Traditions & Heritage • 3 hours 5.0 (6)

A Practically Perfect London Day: Exploring The Old City

You’ll experience the blend of the old and new city in London all whilst trying quintessential british treats, one spoonful of sugar at a time!!

Sky Garden offers some of the best panoramic views of London and it's free! But do make sure to book well in advance as tickets book out quickly

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • You're straight into a hidden gem with a garden in a church ruins at St Dustan where vines wrap the windows of the bomb damaged church
  • Rooftop views await at The Garden at 120, look out over the City and hear the stories from below
  • Leadenhall Market, the inspiration of many great movie sets, waits to host you
  • Marvel at stunning and intricate architecture at The Royal Exchange Building and The Bank of England
  • Closing at St Pauls Cathedral Gardens and St Pauls. Appreciating how important it is to London and England alike
  • A quaint finish with a cup of tea in very London surroundings. A practically perfect day

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

3 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Per person
Hosted experience lasting up to 3 hours
Private and tailored to your group only
1 hot drink and 1 sweet treat (can be increased)
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central locations)

What’s not included

Additional food and drinks
Transportation costs
Tickets to any attractions
Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Sundial at the Tower Hill, Tower Hill, London EC3N 2LY

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

This isn’t just any experience I've designed for you. You’ll be guided through London, its twisted streets knitted through the heart of the classic city, you’ll see the beauty in the old and new from a locals perspective, even get skyhigh views from iconic monuments and hidden gems. It's practically perfect in every way!

 

I’ve set up a gentle start at a little garden in a church ruins at St Dustan in the East Church Garden. This once lovely church suffered damage by a German bomb in 1941 and was never repaired, this wasn’t its only misfortune though and your host can tell you more. Trees grow through windows and vines wind themselves around walls, this could be the spot you take the best pictures of your trip. Remember to share them with me.

 

Views were my thing on this trip and that includes views from on high as well as low, so guess where you are going next. Yep, up!

 

On your way to the next stop you’ll meander through Trinity gardens with its rich history and great views of the Tower of London. There is a story or two about the monuments here, especially those for the Tower. Don’t spend too long though in the stories of the past you’re going to The Garden at 120.

 

Up, up, up to the Garden at 120, this free to enter location boasts amazing views across the city of London. There is so much to see but your host will show you where to look. If heights aren’t your thing maybe the bar and deli situated in the same building are? Something for all.

 

Next, you come down but the excitement keeps going up, as you move onto Leadenhall Market. It’s a hidden gem but bizarrely has inspired some of the movies biggest sets. Diagon alley from Harry Potter and Wonka’s grand atrium are said to be inspired by this location whose architecture dates back to the 1300’s. Will you recreate your favorite scene for me? Or perhaps enjoy a bit of british retail with authentic local and high street shops.

 

Onwards you go to The Royal Exchange Building that stands opposite to the Bank of England. It’s impressive and quite a thing to marvel at. Dating back to the 1500’s the once global financial superpower has many a tale, enjoy this but I also want you to check out Daunt Books that is along the way, a lovely famous London Bookstore.

 

Oh you should also check out an iconic London Telephone Box too! It’s not a London trip without it.

 

You’re not too far from St.Pauls now and that's where you are off to next. Through the gardens at the back to the steps of the front, you should definitely recreate the ‘Feed the birds’ scene from Mary Poppins, (I know I did). Your host will have a lot to tell you about this very important location, including how it was the tallest building in the city for over 200 years and survived multiple bombings during the war!

 

You’ll be sad to hear it but you’re almost done. Just one more thing, finish with a cup of tea at Pauls situated right next to St.Paul. Wrap up with your host, talk about your day, trade more stories or take more photos. This perfect London day is over for now, I hope your adventure carries on though.

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories

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What travelers think of this experience

Rebecca Mar 2025

It was great to have JJ pick out the right foods to eat as well as give us the background and history of London.

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Rebecca Mar 2025

He shared his wealth of information entertaining 4 teenage boys with the history of Great Britain and highlights of London. Then we moved on to Borough Market where he showed us all the best eats with a little history mixed in. We ended the tour at a local pub, with a pint, stories, laughs, and a new friend! Thanks JJ!

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Michael Mar 2025

Alan was an absolutely amazing guide. We had a call before we left so he could prepare the tour for our exact desires. The day of the tour was fantastic. He knew so many amazing facts and places to visit. He would be my first choice on my return to London.

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Linda Mar 2025

Delia was knowledgeable, thorough and attentive. Her approach was great. She provided a big picture perspective and then broke our journey into understandable, relatable components. She was also very accommodating, tailoring our time together to meet my needs. I would definitely seek her out on a return trip.

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Jennifer Mar 2025

We loved our guide and learned so much!

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Kathryn Jacqueline Feb 2025

She thoughtfully planned out the tour for me based on what I was interested in. She was very knowledgable about the areas we went to and made recommendations for other places to go after my tour and for future trips. The tea and scones we had were also delicious! I will definitely recommend this to anyone I know who is traveling to London :)

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