmqTKHeeGRNJ8

Map of the second half of the walk: https://goo.gl/maps/G1PCwzznSQ6ZZPJ66

Further afield: Covent Garden, Mayfair , Chinatown, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus

You can also combine this walk with my self-guided walking tour of London’s Covent Garden if you want to explore more.

I’ve written loads of other London walks and put them all in my London walking tours blog post.

There are further walks to explore in London’s Hidden Walks , too. You can get it here . There are additional ideas in my London walking books post as well.

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One of the links in this blog post is an affiliate link. At no cost to you, I earn a small commission when you click on it and make a purchase. It doesn’t affect the way you shop, and it’s a great way to support the A Lady in London blog.

10 Comments on Lady’s Exciting Self-Guided Walk in Soho, London

Amazing this is something I really wanted to do …I’ve lived in London 30 years but do not know CentreLondon that well.

Many thanks

You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it.

Such a beautiful neighbourhood! I love taking a walking tour and just wandering the streets to discover little hidden corners like these.

That’s great!

Soho used to be the ‘Sin City” area of the West End but has now become a great area to wander around, as you describe. As a young guy in the sixties, I worked at Oxford Circus and shopped for my clothes along Carnaby Street which was then “the place” for chic items. Your little tour brought back great memories!

I’m glad it did!

Thank you. I felt as if I was walking along the streets of Soho. Amazing. I want to go back to London to follow your route. It is Joyce’s Ulysses short route. 👏👏

You’re welcome! I hope you can someday.

I have lived in Soho for 40 years and loved to see some favorite haunts highlighted, thank you.

You’re welcome!

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Jetsetting Fools

Travel Far. Discover More. Spend Less.

Free Self-Guided London Westminster Walking Tour

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

The City of Westminster is one of the best boroughs in London. Packed with classic sights, grand architecture, dazzling memorials and intriguing museums, it’s a must-see district for London visitors. The best way to explore is on foot – and we have created the best Self Guided Westminster Walking Tour to help you find your way to the top attractions. 

Free Self Guided London Westminster Walking Tour

London is massive in just about every way: size, history, and culture. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the numerous sights around the city, we think it is best to focus sightseeing on specific neighborhoods.

In this Self-Guided Walking Tour of London we detail the most iconic neighborhood, the City of Westminster. 

The bite-sized district is fun to explore – and with our Free Walking Tour Westminster London, you can easily route your way to the best sights. 

London Westminster Sights

Westminster is an ideal place to begin self-guided London walks. In fact, we think it is the first district visitors should explore when they arrive in the city. Beginning your London sightseeing with a Westminster Walk allows you to see the highlights of London, as well as get your bearings. 

We organized our Self-Guided Walking Tour of London into an easy-to-follow walk that passes by the top London attractions. 

Some of the most famous sights that we include in the Self Guided Walking Tour London Westminster Route are Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Parliament and the Thames Riverside. We also feature a few of the best museums to visit in the district. 

Plus, at the end of the post, we highlight where to eat in Westminster – featuring a few quintessentially British Food in London .

There are enough Westminster sights to see to fill an entire day of London sightseeing – but the Walking Tour of Westminster itself takes just a couple of hours. 

Self-Guided Walks in London Westminster Borough FAQs

London is a well-organized, flat city – so it’s easy to see the sights on foot. Sidewalks are wide, people are courteous and signs are clearly displayed – all of which make a Self-Guided London Tour in Westminster a fun way to visit the top attractions.

What Info is Included in the Walking Tour Westminster?

Our DIY Westminster Walking Tour of London features the must-see sights in the district. For each sight along the route, we include a brief description, helpful information and useful tips. 

Is There a Westminster London Walking Tour Map?

Yes! To help visitors get from sight-to-sight on our Westminster London Self-Guided Walking Tour, we have included a link to Google Maps for each location.

To use the links during your Self Guided Westminster Walk, you will need WiFi. We share tips about the best options for WiFi abroad – as well as other things you will need for you walk – later in the article. 

Additionally, at the end of the post, we provide a useful Walking Tour of London Map (which can be printed!). 

How Many Sights are there in the Self-Guided Walking Tour London Westminster Route?

In our Walking Tour of Westminster, we include more than 20 sights along the walk – and offer more sightseeing suggestions within the district, too. 

Some of the attractions on our Westminster London Walking Tour self guided route can be entered – and some require a ticket. You will need to determine whether or not to visit the attractions based on your time, interests and budget. 

It is also important to note that some of the sights featured in our Self-Guided Walking Tour London Westminster District are technically outside the boundaries of the Westminster Borough. However, due to the close proximity, we include them in our Walk of Westminster for the best sightseeing route.

Are There Guided Westminster London Walking Tours Free ?

Yes, there are free walking tours in London led by local guides. Visitors who are looking for a Guided Free Walking Tour London can use one of the many companies that provide the tours.

Just be aware that guides of Free London Walks expect – and likely deserve – monetary compensation. And, if you are paying a tip, then it is not really free!

Travelers can also opt to join a paid guided tour of Westminster – some tours even include entry into the Westminster Abbey. Find more details . 

On the other hand, self-guided walking tours – without a guide – are an excellent way to get acquainted with the city! We offer our London Walking Tour Self-Guided completely free of charge. Simply use this free London Walking Tour to route your way through the Westminster district to the highlighted sights. 

Whether you are budget savvy or just like touring at your own pace, we are sharing how to tour London on your own in our self-guided walk. 

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Free London Walking Tour to plan your vacation to the UK!

Self-Guided Walking Tour London City of Westminster

Begin your self-guided London walking tour in one of the city’s most cherished parks: Hyde Park. 

