Best of · HISTORY WALKING TOURS IN THE UK

The 15 Best History Walking Tours in the UK

23 tours  ·  from $19 a head

The 15 best history walking tours in the UK you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and how much of it is on foot. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

A History of Terror - Belfast City Centre Walking Tour - Donegall Place and the hidden past of a shopping street
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A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

1.A History of Terror – Belfast City Centre Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,883 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Walk 1.5 miles through central Belfast with guides such as James, Anne, Mylie, and Róisín, learning how The Troubles shaped the city. Visit City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, and the Beacon of Hope. Headsets help you follow the talk in a group of up to 25.

“Excellent tour. Miley was a phenomenal guide. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn some fascinating history about Belfast.”

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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour - Finding the meeting point beside the Adam Smith statue
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Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

2.Edinburgh: Old Town History and Tales Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,361 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Spend two hours on foot in Edinburgh’s Old Town with an English-speaking guide such as Koffe, Max, Euan, or Ben. Expect medieval lanes, Mercat Cross, St. Giles Cathedral, the Grassmarket, Scottish Enlightenment stories, folklore, and Harry Potter connections. Wear good shoes and dress for rain.

“Fantastic Old Town Edinburgh Tour with Ben We absolutely loved our Old Town Edinburgh tour with Ben. From the start, he was engaging, knowledgeable, and full of energy, bringing the history of the Old Town to life with fascinating stories, humor, and local insight. The tour felt well paced and never overwhelming, even with lots of historical detail. We were a bit unsure how our 4-year-old would handle a walking history tour, but Ben did an amazing job keeping things interesting and accessible. We learned so much about Edinburgh’s history and it was a great way to explore the Old Town with a knowledgeable local guide. We would highly recommend…”

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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh - Guides who use personality as part of the tour
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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

3.Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s cobbled Old Town with guides such as Max, Greg, Ben, Angus, Jule, and Euan. Expect Scottish history, local tales, St Giles Cathedral, Mercat Cross, George Heriot School, and an outside look at Edinburgh Castle. The route varies by guide.

“Our guide - Ben - was amazing. He told wonderful stories and really brought Edinburgh's history to life, both the serious and the fun side. He's a gem”

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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History. - Following the route through York’s old centre
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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

4.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $18Best value

Start at the Guy Fawkes Inn at 6:30 pm and follow a 90-minute evening walk around York’s Minster area, lesser-seen streets, and the Shambles. Guides such as Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie mix grim history, ghost stories, humour, and theatrical storytelling before finishing near the Shambles.

“Dan was an excellent tour guy, very entertaining and made the experience memorable, creating an atmosphere with every story.”

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Private Historical Walking Tour of York - York Minster, from foundation to the present
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Private Historical Walking Tour of York

5.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,324 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Walk York’s historic centre with a private guide such as Alan, Chris, Karen, Sean, or David. Expect 2 to 3 hours of stories covering the Minster, kings, the abbey, the Shambles, and Clifford’s Tower, with central hotel pickup available.

“I chose this tour because I wanted to learn about all of York’s history from the Romans to the Vikings to Henry VIII to Guy Fawes and everything in between. Chris was an amazing tour guide. He knows sooo much about history and weaves the stories so well. His local knowledge of York is impressive. He went above and beyond to make the day educational and amazing.”

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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour - Meeting at Mercat Cross and St. Giles’ Cathedral
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Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

6.Edinburgh: Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,290 reviews · 1h 15m · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town for 75 minutes with a character guide such as Hazel, Juniper, or Angelica. Hear the stories of people accused of witchcraft, pass St. Giles’ Cathedral, Lady Stair’s Close, Castlehill, and Victoria Street, then finish at Grassmarket.

“Our guide was Juniper and she is perfect! So funny, nice and 1h went by without any effort. Full of interesting, catching stories and made us see Edimbourgh through different eyes. Amazing. We recommend!”

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London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour - Backstreets, Alleys, and the So-Called Street of Shame
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London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

7.London: Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,065 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $39

Join an English-speaking guide such as Dave, Freddy, Tim, Shadow, or Lachlan for a 2-mile walk from St Paul's to the West End. Visit four historic pubs, including a Victorian gin palace and a tavern dating to 1549. Drinks cost extra, and the tour is for adults aged 18 and over.

“A great way to spend an afternoon in London. History, humour and beers. Tour Guide Dave was excellent.”

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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour - Medieval stories, modern Edinburgh
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Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

8.Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a professional guide for two hours, from 351 High Street to Greyfriars Kirkyard. You’ll hear medieval and modern stories, spot details often missed on your own, and get practical ideas for the rest of your stay. Tours are offered in English or French.

“This was a great 2 hour tour that hit the highlights and got us comfortable to explore more on our own. Thanks to Gavin, we were cared for, entertained, and left with great ideas on what to do next.”

