London Borough Market & Shakespeare's Globe Walking Tour

The Streets Behind Borough Market Hold 2,000 Years of London's Roughest Stories

You walk through Borough Market's 2,000-year history with a local guide who knows the hidden stories: Shakespeare's rivals, the Clink Prison, the Golden Hinde, and the bear pits of Bankside. Small groups keep the pace relaxed, and the route ends at Tate Modern with views across London. The whole thing is flexible. Message the guide if you need to adjust timings or book a private group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Borough Market and historic London

• Visit Borough Market foodie destination
• Learn history from Romans to Dickens
• Discover Golden Hinde ship and captain
• Pass by Clink Prison Museum
• Meet Shakespeare's rivals in Tudor theatre
• Visit original site of Globe and Rose Theatres
• Explore hidden corners tourists miss
• Visit Tate Modern art gallery
• Discover hidden art under Millennium Bridge

The Experience

There's something about walking into Borough Market that makes you want to know what's actually underneath all those food stalls and tourists. The guide here doesn't just point at the famous bits. They pull back the layers to show you the Shakespeare rivals, the prisoners, the bear pits, the whole messy history that the guidebooks gloss over. You start at the market itself, which has been voted one of the world's best foodie destinations, but then you slip into the quiet backstreets where almost nobody goes, and that's where it gets interesting.

The walk moves through Southwark Cathedral, where you hear about Romans and Vikings and Dickens characters who actually lived in these streets, then down to the Golden Hinde (Drake's ship, or a pirate ship, depending on who you ask), and the Clink Prison Museum, where London's worst criminals were locked up. Your guide walks you through what made this corner of the city so dark and so alive at the same time. You'll see the original sites of Shakespeare's Globe and the Rose Theatre, the bear pits where people actually paid to watch animals fight, and the hidden corners of Bankside that tourists usually miss. It's not a lecture. It's more like someone who knows the place inside out is just telling you what happened here.

The tour wraps at Tate Modern, where you get views across London from the top, and you cross the Millennium Bridge on the way back. Groups stay small, that's the whole point, so you're not shuffling behind a flag in a crowd. The guide is flexible too. If you want to adjust timings or book a private group, you can message ahead and work something out. It's family-friendly, wheelchair accessible, and designed to feel personal rather than rushed.

What’s included

• Walking tour with a local guide who knows the hidden history of Southwark.
• visits to Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, the Golden Hinde, Clink Prison Museum, Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern, and the Millennium Bridge.
• small group format to avoid crowds.
• disposable masks for Covid safety.
• details of Borough Market attractions.
• flexible timings and the option to customize the route or book a private group.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Dr Stephen King

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the real history of London's South Bank, the stories locals actually know, without the standard tourist script. Small groups and a flexible guide mean you move at your own pace and can dig deeper into the bits that interest you most.

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Top questions

What's included in the tour?

The tour includes a local guide, disposable masks for Covid safety, and details of Borough Market attractions. Entry fees to museums like the Clink Prison or Tate Modern are not mentioned as included, so check with the guide about what's covered.

Is the Borough Market tour suitable for families with children?

Yes, it's family-friendly. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. The guide can adjust the pace and content for younger visitors.

Can I book a private group or corporate tour?

Yes. The guide is happy to make the tour bespoke and flexible about timings. Message in advance to arrange a private group or corporate booking.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.

What if I want to skip certain stops or change the route?

The guide is flexible about timings and can work with you to customize the tour. Message ahead if you'd like to adjust which attractions you visit or how long you spend at each stop.

Do I need to book entry to museums like Tate Modern or the Clink Prison in advance?

The itinerary includes visits to these attractions, but it's not clear whether entry is included in the tour price. Contact the guide to confirm what's covered and whether you need to book separately.