• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
the tour guy travel blog

The Tour Guythe tour guy travel blog

  • Destinations
    • Amalfi Coast
    • Amsterdam
    • Athens
    • Barcelona
    • Capri
    • Florence
    • Granada
    • Iceland
    • Las Vegas
    • London
    • Madrid
    • Milan
    • New York City
    • Paris
    • Rome
    • San Francisco
    • Segovia
    • Sicily
    • Tuscany
    • Vatican City
    • Venice
  • Attractions
    • 9/11 Memorial
    • Accademia Gallery
    • Acropolis
    • Alcázar of Segovia
    • Alhambra
    • Borghese Gallery
    • Buckingham Palace
    • Colosseum
    • Doge’s Palace
    • Eiffel Tower
    • Louvre Museum
    • The Met
    • Montserrat Monastery
    • Pantheon
    • Paris Catacombs
    • Sagrada Familia
    • Sistine Chapel
    • St. Mark’s Basilica
    • St. Peter’s Basilica
    • Statue of Liberty
    • Stonehenge
    • The Last Supper
    • Tower of London
    • Uffizi Gallery
    • Vatican Museum
    • Versailles
    • Westminster Abbey
    • Windsor Castle
  • Shop Tours
  • Sign In

How to Pick the Best London Tours for You (Local Advice)

People looking at the ceiling of Westminster Abbey.

Brie Greenhalgh Last Updated: May 9, 2025

Home > travel-blog > England > London > How to Pick the Best London Tours for You (Local Advice)

London’s been around forever—one of Europe’s oldest cities—so there’s a ton to see, and trust me, you’re gonna want to see it all. But here’s the thing: it’s easy to get lost in the maze of tour options. Stonehenge, Harry Potter, walking tours of the city’s legendary sights…the choices are endless. Based on years of running tours here, we’ve broken down the best options so you can see the best of London without wasting time (or money).


Our Helpful Planning Articles


Top Things to Do

Where to Stay

Best Tours

Restaurants

What’s Covered in This Article

  • Guided Tours Worth It?
  • Types of London Tours Available
  • Factors to Consider
  • Tour Comparison Chart
  • Employee Favorites
  • How to Decide

Are Guided Tours in London Worth It?

Absolutely. London’s a maze of layers—Roman foundations, medieval bloodlines, Victorian grandeur, and modern buzz. A guided tour not only helps you skip the lines but also gives you a deeper connection to what you’re seeing. And for places like Stonehenge or Windsor, not having to deal with British country roads is worth every penny.

👉 Browse All London Tours

Types of London Tours Available

In this section, we break down the most popular tour categories by what travelers usually want to see—big landmarks, royal palaces, day trips, and even pop culture.

🏰 Royal Palaces & Monuments Tours

👉 See All London Tours

London’s royal landmarks are iconic for a reason, and seeing them with a guide means you won’t just snap photos, you’ll actually get the stories behind the pomp and pageantry. From Westminster Abbey to the Tower of London, these tours give you front-row access to the places where history and ceremony collide.

  • Tower of London
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Windsor Castle

🎨 Museum and Historical Landmark Tours

👉 See All London Museum Tours

London has some of the greatest museums in the world—and most of them are free. But don’t confuse free with easy. A guided museum tour helps you skip the lines and understand the deeper context behind what you’re looking at. The British Museum alone has 8 million objects! Unless you’ve got a PhD in archaeology, you’ll appreciate someone pointing out the Rosetta Stone vs. the broken pot next to it.

  • British Museum
  • Tower of London
  • Westminster Abbey
  • Churchill War Rooms

🧙 Harry Potter & Pop Culture Tours

👉 See All Harry Potter & Pop Culture Tours

If you’re a Potterhead or pop culture fanatic, London delivers. From Diagon Alley to Platform 9¾, the wizarding world is alive and well here. But there’s more—Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, Jack the Ripper… London’s layered with lore.

  • Harry Potter Studios

🏞️ Day Trips from London

👉 See All London Day Trips

Some of England’s most legendary spots are just a couple hours away. The hard part? Renting a car and driving on the left side of the road. Don’t do that. Join a small group or guided day trip so you can sit back and enjoy the countryside, castles, and seaside towns stress-free.

  • Stonehenge
  • Windsor Castle
  • Bath
  • Cotswold

🍽️ Food & Drink Tours

👉 See All London Food Tours

You might not come to London for the food… until you actually eat here. London’s culinary scene is incredibly diverse and full of surprises. The best way to get oriented? A food tour early in your trip. Bonus: you’ll learn what to order, where to go, and how not to look like a lost tourist at the pub.

  • Borough Market

🚶 City & Overview Tours

👉 See All Walking Tours

London’s best stories are told on foot. You can see the major monuments on a double-decker bus, sure—but walking lets you absorb the real character of the city. With a guide, you’ll hear stories behind statues, spot Churchill’s favorite cigar shop, or understand the politics behind street names.

  • Bike Tours
  • Black Cab Tours

Factors to Consider When Choosing a London Tour

After helping thousands of travelers in London, here’s what we recommend thinking about:

  • Tour Duration – Looking to fill a day or just a morning?
  • Skip-the-Line Access – Essential for places like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.
  • Tour Themes – Royal history, literature, wizardry—London has it all. Pick your poison.
  • Mobility Needs – London’s huge. Choose a tour that balances walking and transport if needed.
  • Out-of-Town Options – Some of the best sites (Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford) are outside the city center.

