Britain · LITERARY TOURS

The 15 Best Literary Tours in Britain

15 tours  ·  from $16

Shakespeare in Stratford, Austen in Bath, Holmes in Marylebone. The 15 below are priced and timed, with a note on which include a house entry and which stay on the pavement.

London: Sherlock Holmes-Themed Walking Tour - Following Conan Doyle’s London
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London: Sherlock Holmes-Themed Walking Tour

1.Sherlock Holmes-Themed Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 756 reviews · 2 hours · from $18Our pick

Join an English-speaking guide for a two-hour Sherlock Holmes walk from Piccadilly Circus. Visit places tied to Conan Doyle’s stories, gentlemen’s clubs, grand hotels, and screen versions with Jeremy Brett, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Robert Downey Jr. Guides including Fiona, Owen, Ian, and Spencer bring literary clues, London history, and film trivia to life.

“The guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and the tour we t at a nice gentle pace.”

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Bath: The Jane Austen Centre Ticket - What Jane Austen’s Bath meant to her writing
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Bath: The Jane Austen Centre Ticket

2.The Jane Austen Centre Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 678 reviews · 1 day · from $24

At 40 Gay Street, costumed guides introduce Jane Austen’s life, family, writing, and years in Bath. You’ll see period objects, sample Regency biscuits, write with a quill, dress up, and pose with the Jane Austen waxwork. Allow about an hour for the centre, with tea and cakes upstairs.

“The staff get into their character roles. They’re very knowledgeable and helpful. I loved all the different artefacts and history behind each piece/exhibit.”

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Shakespeare Distillery Tour - 1pm Ticket - Seeing how the spirits are made
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Shakespeare Distillery Tour – 1pm Ticket

3.Shakespeare Distillery Tour – 1pm Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 598 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27Top rated

Spend 90 minutes at Shakespeare Distillery in Stratford-upon-Avon learning how gin is made, exploring its ingredients and history, then sampling at least three house spirits before a final Gin and Tonic. The 1pm start fits neatly after Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and groups are limited to 10 people.

“what an amazing time i learnt lots and my hubby got to try lots due to me not drinking cuz of driving amazing warm friendly welcome have already highly recommend to people”

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The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour - Meeting at Sheep Street and High Street
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The Sinister Side of Shakespeare’s Stratford Walking Tour

4.The Sinister Side of Shakespeare’s Stratford Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 547 reviews · 1h 30m · from $16Best value

Join Joe Rukin of Herald of Mercia for a 90-minute English-language walk through Stratford-upon-Avon. You’ll hear tales of murder, witchcraft, plague, torture, ghosts, Shakespeare’s world, and Doctor John Hall, with stops near Holy Trinity Church and other central sights.

“a fantastically funny, entertaining and enthusiastic tour with Joe! As a first time visitor to Stratford we enjoyed a wonderful walk around town at twilight with some thrills , spills and knowledge! a fantastic experience and one to fully recommend!”

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Shakespeare's Globe Guided Tour - Rehearsals can change the entire visit
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Shakespeare’s Globe Guided Tour

5.Shakespeare’s Globe Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 481 reviews · from $37

Explore Shakespeare’s Globe with a lively guide such as Vicky, Clive, Mick, or Jeremy. The 45-minute tour covers Elizabethan staging, the 1990s reconstruction, and the working theatre today. You may see a rehearsal, then add a Midsummer Night’s Dream afternoon tea overlooking the Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral.

“This visit was especially for my boyfriend’s birthday. He is a very big fan of Shakespeare and has watched many plays in Stratford. We weren’t disappointed the guide was was lovely! With a touch of humour she was very informative! So interesting. In side the globe, was wonderful with its open thatch roof, so authentic in great London metropolis. We also had the privilege to see actors at work rehearsing for twelfth night. My only complaint, I would have loved to stayed longer. Definitely come back in the near future to watch a play.”

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Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare's Birthplace Ticket - The Beyond Words exhibition sets the scene
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Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare’s Birthplace Ticket

6.Shakespeare’s Birthplace Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 476 reviews · 1 day · from $33

Step inside Shakespeare’s Birthplace on Henley Street, where William grew up and lived during the first five years of his marriage. See John Shakespeare’s glove-making workshop, visit the Beyond Words exhibition and Second Folio, and use your phone for video guides. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours, with extra time for the gardens.

“Fascinating museum. I learned a lot about Shakespeare ‘s life and plays. Really good exhibition and lovely gardens. An amazing feeling to realise you are walking in the footsteps of such a revered poet and playwright.”

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From London: Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon Day Trip by Coach - Shakespeare’s Birthplace: the essential first stop
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From London: Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon Day Trip by Coach

7.Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon Day Trip by Coach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 352 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $122

Travel from Victoria to Stratford-upon-Avon in a modern, air-conditioned coach, then visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, and New Place with free time in town. The day lasts about 10.5 hours and may include countryside stops on some departures, so check the exact schedule before booking.

“Our original tour was cancelled 2 days before the tour. We had to scramble to find another trip that was similar. The new tour had five stops and we had 1.5 hour at first stop, and less than an hour at the rest. Guide was a bit snarky. I don’t recommend this tour group.”

