The 10 Best London Private Tours (2025 Reviews)

London private tours don’t follow the crowd — they peel away from it.

You’re not chasing landmarks. You’re slipping through half-open doors, gliding past queues, wandering alleys that don’t show up in brochures. This is the private London tour that you’ve been dreaming about, to all the hidden spots of the city, the ones that just Londoners know.

There’s a thrill to being let in, to feeling like this moment, this story, this view of Big Ben… is just for you.

Some tours clink with pub laughter. Others hum with art, or history, or the quiet hush of a guide who really knows their stuff. This is the tour that you need to go on, believe me, I learnt more about London on this tour than any other tour I’ve been on.

And if you’re after something special, consider pairing it with one of the 7 Best London Tea Bus Tours or discover more hidden gems with one of the 10 Best Unique London Experiences.

So let’s find a private London tour that feels like yours.

Best Private London Tours

Compare Top Tours: The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab, Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London, and London Bridge Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab	Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London	London Bridge Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
Duration: 4 hours	Duration: 3 hours	Duration: 3.5 hours
Pickup: Hotel pickup in central London	Pickup: Temple Station, London	Pickup: London Bridge Station
Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance	Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance	Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours in advance
Includes: Licensed black cab guide, hotel pickup, custom itinerary	Includes: Private guide, pub visits, drinks (own expense)	Includes: Food tastings, private guide, insider routes
See major landmarks in comfort with a local London cabbie	Historic pubs and local lore with a witty private guide	Hidden gems, artisan eats, and quirky tales of the South Bank
👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!	👉 Reserve Your Spot!

10 Best Private Tours London

• Tour 1: The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab
• Tour 2: Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London
• Tour 3: London Bridge Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours
• Tour 4: Private Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, The City of Bath Day Tour
• Tour 5: Tower of London for Kids & Families Private Guided Tour with Pre-Booked Tickets
• Tour 6: Private Guided Tour of the British Museum – Tickets Included
• Tour 7: Private Panoramic Tour of London in a Classic Car
• Tour 8: Natural History Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour
• Tour 10: London Private Welcome Tour with a Local Guide

Private Tours in London (2025 Reviews)

Tour 1: The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab

✅ Meeting Point: Central London pickup (within 2 km radius); Embankment Tube recommended if outside
✅ Departure Time: Multiple daily departure slots
✅ Duration: 4 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking licensed cab driver
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Classic black cab, live commentary, hotel pickup/drop-off, photo stops

There’s nothing quite like exploring London from the back seat of a black cab, and this tour delivers that fantasy in full. If you’ve never been in the back of a black cab, it’s really spacious with seats often facing in both directions and plenty of spare room in the middle of the cab

Our driver-guide didn’t just know the city — he felt it. We glided through streets with stories, zipped past Parliament, paused for photos at Abbey Road, and detoured into alleys where the guide knew which lamppost had a Churchill anecdote behind it.

And there’s a reason London cab drivers seem to know every corner of the city—they’ve passed “The Knowledge,” a famously rigorous test requiring them to memorize over 25,000 streets, countless landmarks, and thousands of routes. Yep, and it’s the kind of mastery that turns a simple taxi ride into a fascinating, insightful journey through the city.

You don’t just get information on the Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab — you get personality. Believe me, it’s that kind of casual brilliance only a born-and-bred Londoner can offer. And when we wanted to linger somewhere a bit longer, we could. This is the true flexibility of having a real driver who truly knows the city

There’s no chasing schedules, no shouting over crowds. Just you, a glossy cab, and a rolling four-hour storybook through London’s icons and secrets.

Tour 2: Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

✅ Meeting Point: St. Paul’s Underground Station (Exit 2), Panyer Alley, 1 Cheapside, London EC2V 6AA
✅ Departure Time: Multiple options daily
✅ Duration: Approximately 3 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking private guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Guided walk, pub visits, local history and legends (drinks not included)

This tour isn’t really about beer — it’s about time travel, well, it might be just a little bit about beer

We started outside St. Paul’s, then disappeared into London’s backstreets — into low-lit corners where Shakespeare once drank, where revolutions were whispered over tankards, and where the air still smells faintly of oak and stories. There is so much of the history of London wrapped up in its pub life.

At each stop, our guide shared tales of royal mischief, literary jabs, and smoky secrets passed over candlelit tables.