Tour Comparison Chart

Tour NameDurationSkip-the-Line?Best ForHighlightsAvg Rating
London in a Day7 hrs✅ YesFirst-time visitorsWestminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Thames Cruise, Tower of London⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5)
London Tower After-Hours Tour2 hrs✅ YesFOMO TravelersCeremony of the Keys, Night tour⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Westminster Abbey Tour3hrs✅ YesRoyal fansAbbey entry, Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)
Harry Potter Studios12 hrs✅ YesFilm fansDiagon Alley, Great Hall, Lestrange Vault, Transport⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5)
Borough Market w/ Creme Brulee Donut!2.5 hrsN/AFood loversMarket tastings, baking workshop, local guide⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0/5)
London Tower Tour with Crown Jewels3 hrsN/AHistory buffs, first-time visitorsBeefeater stories, Crown Jewels, Bloody Tower⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.9/5)
Stonehenge, Bath, Windsor11 hrs✅ YesFirst-time visitors, history loversWindsor Castle, Stonehenge, Roman Baths⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5)

🏆 Employee Favorite Picks by Attraction

1. The Tower of London

  • Legend & Lore Tour – Our “OG” and most popular
  • Exclusive After Hours Ceremony Tour – The most unique experience. A tradition dating back to the 1300s.
  • Early Entry Tour – See the Tower before the crowds.
  • Meet & Greet Beefeater Tour – If you want stories straight from the source.

2. Westminster Abbey

  • London in a Day Walking Tour – Combines Westminster, the Guard Change, Thames cruise, and the Tower.
  • Westminster Abbey + Guard Tour – Focused and cultural, a great half-day plan.

3. Stonehenge & Windsor

  • Windsor, Stonehenge & Bath Day Trip – Our most popular full-day escape from London.

4. Pop Culture

  • Harry Potter Studios & Oxford Tour – zero stress, high magic.

5. Buckingham Palace

  • Royalty Tour + Palace Access – Includes park strolls and entry into the State Rooms.

🧠 How to Decide What’s Best for You

  • Short on time? ➜ Do a London in a Day Tour or a combo like Westminster + Tower.
  • Fan of royalty? ➜ Buckingham Palace + Changing of the Guard is a no-brainer.
  • Love ancient mystery? ➜ Go for Stonehenge—Inner Circle if you can swing it.
  • Big Harry Potter fan? ➜ Studio tour with Oxford = best value and experience.
  • Hate crowds? ➜ Early access or small group tours will make your day 10x better.

Find the best places to stay

Where To Stay in London

Deciding where to stay at a great hotel in London can take some effort since it’s a massive city. Make your decision easier with our list of the best neighborhoods and hotels in London.

Best Places To Stay in London
  • French People Arr. Rude Featured Image London
    London Travel Tips From Local Experts
  • Italian Beaches Podcast FI
    Best Beaches in Italy Travel Tips From Local Experts
  • Top things to do in Paris
    The 35 BEST Things to Do in Paris (Local Favorites…
  • northern lights over skogafoss falls
    Local’s Guide: How to See the Northern Lights in…
  • French People Arr. Rude Featured Image Naples
    Naples Travel Tips From Local Experts
  • French People Arr. Rude Featured Image Puglia
    Puglia Travel Tips From Local Experts

Recently on the Blog

Italy Travel Tips from Local Experts

Best Tours in Italy That Go Beyond the Bucket List

Tuscany Travel Tips From Local Experts

4-Day London Itinerary: Towers, Royals, and Mysterious Circles

3-Day London Itinerary: The Plan That Covers It All

About Brie Greenhalgh

Writer, editor, teacher, hiker, traveler, dreamer. With a book or pen in hand and a majestic sunset on the horizon, life is never short of fulfilling moments for Brie. She has a background in history and writing, and enjoys writing and editing for BobVila.com, The Tour Guy, and her own business.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

London Guide

  • London tours
  • Top things to do in London
  • Where to stay in London
  • Best restaurants in London
  • Foods to try in London
  • Tower of London
    • Tours & things to do
    • How to visit
    • Top things to see
    • Best restaurants nearby
    • Is a tour worth it?
    • Best tours + why
  • Westminster Abbey
    • Tours & things to do
    • How to visit
    • Top things to see
    • Best restaurants nearby
    • Is a tour worth it?
    • Best tours + why
  • Windsor Castle
    • Tours & things to do
    • How to visit
    • Top things to see
    • Best restaurants nearby
    • Is a tour worth It?
    • Best tours + why
  • Stonehenge
    • Tours & things to do
    • How to visit
    • Best restaurants nearby
    • Is a tour worth it?
    • Best tours + why
  • Buckingham Palace
    • Tours & things to do
    • How to visit
    • Top things to see
    • Best restaurants nearby
    • Best tours + why

Footer

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Travel Blog
  • In The Press
  • Guidebook Sitemap

POLICY & TERMS

  • Cancellation Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Consent

FIND US ON

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

WE ACCEPT

we accept payments

Copyright © 2025 The Tour Guy. All rights reserved.