
London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour worth booking?
London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour is a 2.5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from €35 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (10)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- €35 per person
Just off Covent Garden, four pubs hide centuries of London stories most tourists walk straight past. This walking tour takes you through them — from a CAMRA-award-winning local, past a hidden-passage survivor from 1772, to a theatrical finish beside the Savoy — with drinks and a guide who knows every tale behind the taps. Start at The Harp, a multi-time CAMRA Pub of the Year winner; Take in The Salisbury's glittering Victorian glass-and-brass, then wander Covent Garden's street-performance heart; Duck into the Lamb & Flag, serving drinkers since 1772, and finish at the Coal Hole beside the Savoy; Buy your own drinks at each pub, advised by your experienced guide.
What you get
About this experience
Just off Covent Garden, four pubs hide centuries of London stories most tourists walk straight past. This walking tour takes you through them — from a CAMRA-award-winning local, past a hidden-passage survivor from 1772, to a theatrical finish beside the Savoy — with drinks and a guide who knows every tale behind the taps. Start at The Harp, a multi-time CAMRA Pub of the Year winner; Take in The Salisbury's glittering Victorian glass-and-brass, then wander Covent Garden's street-performance heart; Duck into the Lamb & Flag, serving drinkers since 1772, and finish at the Coal Hole beside the Savoy; Buy your own drinks at each pub, advised by your experienced guide.
What's included
Included
- Veteran local guide, native-English speaker
- Entry into 4 historic London pubs
Not included
- Drinks
- Food - our last stop has great British pub food, and plenty of space to eat
- Tips for the guide (optional)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
What you'll see and do
We start where proper London drinking starts — The Harp, a narrow, mirror-lined boozer that's been voted CAMRA Pub of the Year more times than most pubs manage in a lifetime. On a good evening the crowd spills out onto Chandos Place, pint in hand, and you're straight into the real thing. This is where your guide breaks down what most visitors never learn: the difference between cask and keg, ale and lager, hand pump and cellar. You'll taste your way through a rotating line-up of guest ales and finally understand why the British get so serious about a well-kept pint. It's the perfect first stop — equal parts pub-school and warm welcome — and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
35 minutes here
Next is The Salisbury, and the moment you step inside you'll see why it's earned its name — a glittering interior of cut glass, polished brass and stage-worthy flair, right in the beating heart of theatreland. This has long been the actors' pub, ringed by West End stages, and your guide serves up the backstage gossip and green-room legends that come with it. It's also where you'll be poured a pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord that many regulars call one of the best in Britain. Settle in, look up at those ceilings, and soak up a room where generations of performers have raised a glass before curtain-up. This is picked consistently as it's guests' favorite pub on the tour!
35 minutes here
Covent Garden
Between pints, we wander through Covent Garden itself — the beating heart of London's street-performance scene and a haven for the musicians, magicians and mime artists working the crowds beneath the old market roof. Your guide walks you through centuries of theatre and street magic, from its days as the city's fruit-and-veg market to the buskers who still audition for their pitch here today. Keep your eyes open — the entertainment is free and everywhere you look. It's a breath of open air and spectacle before the final pint, and a reminder of how much history is packed into these few streets.
10 minutes here
Tucked away down a narrow passage off Covent Garden, the Lamb & Flag feels like a survivor from another London. A pub was first recorded on this site in 1772, when it was known as the Coopers Arms, before taking its present name in 1833. In the early 19th century, bare-knuckle prize fights earned it the blood-curdling nickname “The Bucket of Blood,” while novelist Charles Dickens later became a regular. The surrounding alleys have an equally colourful history: in 1679, celebrated poet John Dryden was ambushed and badly beaten nearby by hired thugs. Today, this Grade II-listed pub offers a far warmer welcome—and the chance to enjoy a drink in one of Covent Garden’s most atmospheric historic corners.
35 minutes here
The tour concludes at the Coal Hole, a richly atmospheric pub beside the Savoy on London’s famous Strand. Its name comes with two competing stories: some say the space was once a coal cellar for the Savoy Hotel, while others link it to the coal heavers who worked beside the nearby Thames. The present Grade II-listed pub forms part of the Savoy Court complex, built in 1903–04, and retains a wonderfully theatrical interior of dark wood, lofty beams, decorative friezes and an elaborate fireplace. Its character recalls the Strand’s Victorian “song and supper” clubs, where comic songs, sentimental ballads and lively performances entertained the crowds. Surrounded by some of London’s greatest theatres, it is a fitting place to finish the tour—and perhaps remain for another drink.
35 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Your London Historic Pubs Tour starts at the Sir Henry Irving Statue, outside the National Portrait Gallery. If you’re running late, please join us at our first stop: The Harp, at 47 Chandos Place, Covent Garden.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends at the last pub we'll visit, The Cole Hole, 91-92 Strand, a 5-minute walk from where we start the tour.
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
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Sandemans Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
The tour guide, Herbie,...
