
Hidden Stories of the City of London
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hidden Stories of the City of London worth booking?
Hidden Stories of the City of London is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from £20 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (21)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- £20 per person
Discover the hidden stories, unusual objects and easily missed details of the City of London on this guided walking tour through the historic Square Mile. Starting beside St Paul’s Cathedral and finishing at Bank, we’ll explore more than 2,000 years of London history — from Roman remains and medieval streets to the Great Fire, the Blitz, livery companies and the strange traditions that still shape the City today. Along the way, we’ll uncover the stories behind golden pineapples, Roman floors, ancient artefacts, horse-shaped bollards, unusual street names, bombed-out churches, historic pubs, coats of arms and some of the smallest details hiding in plain sight. This isn’t a tour of dates and famous buildings. It’s about looking a little closer at the City and discovering how seemingly ordinary objects can reveal much bigger stories. The tour is led by Alex, a qualified City of London Green Badge Guide and creator of Untold London.
What you get
About this experience
Discover the hidden stories, unusual objects and easily missed details of the City of London on this guided walking tour through the historic Square Mile. Starting beside St Paul’s Cathedral and finishing at Bank, we’ll explore more than 2,000 years of London history — from Roman remains and medieval streets to the Great Fire, the Blitz, livery companies and the strange traditions that still shape the City today. Along the way, we’ll uncover the stories behind golden pineapples, Roman floors, ancient artefacts, horse-shaped bollards, unusual street names, bombed-out churches, historic pubs, coats of arms and some of the smallest details hiding in plain sight. This isn’t a tour of dates and famous buildings. It’s about looking a little closer at the City and discovering how seemingly ordinary objects can reveal much bigger stories. The tour is led by Alex, a qualified City of London Green Badge Guide and creator of Untold London.
What's included
Included
- Walking Tour
What you'll see and do
St. Paul's Cathedral
Begin beside St Paul’s Cathedral, where we’ll uncover some of the lesser-known stories hidden in one of London’s most famous landmarks — from the cathedral that stood here before the Great Fire to Wren’s phoenix, golden pineapples and the rebuilding of the City. We do not enter the cathedral.
15 minutes here
St Mary Aldermanbury Garden
Explore the atmospheric ruins of St Mary Aldermanbury, a Wren church destroyed in the Blitz and later dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt 4,000 miles away in Missouri as a memorial to Winston Churchill.
10 minutes here
London Wall
See surviving sections of London’s ancient Roman wall and discover how the fortifications shaped the City for centuries, leaving traces that are still visible among the modern streets.
Pass by without stopping
Discover the surviving ruins of Elsyng Spital, a medieval hospital founded to care for poor and blind Londoners, and hear how the site survived plague, fire, war and centuries of rebuilding.
10 minutes here
Guildhall
Explore Guildhall Yard, the historic heart of the City of London, where medieval architecture, civic traditions and the remains of a Roman amphitheatre all sit within the same remarkable square.
10 minutes here
Mansion House of City of London
See Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London, and uncover the unusual story of how this grand 18th-century building was funded — along with its role in the City’s civic life today.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
City of London, The National Firefighters Memorial, Carter Lane Gardens (south side of St Paul’s)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Ending at Bank Underground Station
Options you can book
Hidden Stories of the City of London
Hidden Stories of the City
Hidden Stories of the City
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
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Untold London
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- 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 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
10 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
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
21 verified traveler reviews for Hidden Stories of the City of London. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The city of London explained in a way that even the insider don’t know. 10 out of 10 to Alex!
Alex’s tour has started around St Paul s Cathedral and has taken us to absolute hidden gems around the city of London that no other tour has taken me. Alex has opened our eyes to pineapples and symbols that we have all walked past and never thought of. Our small group of 12 aging from 30 to 60plus where all engaged for the 2 hour of our tour I had a bad ankle and was walking with a stick. The walking pace accommodated me and there were plenty of opportunities to sit. The city of London will never be the same to me again. £21 for 2 hours with Alex is great value for money. If you love history and want to know a bit of the nitty gritty Ontold London tours with Alex is the way to go! 10 out of 10
via Tripadvisor
A great insight into the hidden City of London
Alex was awesome, a great insight into some of the history and hidden sites in the City of London. Highly recommended and a fantastic walk through the city.
via Tripadvisor
Great fun!
Alex is an enthusiastic, fun and knowledgeable guide, who takes care of all group members, adjusting his speed to our needs. Lots of interesting and fun facts on the tour. We loved it!
via Tripadvisor
London does it again
a genuinely exciting and knowledgeable tour guide 🦮_with a fresh vibe ,good luck Nd thank you Alex . Matthew 🏴
via Tripadvisor
Excellent tour. Highly recommend.
I worked in the City over 40 years ago and now live overseas, and wanted to do a 'nostalgia' trip as I realised there was so much I had missed or had just taken for granted all those years ago! The Untold London tour was excellent - so much information, fascinating stories and places, all delivered by the friendly, knowledgeable and engaging Alex. The tour was honestly the highlight of my 5-day visit, I could easily have continued for another couple of hours! Highly recommend.
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
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hidden Stories of the City of London: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Hidden Stories of the City of London cost?
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Prices start at £20 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 Hidden Stories of the City of London 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 Hidden Stories of the City of London worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 21 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Hidden Stories of the City of London?
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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 Hidden Stories of the City of London 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 Hidden Stories of the City of London?
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Around 7 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 Hidden Stories of the City of London 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 Hidden Stories of the City of London?
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Included: Walking Tour. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Hidden Stories of the City of London?
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City of London, The National Firefighters Memorial, Carter Lane Gardens (south side of St Paul’s) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Hidden Stories of the City of London 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 Hidden Stories of the City of London?
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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 Hidden Stories of the City of London 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 Hidden Stories of the City of London?
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Across 21 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.
What booking options are available for Hidden Stories of the City of London?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Hidden Stories of the City of London, Hidden Stories of the City. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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