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WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket - Meeting at Victoria Embankment
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WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket

9.WW2 London Walking Tour & Churchill War Rooms Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 933 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Begin near the Boadicea and Her Daughters statue for a 90-minute guided walk past Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, and Churchill’s statue. Then explore the Churchill War Rooms and Museum independently with an audio guide. Guides such as Jo, Louise, and Michael are praised for humor and strong historical detail.

“Short but great walking tour of key sites in westminister area-parliament , abbey, square , then a stroll by downing and to changing of the guard. Very knowledgeable guide -Louise. But the best was the Churchill war rooms tour and Churchill museum--a joint venture . the self audio tour device -comprehensive. -the war rooms fascinating. The Museum extensive -almost too much to take in!”

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York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour - Meeting the witch at Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate
Dark History & Haunted Tours, Dark History and Haunted Tours in the UK, History Tours, History Walking Tours, History Walking Tours in the UK, Old Town & Historic Centre Walks, Old Town and Historic Centre Walks in the UK, Tour Reviews, Tours, UK History Tours, York History Tours

York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

10.York: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 928 reviews · 1h 15m · from $22

Follow a costumed guide such as Cornelius Piper, Merlot, Willow, or Nutmeg through York’s old town. Hear true stories of Mad Alice, Mary Bateman, and other suspected witches while visiting the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and hidden lanes.

“It was a really lovely tour through the streets (gate) of York. Stories, murders, witches... Cornelius was great and friendly!”

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A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour - Starting beside the Three Graces
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A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

11.A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 911 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Follow a historian guide, often John or Julio, from the Royal Liver Building through medieval Liverpool, Castle Street, the Old Dock, and Royal Albert Dock. Expect a fast-moving 110-minute walk focused on trade, maritime growth, Liverpool’s links to the Atlantic slave trade, and the city’s changing waterfront.

“The guide is very knowledgeable and engaged well with everyone. He is clear and easily heard and you are going to understand the growth of Liverpool and appreciate the city all the more.”

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Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour - Belfast city centre as the classroom
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Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour

12.Belfast: A History of Terror Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 854 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $35

Walk 1.5 miles through Belfast with local guides such as James, Mylie, Anne, and Steve, learning how centuries of division led to the Troubles and how the city found a path toward peace. Expect personal stories, major attack sites, the Forgotten Troubles Memorial, and clear audio headsets.

“We joined the History of Terror walking tour during our visit to Belfast, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. James and Eugene were our guides, and despite it being quite a rainy day, they kept the experience engaging and enjoyable throughout. Their storytelling was exceptional, they brought the city’s complex history to life and provided so much valuable backstory and context that you simply wouldn’t get wandering around on your own. They handled sensitive topics with balance, insight, and a touch of humour at just the right moments. Rain aside, the time flew by, and we walked away with a much deeper understanding of Belfast’s past.…”

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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour - Meeting at Piccadilly Circus
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London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

13.London: Soho Music and Historic Pubs Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 836 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $39

Meet your English-speaking guide at Piccadilly Circus for a 2.5-hour walk through Soho’s music and pub history. Visit four historic pubs, hear stories about Lennon, Hendrix, Bowie, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones, and buy drinks as you go. Guides include Gherto, Henry, Ben, Sy, and Gary.

“This is an awesome tour and Sy is an excellent tour guide. I loved everything about this tour. There was a lot of good information and Sy’s storytelling kept it very exciting and interesting. I think it’s great value for the money. I highly recommend this tour. It’s a great way to understand some of the basics about Soho instead of simply meandering around it.”

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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London - The pubs are the heart of the route
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Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

14.Royal Historic Pubs Walking Guided Tour in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 803 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $44

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through St James’s and nearby streets with a veteran local guide such as Ben, Luke, Henry, or Tom. Expect royal and celebrity stories, around four historic pubs, local drink suggestions, and a relaxed group of no more than 12 people.

“Thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Luke was very knowledgeable and entertaining! Learnt a lot about the history of St James village. Definitely recommend.”

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Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian - The Royal Mile, Mercat Cross, and Edinburgh’s public life
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Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

15.Edinburgh: 3-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Italian

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 734 reviews · 3 hours · from $20

Join an Italian-speaking guide such as Alessandra, Dominga, or Davide for a three-hour walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town. You’ll follow the Royal Mile, hear tales of Mary, Queen of Scots and Harry Potter, visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, and finish with a fine view of Edinburgh Castle.

“La nostra guida Alessandra è stata cordiale e disponibile! Tour interessante! Consigliato!”

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New in History Walking Tours in the UK

★ 5.0York Witches and History Walking TourFrom $23410 reviews
★ 5.0Historic Pub Walking Tour of LondonFrom $19484 reviews

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