#1 Hyde Park

MAP . Hyde Park marks the beginning of your Westminster London Self Guided Walking Tour. 

Hyde Park, one of the Royal Parks in London, was established in 1536 by Henry VIII as hunting grounds. The park opened to the public in 1637. Since then, it has been the site of exhibitions, duels, demonstrations, rock concerts and the London Winter Wonderland Christmas Market .

The park is crisscrossed by walking paths, has two ponds, several statues and numerous memorials (including the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain in the center of the park).

On the west end of the park is Kensington Palace (which can be entered for a fee). Marking the northeast corner of the park is the grand Marble Arch and, on the southeast corner, is the Wellington Arch. 

Make your way through Hyde Park from west to east, ending at the Wellington Arch. 

Pro Tip : Hyde Park is huge! Visitors short on time can limit their exploration to the southeast corner, where there are fountains, statues and the Rose Garden.

#2 Wellington Arch

MAP . The Wellington Arch was completed in 1830 to celebrate the British victories during the Napoleonic Wars. It has been moved and statues have been switched out, but it still stands as a triumphant arch.

For a small fee, it is possible to go inside the arch.

#3 Buckingham Palace  

MAP . Buckingham Palace is a must see sight that features on all of the best Self Guided London Walks. 

Built in 1705, the Royal Family has resided in Buckingham Palace since 1837, when Queen Victoria moved there from James’s Palace. The grand size – 355 feet by 393 feet with 775 rooms, including 78 bathrooms – is more impressive than the architectural design.

Pro Tip : Buckingham Palace is open to visitors, but only on certain dates and tickets should be purchased in advance. 

#4 Queen Victoria Memorial

MAP . You don’t have to go far to see the next sight on our Self Guided Tour London Westminster Walk, because right in front of the Buckingham Palace gate is the grandiose Queen Victoria Memorial. 

Facing The Mall (the road that leads from the palace to Trafalgar Square), the Queen Victoria Memorial honors the British Empire. Featuring Queen Victoria in marble, the memorial also includes the Angel of Justice and the Angel of Truth.

#5 Changing of the Guard 

MAP . A highlight for many tourists is the renowned Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard. During the ceremonious shift change, the red-coated soldiers with their tall furry hats parade to and from the palace grounds. 

Visitors may want to time their visit to coincide with the Changing of the Guard, which is free to watch. For more information, go to the official site .

Note : The next four sights on our London Westminster Walking Tour are seen on a detour to the south of Buckingham Palace. The route circles back around to the palace. Therefore, travelers short on time (or not interested in the sights listed), can simply continue from Buckingham Palace to St. James’ Park, which is #10 on our list. 

#6 The Queen’s Gallery

MAP . Housing artwork from the Royal Collection, The Queen’s Gallery is an exceptional museum at Buckingham Palace. The ever-changing rotation of exhibits are open to the public, but a ticket is required for entry. 

#7 The Royal Mews

MAP . The Buckingham Palace Royal Mews is the central hub of transport for the Royal Family – including everything from cars to carriages. 

Visitors can tour the Royal Mews (with a ticket) to get a peek at the luxurious coaches that are used for ceremonies (including the grand Gold State Coach that is more than 260 years old). 

#8 Little Ben Clock and Victoria Palace Theatre

MAP . Small and way less famous than Big Ben (which we see later on the Walking Tour in Westminster), Little Ben is a free-standing, cast iron clock tower that stands in front of the Victoria Palace Theater. The clock dates to the year 1892 and is featured on the National Heritage List for England. 

Victoria Palace Theatre – a London West End theater – was built in 1910 and is a Grade II historic building. Originally, it was known for hosting variety shows, but now is best known for musicals. 

#9 Westminster Cathedral

MAP . Not to be confused with Westminster Abbey (which we visit later in our walk), the Westminster Cathedral is a stunning red-and-white brick neo-Byzantine church. 

Built in the late 1800s and opened in 1903, the Cathedral serves as the Mother Church for the Catholic Church of England and Wales. The massive church – one of the largest in the world – features ornate chapels, intricate mosaics and marble columns. 

No ticket are required to go inside. Visiting the Cathedral is one of the free things to do in Westminster London! 

#10 St. James’ Park

MAP . Lining the south side of the The Mall thoroughfare from Buckingham Palace nearly all the way to Trafalgar Square is the pleasant, peaceful and pretty St. James’s Park. It is the oldest of the 8 Royal Parks.

The grounds used to be marshland, but now provide open space and benches for Londoners and tourists to play, picnic and rest.

In addition to seeing the flower gardens and lake, park visitors can walk along part of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk (more info here ), cross the Blue Bridge for fantastic views and try to spot one of the famous resident pelicans. 

Pro Tip : After seeing the park, exit on the north side to The Mall. Visitors can cross The Mall and walk north on Marlborough Rd to get a glimpse of St. James’s Palace. It was built in the 1530s and served as the royal residence prior to Buckingham Palace. The nearby St. James’s Square is another pretty place to see on the north side of The Mall.

#11 The Mall

MAP . The Mall is the road that connects Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. Lined with the colorful Union Jack (the national flag of the United Kingdom), the road is the site of ceremonial processions. 

Walk northeast on The Mall (the opposite direction of Buckingham Palace) to the Admiralty Arch, which is the next stop on our Westminster London Walking Tour route. 

#12 Admiralty Arch

MAP . At the east end of The Mall, the Admiralty Arch marks the entrance into Trafalgar Square. The arch was built in 1912 and dedicated to Queen Victoria.

Ceremonial processions often begin under the arches and proceed down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. For many years, the Admiralty Arch was used for government offices, but it has now been transformed into a luxury hotel. 

