
Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 122 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems worth booking?
Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $19 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 122 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (122)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $19 per person
Say goodbye to guidebooks and hello to discovering London like a local. On this private, customized tour, your host will take you beyond the expected—from historic landmarks to the hidden haunts that Londoners love. Whet
What you get
- Direct communication with your host for itinerary planning and local recommendations.
- Flexible durations and start times—choose your preferred time when booking
- Pre-tour questionnaire to tailor the experience to your preferences
- Private and personalized walking experience with insider tips from a passionate local
About this experience
Say goodbye to guidebooks and hello to discovering London like a local. On this private, customized tour, your host will take you beyond the expected—from historic landmarks to the hidden haunts that Londoners love. Whether you're into royal palaces, quirky shops, vibrant street art, or a local pub with stories to tell, this experience adapts to you. Within 24 hours of booking, you’ll receive a short questionnaire to share your interests and travel style. Based on your responses, you’ll be matched with a like-minded host who will reach out directly to plan your itinerary. You’ll agree on a meeting point and time—and your day will unfold naturally from there.
What's included
Included
- Direct communication with your host for itinerary planning and local recommendations.
- Flexible durations and start times—choose your preferred time when booking
- Pre-tour questionnaire to tailor the experience to your preferences
- Private and personalized walking experience with insider tips from a passionate local
Not included
- Food, drinks and tickets to any attractions
- Transportation (primarily a walking experience, public transport may be used at an additional cost)
- Gratuities (optional)
What you'll see and do
London
Experience London through the eyes of someone who lives and loves it—walking historic streets, modern boroughs, and hidden pockets of local life. This isn’t just a tour; it’s a flexible, personalized experience shaped entirely around you. Before your walk, your host will reach out with a short questionnaire to understand your interests—whether that’s iconic landmarks, local food, creative neighborhoods, or unexpected detours only locals know. Here are some highlights that may be included in your day:
Pass by without stopping
Big Ben
Spend time with your host exploring one of London’s most famous landmarks as you hear the story behind the tower’s name, stop for photos away from the crowds, and take in the buzz of Westminster at the heart of the city.
Pass by without stopping
Westminster Abbey
Keep things central as you explore iconic locations along the Thames, admiring the architecture of Westminster Abbey, hearing stories of royal ceremonies and historical moments, and soaking up the atmosphere of this ceremonial district.
Pass by without stopping
The British Museum
Step into the world of ancient history as you explore the British Museum’s vast collection with insight from your host, discovering highlights like the Rosetta Stone or Greek marbles—or simply passing through the area if you're short on time.
Pass by without stopping
Soho
Get a feel for London’s creative energy as you stroll through Soho’s lively streets, passing legendary music venues, colorful cafés, and tucked-away squares while your host points out local favorites and hidden gems you won’t find in a guidebook.
Pass by without stopping
Southbank Centre Food Markets
Pause at the riverside to experience the flavors of the city like a local, sampling street food from across the globe, finding a quiet spot for lunch, or exploring nearby pubs, bookshops, or cultural venues depending on the day and your mood.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Meet your host outside Caffè Nero, across from Big Ben and Westminster Station. After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your host outside Caffè Nero, across from Big Ben and Westminster Station. After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.
Options you can book
3-hours Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours
4-hours Walking Tour
Duration: 4 hours
8-hours Walking Tour
Duration: 8 hours
6-hours Walking Tour
Duration: 6 hours
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 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Unscripted
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- After booking, you'll receive a short questionnaire to share your interests, preferences, and must-sees. Your guide will personally reach out to craft a fully customized itinerary that suits your style—whether you love history, food, hidden gems, or cultural experiences.
- This private tour is a walking experience. A private vehicle is not included.
- Public transportation or local taxis may be used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with your host after your reservation is finalized.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 122 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
122 verified traveler reviews for Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not worth the money
Dilek was very nice, but it wasn't anything we couldn't have done ourselves and we actually did see more ourselves. Very disappointing for the amount of money it cost. I was expecting a lot more for a private tour. It took a lot of back and forth to set up and she didn't engage the three teen girls whatsoever. I also expected to be more involved in the planning of sites to see. I also felt rushed for some reason, like she had somewhere else to go.
Response from the operator: Hello Janet, A key part of our private experiences is usually tailoring the route and pace to each group, and we’re disappointed to hear that you felt there wasn’t enough involvement in the planning or that the experience felt rushed. This is not the impression we want guests to leave with, and we will be reviewing this feedback carefully with the host to ensure expectations are better set and the experience is delivered in a more engaging and participatory way. We would be grateful for the opportunity to welcome you again in the future and provide a much better experience, as we always strive to do. Warm regards, Sheenah and the City Unscripted team
via Viator
London highlights on a rainy day
Did did a great job explaining the highlights. The weather as is often in London turned for the worst and we pivoted to make the best of things.
Response from the operator: It’s great to know the tour was adapted so you could still make the most of your time in London. Our host truly sounds, did a great job explaining the highlights and that you were still able to enjoy the experience despite the change in weather. Thank you so much for your feedback. We hope to welcome you on another experience in the future!
via Viator
Becky was amazing and...
Becky was amazing and funny. She customized the tour a little to accommodate my requests. I would choose her again in a heartbeat!
Response from the operator: We’re glad that you had such a great time with Becky and that she was able to tailor the tour to your interests. Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and we hope to assist you again on your future travel!
via Viator
London walking tour
Delia was an excellent tour guide. We covered a ton of area in 4 hours. She also helped us navigate the subways so we could use that the rest of the trip instead of taking Ubers. Saved a lot that way. Great experience
Response from the operator: It’s wonderful that Delia helped you had a great experience, make the most of your time and showed you how to navigate the subway, such a great way to explore the city! We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon. Thank you so much for your kind words!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful and Entertaining Day in london
We were on a family holiday and it was my teen son’s first time. He had come up with a list of things that he wanted to see and experience and I reached out to CityUnscripted to plan a day for us. Our guide JJ was the perfect match for my wacky group. He was jovial, informative and made the day special for us all. I can’t recommend him and CIty Unscripted enough.
Response from the operator: I'm so glad to hear that JJ was the perfect match for your family — it’s wonderful that he made the day fun, engaging, and memorable for everyone. Thanks for the warm recommendation!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $19 to $396
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems cost?
+
Prices start at $19 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 London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems take?
+
Plan for about 3 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 London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 122 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 London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems?
+
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 London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems?
+
Around 43 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems start and how do I get there?
+
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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Private London Tour with a Local: Custom Highlights & Hidden Gems.
Pick your date




