Best of · UK HISTORY TOURS

The 15 Best UK History Tours

44 tours  ·  from $19 a head

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 uk history tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get on with the rest of it.

London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs - Churches, playhouses, and the walk toward Fleet Street
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London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

1.London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10,422 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Our pick

Walk from the City of London to Covent Garden, visiting four historic pubs with a guide such as Tim, Chris, Freddy, or Mark. Hear tales of Dickens, Fleet Street, churches, lawyers, and London beer culture. The group is capped at 14, and drinks are purchased separately.

“This was a fun activity. Our guide had lived in the area 40 years and was knowledgeable about the pubs in the area and several of the landmarks we passed on the way. We went to 4 different pubs and each was unique and had different beers / aspects to them. The group was a lot of fun and I would highly recommend. We did walk a mile or so and there were several staircases to climb up or down. Not an issue for us but something to be aware of.”

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Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets - Meeting at the Adam Smith statue
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Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

2.Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle Guided History Tour with Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9,933 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $49

Meet your guide beside the Adam Smith statue on the Royal Mile, then walk eight minutes to Edinburgh Castle. Guides such as Koffe, Georgia, Ben, Steph, and Ali bring royal intrigue, battles, prison tales, and castle views to life during an 80-minute tour, followed by free time.

“It was an great experience! Our tour guide Ali was very kind! Very passionate as well, he knows a lot about Edinburgh and its history. Would really recommend!”

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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

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

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

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: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling - Hot Toddy puts you near the Royal Mile
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Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

4.Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,451 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Spend two hours at Hot Toddy near the Royal Mile, tasting four single malts from Scotland’s main whisky regions while guides such as Ben, Kofi, Angus, and Eleanor share folklore, history, and tasting tips. Non-whisky drinks are available by request.

“Angus was wonderful! We had a small group which made it even more engaging. He had great stories, shared in-depth knowledge of the four regions we sampled and how each of them differed. I have never been much of a scotch fan, but I am now! Thanks, Angus! Come see us in December for the Eagles game and we will give you the proper Buffalo welcome. GO BILLS!! 💙❤️🏈”

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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

5.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

6.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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Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour - The Beatles, Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Soho’s famous drinkers
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Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

7.Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,993 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through Soho with an English-speaking guide, visiting four historic pubs linked to music legends and London culture. Hear stories about The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, Mozart, and Soho’s old sex trade. Drinks cost extra, and groups are limited to 15.

“Ben gives you a great 2:30 minutes of the history, the music and the pubs of SoHo. He is an awesome story teller and wonderful host. We had four pubs to visit which were all unique and Ben gave us great advice on best drinks in each one. Our group of 5 had a great time and got to know each other through the conversations over our 1/2 pints in each pub. I highly recommend Ben and this tour.”

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Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour - Going down into Edinburgh’s underground vaults
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Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

8.Edinburgh: Old Town and Underground Historical Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,802 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $27

Start at the Royal Mile’s old police box, then head down eight steps into Edinburgh’s underground vaults. Your English-speaking historian leads you through hidden closes and dark stories involving Burke and Hare, Jekyll and Hyde, Scrooge, and Edinburgh’s poor. Guides include Holly, James, Morven, Emilie, and Chihon.

“Morven was an excellent knowledge guide. If you want a good snap shot of Edinburgh’s underground history Morven delivers the information wonderfully. Thumbs up for Morven’s tour- definitely recommend and would do a guided tour with her again.”

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Old Town Historical and Underground Tour - Canongate Kirkyard and the people behind the stones
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Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

9.Old Town Historical and Underground Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,574 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a guide trained in Scottish history or backed by decades of experience. In 90 minutes, you’ll visit Tron Kirk, Canongate Kirkyard, and the South Bridge vaults. Groups are capped at six, with time for questions and stories often missed on larger tours.

“A fun adventure exploring some of the hidden history of Edinburgh, very informative and entertaining”

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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.

10.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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Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh - From wine vaults to desperate homes
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Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

11.Multi-Sensory Small-Group Historic Vaults Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,384 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Walk from Mercat Cross into Edinburgh’s Blair Street Vaults with a guide such as Linda, Veni, Nicola, or Charles. Hear stories of taverns, workshops, poverty, and Burke and Hare, then visit the Vaults Museum. Expect darkness, uneven floors, and a 75-minute tour for up to 18 people.

“Interesting and fun exploration of a small underground vault in Edinburgh. Our guide Veni was great!”

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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

12.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

13.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

14.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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Portsmouth: Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket - The Mary Rose and its Tudor time capsule
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Portsmouth: Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket

15.Portsmouth: Historic Dockyard Ultimate Explorer Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,052 reviews · 365 days · from $62

Spend a year exploring Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with one ticket. See the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, HMS M.33, submarine HMS Alliance, naval museums, and the harbour by boat. You set the pace, but allow at least a full day, and preferably two or three.

“Loved all the ships. Mary Rose was awesome- very well done display”

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