One of the strange things is that some of the hotels are old enough to remember these great tales, which actually happened within the walls and over the bar, and we were there. The pace was perfect — part walking history lesson, part pub crawl, with room to chat, sip, and soak it all in.

Halfway through the Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London, it stopped feeling like a tour.
It felt like being out with a funny, well-read friend who knew exactly where the good beer and better stories lived.

It’s the kind of evening you don’t rush. And one you’ll likely want to repeat, and enjoy a few more beers along the way.

Tour 3: London Bridge Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

✅ Meeting Point: Outside Evans Cycle Shop near London Bridge Station, 6 Tooley St, SE1 2SY
✅ Departure Time: Multiple daily departures
✅ Duration: 3.5 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking local foodie guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Bacon & egg bap, sausage roll, fish & chips, British cheeses with fruit & chutney, mead or beer (soft drinks available), classic dessert, secret dish

This tour began just off the buzz of London Bridge — not in the market itself, but right beside it, where locals actually meet, and believe me, the locals knew where to get the best food!

We eased in with a hot bacon-and-egg bap from a tucked-away vendor I’d have walked past on my own.

From there, it was layered and generous: flaky sausage rolls, award-winning fish and chips served crisp and steaming, and a proper tasting of British cheeses with chutney that somehow made fruit feel indulgent. There is something so original and tasty about these British foods that we just don’t get at home.

The guide — relaxed, unpretentious, deeply local — wove in stories between bites: Roman ruins under our feet, Charles Dickens’ favorite corner pub, a reminder that Borough Market once fed plague victims. Nothing felt rehearsed – the stories as amazing as they may seem, were all tru,e we were eating part of history.

About halfway through, the London Bridge Private Walking Food Tour surprised us with a pour of mead — sweet, medieval, slightly strange in the best way — followed later by a “secret dish” that absolutely lived up to the tease. And I’m sorry I can’t tell you what it was, otherwise it wouldn’t be a secret dish

By the end, we were full in every sense: flavour, place, and stories you can’t get from a menu.

Tour 4: Private Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, The City of Bath Day Tour

✅ Meeting Point: Pickup from London hotels, private residences, train stations, cruise ports, or airports (fees may apply)
✅ Departure Time: 8:30 AM
✅ Duration: Approximately 11 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking driver-guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Private vehicle with Wi-Fi, bottled water, fuel, and licensed guide (entrance fees not included)

There’s something indulgent, even a little royal, about seeing three of Britain’s most iconic sites — Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath — without ever lining up behind a tour group. This tour felt like we were stepping into history with a chauffeur and a private key.

You know the English of sticklers for being on time so we were picked up from our hotel exactly to the minute, then we settled into a comfortable, Wi-Fi-equipped vehicle with water and an itinerary that flexed just enough.

The guide was equal parts storyteller and strategist, giving us context en route while making sure we avoided the worst of the crowds. This is what real private tours are made of

Windsor Castle was our first stop: flags flying, guards marching, and interiors that whisper centuries of royal intrigue. You could just imagine the Royals floating around the place with good morning, Your Majesty, good afternoon, Your Majesty, cup of tea, Your Majesty.

We spent just the right amount of time before moving on to the haunting stillness of Stonehenge, where our guide shared theories — some academic, others deliciously mystical. I’m telling you I used to think the spaceship thing was too far out there, but once you’ve been to this site, you’ll think again.

Midway through the day, our Private Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, The City of Bath Day Tour took us toward Bath, and the shift was noticeable: warmer hues, Georgian charm, and Roman echoes. At times, you could almost imagine the Romans bathing here, and at times, while we were there, we could almost smell them. We had time to explore the famous Baths and wander cobbled streets that Austen once walked.

It’s a long day, yes — but never tiring. We covered so much ground, so many centuries, and so many incredible buildings. The pacing was thoughtful, the vehicle spacious, and the one-on-one time with our guide gave it a richness that no group itinerary could match.

Tour 5: Tower of London for Kids & Families Private Guided Tour with Pre-Booked Tickets

✅ Meeting Point: Tower of London Welcome Centre, Tower Place West, 5 Great Tower St, London EC3R 5BT, UK
✅ Departure Time: Varies; confirm upon booking
✅ Duration: Approximately 3 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking, kid-friendly Blue Badge guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Pre-booked Tower of London tickets, private tour, professional kid-friendly guide

This private tour offers families an engaging exploration of the Tower of London, tailored specifically for children but with enough stories to keep adults intrigued.

