While you may already know what attractions to see in London and how to get there, if you don’t have anyone to tell about it, you are just missing out on its rich history. There is nothing worse than planning your dream London trip only to realise you have no idea how to manage your time, or even worse, missing out on seeing a must-see site.
If you are planning your next trip to London, hiring an expert tour guide is as essential as any other thing. Having a guided tour ensures you can see and do everything you wish in a smooth and convenient way. A personalized guide will provide you with all the inside information, details and key facts of London’s top attractions, iconic landmarks and festivals even before you get there.
What is a Guided Tour in London?
A guided tour is an organised tour experience led by an expert guide who provides information and context about the location. Whether it is visiting Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, British Museum or Westminster Abbey, having a tour guide can offer you insights into the history, culture and significance of that place. Guided tours can be tailored to suit different interests, and can include meals, activities, accommodation and transportation.
What Types of Guided Tours are Available in London?
Whether your goal is to visit as many sites as possible in a day or to dig into the rich history of just a few attractions, a guided tour is the perfect way to go. London offers a range of guided tours that enable you to explore this city the way you want.
- Walking Tours – Walking tours allow you to explore London on foot, along with a guide leading the way.
- Bus Tours – Bus tours are a convenient way to visit a large number of attractions in a short time.
- Group Tours – Group tours are meant for people travelling in larger groups, which often require a pre-planned itinerary, accommodation and transportation.
- Private Tours – Private guided tours are designed for a smaller group of people, tailored to specific needs and interests. They are more flexible and personalised.
- Self-guided London Tours – Self-guided London walk tours are growing in popularity as it allows travellers to use audio tour apps to explore the location at their own pace as well as choose what they want to see and hear.
When to Take a Guided Tour in London?
#1 You are visiting London for the first time
If you are travelling to London for the first time, it can be a daunting experience. You are not familiar with the place, the people, the streets, the transportation options and the best way to tour London. Furthermore, if you are concerned about safety, then going around alone may not be a good idea.
Joining a guided tour can take care of a lot of these concerns. A well-trained guide will help you get around the city with ease. You will always have someone with you, so you will never feel distressed. In addition, the guide will help learn about what places to go, how to get there and what places to avoid.
#2 You want someone else to do the planning on your behalf
Planning a trip can be very stressful and not everybody loves it. You will come across dozens of options regarding where to go, when to go, what to do and how to reach there. In addition, there is always a high chance that you miss out on a significant insight, leading to an extremely frustrating experience.
Letting a professional plan your trip can be a game-changer. Once you have picked up a guided London tour, it is up to the guide now to organize your time and keep you entertained throughout. If you want to get from one place to another, the guide will help you. If you need any information, the guide will provide it. If anything goes wrong, you will have the guide to deal with it.
#3 You want to discover hidden gems of the city
London is a city filled with centuries of rich history. There is so much to see, so much to explore just beyond surface-level information. While you may visit iconic attractions on your own, the real treasure that lies behind will remain uncovered without a knowledgeable guide to illuminate it.
Local travel guides who are living there for a long time only can provide you with the best knowledge about London’s must-see places, best places to eat and drink and tiny details about the most popular attractions. In a city that is as historically and spread out as London, exploring alone means missing out on those important details that make this city truly outstanding.
#4 Maximize your time
Any time you take a trip, especially when you have a limited time, navigating through the city can be discouraging. Planning your tour without knowing where to go, how much time it will take and how to explore as many possible attractions in a limited time can be very difficult. However, with guided tours, you can explore the most interesting and exciting sites in a time-efficient way.
A guided tour will create a personalised itinerary for you so you can see a lot in a little bit of time. In some tours, your guide can also help you get express tickets for fast-track entries in attractions, such as Westminster Abbey, Tower of London and The London Eye.
Some Popular Guided Tours in London
| Tour Name | Tour Style | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jack the Ripper | Walking Tour | Explore the gruesome story of Jack the Ripper on a guided walking tour across London’s East End. |
| Royal London | Walking Tour | Take a stroll through historical sites and royal residences of London, such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and St. James’ Palace. |
| Harry Potter Studio Tour | Shuttle / Private Tour | Explore the magical world of Hogwarts by visiting different locations used in the Harry Potter films. |
| Borough Market | Walking Tour | Go on a culinary adventure in one of London’s most famous and oldest food markets. |
| Hop-on Hop-off Tour | Bus Tour | Discover popular attractions of London in a flexible and convenient way. |
Conclusion
Travelling in London offers limitless opportunities for adventure and exploration. Although venturing out on your own can be thrilling, nothing can match the convenience and flexibility of the guided tour. With carefully designed itineraries and in-depth knowledge from locals, these types of guided tours can take your travel experience to whole new heights.
FAQs
Q1. Do I really need to join a guided tour to see London?
It is not mandatory, but we highly recommend opting for a guided tour to make the best of your days in London.
Q2. How do I choose the right guided tour for me?
Before booking a guided tour, ask yourself what you wish to explore from history, film, food or art and how much time you have. Based on your interest and amount of time, you can choose a suitable tour.
Q3. How self-guided audio tour in London work?
Self-guided audio tour in London works on an application that uses GPS to detect the location and play audio automatically.
Q4. Do I need to make advanced bookings for guided tours?
Yes, we advise you to make prior bookings as guided tours for popular tours like Harry Potter Studios and The Tower of London get sold out days ahead.
Q5. What languages are available for guided tours other than English?
Some tour operating companies offer guided tours in French, Spanish, German and Italian. Always ask about your preferred language before booking.
Q6. Are guided tours safe?
Yes, absolutely. Guided tours are not only safe, but also give you an opportunity to meet like-minded people along the way, especially if you are a solo traveller.
