London: Sherlock Holmes Museum & 20 Top Sights Walking Tour

Walk Past 20 London Landmarks, Then Step Inside 221b Baker Street

You walk past 20 of London's most recognizable landmarks with a local guide who times the Changing of the Guard and narrates the history of each stop — Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London among them. After the 5-hour walk, you head independently to the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street and explore Holmes's rooms at your own pace. Museum entry and the guide are both included.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Walk through Green Park
• Visit Buckingham Palace
• Watch Changing of the Guard ceremony
• Walk along the Royal Mall
• See Trafalgar Square and Nelson’s Column
• Visit Horse Guards Parade and St. James Park
• Walk to Whitehall and Downing Street
• View Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
• Visit Westminster Abbey
• Take London Underground to Southbank
• See Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
• Walk across Millennium Bridge
• View St Paul’s Cathedral
• Explore Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral
• See London Bridge and nearby landmarks
• Visit Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street

The Experience

What if you could see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London all in one morning, then spend the afternoon inside the actual house where Sherlock Holmes supposedly lived? That's the shape of this 5-hour London walking tour — you get the guide narrating the history and pointing out the viewing spots for the Changing of the Guard ceremony (it happens daily in June and July, otherwise Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday), and then you're sent off on your own to explore the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street, where the consulting detective and Dr. Watson shared rooms between 1881 and 1904 according to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories.

The walking part moves through the city in a logical line: Green Park to Buckingham Palace, then Trafalgar Square with its fountains and Nelson's Column, then Whitehall and Downing Street (where British Prime Ministers have worked since 1735), then Parliament Square to see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben up close. After that you cross into Westminster to see Westminster Abbey — over 1000 years old, the place where British Kings and Queens are crowned — and then the route takes you underground on the Tube to Southbank. You'll walk across Millennium Bridge (locals call it the Wobbly Bridge) to see St. Paul's Cathedral's dome, stop inside Borough Market where there are food stalls and some Harry Potter filming locations tucked away, and then head to London Bridge for views of Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, the Tower of London, and The Shard. The whole thing is paced so you're moving but not rushing, and your guide handles the stories and the logistics while you just follow along.

After the walking tour ends, you make your own way to Baker Street and the Sherlock Holmes Museum — it's unguided from that point, so you explore at your own pace. The house itself is protected by the government because of its architectural and historical significance, and stepping inside feels like walking into one of the stories. You're not on a timeline anymore; you can spend twenty minutes or two hours looking at the rooms, the period details, the letters and artifacts. It's a different rhythm from the morning's walking, which is probably why they split it that way.

What’s included

• Sherlock Holmes Museum entrance ticket.
• guided walking tour covering 20 London landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.
• local guide for the 4.5 to 5-hour walking portion.
• unguided self-paced exploration of the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker Street.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Top Sights Tours Group LLC

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see London's most famous landmarks in one day without figuring out the route yourself or missing the Changing of the Guard — the guide handles both, and the museum visit afterward gives you a quieter second half after the morning's walking.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What time does the tour start and how long does it take?

The walking portion lasts 4.5 to 5 hours. The museum visit afterward is unguided and self-paced, so the total time depends on how long you spend at 221b Baker Street.

Will I see the Changing of the Guard ceremony?

The ceremony happens daily in June and July, and on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday the rest of the year. Your guide will find the best viewing spot when it's scheduled, but timing depends on the day you book.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's a walking tour covering 20 landmarks across London, so you'll be on your feet for most of the 5 hours, but the pace is steady and there are natural stops throughout.

Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum included?

Yes. Entrance to the museum at 221b Baker Street is included. After the guided walking tour ends, you make your own way there and explore independently.

How many people are in the group?

The tour includes a local guide, but the group size is not specified in the tour details. Contact the operator for current group numbers.

What's included in the price?

The Sherlock Holmes Museum entrance ticket, the 4.5 to 5-hour walking tour of London's top 20 sights, and a local guide are all included.

Do I need to book the museum visit in advance?

The museum entry is included with the tour, so no separate booking is needed. After the walking portion ends, you head to 221b Baker Street at your own pace.