
Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 113 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough worth booking?
Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $27 per person. It scores 84 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 113 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 84 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (113)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $27 per person
Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting William Shakespeare, medieval Winchester Geese prostitutes, Charles Dickens, the ghost of a nineteenth century pub landlady, and the wonderfully named Doorkins Magnificat! On our walking tour we'll visit the areas around Borough and Bankside, which being outside the jurisdiction of the City of London were for centuries the site of seedy goings on. We'll learn how the area had been notorious for prostitution since the arrival of the Romans, visit the locations of Southwark's two most notorious prisons of which parts can still be seen today, take in the sights of a millennium-old market, view the remains of a medieval palace, and find Shakespeare's Globe Theatres both old and new! The walking tour begins outside Borough Station, ends near London Bridge Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles. Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.
What you get
About this experience
Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting William Shakespeare, medieval Winchester Geese prostitutes, Charles Dickens, the ghost of a nineteenth century pub landlady, and the wonderfully named Doorkins Magnificat! On our walking tour we'll visit the areas around Borough and Bankside, which being outside the jurisdiction of the City of London were for centuries the site of seedy goings on. We'll learn how the area had been notorious for prostitution since the arrival of the Romans, visit the locations of Southwark's two most notorious prisons of which parts can still be seen today, take in the sights of a millennium-old market, view the remains of a medieval palace, and find Shakespeare's Globe Theatres both old and new! The walking tour begins outside Borough Station, ends near London Bridge Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles. Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.
What's included
Included
- Walking Tour Guide
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
St George the Martyr
The only remaining part of the Marshalsea Prison
5 minutes here
Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance
The final resting place for thousands of Southwark's outcast dead
5 minutes here
The largest extant reminder of Southwark's beer trade
5 minutes here
London's last surviving galleried coaching inn
5 minutes here
Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
Europe's oldest surviving operating theatre
5 minutes here
London Bridge
The world famous and iconic London Bridge
5 minutes here
Southwark Anglican Cathedral
London's oldest surviving gothic church
5 minutes here
Borough Market
A one thousand year old food market
5 minutes here
Winchester Palace
The remains of one of the most prestigious homes in medieval England
5 minutes here
The Clink Prison Museum
The site of the notorious Clink Prison
5 minutes here
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
The reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
We meet outside the exit of Borough Station. Please aim to arrive five minutes early as the tour will start on time. If you aren't able to make the tour or you will be late, please message me on +44 7783 401 129 so that I know whether to send you our live location on WhatsApp.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Historic London Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 112 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
4 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
112 verified traveler reviews for Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fascinating glimpse into the seamier side of Southwark's history
Tom was an engaging guide and had a lot of interesting information about our walking tour. I'll definitely book one of his other tours the next time we have visitors.
via Tripadvisor
Southwark tour
Tom was a excellent guide very informative took us to many interesting places it's worth the money it's 2 hours and i recommend this tour
via Tripadvisor
DO IT!
BEST TOUR!!!! I loved every minute! Tom was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. Definitely would recommend!! I’ll certainly be back for another tour!
via Tripadvisor
Facts a plenty in the late summer sun.
Very interesting tour, Tom was a very knowledgeable host, as you’d expect. It was a very enjoyable & informative 2 hours in the late summer sun. £20 for a two hour tour is great value for money.
via Tripadvisor
Experience a different side of London with a knowledgeable guide
We had not stayed in this part of London before and wanted to learn more about the Southwark area. Tom was a really interesting and knowledgeable guide. He showed us so many sights that we would have just walked past without spotting without him. The tour took us from Borough Station round to London Bridge and lasted around 90 minutes. We would definitely book another of these tours. Well worth it.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 40
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Historic London Tours, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 82.3.
See everything Historic London Tours runsWhy this scores 84
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough cost?
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Prices start at $27 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 84 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 113 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough?
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Around 40 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour, Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough?
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Included: Walking Tour Guide. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough?
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We meet outside the exit of Borough Station. Please aim to arrive five minutes early as the tour will start on time. If you aren't able to make the tour or you will be late. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in London. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough?
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Across 113 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, value for money. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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