8 Best Free Tours in London

Explore London with free tours led by locals: Westminster, Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper, Brixton, and much more. Discover surprising stories and unique corners of the city!

8 Best Free Tours in London

More about: 8 Best Free Tours in London

Exploring London with a free tour is one of the best ways to get to know the city at your own pace, accompanied by local guides who know how to tell the best stories. All you have to do is book your place, enjoy the tour and, at the end, rate the experience by contributing what you think is fair.

As well as being flexible, it's an intimate way to experience the city. From historic corners to the most alternative neighbourhoods, there's a free tour for every type of traveller. Here are the ones you can't miss.

1. Free tour of Westminster and essential London

Palace of Westminster| ©Andrew and Annemarie
Palace of Westminster| ©Andrew and Annemarie

This free tour of Westminster opens the doors to the political and historical heart of the city. Walking through Westminster, you will pass the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and even the iconic royal parks.

It's the best option if you want to start with the essentials, hear stories of kings and queens, and understand why London remains a centre of world power.

Book a free tour of Westminster

2. Harry Potter dramatised free tour

Harry Potter phone box in London| ©Pixabay
Harry Potter phone box in London| ©Pixabay

London is also the magical setting for Harry Potter, and this free Harry Potter dramatised tour takes you to the real places that inspired the saga. From the famous Platform 9¾ to the corners where iconic scenes were filmed, you'll relive the magic step by step.

Perfect for fans who want to discover curiosities and details of the universe created by J.K. Rowling, all accompanied by a guide who makes the tour a truly immersive experience.

Book a free dramatised Harry Potter tour

3. Free tour of Brixton, the alternative London

Brixton Market| ©Willy Barton
Brixton Market| ©Willy Barton

If you want to get to know the most vibrant and multicultural side of the city, the free tour of Brixton is for you. This neighbourhood in south London pulsates with a unique creative energy, where urban art and history go hand in hand.

You'll discover Brixton's Jamaican origins, its impact on British music and how it has become one of the capital's most dynamic cultural hubs.

Book a free tour of Brixton

4. Jack the Ripper free tour

Visiting the Jack the Ripper Museum on the tour| ©Matt Brown
Visiting the Jack the Ripper Museum on the tour| ©Matt Brown

Delve into the dark alleys of the East End with this free Jack the Ripper tour and relive one of London's most disturbing stories. You will follow in the footsteps of the famous murderer who terrorised the city in 1888.

Beyond the crimes, the tour will help you understand what life was like in Victorian London, with its social contrasts and corners steeped in mystery.

Book a free Jack the Ripper tour

5. Free tour of London's dark history

London by night| ©Thomas Kelley
London by night| ©Thomas Kelley

For those who enjoy lesser-known stories, the free tour of London's dark history is a real gem. This tour takes you through some of the darker episodes in London's history: from devastating plagues to gruesome public executions.

An opportunity to discover the hidden side of London and learn how these stories have shaped the city we know today.

6. Free tour of the Mayfair neighbourhood

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Luxury shops, art galleries, five-star hotels, private clubs... Mayfair is one of London's most exclusive neighbourhoods, and this free tour is your chance to explore it from end to end and discover its other side. What if you find that not everything in this area of London is ostentatious? What if the free tour of Mayfair also reveals stories of social movements and scandals?

This free tour will take you through an area of London that you would probably not visit on your own initiative, but which has a lot to offer with places such as Marble Arch, Park Lane and Berkeley Square.

Book a free tour of the Mayfair neighbourhood

7. Free tour of London's markets

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If you're someone who seeks out authenticity every time you visit a city, you won't want to miss this free tour of the most iconic markets in the English capital. For three hours, you'll visit the most iconic markets in the east of the city while enjoying the local atmosphere and artisan cuisine. There will also be plenty of anecdotes about the local culture and its inhabitants.

A tour of everyday London with charming areas and lots of street art.

Book a free tour of London's markets

8. Free tour of Soho and Covent Garden

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This free tour of Soho and Covent Garden takes you through two of the most iconic and lively neighbourhoods in central London. For an hour and a half, you'll discover the bohemian, artistic and rebellious side of the city, with fascinating anecdotes about the musical, theatrical and multicultural past of these historic enclaves.

In Soho, you'll walk the streets that saw the birth of rock legends such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, and delve into iconic corners such as Chinatown and Greek Street, with their unique blend of art, nightlife and alternative history.

Crossing over to Covent Garden, you'll discover a neighbourhood that went from being a fruit market to becoming the epicentre of street art and theatre. You'll stroll through its squares, watch urban artists in action and discover the best-kept secrets of this lively corner of the city.

Book a free tour of Soho and Covent Garden

Other free tour options in London

Aerial view of Hyde Park| ©Bald Boris
Aerial view of Hyde Park| ©Bald Boris

Free tour of London's parks and green spaces

London is famous for its green spaces, and this tour invites you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and breathe in some fresh air. You'll stroll through parks such as St. James's Park and Hyde Park, discovering how these urban lungs are an essential part of London life.

In addition to nature, the guides will tell you interesting facts and historical anecdotes hidden among centuries-old trees and meticulously maintained gardens.

Free urban art tour in London

The city is full of outdoor artistic expressions, and this tour of London's street art will take you through neighbourhoods such as Shoreditch, where graffiti and artistic interventions fill the walls with colour and messages.

You will learn about the artists who have shaped this movement and how street art has become a vibrant part of London's identity.

Free food tour of London

Yes, London's gastronomy exists and goes far beyond fish and chips. This tour will take you through iconic markets such as Borough Market, where you can explore local and international flavours.

Between history and tastings, you will understand how London's multiculturalism is also reflected in its culinary offerings, creating a delicious experience for all the senses.

Reviews from other travellers

4.4
· 1905 Reviews
  • A
    A.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    Perhaps I expected the tour to include more stops, but what we saw was well explained and at a good pace.
  • C
    C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved the multicultural atmosphere, the mix of history, cinema, architecture and modernity. Very complete.
  • D
    D.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Walking through these streets with so much personality was one of the best parts of the trip. A London with a difference.
  • M
    M.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I found Notting Hill to be ideal if you want something relaxed, charming, away from the hectic pace of the city centre.
  • P
    P.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I liked the area very much, although the guide spoke quite fast - for those of us who don't speak English well it was perhaps a bit difficult.