#13 Trafalgar Square

MAP . The expansive Trafalgar Square was built to celebrate the victory at The Battle of Trafalgar. Now, it is a gathering place for tourists, street performers and artists.

The famous London square is home to many sights and monuments – including Nelson’s Column, The National Gallery and St.-Martin-In-The-Fields Church…all of which we detail next in our Self Guided Walking Tour of London Westminster. 

#14 Nelson’s Column

MAP . The focal point of Trafalgar Square is Nelson’s Column, which was built to honor Admiral Horatio Nelson, who is credited for the victory in the Battle of Trafalgar (although he died in the conflict).

The monument was built in the 1840s. Sitting at 169 feet tall, the base is guarded by four lion statues and features bronze reliefs that tell the story of the battle. 

#15 The National Gallery

MAP . One of the best London museums, The National Gallery displays artwork from the 13th to 20th centuries. The museum was founded in 1824 and displays more than 2,300 works of art. The collection includes masterpieces by van Gogh and da Vinci (among many other masters!).

The best part is that the museum is completely free to visit! 

#16 St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church

MAP . Situated on the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square is the quaint St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church. The church was built in 1724 and is known for helping the homeless.

The Crypt houses a café that serves affordable food and there are regular concerts at the church to raise funds. It is free to enter!

Pro Tip: North of Trafalgar Square is Leicester Square, the well-known entertainment district in the city. London Chinatown is also nearby and worth a detour if time allows. 

#17 Whitehall London

MAP . Whitehall is the main road that connects Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square. Home to numerous government entities, the name Whitehall is often used to refer to the United Kingdom government as a whole.

In addition to the many government offices that line Whitehall, there are several interesting sights and monuments along the road – which we highlight next in our Self Guided Tour of London Westminster.

#18 Horse Guards Building & Household Cavalry Museum

MAP . Built in 1753, the Horse Guards Building houses the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

The Household Cavalry Museum sits on the grounds and is open to the public (ticket required). At 10:50am (or at 9:50am on Sundays), crowds gather around the entrance to watch the changing of the guard.

#19 10 Downing Street

MAP . Number 10 Downing Street is the official residence and office of the Prime Minister. Although impossible to get close to, it’s fun to look through the gates and past the coppers for a glimpse.

#20 The Cenotaph and Whitehall Memorials

Several statues stand in the center of the Whitehall roadway. From north to south, the statues to look for are George Duke of Cambridge, Earl Haig Memorial, the Women of World War II and the Cenotaph.

The Cenotaph ( MAP ) is a prominent war memorial that is dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives during World War I, World War II and other British conflicts. 

Just south of the Cenotaph is a grand archway, called the King Charles Street Arch, that leads onto the historic and architecturally rich King Charles Street.

At the far end of the short street is the Churchill War Rooms Museum, which are part of the Imperial War Museum. MAP . The underground War Rooms were built in the 1930s and were used throughout the war by Churchill and visitors can see the well-preserved bunker with a ticket.

#21 Parliament Square Garden

MAP . The small, green grass Parliament Square Garden offers visitors a unique vantage point of some of the most iconic Westminster sights – including Big Ben, Parliament (called the Palace of Westminster) and Westminster Abbey. 

Just look at the famous London sights now; we route to a better vantage point of them later in the Self Guided Westminster Tour. 

The square, which is worth taking a quick walk around, is ringed by trees and statues of prominent politicians, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela. 

Note : From Parliament Square, walk to Westminster Abbey – perhaps stopping at St. Margaret’s Church ( MAP ) on the way. Founded in the 12th century, the Church is free to enter and well worth popping in to see the interior. 

#22 Westminster Abbey

MAP . The iconic Westminster Abbey is a magnificent church with soaring Gothic spires, more than a thousand years of history and a strong royal connection.

Sixteen royal couples, including Will and Kate, have said their vows at the Abbey and the next to be crowned will celebrate their Coronation at Westminster Abbey, as has every other king and queen since 1066.

There is a fee to enter and tour Westminster Abbey – and it is best to buy tickets in advance . 

However, visitors can go inside for free for a service (check the official schedule ), which is how we visited the beautiful church. 

#23 Victoria Tower Gardens South

MAP . One of the small Royal Parks that sits along the riverside, Victoria Tower Gardens offers one of the better views of the Palace of Westminster – and is a nice place to rest your feet during a Westminster tour of sights. 

In addition to seeing Parliament, visitors can take in the view across the Thames River and seek out artwork and a famous memorial. 

Find the Burghers of Calais statue by Auguste Rodin on the south side of the Palace of Westminster. The statue commemorates the Hundred Years War between England and France during the Middle Ages. 

In the center of the park is the colorful Buxton Memorial Fountain. The octagonal memorial celebrates Britain’s abolishment of slavery in 1834 (but it wasn’t built until 1865, the same year the US abolished slavery). 

#24 Tate Britain 

MAP . Opened in 1897 as the National Gallery of British Art, the Tate Britain is one of the highly touted art museums in London and one of the largest in England. 

The artwork displayed at Tate Britain features works by British artists, as well as contemporary art. General admission into the museum is free! 

Note : We only recommend walking to the Tate Britain Museum if you plan on visiting. If you are not visiting Tate Britain, continue from the south end of Victoria Tower Gardens across Lambeth Bridge. 

#25 Lambeth Bridge

MAP . There has been a Thames River crossing at the site of the Lambeth Bridge since the 1800s (when there used to be a ferry that shuttled passengers, horses and carriages from one bank to the other).

The bridge that straddles the river today dates to 1932 and is marked by obelisks at either end topped with pinecones. 

