Cultural Tours in London

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that the worst place to watch the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guard is right in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace. Because, well, the crowds here pretty much guarantee you’ll see very little of it! Instead, join a guided tour with an expert who’ll ensure you’re in the best spot to snap the Royal Guards and Household Cavalry as they march their way along the Mall. The tour – which is included on The London Pass – concludes with a meander along to historic Parliament Square, home to the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and all manner of stately statues.

Sir Christopher Wren’s soaring masterpiece rose phoenix-like from the ashes of the Great Fire of London and has remained an icon of the London skyline ever since. Step inside its hallowed walls, where the variety of guided tours available include glimpses of the mighty 17th-century organ, a peek inside the magnificent dome, and a walk through the largest crypt in Europe, final resting place of Admiral Lord Nelson, Florence Nightingale, Sir Alexander Fleming and, appropriately enough, Wren himself. NB: there’s also a self-guided audio tour included with The London Pass.

A short hop across the Thames from St Paul’s, and just a stone’s throw from its original location, Shakespeare’s Globe is a note-perfect reconstruction of the Bard’s Elizabethan playhouse. Take a guided tour to discover what life was like as an actor in the 17th Century, learn about the social dynamics of Elizabethan audiences, and discover what started the fire that destroyed the original theater four centuries ago. You can also catch performances of classic Shakespearean plays year-round, presented just as their author intended.

The vast collection held by the British Museum – a casual eight million artifacts and counting! – can be somewhat overwhelming for the first-time visitor. Helpfully, the museum runs a variety of themed tours, meaning you can relax while your expert guide does all the hard work, regaling you with a fascinating commentary on the historical, social and political importance of such showcase pieces as the Rosetta Stone, Elgin Marbles, Easter Island statues and ancient Egyptian mummies.

Greenwich is an absolute treasure trove of historic sites, from the recreated Cutty Sark to the centuries-old Royal Observatory, historic home of British astronomy and, of course, Greenwich Mean Time. Then there’s the magnificent Painted Hall at the Naval College, said to be Britain’s own Sistine Chapel, and the atmospheric underwater Victorian tunnel that connects Greenwich to the north bank of the Thames. Again, all a little overwhelming for the casual visitor. Good news: entry to many of the museums is included with a London Pass, and Visit Greenwich runs several guided tours that take the hard work out of your Greenwich sightseeing.

Pubs are as essential a part of the British cultural experience as fish and chips, as afternoon tea, as scandals involving the Royal Family. No wonder then that there are dozens of London pub tours to hic-and-choose from. Essentially an excuse to sample some of Britain’s best brews, most tours take in storied London streets and landmarks and tend to feature pubs with interesting literary, political or other historical connections. So you might find yourself sampling London gin in Dickens’ old Fitrozvia haunts, or standing in the very spot where convicted felons enjoyed their final taste of ale en route to the Tyburn gallows. Expect tiny crooked doorways, exposed beams, timeworn wooden floors and cozy nooks galore.

There’s a pub tour included with The London Pass, which could save you up to 50% on sightseeing in London, including many of the attractions and tours on this list. Click the buttons below to find out more and bag your pass!

One of London’s most recognizable landmarks, Westminster Abbey is a monumental medieval masterpiece with nearly 1,000 years of history. That includes hatches, matches, dispatches and of course coronations. English monarchs from William the Conqueror to the present king were crowned in the abbey’s regal surroundings, and some 18 English, Scottish and British monarchs are interred here alongside the likes of Darwin, Dickens, Handel and Tennyson. You can explore the abbey’s cavernous halls – all dramatic vaulted ceilings and soaring stained-glass windows – solo. Or, for deeper insight, and access to areas like the Tomb of St Edward the Confessor, not normally accessible to visitors, book a tour with one of the knowledgeable abbey vergers.

One of the world’s most prestigious live music venues, the Royal Albert Hall played host to some of the biggest names of the 20th Century, among them Sinatra, Shirley Bassey and The Beatles. Churchill made speeches here, Muhammed Ali boxed here, Wagner conducted orchestras here. Yes, it’s really that special. And that barely scratches the surface. Use your London Pass to go behind the scenes on a tour that shows you all the bits the public doesn’t normally get to see, including the royal suites and retiring room. You’ll also learn about this hallowed concert hall’s rich history, from its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871 to 21st-century performances by the likes of Adele and The Killers.

If murder, mystery and intrigue are your bag, you’re going to love the Tower of London tour. The Tower has served as a prison, a palace and even a zoo down the centuries, and has the stories to match – think royal intrigue, bloody executions and more. This, after all, is where Edward IV’s sons (aka the Princes in the Tower) went missing without trace, where Henry VI met with his mysterious end, and where a brace of wives of gouty serial monogamist Henry VIII lost their heads. A guided tour with one of the smartly dressed Yeoman Warders will bring the Tower’s storied history to life, as well as giving you the opportunity to ogle the eye-popping crown jewels and say hey to the resident ravens.

Still London’s most talked-about murderer nearly 150 years after he stalked the lanes of Whitechapel, Jack The Ripper is big business in London’s East End. And that means tours. Lots of ‘em. Grab a guide and embark on a chilling stroll around dimly lit alleyways once frequented by the notorious killer. You’ll hear blood-freezing tales of the Ripper’s murders, visit the places he selected and stalked his victims and learn the histories of some of the women whose lives he cut so tragically short.