The Ultimate London guide: 12 Self-Guided Walks to Discover the City’s Famous Sites and Hidden Gems

Supplied by: Vidi Guides

Overview

Our London tours have been designed with a diverse set of interests for the culturally curious. You’ll find a summary of our 12 tours below:

Secret Shoreditch: Street Art, Cuisine and Culture Tour:
Looking for Shoreditch’s coolest bars, best markets, and most impressive street art? Then dive deep into the neighbourhood’s culture, cuisine and community with this walking tour of one of London’s most diverse and dynamic neighbourhoods. Starting at Old Street and finishing at Spitalfields, learn about Shoreditch’s history and culture, from Brick Lane and Beigels to Bansky and beer.

Covent Garden’s hidden gems:
You probably know Covent Garden was once the biggest fruit and veg market in central London, but did you also know it was also the birthplace of Slapstick comedy, the stomping ground to Britain’s most famous faces and home to London’s most violent pub brawls? Join us as we explore Covent Garden’s most beautiful and bohemian locations while learning about its scandalous past.

Borough Market Food Tour with Masterchef judge William Sitwell:
Join food critic and MasterChef Judge, William Sitwell, on this fascinating tour of Borough Market. Delve into this historical market’s international cuisine, British seafood and coolest drinking spots. Visit some of London’s favourite food stalls, including Monmouth Coffee, Neal’s Yard Dairy and Brindisa’s Iberico.

Southbank: Walk from the London Eye to Shakespeare's Globe:
Explore theatre gems, stunning skylines and some of the best pubs in central London with this walking tour of Southbank. Learn about history and culture as you stroll along the Thames, perfect for anyone after a performance at the Globe, an exhibition at the Tate or a pint by the river.

Brixton Music Walking Tour - Exploring the area's distinct identity, icons and struggles:
What makes Brixton the cradle of the UK's most successful music exports? This is what we'll explore during this fascinating tour of Brixton, which mixes music, stories from locals and poetry. During this walking tour, we'll dive into the roots of Brixton's music, 20th century riots and the racial divides that have shaped Brixton’s distinct identity. We'll learn about the Windrush generation, David Bowie, South London gentrification and Brixton's signature street food.

Westminster "Corridors of Power" Tour: Discover Big Ben, Houses of Parliament & Downing Street:
Want to learn more about the history and politics that goes on behind Westminster's closed doors? Join us as we visit Westminster’s iconic buildings, monuments and statues, and explore the stories behind them. Who was Oliver Cromwell, why is Boudica next to Big Beg and what exactly is the difference between the House of Commons and Lords? This stroll through monarchy and democracy is perfect for locals and tourists alike.

London's West End & Theatres Walking Tour:
Whether you know nothing about theatre or watch a musical a week, this walking tour of the West End is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about London history and culture. From Shakespeare to the Mousetrap, Ghost Stories to Agatha Christie and Shaftesbury Avenue to Covent Garden, this incredible tour narrates the story of British Theatre and the origin of the “break a leg”.

London Soho Instagram Photography Tour - a Self-Guided Walk for the Top Photo Spots in London:
Discover Soho’s most picture-perfect spots on this Instagram walking tour of Soho. Learn about the neighbourhood’s historical importance in London’s culture and its defining diversity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Whether you’re interested in Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Bar, Soho Square or Carnaby Street, this is the perfect walk to take photos round Soho.

Notting Hill Walking Tour - Discover its Bustling Markets, Fascinating History & Class Divide:
Explore Notting Hill's fascinating history, stroll through bustling markets and learn how minority groups are still affected by this area’s cultural divide. This walking tour is perfect for anyone, whether its tourists looking to explore a beautiful part of London (made famous by the 1999 Hugh Grant film), but also for locals keen to learn about London’s black culture and class divide.

Royal London: Walking tour from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace:
Learn about the history of Westminster’s complex relationship with the British crown - perfect for people who both love and hate the monarchy! You will be guided around the centre of London by a royalist and an abolitionist duo as you learn about everything from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, Churchill’s Bunker to the Queen’s Guard, and Cromwell to Kate Middleton.

LGBTQ+ Walking Tour of Soho & Central London:
Get a local, queer perspective of London on this walking LGBTQ+ audio walking tour of London. Starting at Trafalgar Square, weave through the West End and Soho and visit some of London’s most famous Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex cultural spaces.

Kew Gardens Immersive Audio Walking Tour - Guided By Expert Botanist:
The perfect companion for your trip to Kew Gardens, this walking podcast tour covers the fascinating history of this beautiful botanic garden. From Marianne North and William Hooker to the Palm House and Pagoda. We’ll discover the world’s oldest, largest, smelliest and hungriest plants in one of the world's most beautiful botanical gardens.

The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations are sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.

Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that sound like podcasts. This is a self-guided audio tour that can be started or stopped at your own convenience. Download the Vidi Guides app & your London tours to explore the city independently and safely!