Cross the bridge to the east side of the River Thames and follow the pedestrian riverside Albert Embankment path north. This route provides the best view of the next sight on our London Westminster Walking Tour: Palace of Westminster.

#26 Palace of Westminster Parliament Building 

MAP . Officially known as the Palace of Westminster, the Parliament building has been the center for British government for the past 900 years. The Westminster Palace (along with Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church) are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Two of its 1,100 rooms are used by the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The Palace of Westminster also houses rooms for committees, libraries, dining halls and bars (like Stranger’s Bar) that can be used by Members of Parliament, staff and their guests.

Visitors can go on a tour of the building (ticket required) or interested visitors can attend a session for free. Find out more on the official website .

#27 Westminster Bridge

MAP . The Westminster Bridge was built in the mid-1700s and stands today as a landmark in London. 

Before using the bridge to cross back into Westminster, walk to the north side of the bridge for an epic London view that encompasses Westminster Bridge, Big Ben and Parliament. 

Now, continue your DIY London Tour of Westminster and use the bridge to cross back over the river…and enjoy one of the best views in the city as you stroll across it toward Big Ben!

#28 Big Ben

MAP . The four-faced clock tower, which is often referred to as Big Ben, is actually called Elizabeth Tower. The largest of the five bells inside the tower is named Big Ben – and it rings on the hour.

The neo-Gothic tower was built in 1859 and stands 316 feet tall. Today, the bell tower is an iconic symbol of London and a UNESCO site. 

#29 River Thames Memorials and Statues

Several landmarks, statues and memorials stand on the bank of the Thames River, north of Big Ben. We are highlighting just a few of the sights to look for along the riverbank.

The Royal Air Force Memorial was erected in 1923 in memory of airmen who died in WWI. MAP . 

The PS Tattershall Castle, a moored boat and now a pub, was used as a passenger ferry from 1934 until 1973. MAP . 

Look across the River Thames to The London Eye Ferris Wheel. It allows passengers a birds’ eye view of the city. Already iconic, it was only built in the year 2000. MAP . 

#30 Golden Jubilee Bridge

MAP . Part of the Hungerford Bridge, the pedestrian footbridges on the outside of the bridge are called the Golden Jubilee Footbridges. 

Use the footbridge on the south side of the bridge – and walk halfway across to take in one of the best views in London and Westminster. 

Bonus: Victoria Embankment Gardens

MAP . If you still have some spring in your step, continue your Free Self-Guided Walking Tour London north along the Victoria Embankment. 

The riverside Victoria Embankment stretches from Parliament north to Blackfriars Bridge. The route is marked by beautiful flower gardens, poignant memorials and outstanding city views. Don’t miss Cleopatra’s Needle, an Egyptian Obelisk dating to 1450 BC.

Still going strong? Continue your riverside stroll and embark on a Self Guided Thames River Pub Crawl to some of the best pubs in London!

Westminster London Walking Tour Map

Use this link to Google for an interactive version of our Westminster Walking Tour Map of Sights.

Westminster London Walking Map with Directions

To help visitors more easily get around Westminster, we created four London Self-Guided Walking Tours Maps that provide step-by-step directions from sight to sight. Use these maps for walking directions of the route outlined in our self-guided tour of London. 

• Walking Tour London Map #1 Walking Directions
• Walking Tour of London Map #2 Walking Directions
• Walking Map of London #3 Walking Directions
• London Tour Map #4 Walking Directions

Where To Eat in Westminster London

If you get peckish during your Westminster walk, there are a few places where you can stop to get a bite to eat along our London Walking Tour Self Guided route. 

The Laughing Halibut

MAP . A classic fish and chips shop that has been around since 1982, The Laughing Halibut is a family run restaurant – and their Haddock and Chips is excellent! 

Regency Café

MAP . Before setting off on the best Self Guided Walking Tour of London Westminster, feast on a traditional Full English Breakfast at Regency Café. The diner is a local favorite – so expect a queue! 

The English Rose Café and Tea Shop

MAP . One of the best place (and most affordable!) places for Afternoon Tea in Westminster, The English Rose Café is delightfully charming – and the scones are incredibly delicious!

More Money Saving Tips For London

Looking for more ways to save money in London? Use our detailed 3-Day London Itinerary on a Budget ! We share our top tips and travel advice for how to plan your London vacation. 

The itinerary includes spending A Day in Greenwich , taking in London views from the free Skygarden and tips on enjoying craft beer on the Bermondsey Beer Mile . 

What You Need For Your Self-Guided London Walking Tour

Before setting off on self-guided walking tours in London, make sure you have a few necessities! 

Walking Shoes for London

While London is a very walkable city, it is important to wear comfortable travel shoes for this walk. I like to take city walks in my Columbia Shoes and Kris enjoys wearing Merrell shoes. 

Travel Camera

London is a beautiful city! Capture the city sights with an actual camera (rather than relying on your cell phone camera). We use a Canon Rebel with an everyday 18-135mm lens – which takes incredible photos. 

WiFi Connection 

As we mentioned previously, in order to use our Westminster Walking Tour Map Links that we share for each sight, you will need an internet connection. 

Many phone providers allow travelers to adjust data packages for international plans, however, we recommend travelers invest in a Pocket WiFi Device . We use the GlocalMe device – and would literally be lost without it!

London Tourist Map and Guidebook

While we provide a helpful Self-Guided London Walking Tour Map, we think navigating a city is even easier (and much more enjoyable!) when you have a good understanding of the city layout and a paper map.

We recommend purchasing a city map in advance of your trip – and it’s always a good idea to have a guidebook , too!