Led by a professional, kid-friendly Blue Badge guide, the experience brings history to life through interactive storytelling and hands-on detail that keeps even younger kids hooked.

Children are drawn into tales of royal residents, hidden passages, and the Tower’s feathered guardians — the famous ravens. But wait, there’s more, as you will also visit the Crown Jewels, the Beefeaters’ quarters, and the White Tower, with content designed to be educational without losing the fun.

We loved how the pacing worked: the Tower of London for Kids & Families Private Guided Tour understood that attention spans vary, and breaks, questions, and movement were all part of the rhythm.

If you’re feeling brave, the tour guide will pass on to the adults to remember that over 100 executions, including royal figures, took place within the Tower of London’s grim walls. Some say you can still sense the ghosts of queens and traitors who lost their heads here, making it London’s scariest tale, a history and fascinating complex to visit.

While the cobbled grounds may pose a small challenge for strollers, buggy parks, where you can park your stroller safely, are available in some areas.

All in all, it’s a wonderful, memory-making way to introduce kids to one of London’s most iconic and visibly exciting landmarks — without dragging them through a lecture.

Tour 6: Private Guided Tour of the British Museum – Tickets Included

✅ Meeting Point: Information Desk, Great Court, British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
✅ Departure Time: Multiple daily departures
✅ Duration: 2 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking expert guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Pre-booked museum entry, private tour, gratuities

The British Museum is one of the largest and most interesting halls of history in the world. Navigating the vast halls of the British Museum can be overwhelming, but this private guided tour offers a curated and strategic visitor experience that brings the museum’s treasures to life.

With an expert guide, you’ll dive into artifacts like the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Marbles, and the Easter Island Moai, uncovering the layers of history and deep cultural importance behind each one.

The pacing felt tailored, like they knew where to go fast, where to go slow, and where more detailed explanations were needed. There was space to ask questions, linger, and really absorb what we were seeing.

Partway through the Private Guided Tour of the British Museum, it was clear this wasn’t a checklist of highlights — it was a conversation, a context-rich experience designed just for us that turned stone and glass into memory.

The meeting point is easy to find, and the museum is fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Service animals are welcome too.
If you want to truly engage with one of the world’s greatest collections — without drifting through it alone — this tour is a smart way to make your time in the museum and your experience of it count.

Tour 7: Private Panoramic Tour of London in a Classic Car

✅ Meeting Point: Pickup available anywhere in Central London Zone 1
✅ Departure Time: Flexible; confirm upon booking
✅ Duration: 2 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking local driver-guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Private transportation in a classic Mini Cooper, hotel pickup and drop-off, personalized itinerary

This isn’t just a driving tour — it’s a two-hour movie scene, and you’re the leading characters riding in the opening shot.

Your car? A restored Mini Cooper that feels like it belongs in a heist film. Your driver? A local with stories, shortcuts, amazing skills to navigate the Cooper through busy London traffic, and a deep love of the city.

We zipped past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, and I mean zipped and ducked through Leake Street graffiti tunnels, and paused for skyline views where you least expect them. At one point, the Private Panoramic Tour of London in a Classic Car veered into tiny lanes I didn’t know existed — the kind of spots only a local would think to show you.

This tour moves quickly but never feels rushed. You can tweak the route, stop for photos, or let the guide surprise you. What a tour this is to be driven personally in your own Mini Cooper, it’s a high-energy, nostalgic, and utterly personal — London in wide-angle.

Tour 8: Natural History Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour

✅ Meeting Point: Exhibition Road entrance, London SW7 2RL
✅ Departure Time: Multiple daily departures; confirm upon booking
✅ Duration: 2 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking expert guide (not museum staff)
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Skip-the-line admission, private guided tour, personalized itinerary

The whole museum was like a medieval Jurassic theme park. We began beneath a 25-metre blue whale suspended over the Hintze Hall — and from there, the tour never dipped in scale or wonder.

This certainly isn’t a presentation it’s a walking conversation — through the Dinosaurs Gallery (yes, the T. rex animatronic lives up to the hype), past marine reptiles fossilized in contorted flight, and into a gem vault holding real meteorites and flawless diamonds.

Being a private tour, the guide was sharp and adaptive to our needs and interests, adjusting the flow based on what we asked, what made us pause. Partway through the Natural History Museum London – Exclusive Guided Museum Tour, we were comparing human skulls in the evolution wing and standing quietly before the cross-section of a thousand-year-old sequoia.