The tour guide, Herbie, is an incredibly nice and wholesome person. He leads you through the city to different pubs, tells you lots of little stories about London you won't hear anywhere else. He shows you hidden, magical places and some magic as well. In the pubs, he helps you choose the right drink and shares even more of his interesting stories. We had a wonderful, special tour with him—one that we will always remember. Thanks again, Herbie, for making our day magical! Joanne & Jan
Response from the operator: Dear Jan_B, Thank you so much for such a heartfelt review! We’re absolutely delighted to hear that you and Joanne had such a special time exploring London with Herbie. It sounds like Herbie brought exactly the kind of magic to the tour that makes an experience truly memorable — from the little stories and hidden corners of London to helping you find the right drink in each pub. We love hearing that you discovered places and stories you wouldn’t have come across on your own. Most of all, we’re so happy that his warm and genuine personality made the day feel personal and special for both of you. We’ll definitely share your lovely words with Herbie — we’re sure they’ll mean a great deal to him. Thank you again for choosing SANDEMANs and for letting us be part of such a memorable day in London. We hope to welcome you and Joanne back for another adventure soon! Kind regards, Karla | SANDEMANs Tours
via Viator
Herbie was a great guide...
Herbie was a great guide and good fun. He showed us lots of peculiarities we wouldn’t have known about and all in all I would highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Dear Peter_B, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great time on our Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour and that Herbie made the evening so much fun. It’s especially lovely to hear that he introduced you to the peculiarities and lesser-known details of the area that you might not have discovered on your own. Those unexpected stories and local details are what can make a walking tour really memorable. We’ll be very happy to pass your kind words on to Herbie. We’re also thrilled that you would highly recommend the experience, and we hope to welcome you again for another SANDEMANs tour the next time you’re in London! Kind regards, Karla S. | SANDEMANs Tours
via Viator
Wow, Herbie is the best!...
Wow, Herbie is the best! He’s so funny and made everyone feel welcome straight away. Did this tour with my family and we had such a good time. I didn’t think I’d be that interested in the history of pubs but I really enjoyed his stories. Some sounded like something out of an old British film! Nothing felt like a long history lesson :) The pubs were lovely, especially The Salisbury... it’s so pretty inside! It was also nice walking around Covent Garden together and finding places we probably wouldn’t have gone into on our own. Mostly, I just loved seeing my family so interested in the stories and chatting with the other guests over a drink. We had such a laugh together. Such a nice memory from our time in London. Thank you, Herbie, it wouldn’t have been the same without you!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for such a wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Herbie made your Covent Garden pub tour such a memorable experience for the whole family. It’s lovely to know that his stories brought the history of London’s pubs to life without ever feeling like a history lesson! We’re also glad you enjoyed The Salisbury and discovering some of Covent Garden’s hidden gems together. It sounds like you made some great memories in London, and we’re delighted Herbie was part of them. Karla | SANDEMANs Team
via Viator
Amazing Pub Tour! Loved it!
We had such a fantastic time on the London Historic Pub Tour with Herbie. I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did — it turned out to be one of the best experiences we’ve had in London. Herbie was brilliant. He has such a great way of telling stories and bringing the history of London to life, while also making everyone feel like they’re part of the group. We met such a lovely bunch of people, which made the whole afternoon even more enjoyable. The choice of pubs was excellent, and there was a great selection of beers to try. But for me, the best part was the stories and the little discoveries along the way. Even though I thought I knew London fairly well, Herbie showed us things and told us stories I had never come across before. And you really don’t have to be a beer lover to enjoy this tour. It’s about the history, the atmosphere, the pubs, the stories, and most of all, having a great time with a fantastic group of people. I’m so glad we booked this tour. Thank you, Herbie, for such a memorable day — I would absolutely do it again and would recommend it to anyone visiting London!
Response from the operator: Hi Chibu, Thank you for joining our Pub Tour relaunch! We love the other pub tours of London, and respect that many of them go to several excellent pubs around St Paul's, some of our own favourite boozers! But by starting at 2pm and 7pm, they avoid the times when Londoners go to those pubs. Logistically, that's easier, but their guests miss out on meeting locals as the pub fills with pub tour after pub tour. We wanted to make a pub tour where locals AND visitors drink, chat, and share space together, whilst following a simple format: go to fantastic pubs that we like to drink in ourselves, share stories about our city as we sip our way through London, and give our guests a sense of what real British pub culture is all about. If we brought a little magic to your London adventure, then we know we're off to a good start! Thanks for coming on our Westminster Tour in the morning as well, and for trusting us to be one of our first Pub Tour guests. Come back any time as our guest, we really appreciate your feedback at the end of the tour, and it would be cool for you to see the changes we've made already! Remember, Ohhhhh Ahhhhh is the language of Magic! All the best, Chris
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Sandemans Tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 81.0 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Sandemans Tours runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour cost?
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Prices start at €35 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 London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.5 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 London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 10 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 London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour?
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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 London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour?
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Around 4 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 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour 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 London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour?
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Included: Veteran local guide, native-English speaker; and Entry into 4 historic London pubs. Not included: Drinks; Food - our last stop has great British pub food, and plenty of space to eat; Tips for the guide (optional); and Hotel pickup and drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour?
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Your London Historic Pubs Tour starts at the Sir Henry Irving Statue, outside the National Portrait Gallery. If you’re running late, please join us at our first stop: The Harp, at 47 Chandos Place, Covent Garden. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour 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 London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour?
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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.
Is London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour 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 London's Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour?
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Across 10 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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