London Private Pub Tour: 6 Central Pubs & Wine Bar

Six London Pubs in One Evening, Each with a Story Your Guide Actually Knows

You visit six carefully selected London pubs plus Gordon's wine bar with a knowledgeable guide who explains the history, the beer, and the stories behind each stop. You learn which pub inspired a Sherlock Holmes story, why one is split by a public walkway, and where a famous actor once ended up in a police car after fried chicken. The tour ends at the oldest wine bar in London, where you're left to relax before heading home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit London's iconic historic pubs

• Visit London's only split pub
• Explore the Sherlock Holmes Pub
• Stop at The Chandos pub
• Visit the Harp, top London pub
• Discover Nell Gwynne tavern
• Enjoy a drink at Richard Harris's pub
• Relax at Gordon's wine bar

The Experience

"So you're telling me the pub is literally split in half by a public walkway?" Yeah. That's the first stop, and it gets weirder from there. This private pub tour moves through central London hitting six different bars, each one picked because there's actually something to know about it, not just because it's got a nice name. Your guide has trained under a former award-winning bar manager, so when they talk about what you're drinking, they're not reading off a card. They'll explain why the Chandos only pours Sam Smith brewery products, what makes the Harp voted best pub in Britain year after year, and why certain groups in all black show up at specific times.

The tour threads through neighborhoods most people walk past without noticing. You'll stop at Nell Gwynne, tucked away in a corner where thousands pass daily but never look, and hear about the 17th-century actress and her scandal with Charles II. Then there's the Sherlock Holmes pub, basically a museum of Arthur Conan Doyle artifacts, where your guide explains which story the pub inspired and why it became a pilgrimage site for fans. You get the history of each area too, so it's not just drinking. It's drinking with context. The whole thing wraps at Gordon's wine bar, the oldest in London, where you settle in with cheese and meat platters and your guide leaves you to soak it in before you head to Embankment Station.

Soft drinks are available everywhere you stop, and the guide will help you pick what suits your taste. They're trained to do that. You'll need photo ID because UK law means anyone who looks under 18 gets checked, and no one under 18 can join at all. The pace is steady but you're on your feet moving between stops, so moderate fitness helps. It's a private tour, which means the group stays small and the guide isn't rushing through a script for twenty people.

What’s included

• Private tour guide with expertise in beer history and pub culture.
• visits to six historic central London pubs (the split pub, Sherlock Holmes, the Chandos, the Harp, Nell Gwynne, and Richard Harris's favorite).
• final stop at Gordon's wine bar with cheese and meat platters available.
• soft drinks available at all venues.
• guide recommendations tailored to your taste preferences.

Days and timesMon · Wed · Fri · Sat · Sun · 5 departure times, from 12:00 to 16:00

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “We will meet the customers outside the Villiers Street entrance to Embankment Station.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Tours Of The UK

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to understand London's pub culture beyond just ordering a pint: the guide's knowledge of beer, history, and the stories behind each location is what turns a bar crawl into something you'll actually remember and talk about later.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Do I need to bring ID?

Yes. UK law requires proof of age checks, and anyone who looks under 18 will be asked for photo ID at each venue.

Can I get non-alcoholic drinks?

Yes. Soft drinks are available at all the pubs and bars on the tour.

What's included in the price?

The tour guide is included. Drinks and food are ordered and paid for separately at each stop.

Is this tour suitable for non-drinkers?

Yes. You can order soft drinks at every venue, and the tour is as much about the history and stories as it is about the drinks themselves.

Can I do this tour if I'm pregnant?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What's special about the Harp pub?

It was voted the best pub in Britain in 2011 and is often voted top pub in London. Your guide will explain its decor, why certain groups gather there at specific times, and what's significant about the alleyway at the back.

Where does the tour end?

At Gordon's wine bar, the oldest wine bar in London. It's a short walk from Embankment Station.