The Mayflower Private Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
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 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Mayflower Private Walking Tour worth booking?
The Mayflower Private Walking Tour is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $261 per person. It scores 49 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 49 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $261 per person
There isn’t another tour that is quite like this one where we will visit some of the most historic yet less visited sites in London. This walking tour takes places entirely along and around the South Bank of the River T
What you get
About this experience
There isn’t another tour that is quite like this one where we will visit some of the most historic yet less visited sites in London. This walking tour takes places entirely along and around the South Bank of the River Thames which has two thousand years of rich if sometimes less glamerous history which makes for a fascinating tour that opens the door on this less visited part of London. From theatres to churches and cathedrals. Palaces to prisons, hangings and slums. Voyagers of discover to engineering marvels. Markets, smugglers and bodysnatchers to the birthplace of America.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Not included
- Transportation to/from attractions
What you'll see and do
Millennium Bridge
The newest bridge in London, connecting St Pauls Cathedral and the Tate Modern, the largest Modern Art gallery in the world. You ight recognise the bridge from Harry Potter and other shows.
5 minutes here
Tate Modern
The worlds biggest Modern Art Gallery, housed in an old power station. Many of the places we will pass have been converted into new use!
Pass by without stopping
Winchester Palace
See the ruins of the once magnificent palace that miraculously survived centuries of industry and WW2.
5 minutes here · Admission included
The Clink Prison Museum
We'll visit the eerie and atmospheric site of what may have been the most horrendous prison in Britain if not the world. You don't have to use too much imagination to see how it must have been even though the area now is extremely fashionable.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Golden Hinde
A replica of the famous ship of exploration, giving an insight to what these parts used to be like.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance
We will visit the resting place of thousands of plague victims, criminals and 'fallen' women who were buried unceremoniously here and learn of the dreadful poverty that so inspired social reform and the writings of Charles Dickens
10 minutes here · Admission included
Visit the small park that was once the location of a dreaded Debtors prison where Charles Dickens family was incarcerated.
10 minutes here · Admission included
The George
See the only remaining Galleried Tavern in London, the haunt of many a famous writing. The yard in front is where the pilgrims assembled in the Canterbury Tales.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Southwark Anglican Cathedral
Now part of London, Southwark was once and still is its own city and here is its beautiful and often overlook Cathedral.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Borough Market
The site of the world famous food market with food from around the world. There has been a market here of some sorts for at least 1,000 years and possibly since Roman times.
10 minutes here · Admission included
London Bridge
The world famous London Bridge, find out why it is here at all and learn about the awful things that used to happen here.
5 minutes here
Hay's Galleria
Once the worlds first covered dockyard, now a place of leisure and good-eating.
5 minutes here · Admission included
HMS Belfast
See the old WW2 Royal Navy Cruiser, now berthed up as a tourist attraction.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
London City Hall
The home of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. You'll see why it has the nick name of the Armadillo.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Tower of London
From the outside, we will see the old Tower of London, sat right next to the Thames.
Pass by without stopping
The Scoop
One of Londons very modern outdoor theatres.
5 minutes here
Tower Bridge
We will walk under the famous hydraulic lifting bridge, an icon of London.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
Shad Thames
Explore the streets and creeks of what was once the Venice of Drains and the site of murders and executions and all things Charles Dickens.
10 minutes here · Admission included
Edward III's Manor House
Centuries ago this was all swamp land and Kind Edward III built a hunting lodge here, the remains of which were relatively recently unearthed.
10 minutes here · Admission included
This old pub was a smugglers den and reaches out over the Thames where the trap doors can still be seen. Captain Cook set sail from here on his Voyages of Discovery whilst the Hanging Judge use to sit nearby to watch his sentences be carried out.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
This beautiful old church in what was once the village of Rotherhithe has a monument to the Pilgrim Fathers. The 'Captain' of the Mayflower is buried here and the ship was beached up on the Thames behind.
5 minutes here · Admission included
Visit the famous old pub from where the crew of the Mayflower ship departed for the new world. Perhaps return here after the tour to have a great drink or pub meal.
5 minutes here · Admission included
The Brunel Museum at Rotherhithe
The famed Victorian Engineer Brunel built the very first under water tunnel here... the trains still use it today. At one point it could take days if not weeks for ships to dock on the Thames and this was hoped to be part of the solution.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
This funky organic cafe is a great place to drink or grab a cheeky snack. It was once though a Watch House where dead bodies washed up on beaches of Rotherhithe were brought to protect them from thieves and body snatchers until the authorities arrived.
5 minutes here
In this old industrial building amongst the warehouses is now a jewel of cinema and heritage costuming as well as having a lovely old cafe. Many period costumes are made here for television and movies and the reference library is full of photos of how this part of London used to look.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
The tour starts from just outside Mansion House Tube Station.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Why not stay on after the tour and have a drink or meal at The Mayflower Pub?
Ends at
The tour finishes at Rotherhithe Station for easy onward journey to your hotel or next destination
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
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- 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 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
1 mentionTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for The Mayflower Private Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
On the Bankside
Dress appropriately. It’s a good 4-5 mile walk, but it was wonderful. Off the beaten track. Away from the crowds. Ends at a pub and within walking distance of the Overground.
Response from the operator: Thankyou for taking the time to leave me a nice review. It was lovely to meet you and I'm glad you enjoyed the tour!
via Viator
A most unique and interesting tour in London. Very different than the normal London tours
Stephen is a very knowledgeable and caring guide. It was great to see London from the south side of the Thames, seeing the London and Tower Bridges and then the unique architecture of London city hall. Tour ends at the famous Mayflower Pub, where the Mayflower ship commenced its journey to the United States. A great tour for someone that has been to London before and is looking for something different and unique.
Response from the operator: Hi Jerry. It was a real pleasure to meet you and show you this less visited part of London. I'm glad that you enjoyed the tour and I look forward to our next tour in a few weeks time!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
Great experience and atmosphere in this remarkable theatre. We sat to the side of the stage (block D) which was really good as you can see everything very well and at this time of year (we went to a 1pm performance) you don't have the sun in your eyes! As You Like It was so well produced and the actors were brilliant. Make sure you take or rent (£2) a cushion to sit on as the benches are a bit uncomfortable, but the 3 hr performance goes very quickly as its so enthralling. Very funny and easy to follow even if you don't know the play.
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
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 49
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Mayflower Private Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does The Mayflower Private Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $261 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 The Mayflower Private Walking 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 The Mayflower Private Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 49 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 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 The Mayflower Private Walking 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 The Mayflower Private Walking 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 The Mayflower Private Walking Tour?
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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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Mayflower Private Walking 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 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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