Day Pack and Water Bottle

It’s important to have a good day pack for your city exploration. I carry a Timbuk2 Messenger Bag , which isn’t specifically designed for travel, but I think it is perfect for city sightseeing! The crossbody bag has tons of interior pockets and is big enough for my camera, map, water bottle and other things I carry. Looking for a different style? Try the traveler bags made by Travelon . 

Speaking of water bottles, we recommend carrying a refillable water bottle. The water in London is safe to drink – and there are plenty of places to fill up along the walk. Travelers can use space-saving collapsible water bottles . 

London Weather Gear

The weather in London is notoriously rainy! Be prepared for foul weather with a travel umbrella or packable raincoat . 

London Travel Insurance

If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with coverage from a reliable company .

Start planning your trip to the UK ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

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Samuel Pepys’ London: The Ultimate Self-guided Walking Tour

Most know of Samuel Pepys from his recording of the Great Fire of London in 1666 in his diary and famously burying his precious parmesan cheese in the garden to protect it from the flames.

He was however, so much more than that. As well as his diary being an invaluable source on the fire, it is one of the lynchpins of our understanding of life at a crucial time in London’s history (1660-1669). He comments on the Restoration (he actually travelled in the ship back to England with Charles II for his coronation), the Great Plague of 1665 and the Second Dutch war (1665-1667). He was also, over the course of his career, a top naval administrator, MP and President of the Royal Society.

As a person Samuel Pepys was intelligent, energetic and inquisitive but also could be brutal to his servants, quarrelsome with his wife and was an enthusiastic philanderer (very little detail is omitted in the diary).

With this self-guided walk of London you will walk in Samuel Pepys’ footsteps; where he lived, worked and how the cataclysmic events he was witnessing affected the city. A suggested route for the walk below but it is self-guided so feel free to do it however you wish!

Bridewell and St Bride’s Church

We start the walk in the area of Bridewell where Samuel Pepys was born on the 23rd February 1633. You can see a plaque in Salisbury Court on the spot where his house once stood.

Pepys was born into relatively humble beginnings as the son of John, a tailor, and Margaret, the sister of a Whitechapel butcher.

See below a map from 1658 before the Great fire- Salisbury Court and St Bride’s Church are circled in red.

Take yourself from here to the lovely St Bride’s church where he was baptised on 3rd March 1633. In 1664 Pepys also buried his brother here, but had to bribe the gravedigger to ‘jostle together’ the corpses (his words) to make room in the, very full, vaults. Although largely gutted in the Blitz and rebuilt, the current church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672. The medieval St Bride’s was destroyed in the Great Fire. It is a beautiful church and full of historical treasures. Click the photo below to read more.

Before heading off make sure you explore the alleyways around the Church- you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Head onto Fleet Street now to have a look at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.

This whole area you are walking through was decimated by the Great Fire- see below a map of the same area as above from after the fire. You can see on the left where the fire reached. It was stopped after 5 days due to the strong winds finally dropping and blowing up buildings in the path of the blaze to stop it from using them as fuel. It was Pepys himself who recommended this tactic to the King.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is one of the oldest pubs in the city and was one of the first pubs to be rebuilt after the fire in 1667. There is no evidence of Pepys having been here but there is a strong possibility having a strong link with the area. Previous patrons apparently include Charles Dickens and Mark Twain. See their Tripadvisor page here .

St Paul’s Cathedral

Turn around and walk back along Fleet Street to St Paul’s Cathedral. Look out for the plaque on the side of St Martin within Ludgate Church. It is on the site of the old Ludgate. This would have been one of the gates into the city that Samuel Pepys would have known well. You can see the wall and the gate on the maps above, it was pulled down in 1760.

The awe-inspiring St Paul’s Cathedral was of course designed and built by Sir Christopher Wren after the medieval cathedral burnt down in the Great Fire. It was the centrepiece of the rebuilding programme after 1666.

It was completed in 1710 so Samuel Pepys would have associated St Paul’s with both the medieval cathedral that was in its place before and following that, a construction site. He attended the St Paul’s School as a child from 1646-1650, which was on a site just north of the cathedral.

Take some time to walk around the cathedral and take in its beauty and majesty. If you wanted to go inside, you can read more about visiting here .

Have a look also at the ‘Panyer Boy’ relief on Panyer Alley. Its origins are a mystery but it dates from the end of the 17th century and is thought to be a pub sign or decorative marker of some kind.

Christchurch Greyfriars

Christchurch Greyfriars is another Wren church. Wren designed and built 51 churches in London in total after the fire. Christchurch Greyfriars was largely destroyed in the blitz and is now with a lovely peaceful garden space with the church tower and walls remaining.

You’ll see a sculpture by Andrew Brown as a memorial to the Christchurch hospital. This was set up near this site in 1552 by Edward VI to educate poor children. In 1673 a new branch was set up- the Royal Mathematical School, largely established for sailors to learn navigation. Samuel Pepys made a substantial financial and administrative contribution to its founding and was appointed a Governor of Christchurch Hospital in 1675.

The Monument and Pudding Lane

Take a walk now through the old heart of London. My route will take you down the narrow Bow Lane. I love this part of the city. You get a sense of the warren of courtyards and passageways that would have once been all over the city. You will pass by Ye Olde Watling pub which was built by Christopher Wren (he didn’t just do churches!) to house the workers constructing the cathedral.

If you fancy a little break at this point, you could take a short detour to pop to the Samuel Pepys pub down by the river- no historical connection but still a lovely spot for a drink.

The next stop is the Monument and Pudding Lane. Pudding Lane is famously where the Great Fire started in the bakery of Thomas Farrinor, the King’s baker just after midnight on Sunday 2nd September. The fire left just one fifth of the City standing and made hundreds of thousands homeless.