It was fast-paced in the best way, full of history of the most exciting and largest kind— no dead zones, no filler. Just science, deep time, and beauty distilled through someone who really knows how to unlock a museum.

Tour 9: Private Jack the Ripper Tour: The Murders of the Canonical Five

✅ Meeting Point: Whitechapel Station, London
✅ Departure Time: Evenings; confirm upon booking
✅ Duration: 2 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking expert guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Private guided walking tour, personalized itinerary

You begin at Whitechapel Station, originally built in the 1870s. It really sets the scene for that time period as the modern street noise fades, and you’re in shadowy alleys, gaslight glow, and London’s most unsettling unsolved mystery.

The guide doesn’t sensationalize. Instead, the Private Jack the Ripper Tour: The Murders of the Canonical Five takes you victim by victim, not just where, but who and sometimes how. You hear about Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly not as headlines, but as people.

There’s no rushing. The guide draws connections to Victorian social conditions, police work of the time, and even modern theories — all delivered while walking through the real streets where it happened. As we step through the streets, it starts to become very real, what happened here over a century and a half ago.

It’s heavy in parts, as it should be. But it’s also humanizing, thoughtful, and grounded in genuine historical inquiry.
Not a haunted house walk. A story told with care, curiosity, and a surprising amount of empathy. I was surprised how much we took in and learned, and yes, in many ways enjoyed this fascinating tour.

Tour 10: London Private Welcome Tour with a Local Guide

✅ Meeting Point: Your accommodation or a central London landmark
✅ Departure Time: Flexible; arranged upon booking
✅ Duration: 2 to 6 hours
✅ Guide: English-speaking local guide (Lokafyer)
✅ Free Cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
✅ Includes: Customized private walking tour, local guide (Lokafyer)

Note: This is a walking tour; comfortable shoes are recommended.

We decided to go on the London Private Welcome Tour with a Local Guide as it offered an authentic and personalized introduction to this vibrant city.

We conveniently met our experienced London Tour guide at a location that suited us. When we first met, the guide took some time to understand our interests and quickly created a customized itinerary tailored specifically for us.

This private tour can include exploring renowned landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square, or discovering hidden local treasures and charming neighborhoods known only to locals.

You can have the tour featuring certain niche areas like a food tour, an art tour, a museum tour, or just a tour of the most fun places in London.

The flexibility of this private tour allows for a comfortable and enjoyable pace at your pace, perfectly suited for first-time visitors eager to get their bearings or for returning visitors keen to dive deeper into London’s rich culture.

Throughout the tour, our knowledgeable guide shared engaging stories, historical insights, and practical tips on navigating the city, ensuring we felt confident exploring independently afterward.

we also receive personalized recommendations for places to dine, shop, or visit during your short London stay, Which really made our visit interesting e. This tour ensures makes a truly memorable introduction to the city, providing you with invaluable local knowledge and insight right from the very start of your trip.

I would recommend taking this private guided tour as the first thing you do when you arrive in London

FAQs (The 10 Best London Private Tours (2025 Reviews))

What’s the best private tour in London for first-time visitors?
The Premier Classic London Black Cab Tour is ideal — it covers major landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace with a local guide who can adjust the route to your interests.

Do these private tours include hotel pickup?
Many do, especially car-based tours like the black cab or Mini Cooper experiences. Walking tours usually start at a central meeting point such as a Tube station or major landmark.

Are private tours family-friendly?
Yes — several are tailored to families. The Tower of London for Kids tour is a great example, with a Blue Badge guide trained to engage younger children through storytelling and interactive stops.

What’s included in food tours like Borough Market or pub walks?
Food tours typically include tastings (fish & chips, cheese, desserts), while pub tours include access and guidance, but drinks are often paid separately. Always check the “What’s Included” section before booking.

How far do you walk on these tours?
Walking tours cover about 1–2 miles at a relaxed pace with breaks. The guides adjust for your comfort and can modify the route if needed.

Are these tours suitable for people with mobility issues?
Yes, most private tours can accommodate mobility needs. Museum tours and car-based experiences are especially accessible. Always confirm specifics with the operator in advance.

Can I customize a private tour in London?
Absolutely. That’s one of the key advantages. Most guides are happy to tailor the route, pace, and content to your preferences — whether it’s history, architecture, food, or hidden spots.

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501Places Editor’s Ranking: The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab