Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 42 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour worth booking?
Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $258 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 42 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (42)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $258 per person
This private walking tour takes us to many hidden, silent, sacred and secret gardens and ruins in the City of London. Even Londoners don't know about most of these sites and that is why they are such wonderful and historic places. Beautiful old gothic church yard gardens, each a peaceful, historic oasis in busy London. This is an immersive historical and architectural walking tour of the City of London's public pocket gardens, ancient churchyards, and medieval ruins. It does not enter private residential squares or domestic backyards. Secret Gardens of the City of London is also a #1 ranking travel book and has been the travel feature in the Independent Newspaper.
What you get
About this experience
This private walking tour takes us to many hidden, silent, sacred and secret gardens and ruins in the City of London. Even Londoners don't know about most of these sites and that is why they are such wonderful and historic places. Beautiful old gothic church yard gardens, each a peaceful, historic oasis in busy London. This is an immersive historical and architectural walking tour of the City of London's public pocket gardens, ancient churchyards, and medieval ruins. It does not enter private residential squares or domestic backyards. Secret Gardens of the City of London is also a #1 ranking travel book and has been the travel feature in the Independent Newspaper.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Tour escort/host
- Hotel pickup
Not included
- Transportation to/from attractions
What you'll see and do
St. Paul's Cathedral
The tour starts under the majestic gaze of one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Explore the beautiful landscaped gardens of St Pauls Cathedral.
10 minutes here
Festival Gardens
Delightfully colourful gardens with an incredible backdrop.
5 minutes here
This beautiful garden was redeveloped during Covid and features a water feature and view not to be missed.
5 minutes here
Beautiful shady garden, a haven for silver birch with a cooling water feature at the rear amongst other things.
5 minutes here
Cleary Garden
Beautiful gardens with an Italian inspiration due to the Roman ruins that lay beneath.
5 minutes here
This secret garden is dedicated to one of the most famous Lord Mayors of London who amongst other things built the nearby church.
5 minutes here
Almost completely hidden from view, this beautiful garden has a definitive Welsh theme with a sad history behind it.
5 minutes here
The Monument to the Great Fire of London
See the incredible monument to the Great Fire of London
5 minutes here · Admission not included
St. Dunstan In The East
Visit the most beautiful ruin in the old City of London.
10 minutes here · Admission included
One time home of the most famous diarist in history, Samuel Pepys, the garden has some incredible decorative stones illustrating the unique and memorable life of this fascinating man,
5 minutes here
St Olave's Church
This historic church and garden has been through Great Fires, Plagues, World Wars and as such as some incredible history.
10 minutes here
80 years after The Blitz this garden is finally being redeveloped but its true secret is why it is hear at all and for that we have to go back to one of the darkest moments in Londons history, many centuries ago.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Garden at 120
Visit London's newest sky garden which offers a fantastic view of where we have been and where we will be going. The garden has a capacity of 207 people so it is possible that on rare occasions we cannot get in. So far so good though!
15 minutes here
A beautiful modern garden with a poignant work of art regarding the slave trade on the spot where two men campaigned tirelessly for its destruction.
5 minutes here
Leadenhall Market
A stunning Victorian market built on top of a Roman market, beautiful and iconic, seen in many shows and movies.
5 minutes here
The garden of this ancient church is relatively plain but it has a grave within it that is possibly the most famous grave in English literature, set as it is amongst ancient lanes and alleys.
5 minutes here
St. Michael's Cornhill
No cars or any vehicles can get close to this secret garden, huddled away in the medieval passageways. A beautiful garden with a nice sun trap too. Surrounded by old churches, pubs and the oldest coffee shop too.
5 minutes here
Guildhall
Right in the middle of London we will stand on top of the old Roman amphitheatre
5 minutes here · Admission included
St. Lawrence Jewry
This little space in the heart of the old Jewish district of London and almost entirely rebuilt after WW2.
10 minutes here · Admission included
This sunken garden has a history both ancient and the merely old.