The Monument was constructed between 1671 and 1677- designed by Wren and Robert Hooke to commemorate the fire and rebuilding of London. If you lay the monument on its side towards Pudding Lane the urn of flames will land where the fire started.

Take some time to have a look at the inscriptions and friezes. You will see Charles II calmly directing the rebuilding of the city. Read more about climbing the monument for one of the best views in London here .

All Hallows By The Tower

All Hallows by the Tower is an ancient church, supposedly the oldest in the City of London. It was founded in 675AD and you can still see a Saxon arch in the church today. The church remarkably survived the Great Fire due to the efforts of Admiral William Penn, the father of the future founder of Pennsylvania. He sent his men from his nearby naval yard to blow up the buildings around the church to save it from the flames.

Samuel Pepys climbed the tower of All Hallows on the 4th day of the fire to watch the progress and survey the damage. He described the scene as “the saddest sight of desolation”. The wooden door into the tower is apparently sometimes called ‘Pepys’s door’. Read more about visiting the church here .

Seething Lane

Seething Lane is where Pepys lived from 1660 for 14 years whilst he was Clerk of the Acts to the Navy Board. The Navy Office was constructed on Seething Lane in 1656. This was a high profile civilian position within the navy. Pepys was an excellent administrator and brought in reforms that would transform the British navy from a corrupt and inefficient service into a powerful force. He went on to be secretary to the Admiralty in 1673 and is often described as the ‘father of the modern navy’.

As well as a bust of Pepys, make sure you look down. You will find a series of plaques related to events in Pepys’ life including one of his parmesan cheese! The Navy Office survived the fire, however it burnt down in another fire just 7 years later.

St Olave’s Church Hart Street

Our final stop is Pepys’s local church whilst he lived on Seething Lane: St Olave’s Church Hart Street. Pepys described it as “our own church” and contributed to a new gallery in the church for the admiralty.

The churchyard is also significant to the Great plague of 1665 or the ‘Black death’. There are thought to be around 300 plague victims buried in the churchyard here. Entries in the church burial records denote plague victims with an ominous ‘P’ next to their names. Note the three foreboding skulls over the side entrance that led Charles Dickens to name the church ‘St Ghastly grim’.

Visiting the church in January of 1666 Pepys remarked: ‘‘It frighted me indeed to go through the church… To see so many graves lie so high upon the churchyard, where many people have been buried of the plague.’

Samuel Pepys’s wife Elisabeth died at the age of just 29 in 1669. They argued ferociously during their marriage but Samuel was devastated when she died. He had a memorial bust put up within view of his pew that you can still see inside today. Read more about visiting here .

Samuel Pepys died in 1703. He was living in Clapham by this point but was buried next to his wife in St Olave’s.

I can very much recommend reading Claire Tomalin’s fantastic biography, ‘Samuel Pepys: the Unequalled Self’ . If you are on twitter, click here to see an account that posts his diary entries in real time.

I hope you enjoyed this self-guided walk! I would love to hear from you if you have been on the walk. Comment below, email or message me on social media.

More London hidden gems, walks and curiosities below!

A Wonderful Day Trip To Historic Hastings

The Hidden History Of King’s Cross: A Self-Guided Walk

A Fascinating Walk: Liverpool Street To Borough Market

10 Beautiful And Historic Spots To Explore In Autumn

Share this:, 17 thoughts on “samuel pepys’ london: the ultimate self-guided walking tour”.

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Really interesting! Very dynamic how you traced the walk on the Google map, I could visualize myself walking down the streets! Just great. Another thing, I really don’t know much about London History, lot of I learned a lot today. Besides, The literature references including Dickens and Twain, their books just give a glimpse about the great fire and the orphans but the way you described it in a storytelling way, it caught my attention, it looks like you are talking to the reader as a casual talk full of facts, that’s cool. My conclusion, again I thought that I knew about London, but no, there are many things that I had no idea! I am really enjoying the posts, and I will share with my students.

Hi Priscila, thanks very much for your comment. I am really glad you enjoyed the post and felt like you learnt a lot from it. I’m particularly pleased to hear you’ll pass it on to your students, I hope they find it useful! Warm wishes, Jack

Thanks very interesting read and will try this walk after lockdown ends.

Thanks very much! Let me know how you get on if you do the walk, would love any feedback you have

Pepys was a great friend of my ancestor John West. My cousin Derek Baker has written several booklets. The John & Francis West Trust still operates and is associated with Christs Hospital School funded by Pepys & West to train mathematician/ navigators for the RN. West was a pall bearer for Pepys. Another connection is that Wests father invented a form of shorthand.

Hi Kenneth,

What an interesting link to have. Just had a quick google and seen that the John and Francis West Trust funds bursaries for children in specific areas: Twickenham, Reading, Newbury- areas that the Wests were associated with. Fascinating.

Thanks for your comment.

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Hi there. I love your blog posts and plan to take part in one of your guided walks one day (I moved from London to Yorkshire in 2008). I just wanted to let you know that your link to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub off Fleet Street takes readers to a different pub called The Cheshire Cheese – the right cheese, but the wrong pub!

Keep up the good work.

All the best

Hi Duey, thanks so much for your comment and for letting me know about the incorrect link- much appreciated! It would be great to see you on a guided walk one day!

Many thanks, Jack

Hi there. Me and my daughter – a great fan of Pepys – did this walk a couple of days ago. Thanks for putting this informative itinerary together and sharing it with us. It was a very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

That is great to hear thank you! Glad you enjoyed, Jack

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Hello! Thank you for compiling this walk, I’m currently reading Pepys’ diary and it was a lovely way of spending an afternoon!

All the best!

