Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories in London
London, United Kingdom

Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories

Outty Ranking 46 5.0 · 2 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $372

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$372
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Outty Ranking

46/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories worth booking?

Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $372 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
46 / 100
Rating
5/5 (2)
Duration
2 hours
From
$372 per person

Highlights • Explore Pub where Elizabeth I used to dance • Drink in the same pub where Charles Dickens used to drink • Have a pint at the most well-known pub for journalists since 1667 • See the last surviving Victorian

What you get

    About this experience

    Highlights • Explore Pub where Elizabeth I used to dance • Drink in the same pub where Charles Dickens used to drink • Have a pint at the most well-known pub for journalists since 1667 • See the last surviving Victorian gin palace in London • Discover extravagant religious-themed pub

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional Tour Guide

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Lamb

      You will start your tour from Victorian-style interior pub, where Charles Dickens used to drink. English Heritage describes the pub as “an exceptional piece of Victoriana”.

      10 minutes here

    2. Crown Tavern

      Continue your journey towards the tavern where Lenin used to drink before revolutionary matters took him to Russia. It is thought that he may even have conferred with Stalin on site. More recently it was the setting for a scene from Notes on a Scandal, starring Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett. There you will try a good pint of ale. ​

      10 minutes here

    3. Ye Olde Mitre

      Afterwards, you will get to one of the most difficult to find of all the pubs. It’s unashamedly traditional (no TVs), and long may that continue. The previous clientele is rumoured to have included Elizabeth I (one story goes that she danced around a cherry tree that is still there). your guide will take to the most famous pub for journalists since 1667. Countless literary grandees and journalists – from Samuel Johnson and Dickens to the Fleet Street hacks of the 20th century – have occupied a nook or cranny in its labyrinthine interior. You will try a pint in the pub where beer cellars are former cells of the prison.

      10 minutes here

    4. Blackfriars Bridge

      You will see the weird pub with the extravagance of its religious-themed art nouveau interior.

      10 minutes here

    5. The Seven Stars

      One of the few places in the area to survive the Great Fire of London, the tiny Seven Stars pub now has more than four centuries of history behind it. Located just behind the Royal Courts of Justice, it is a natural stomping ground for the pinstripes of the legal profession.

      10 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    London

    In front of the Charles Dickens Museum

    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
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Pigeon Tours

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories in London, photo 2Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories in London, photo 3Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories in London, photo 4

    Traveler reviews

    2 verified traveler reviews for Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    2
    4 star
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    3 star
    0
    2 star
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    1 star
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    Sort
    carladT1680UR · April 2022

    Historic Pub Tour

    Mark was fantastic, the tour was super fun and informative! Four historical pubs in winding alleys that we never would have discovered on our own.

    via Tripadvisor

    Alicia_M · August 2019

    We had a great time!

    Because it was a Sunday evening, many of the “typical” pubs were closed. But that didn’t stop my guide Dani. She was awesome, rerouted the tour and brought me to pubs that were indeed open. She knew so much about the London pubs, the lagers, the bitters and she knew pretty much everyone. Dani is someone that loves her job, and it shows. It was a perfect way to start my London trip!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    2 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 46

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)15
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)65
    Local standing (8% weight)54
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.

    How much does Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories cost?

    +

    Prices start at $372 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 Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories take?

    +

    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 Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 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 Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories?

    +

    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 Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories?

    +

    Around 1 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?

    +

    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 Private Historic London Pub Tour: Oldest Pubs & Hidden Stories 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?

    +

    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 Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

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