My Favorite London Tours and Experiences

Written By Krista Nannery

After living in London for over 11 years, I’ve explored this city inside and out—from the iconic to the underrated, from museum halls to neighborhood pubs. I’m now a luxury travel advisor with Virtuoso, helping travelers like you experience London in the most seamless and elevated way possible. If you need help with an upcoming trip, let’s chat! Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

Whether you’re here for the history, the Harry Potter, the markets, or just the chance to finally ride a double-decker bus, these are the tours I recommend to get the absolute most out of your visit. Every single one of them has been chosen with care—no tourist traps, just the good stuff.

London Pass Plus: This includes EVERYTHING you need to see London. Great if you are staying in town for a few days. With the Pass Plus, you’ll get access to 100+ tourist attractions, saving up to 50% off combined attraction prices. Discover the famous Tower of London, enjoy the view from the top of the Shard, jump aboard a hop-on-hop-off bus tour and more. Save on admission prices at some of London’s most popular sights. Choose between a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 10-day London Pass and visit the city at your own pace, planning your itinerary as you go. Passes are fully digital and come with a handy app to help you plan your itinerary. The Plus version includes the London Eye, View from the Shard, Madame Tussauds, and the hop-on-hop-off bus tour.

Big Bus Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour: If you’re not ready to commit to the full London Pass Plus — maybe you’re not big into museums — just buy the 48 hour Hop On/Hop Off bus pass. Generally, I am not a huge fan of hop-on hop-off bus tours but London is an exception! Your ticket includes unlimited hop-on hop-off sightseeing on our open-top buses, a Panoramic Evening Tour, a choice of Guided Walking Tour, and a one-way river cruise along the Thames between Westminster and Tower of London. This is really an incredible value.

London in a Day Tour with Westminster Abbey and Tower of London: Maybe you only have a day in London. If so, this is the tour for you. Visit Westminster Abbey, attend the Change of the Guards on selected days, enjoy a Thames Clipper Boat Ride and conclude your day with a guided tour of the Tower of London and its Crown Jewels.

British Museum Guided Tour: If you’re looking to see the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Marbles (also known as the Elgin Marbles), this is the tour for you!

Churchill War Rooms and Wartime London Walk: Embark on an unforgettable journey through Churchill’s London and the Churchill War Rooms on this 2.5-hour guided tour. Learn about the life and achievements of Britain’s most celebrated wartime leader as you stroll along historic Whitehall, a hub of political and military activity during World War II and home to monuments such as the Whitehall Cenotaph, a poignant memorial to those who served and fell in battle, before arriving at the highlight of your tour: the Churchill War Rooms.

London East End (Street Art) Guided Walking Tour: Notorious as the hunting ground of 19th-century serial killer Jack the Ripper, it’s now home to London’s best street art including Shepard Fairey and Banksy. The East End is alive with contradictions and colorful characters, and we’ll introduce you to our favorite spots along the way, including the shops and flavors of Spitalfields Market. We’ll explore the streets and neighborhoods that will leave you wanting to stick around and mingle at the coffee shops with the hipsters all afternoon.

The Great London Food Tour: Prepare to be enchanted by a captivating 3-hour walking tour through London's iconic Southbank, Square Mile and East End, where history, culture, and vibrant markets intertwine to create an unforgettable experience. This tour visits Borough Market, Spitalfields Market, and Brick Lane.

Harry Potter Warner Bros Studio Tour, with Departures from King’s Cross and Victoria: Explore the grand sets, intricate details and sheer filmmaking magic of the Harry Potter film series. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London is a truly incredible experience. Please note that this tour is VERY popular and must be book as far in advance as possible! I recommend going for the earlier time slots.

Stonehenge and Windsor Castle from London: Note you may see itineraries with Bath included as well but those itineraries are very rushed. I recommend Just doing Stonehenge and Windsor Castle together as it is already a long day. Bath deserves its own separate visit.

Even More Tours: This is just a small smattering of tours. See my full list of options here.

Planning a trip to London can be overwhelming, but that’s where I come in. As a Virtuoso advisor, I can VIP your experience—think room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, hotel credits, and custom touring that fits your interests. If you're reading this, you already care about where you stay and what you see—so why not have a local expert (that’s me!) help you do it right? Reach out anytime, and let’s make your London trip unforgettable.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso luxury travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation for anyone looking to plan their next trip.

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Krista Nannery
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