Britain · HISTORICAL TOURS

Historical Tours in Britain: 15 to Book Before You Go

28 tours  ·  from $16

15 historical tours you can book today, each with its price, its running time and the sort of traveller it suits. The first one is first for a reason.

London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs - Starting near St. Paul’s and Blackfriars Bridge
Drinking Tours, Historical Tours, London Tours, Pub Tours in London, Tour Reviews, Tours

London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

1.London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,422 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Our pick

Join a small group of up to 14 people for a 3.5-hour walk from the City of London to Covent Garden. Guides such as Tim, Chris, Freddie, Mark, and Dave lead you into four historic pubs, sharing stories about Dickens, Fleet Street, churches, law, beer, and London life. Drinks and food cost extra.

“Dave was great! We not only learned about the historical information on each pub, but we learned a lot about historical events in London and what surrounded us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour - Starting at Belfast City Hall
Belfast Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Belfast

A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

2.A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,883 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36

Walk 1.5 miles through central Belfast with guides such as James, Anne, Mylie, or Róisín, visiting City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, and the Beacon of Hope. Expect a thoughtful, balanced account of The Troubles, supported by headsets, with some personal stories from guides who lived through the period.

“A very informative and balanced history of Ireland and the religious and political conflicts of the Troubles.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh - Edinburgh Castle from the outside
Edinburgh Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Edinburgh

Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

3.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Join Little Fish Tours for a two-hour English walking tour through Edinburgh’s Old Town. Guides such as Max, Greg, Angus, Jule, Ben, and Euan bring history to life with stories, humor, and local tips. Expect St Giles Cathedral, Mercat Cross, George Heriot School, and an outside look at Edinburgh Castle.

“Really knowledgeable guide. Interesting information and really got into the history. I recommend it!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour - Starting at Piccadilly Circus at 2:00 pm
Drinking Tours, Historical Tours, London Tours, Pub Tours in London, Tour Reviews, Tours

Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

4.Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,993 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through Soho with guides such as Ben, Gherto, Harvey, Tom, Danny, and Callum. Visit four historic pubs linked to music legends, hear stories about The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mozart, and enjoy a small-group afternoon. Drinks are not included, so budget separately.

“We visited four pubs in London, all with different atmospheres and history all tied to the London music scene. Our tour guide Gherto was knowledgeable in all aspects UK history, culture, and the music scene making the tour a highlight of our vacation. By the end of the tour, Gherto felt more like family than just our tour guide. Highly recommend this tour, especially if you can get Gherto as your guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Old Town Historical and Underground Tour - Guides who make the difference
Edinburgh Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

5.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a guide such as Holly, Chihon, Emily, or Alex, then enter the Niddry Wynd and South Bridge vaults. Expect Scottish history, city legends, Canongate Kirkyard, winding steps, uneven floors, and plenty of time for questions. Groups are capped at six, and the pace is easy.

“Our guide was Chichon he was excellent. Very knowledgeable, good fun and made the tour interactive and fun for all.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History. - Meeting near the Guy Fawkes Inn
Ghost Tours, Ghost Tours in York, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in York, York Tours

Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

6.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $18Best value

Walk York after dark with Shadows of York, starting near the Guy Fawkes Inn and finishing around the Shambles. Guides such as Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie combine local history, gruesome tales, humor, and theatrical storytelling. Expect cobbled streets, outdoor stops near York Minster, hidden corners, and a 90-minute route in English.

“Josh did apologise at the beginning of the tour saying that he has painful wisdom teeth and it may be harder to understand him. I felt maybe due to factors such as above, cold and wet weather, the tour felt on auto-pilot. Kind of forced performance. Guide was friendly. I just felt that the stories lacked enthusiasm and passion. It was hard to understand what was being said at times. Some of the stories were interesting, just the way it was told lacked finer details and energy. I wouldn’t go again or recommend. It was something to do. I’d say the last few tours I have done, the guides have…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh - The darker stories: Burke, Hare, and life below the bridge
Edinburgh Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

7.Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,384 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Meet your guide at Mercat Cross for a short Old Town walk before entering the Blair Street Underground Vaults. In a group of up to 18, you’ll hear stories of workshops, taverns, poverty, medical crimes, and life below South Bridge. Guides such as Linda, Veni, Nicola, and Charles are known for lively storytelling.

“Linda, our guide, was very Entertaining and had a lot of information. The tour is strongly recommended”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Historical Walking Tour of York - The abbey and York’s religious upheaval
Historical Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in York, York Tours

Private Historical Walking Tour of York

8.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,324 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Walk York with a private guide for two to three hours, starting near York Minster and ending by Clifford’s Tower. Expect stories of Romans, Vikings, kings, Henry VIII, Guy Fawkes, and local life. Guides including Alan, Chris, Sean, Karen, and David tailor the route to your interests.

