St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages worth booking?
St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages is a 5-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $240 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $240 per person
This fascinating tour of two of the most loved areas of London, St James' and Mayfair, lasts for 5 - 5.5 hours. St James' developed around the Royals whereas Mayfair was built for the aristocrats so you follow in the foo
What you get
- A fun & experienced professional, local guide, accredited by ITG & the University of Westminster.
About this experience
This fascinating tour of two of the most loved areas of London, St James' and Mayfair, lasts for 5 - 5.5 hours. St James' developed around the Royals whereas Mayfair was built for the aristocrats so you follow in the footsteps of both! The centrepiece of St James' is the majestic palace built by Henry VIII and as you wander the streets in the shadow of its great gatehouse, you will pass the gentlemen's clubs, elegant outfitters which have been a mecca to royals and gentlemen alike for centuries and beautiful parks. With Buckingham Palace a stone's throw away around the corner, it is truly Royal London! Walk a little further north and the tour takes you past the luxurious houses, beautiful gardens and exclusive shops of aristocratic Mayfair. We pass retailers with exquisite displays ranging of china, glass and silverware and arrive in Shepherd Market, home to Mayfair's thriving sex industry for centuries.
What's included
Included
- A fun & experienced professional, local guide, accredited by ITG & the University of Westminster.
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Food sampling
- Gratuities - optional
- Transportation to/from the start and end points of the walk
What you'll see and do
Fortnum & Mason
One of London's most sophisticated department stores, it's hard to believe it started life as a market stall! We will wander around the ground floor so I can point out what the store invented 300 years ago which is still in demand today and explain what intriguing structures are on its roof. I guarantee you will want to return at a later date for a more leisurely browse of the entire store to do some serious shopping!
10 minutes here
Royal Academy of Arts
Built by the Earl of Burlington in the mid-1660s, I doubt he would recognise it today as at least 9 architects have worked on the building since then! Currently occupied by the Royal Academy, its summer exhibition is a firm fixture in London's 'Social' calendar.
5 minutes here
Burlington Arcade
The Burlington arcade has just celebrated its 200th anniversary and was built by one of the Earls of Burlington, George Cavendish. As we wander through and enjoy window shopping some of the 45 retailers who occupy the arcade today, we will see the Beadles who have guarded the arcade since day 1!
10 minutes here
Berkeley Square
Most famous for its nightingales which are, in all probability completely fictional, this is one of London's most historically interesting squares. With a forgotten river flowing beneath it, the square is home to many plane trees and a collection of grade 1 listed buildings around its edges one of which is home to the world famous Annabel's night club.
10 minutes here
Mount Street Gardens
An oasis of peace and tranquility, it is hard to imagine you are only 5 minutes walk away from one of the busiest shopping streets in London. But life has not always been so calm here - in the 10 minutes we'll take to wander through these gardens, I'll tell you what lies beneath our feet and what gruesome secret one of the buildings at the side of the gardens holds.
10 minutes here
Shepherd Market
A leafy retreat nowadays, it used to be the centre of Mayfair's red light district where the aristocrats of old, with too much time and money on their hands, went for their entertainment. It was also the downfall of one MP - but which one?! I'll fill you in on the tour!
10 minutes here
Green Park
As we cross Piccadilly and move from Mayfair in the north to St James' in the south, we leave the aristocrats behind and concentrate on the royals. Hear the legend of how Green Park gets it name and learn about the Royal dynasties who will feature during this part of our tour.
10 minutes here
St. James's Palace
Built by Henry VIII on the site of what used to be a woman's leper hospital, this was intended to be the palace for Henry's son promised to him by Anne Boleyn. But as the son turned out to be a daughter, Henry used the palace as a hunting lodge instead. The palace has been at the centre of many a Royal event so I will tell you many interesting stories from its past. If it's a day the ancient ceremony of the Changing of the Guard is scheduled to take place, we'll be able to enjoy pageantry at its best.
20 minutes here
Buckingham Palace
One of London's most iconic and recognisable buildings, Buckingham Palace is the office of the monarchy. The late Queen Elizabeth II used it on weekdays and Charles III has yet to decide where he will make his London home. This is a chance to see the world famous palace balcony which has been the focal point of many Royal celebrations including the late Queen's 50th, 60th and 70th jubilees and William and Kate's wedding celebrations. This stop is all about the Royals!
15 minutes here
St. James's Park
One of eight Royal parks in the capital, St James' is one of my favourites with its ornamental lake and wildlife frolicking in its waters. With luck we'll catch a glimpse of the resident pelicans, a pair of which were gifted to Charles II in 1664 by a Russian ambassador - there have been pelicans on the water ever since!"
10 minutes here
Horse Guards Parade at Whitehall
Originally Henry VIII's tiltyard for jousting, it is best known today for its ancient ceremonies of the Changing of the Guard and the Trooping of the Colour. Horse Guards was home to a gigantic sandpit during the 2012 London Olympics - the question is, though, which sport was it for?! .