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Beatrix Potter's Half Day Lake District Tour Including Lake Cruise - The Windermere cruise begins the day on an easy note
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Beatrix Potter’s Half Day Lake District Tour Including Lake Cruise

8.Beatrix Potter’s Half Day Lake District Tour Including Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 334 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $120

Spend 4.5 hours exploring Beatrix Potter’s Lake District with a small minibus group of up to 16 people. Cruise Lake Windermere, visit Hill Top when open, stroll Hawkshead, and stop at Tarn Hows. Guides such as Tim, Mark, Peter, and Derek are known for lively local stories and practical help.

“The winding narrow lanes lined with rock walls were quite charming. Hill top was very fun. The ferry ride on lake Windermere was my favorite part.”

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The Sinister Side of Shakespeare's Stratford Walking Tour - Meeting at Sheep Street and High Street
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The Sinister Side of Shakespeare’s Stratford Walking Tour

9.The Sinister Side of Shakespeare’s Stratford Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 279 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $16

Walk Stratford-upon-Avon for 90 minutes with an animated guide such as Joe, hearing tales of plague, ghosts, murder, witchcraft, Shakespeare’s family, and the River Avon. The route passes Holy Trinity Church, Tudor World, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and other old streets. Expect theatrical storytelling, dark humor, and a tour suited to adults and older children.

“Entertaining and interesting. Not too much walking, knowledgable and retained our interest throughout.”

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Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall Entry Ticket and Tour - Entering the 1420 Guildhall
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Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall Entry Ticket and Tour

10.Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall Entry Ticket and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 232 reviews · 30 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $18

Enter the 1420 Guildhall where young William Shakespeare studied Latin. Guides, including Master Jenkins and Regina on some visits, lead a Tudor lesson with quill writing, costumes, games, and stories about Shakespeare’s family. Allow 30 minutes to an hour, though families may linger longer.

“We really enjoyed our tour of Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall. We liked having the ability to enter at any time that fit our schedule. Very educational!”

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Stratford-upon-Avon: Shakespeare’s Story Entry Ticket

11.Shakespeare’s Story Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 208 reviews · from $36

Follow Shakespeare’s story through three Stratford-upon-Avon homes. Enter his birthplace, see Anne Hathaway’s nearly 600-year-old cottage, and explore New Place’s gardens and archaeological remains when open. Guides share Tudor customs, family stories, and short live scenes. Your ticket lasts 365 days, but transport between houses is not included.

“It works really well as there were 6 and it made it so much easier booking it and beating the queues”

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Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour in London - The Royal Academy and the world of Sherlock on screen
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Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour in London

12.Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 207 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $23

Meet your English-speaking guide at Piccadilly Circus for a two-hour walk through Sherlock Holmes London. See film locations tied to Murder by Decree, BBC Sherlock, and Guy Ritchie’s films, along with the fictional Diogenes Club and Somerset House. Guides such as Ian, Fiona, Owen, and Spencer bring the Holmes lore to life.

“I had Spencer as my tour guide and he was great, made quite a fun tour and made the walking feel like nothing. and the fact he's a fan of Sherlock Holmes makes it greater, because he knows his stuff properly. lovely lad”

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London: Jack The Ripper and Sherlock Holmes Bus Tour - Westminster, executions, and the Banqueting House
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London: Jack The Ripper and Sherlock Holmes Bus Tour

13.Jack The Ripper and Sherlock Holmes Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 195 reviews · from $80

Travel by air-conditioned coach through historic London, then walk through Smithfield Market and the East End as your guide tells stories of Jack the Ripper, public executions, body snatchers, and the Cock Lane ghost. Guides such as Magnus, Allan, Andrew, and Sinead have led the tour. It ends near Trafalgar Square at the Sherlock Holmes Pub.

“Wonderful! Our guide, Magnus, was very informative, funny, kind and dressed to the tens! Great tour to places we would not have discovered on our own. Whether you’re a Jack the Ripper enthusiast or not, I would definitely recommend this tour.”

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London: Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Guided Tour - Seeing the wooden O take shape
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London: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Guided Tour

14.Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 195 reviews · from $36

Meet your English-speaking guide at the riverside entrance to Shakespeare’s Globe for a tour of the reconstructed Elizabethan playhouse, followed by a walk-through exhibition on Shakespeare’s London. Guides such as Gerard, Finn, Joe, and Tyler have led engaging tours, though the theatre portion may be shorter during rehearsals.

“Great tour and well worth the money. Wonderful way to learn about Shakespeare and history of the building.”

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London: Top 30 Sights Tour and Sherlock Holmes Museum - Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey
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London: Top 30 Sights Tour and Sherlock Holmes Museum

15.Top 30 Sights Tour and Sherlock Holmes Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 58 reviews · from $91

Join a small English-speaking group of up to 10 for a fast, story-filled walk from the Ritz through Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Southbank, and London Bridge. Your guide then directs you to the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street, where you explore independently. Guides include Will, Nick, Joe, Tim, and Benjamin.

“Will hast been a perfect guide, that knew how to navigate through crowds, where to stand to have the best view, knew a lot of stuff and had an answer to every question. Simply awesome!”

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