“Alan gave us a wonderful tour of York and Alan was extremely accommodating setting up a last minute tour at an off hour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour - From ancient lanes to the street of shame
Drinking Tours, Historical Tours, London Tours, Pub Tours in London, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in London

London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

9.Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,065 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $39

Meet outside St Paul’s Underground station for a 3.5-hour, English-language walk through London’s pub past. You’ll visit four historic drinking places, including a Victorian gin palace, hear stories linked to Dickens and the City, and finish near Strand and Covent Garden. Drinks cost extra, and the tour is for ages 18 and over.

“Had a lot of fun walking around, exploring the history of a few iconic pubs. Tim was super helpful, told us all about each of the pub’s history and made sure everyone was comfortable. Would highly recommend if you’re visiting London!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Portsmouth: Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket - The Mary Rose, a Tudor time capsule
England Tours, Historical Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews

Portsmouth: Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket

10.Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,052 reviews · 365 days · from $62

Spend a day, or return across a full year, at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. See the Mary Rose and its 4D film, board Nelson’s HMS Victory and Victorian HMS Warrior, visit HMS Alliance by waterbus, and tour naval museums. You explore at your own pace with audio guides, volunteer interpreters, and a harbour cruise included.

“Loved all of it Just ran out of time to see everything so were able to go back the next morning to finish last bit”

Check availability →Read our full review

Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour - Connecting medieval Edinburgh with the modern city
Edinburgh Tours, Guided, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

11.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Start on the Royal Mile at 10:30 am and walk Edinburgh’s historic center with a professional guide. You’ll connect medieval and modern history, hear local legends, spot details you could miss alone, and finish at Greyfriars Kirkyard. Tours are offered in English, with French and some other language availability requiring confirmation.

“This was a great 2 hour tour that hit the highlights and got us comfortable to explore more on our own. Thanks to Gavin, we were cared for, entertained, and left with great ideas on what to do next.”

Check availability →Read our full review

York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour - Meeting a witch at Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate
Ghost Tours, Ghost Tours in York, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in York, York Tours

York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

12.Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 928 reviews · 1h 15m · from $22

Follow a costumed guide such as Cornelius Piper, Merlot, Willow, or Nutmeg through York’s lanes and snickelways. Hear true stories about Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and other suspected witches while seeing the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and more. Expect theatrical storytelling, outdoor walking, and plenty of cobbles.

“Our guide was great! She had to deal with some awful people on the streets of York heckling her and did so with ease! Great stories and lots of fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour - Old Hall Street and the difficult side of trade
Historical Tours, Liverpool Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Liverpool

A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

13.A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 911 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Follow Liverpool’s story for about 1 hour 50 minutes, from the Royal Liver Building and medieval parish church site to the Old Dock, Castle Street, Liverpool ONE, and Royal Albert Dock. Guides including John and Julio bring maritime trade, commerce, slavery, war, and city life into focus. Expect a fast, fact-packed walk in English with outdoor stops and up to 40 people.

“Julio was excellent, engaging and knowledgeable and a really good background for the rest of our stay. Nice to be in a smaller group”

Check availability →Read our full review

London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour - Four pubs, four different sides of Soho
Drinking Tours, Historical Tours, London Tours, Pub Tours in London, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in London

London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

14.Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 836 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $39

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through Soho with an English-speaking guide, stopping at four historic pubs linked to Lennon, Bowie, Hendrix, and others. Expect music stories, hidden lanes, local drinks for purchase, and a social pace. Guides include Gherto, Henry, Ben, Sy, Gary, and Tom. Bring ID, cash, and good shoes.

“This is an awesome tour and Sy is an excellent tour guide. I loved everything about this tour. There was a lot of good information and Sy’s storytelling kept it very exciting and interesting. I think it’s great value for the money. I highly recommend this tour. It’s a great way to understand some of the basics about Soho instead of simply meandering around it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Edinburgh - Dark History - What makes the guides effective
Edinburgh Tours, Historical Tours, Tour Reviews

Edinburgh – Dark History

15.Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 814 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22

Follow All-Star Guides from West Parliament Square to Canongate Kirk for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s darker past. Expect stories of executions, plague, thieves, body snatchers, and unusual traditions. Guides including Robert, James, Joe, Kieran, Lydia, and Chris bring the history to life with humor and strong storytelling. This is history first, ghost stories second.

“Joe was a wonderful guide! He was knowledgeable, funny, and accommodating. Would definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Explore Britain

Start with a city, a castle or a coastline.