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Posted on 27th September 2023 Categories Arts + Culture

By: Author Alastair Reid Schanche

The Ultimate Self-Guided Charles Dickens Walking Tour of London

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We explore the London of Charles Dickens and lead you on a self-guided tour of his hotspots. Let’s roll…

Charles Dickens is a figure who dominates the English language and the British novel, one of the most important figures in our literary canon and, as it happens, a Londoner. He was born in Portsmouth, he spent most of his life in this fair city, and so it’s natural that he left his mark here too. 

There are still plenty of places you can visit, pubs he drank in, places he called home, famous sites that influenced his work or are referenced in his novels. Ready to discover the man and the parts of London he lived in? Come this way, fellow bookworm. 

Who was Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens is an author so important to British literary tradition that no conversation on the topic can be had without his name coming up sooner or later. 

In fact, he left such an impression on the British imagination that his name has gone on to be used as a catchall for works that depict the bleak living conditions of society’s poor – the word Dickensian. 

His most notable works include Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities and Bleak House, among others. They usually, but not always, tell tales of helpless children struggling to get by in a cruel vision of Victorian London. 

The man was in many ways writing about the world he saw around him. Dickens lived in London during the Victorian era and didn’t have the easiest time of it. At age 12 he was taken out of school and sent to work in a boot-blacking factory (how Dickensian is that?) – an experience he biographies in David Copperfield, and not flatteringly. 

Dickens would have walked the streets of London – the same ones as we all do – and seen the social changes going on in the city, all the people living in the abject poverty of the time. It’s hard to imagine a writer who treats his characters so tenderly not being moved to action by what he saw and what he went through. 

In spite of this rough start, Dickens went on to achieve great success as an author in his lifetime, becoming a global celebrity. He did indeed go on to point out much of what was wrong with his society in his books, though, as Orwell would point out many years later, never offered concrete solutions. 

Even with such success, was Dickens unable to help the impoverished people he characterised? Reading any of his novels you’ll find a strong sentiment that society might just improve if only people would treat each other better – perhaps therein lies the answer.  

Dickensian London 

Dickens’ London was the London of the Victorian Era – A London of smoggy skies and cramped slums. The industrial revolution was in full swing, bringing dirty factories to London and with it, people from the countryside in search of work. 

London’s population boomed but its public services did not. Many people lived in appalling conditions and disease was rife but at the same time London was at the forefront of a change never before seen in history. 

There must have been a strange mix of misery and excitement. If you had no money London would have been rough on you and punishment for a life of crime tough (they sent you to Australia. Eugh!). 

But if, like Dickens, you were a person of means, you’d be seeing new inventions tear up the rule book on what you thought was possible, and London undergoing incredible changes as rapidly as we see in places like China or the Middle East today. 

The Victorian era was one of both great self-confidence and great hardship, summed up best perhaps by the opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities : ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’.  

Read More: Charles Booth Poverty Maps: Exploring the Victorian London Poverty Maps

Your Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour

“If I could not walk far and fast, I think I should just explode and perish.” – Charles Dickens. 

Dickens loved a stomp – he said so himself. In honour of the good man, we’ve devised a walking tour, the finest Dickens walking tour London can boast. You can take it without any more than this guide and a good pair of shoes. Let’s begin.

Walking Tour 

Tavistock house, st paul’s cathedral, distance .

Walking Time: 2 hours

Suggested time to allow for the tour: 4 – 5 hours with stops at the museum and pub. 

Difficulty of Tour

Medium: Flat terrain but it covers a reasonable distance. 

Admission Fees

£12.50 admission for an adult to the Charles Dickens Museum, £7.50 for a child over 6. You may also want some money for a pint as we’ll be stopping at one of Dickens’ favourite pubs. 

Places Visited on the Tour

The charles dickens museum , gray’s inn.

• Lincoln’s Inn 
• The Old Curiosity Shop 
• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese 

Ludgate Hill 

• St. Paul’s Cathedral 

Address: Tavistock House, London WC1H 9LG

Your walk starts at Tavistock House. Anyone starting this tour with the question: where did Charles Dickens live in London, will be happy to know it was right here. 

The house he lived in is long gone, now commemorated by a blue plaque. You can, though,  get a sense of what the rest of his neighbourhood looked like by the rows of grand townhouses that line the roads in nearby streets. 

Dickens lived in this location from 1851 to 1860 and wrote some of his most notable works here including A Tale of Two Cities , Bleak House , Little Dorrit and Hard Times . The building on this site is now the HQ of the British Medical Association.

To get to your next stop walk down Burton Place and turn right skirting the crescent-shaped gardens to Marchmont Street. Follow it to the very end and turn left onto Bernard Street. Make the dogleg around Coram’s Fields and follow the road about 250 metres. Doughty Street should be on your right. 

Address: 48-49 Doughty St, London WC1N 2LX

Anyone who hoped they’d get a chance to see Dickens’ London residence will be pleased by our second stop. The Charles Dickens Museum makes its home out of the house Dickens lived in when he was just getting started as a writer. 

It was here that he finished The Pickwick Papers , wrote Nicholas Nickleby and most notably of all, Oliver Twist .

Today the house is a museum dedicated to the man (the only Dickens museum London has to offer), and well worth checking out if you’ve got the time. It’s not massive so you can be in and out fairly quickly. Inside you’ll be able to see Dickens’ writing desk, the stand he gave his famous readings from, and even his commode. 

For your next stop, follow Doughty Street to its end heading south, turn left on Roger Street and right onto Gray’s Inn Road and follow it all the way to High Holborn. Turn right and Gray’s Inn will be on your right after 20 metres or so.

