London Borough Market: Doughnut & Tea Food Tour with Local Stops

Summary

Borough market doughnut walk tea tastings tower bridge view

You’ll taste fresh doughnuts from London’s best bakeries, sip tea as you stroll through Borough Market with a local guide, and catch unexpected views of Tower Bridge along the way. Expect laughter over sticky fingers and stories that linger long after your last bite.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to start my morning in London thinking about doughnuts — but there we were, outside St. John Bakery, the smell of warm sugar drifting out every time someone opened the door. Our guide (James? Jamie? I’m terrible with names) handed us the first round and grinned like he knew what was coming. The dough was soft, almost pillowy, and the jam inside tasted brighter than anything I’ve had back home. Someone in our group tried to eat theirs in two bites — rookie mistake.

We wandered up Borough High Street after that, pausing while James pointed out a pub where Dickens supposedly drank (he said it with a wink, so who knows). The city felt busy but not rushed — people weaving around us with their own breakfasts, a cyclist ringing his bell just behind my shoulder. I kept getting distracted by the shop windows; there’s something about London glass that always looks a bit smudged from the rain. We stopped again for another round of doughnuts (I was already feeling full), this time right near Borough Market itself. Honestly, the market is louder than I expected — vendors calling out specials, kids laughing somewhere behind a cheese stall.

The third stop was tucked inside Borough Market proper, next to a pastry school where you could see trays of dough rising behind the glass. The baker waved at us — or maybe at James — and someone asked if we’d ever tried making these ourselves. I laughed because even my banana bread comes out weirdly dense. By this point, my hands were sticky from sugar and tea (they give you bottled water too), but nobody seemed to mind.

The last stop was Crosstown Doughnuts — which isn’t just about the sweets. There’s this view of Tower Bridge from there that sort of sneaks up on you when you’re not looking for it. It’s funny how food tours end up being less about food and more about little moments: someone telling a story about their gran’s baking, or realizing you’ve been smiling for half an hour straight without noticing. I still think about that jam filling sometimes when I’m waiting for the bus at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Doughnut tasting and market walk

• Try doughnuts at St. John Bakery
• Walk up Borough High Street
• Sample doughnuts near Borough Market
• Explore Borough Market and taste doughnuts
• Visit Crosstown Doughnuts with Tower Bridge view

Top questions

How long is the Borough Market doughnut tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours and covers roughly 2 miles on foot.

Is tea included on this London food tour?

Yes, tea is included along with bottled water and several doughnut tastings.

Does this tour include a visit to Tower Bridge?

You’ll get a great view of Tower Bridge from the final stop but don’t cross or enter it during the tour.

Are infants or children allowed on this Borough Market experience?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

Where does the tour start?

The first stop is St. John Bakery near Borough High Street in London.

Will we walk through Borough Market itself?

Yes, part of the route includes walking through Borough Market with your guide.

What’s included

Your morning includes several rounds of fresh doughnuts from top London bakeries, plenty of tea (and bottled water if you need it), all guided by a local who shares stories as you walk through Borough Market toward Tower Bridge — no need to worry about tickets or logistics along the way.