London: Private Pub Walking Tour & Gin Tasting with Guide

Summary

Historic pubs, gin tastings and quirky stories on London’s infamous street

You’ll wander London’s legendary “street of shame” with a local guide, taste gin in centuries-old pubs, hear offbeat stories about St. Paul’s Cathedral and Dickensian alleys, and end near Covent Garden—maybe even braving dinner in a haunted 400-year-old bar. It’s part history lesson, part pub crawl—and all atmosphere.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it feels like to walk down Fleet Street with someone who actually knows every scandal and secret? That’s how our private pub walking tour of London started. Our guide, Tom, kicked things off by pointing out the old City boundary — I barely noticed the dragon statue before he explained its meaning. The air smelled faintly of rain and spilled ale (classic London combo), and I kept catching snippets of laughter from inside the first pub we ducked into. I tried a local gin — sharp, almost floral — while Tom shared a story about Dickens that made us all laugh. I’ll admit, I was expecting more ‘tour’ than actual hanging out, but it felt relaxed, like being shown around by a friend who just happens to know every bit of gossip from the courts to the tailors’ shops.

We paused outside St. Paul’s Cathedral for a moment; Tom told us how it survived WW2 bombings. It’s hard not to feel small standing there as bells echoed through drizzle. There was this one stop at an art-nouveau pub where the wallpaper looked straight out of another century — velvet seats, gold trim, and that old wood polish smell you only get in places that have seen too many stories. Someone ordered a pint and got teased for not trying the house gin (I stuck with half a pint — no regrets). The walk between pubs was full of odd facts: apparently there’s an inn of court hidden behind one alleyway that most locals don’t even notice.

By the time we reached Covent Garden, my feet were tired but in that good way. We finished near a haunted pub (yep, 400 years old and still creaky), and Tom suggested we grab dinner there if we weren’t too spooked by ghost tales. Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy the history as much as the drinks — but now I can’t separate them in my head. If you’re looking for something more than just another day trip in London, this private group historical pub tour really sticks with you… even if you forget some of the gin trivia by morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Historic London pub walking tour

• Overview of St. Paul's Cathedral history
• Pass the ancient City of London boundary
• Hear legend of the "wedding cake"
• Hear about characterful wordsmith
• See RAF legacy and "Oranges & lemons" peel
• Hear gossip from highest civil court
• See historic Dickensian London slice
• Visit London's oldest tailors and secret inn
• Be inspired by eccentric house museum
• Drink in art-nouveau inspired pub
• Drink in old banking hall pub
• Drink in gin-palace style pub

Top questions

How many pubs do you visit on this private group historical pub tour?

The tour includes stops at 4 or 5 famous pubs along Fleet Street and nearby areas.

Does this London pub walking tour include gin tastings?

You’ll have chances to try local gins at several historic pubs during the walk.

Where does the historical pub tour start and finish?

The walk begins near Fleet Street in central London and ends close to Covent Garden.

Is there a local guide on this private group pub tour?

Yes, your group is led by a professional local guide throughout the experience.

Are food or meals included on this London pub tour?

No meals are included but you can choose to dine at the final haunted pub after the walk ends.

Is this walking tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The route is suitable for all physical fitness levels with plenty of breaks inside pubs.

Are service animals allowed on this historical pub walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Can you use public transportation to get to or from this tour?

Public transportation options are available nearby both at the start and finish points.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walks through historic alleys and courtyards with stops for drinks at four or five iconic London pubs (gin tastings optional), plenty of quirky stories from your professional guide, and finishes close to Covent Garden where you can opt for dinner in a centuries-old haunted bar if you fancy extending your night out.