Address: 36 Commercial, 4 Field Court, London WC1R 5JA

Strolling down the road slightly you’ll hit Gray’s Inn. This is one of London’s Inns of Court , the hundreds-of-years-old legal institutions that have survived to this day. 

Dickens worked as a solicitor’s clerk for a few years from 1827 at the offices of Ellis and Blackmore. The site also features in a few of Dickens’ novels. Both Tommy Traddles in David Copperfield and Mr. Perker in The Pickwick Papers have chambers here. 

You can wander through the grounds (and the very lovely gardens) and get a feel for the area as these characters knew it. 

For your next stop Cross the Road and walk keeping the buildings on your left until you see the Wetherspoons pub Penerel’s Oak. Take Great Turnstile passage left after that to get to Lincoln’s Inn. 

Lincoln’s Inn

Address: Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, Camden, London, WC2A 3ED

Another of London’s Inns of Court features heavily in Dickens’ works. The most dramatic of those mentions comes in Barnaby Rudge when a mob gathers in Lincoln’s Inn before setting off to burn Newgate Prison to the ground. This act was actually based on real-life events during the horrific Gordon Riots – some of the worst London’s ever seen. 

In David Copperfield , the namesake’s aunt Betsy Trotwood comes to stay in London and chooses Lincoln’s Inn as her lodging. She demands that the hotel be one with a stone staircase and a door on the roof, convinced London might burn down at any moment. 

Cross Lincoln’s Inn Fields and look for Portsmouth Street at the southwest corner of the square. The Old Curiosity Shop is right there, you can’t miss it. 

The Old Curiosity Shop

Address: 2es, 13-14 Portsmouth St, London WC2A 2ES

Cutting across Lincoln’s Inn Fields you’ll arrive at a squat, odd-looking building that’s totally out of touch with the architecture around it. This is The Old Curiosity Shop, and the only stop on our tour actually gives its name to a Charles Dickens novel. 

The building has been there for over 500 years and given that he named a book after the place, it’s almost certain Dickens would have known about it and visited. 

He describes the scene of his fictional Old Curiosity Shop as “one of those receptacles for old and curious things which seem to crouch in odd corners of this town and to hide their musty treasures from the public eye in jealousy and distrust.”

Follow Portsmouth Street onto Portugal Street and follow that about to Carey Street. Take Carey Street and throw a right onto Bell Yard. From there walk to Fleet Street and turn left. Walk along Fleet Street about the same distance to the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Pub.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Address: 145 Fleet St, London EC4A 2BP

Next stop is a place for a welcome break. You’ve been putting in enough steps to make Dickens proud and now you deserve a pint. Head to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese . 

This pub is said to be one of London’s oldest , perhaps its oldest. The basement pre-dates The Great Fire . The upstairs isn’t much younger. Dickens is known to have drank here and featured the aged watering hole in some of his books. 

In A Tale of Two Cities Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton walk down Ludgate Hill onto Fleet Street “and so, up a covered way, into a tavern. Here, they were shown into a little room, where Charles Darnay was soon recruiting his strength with a good plain dinner and good wine”. 

The tavern mentioned here is widely believed to be the very same one you’re sinking a cold pint in right now. Dickens is also known to have also spent a lot of time on Fleet Street. In fact, Tellson’s Bank in the same novel is also on this road. 

Dickens isn’t the only writer to have frequented Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Many, many greats have been here since. You can read all about that in our Literary London Self-Guided Walking Tour  

To get to Ludgate Hill, walk east along Fleet Street until you reach the crossroads at Ludgate Circus. Cross the road and you’ll be where you need to be, St. Paul’s should be in front of you at the top of the hill. 

Ludgate Hill is an area with a history as old as London itself. It leads up to a major London site that features heavily in Dickens’ work and is an important feature in its own right. 

For one, the character Smike from Nicholas Nickleby is captured on this hill by the horrible headmaster of Dotheboys Hall, Wackford Squeers. In another brutal play from Barnaby Rudge, young Mary Jones is hung for stealing from a shop in Ludgate Hill. 

The place also features in David Copperfield and Little Dorrit, as well as the aforementioned reference in A Tale of Two Cities. Safe to say that Ludgate Hill held an important place in the imagination of our author. 

The next one is easy, just walk up the hill and you’re there. 

Address: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD

The final port of call on today’s tour is a site that’s stood tall in the imagination of all Londoners for centuries: St Paul’s Cathedral . Dickens often references Wren’s iconic dome and features as a set piece in many of his books. 

Most notable of all of these mentions is in David Copperfield when David takes Pegotty to its top and they look out over all of London. In what’s a near reverse of this image, Jo eats ‘a scanty meal’ on Blackfriars Bridge in Bleak House and studies the great cross at the top of the dome. 

Head round the back of the cathedral to get a taste of the macabre. It’s here that, as Ebenezer Scrooge, while trying to calm himself after seeing the ghostly face of Jacob Marley that the man is dead with the lines: 

“If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet’s Father died before the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable in his taking a stroll at night in an easterly wind, upon his own ramparts, than there would be in any other middle-aged gentleman rashly turning out after dark in a breezy spot – say Saint Paul’s Churchyard for instance – literally to astonish his son’s weak mind.”

Dickens Walking Tour Practical Tips 

• Make sure you take some comfortable shoes. You’ll not want to be stomping as far and fast as the man himself in anything that’s going to hurt your feet after a few stops. 
• The museum and the pub stops are optional. You could just check them out from outside. We recommend seeing the inside of the museum. It will really set the tone for the rest of the walk. 
• If you’d like to take a walking tour of Dickens’ London with a tour guide, this one from London Walking Tours is a great option. It’s free and runs on weekday evenings and regular Sundays. 

Dickens London: Map

Read More About London’s Tours

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