10 minutes here · Admission included
These unusual gardens hold an ancient secret uncovered in WW2, ruins of the old Roman City Wall.
5 minutes here
St Mary Aldermanbury Garden
This little garden has strong associations to William Shakespeare and even Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
10 minutes here · Admission included
A magnificent old tree steels the show here with incredible modern architecture all around.
5 minutes here
Postman's Park
Visit this beautiful but rarely visited park with its touching memorial to everyday heroes.
10 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The tour starts just outside Caffe Nero outside St Pauls Underground Station
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
The tour starts just outside Caffe Nero outside St Pauls Underground Station
Ends at
We finish just yards from St Pauls Underground Station
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ye Olde England Tours
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
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual
- We have earmarked this tour as especially safe during the Coronavirus outbreak due to generally quiet places that we visit where social distancing is generally not a problem. All of our tours are private so it is just you/your family and your guide. To make it easier and safer for all concerned we would suggest starting this tour a little later than the usual time, perhaps around 10.30-11am which allows us all to miss rush-hour. We are happy to still come to your hotel to meet you but for the moment we would suggest meeting us at the tour starting point. This allows you to arrive by a taxi or uber rather than public transport. Please feel free to wear masks throughout or at times during the tour. Your guide will also have a mask with them.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 42 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
42 verified traveler reviews for Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unforgettable London Tour
Did the tour with my young adult daughter. Kevin was excellent. He knows so much about current London, London history, and the Secret Gardens of London. He was incredibly engaging and loved answering all of our questions. You can tell he is passionate about what he’s doing. We HIGHLY recommend Kevin. We had a great time.
via Viator
Hidden Gardens
We had the joy of meeting Kevin our guide, who in turn showed us so much more than multiple hidden gardens within the downtown city limits of London. He is a history buff who loves the city and shared a multiple insights to this city, from the various architectural structures to the history of the city! Much more than expected!
via Tripadvisor
The tour that was misnamed
The title of this tour is exactly what we were looking for. Unfortunately, the the content of the tour was not. This tour guide is so well schooled in the history of the city and surrounding areas going as far back as the eleven hundreds. But that is not what we wanted. We thought we were going to literally go into people's gardens that were behind locked fences, and see things we had never seen before. The only secret about the garden tour is that the gardens are built on old cemeteries. These gardens are run and maintained by the city, and therefore they look the same. The plantings are the same.
Response from the operator: "Thank you for your feedback, and I am glad you enjoyed our guide's extensive historical knowledge going back to the 1100s! As noted in our tour description, our Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour is specifically designed as an architectural and historical walking journey through the ancient Roman and medieval pocket gardens, Blitz ruins, and hidden churchyards of the square mile. It focuses on the fascinating history behind these tiny urban sanctuaries rather than expansive botanical parks. We appreciate you choosing YeOldeEnglandTours and wish you the best on your future travels."
via Viator
exceptional tour with stephen
stephen is incredible. generally no one tours the city. on this tour we get to tour the city of london and visit small but great green spaces and learn about their origins. hes a delight and a wealth of info
via Viator
Well worth it!
This is a great tour! Explore gardens and parts of London that you probably would not come across otherwise. Learn tons of interesting facts about London and its history. Stephen was a great guide and so knowledgeable. Highly recommended!
via Viator
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
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Ye Olde England Tours, who run 55 experiences we rank across 4 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.2.
See everything Ye Olde England Tours runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour cost?
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Prices start at $258 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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour take?
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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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private 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 (4.9/5 across 42 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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private 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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour suitable for kids and families?
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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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour?
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Around 15 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Secret Gardens of the City of London Private 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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour?
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Included: Local guide; Private tour; Professional guide; Tour escort/host; and Hotel pickup. Not included: Transportation to/from attractions. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 196 listed pickup locations in and around London. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Secret Gardens of the City of London Private 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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private 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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Secret Gardens of the City of London Private 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 Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour?
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Across 42 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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