10 minutes here
St. James' Square
Built by Henry Jermyn as a reward for his loyalty to Charles II during the English Civil War, this was the place to live in the 17 and early 1800s. A pretty square, there are still remnants of the days of old with Nancy Astor's former home and one of Sir Christopher Wren's churches gracing its edge.
10 minutes here
Jermyn Street
How better to end the tour than a wander along one of the most historic and sophisticated shopping streets in London. With a cheese shop which used to be a market stall and a perfumery dating back to the 1700s, this street has many stories to tell.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
We meet either inside Le Deli Robuchon, 82 Piccadilly, W1J 8JA at 9.20 a.m. for a coffee or outside Le Deli Robuchon at 9.40 if a coffee is not required!
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Although I state Berkeley Square, this can be a bit flexible depending on where the customer is going next.
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
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Hobnob Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- When your booking is confirmed, you will receive contact details for me (Sandy) your guide for this tour. My aim is to give you the best experience you could possibly have so if you have any special requests, be sure to tell me what they are! If you need to go at a slower pace, or stop for a break midway through the tour, that will be fine with me.
- The tour will last between 5.5 - 6 hours depending on what walking pace you set and the number of questions you ask. Due to the length of the tour, a lunch stop can be included at an extra cost.
- The tour will cover roughly 3 miles in total.
- The tour will go ahead come rain or shine so please don't be put off by the weather. Do wear comfortable shoes and clothing and, if needs be, bring waterproofs and an umbrella.
- Due to the distances involved, and the speed with which we need to travel between events, this tour is not recommended for those with serious medical conditions including walking difficulties and back problems.
- Tours start at 9.20 inside Le Deli Robuchon, 82 Piccadilly if you would like to start with a coffee; outside Le Deli Robuchon at 9.40 if you do not!
- If you need directions from your hotel to Le Deli Robuchon, do contact me on sandyrhodes@live.co.uk.
- Unlike some other guides, I specialise in just five areas of London, St James' and Mayfair being two of them. This means I have detailed knowledge of the areas which I pass on to my clients in a fun and interesting way.
- 100% of my Trip Advisor/Viator reviews are graded 'excellent' and as I now have over 175+ reviews in total, I must be doing something right!
- I prefer to guide small groups of up to five family or friends so everyone can hear what I am saying above the usual street noises of a busy city. Also, everyone can ask as many questions as they like.
- I ALWAYS contact my clients before a tour so if you have not heard from me one week before the tour is due to go ahead, please make contact with me.
- I only accept bookings directly from customers. Any bookings made by a travel agent on behalf of a customer will be cancelled.
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
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Will
Will was fantastic. Very generous. Sharing is passion for history. Always smiling. Giving tips about restaurants.
via Viator
Great personal tour guide.
Wonderful morning walking tour. Very informative and interesting. Great personal tour guide well studied on the areas history and stories.
Response from the operator: Hi Dion and Catherine, so kind of you to leave such a lovely review, thank you! As you say, we had a wonderful time exploring this fascinating area of central London. I hope to see you the next time you're in London. All the best. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful Tour of London’s Aristocratic Neighborhoods
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of St. James’ and Mayfair with Sandy. We covered a lot of ground during the tour and learned a lot about the history of the neighborhoods and the architectural significance of the aristocratic homes we passed. We also made several fun stops to learn about the various stores and the development of commerce in the neighborhood. We highly recommend Sandy’s tour.
Response from the operator: Hi Michael, it was a pleasure to take you and your sisters around St James' and Mayfair this morning and thank you for your kind words. You are right, we did cover a lot of ground from the gentlemen's clubs and Royal palaces of St James' to the posh shops and red light district of the original Mayfair. All great fun to see. Thanks again. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Sensational
An amazing stroll through Mayfair and St James. Sandy my guide is charm personified and her knowledge was extensive, informative and delivered in an easy friendly manner. If like me you are interested in an extensive and detailed history of the two areas then this is the tour for you. I discovered the history of so many shops and how many of them started at Market stalls. The stroll through Fortnum and Masons was informative and discovered just what an innovative store it is. Most notably the many beehives scattered throughout London rooftops and the frenzy of purchasing when released for sale in late summer. I'm particularly interested in the Regency's period and Sandy went out of her way to take me to particular areas of interest. I can not recommend this tour more highly. Next year when I return to London off to Hampton Court I will go with Sandy.
Response from the operator: Hi Margaret, what a lovely review, thank you. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the tour and I look forward to seeing you again at Hampton Court when you're next in London. Sandy
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages cost?
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Prices start at $240 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 St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages take?
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Plan for about 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 St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 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 St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages?
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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 St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages?
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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?
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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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does St James' & Mayfair - Private Tour of London's Royal & Aristocratic Villages 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 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?
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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.
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