The 15 Best History Tours in England

1.London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs

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

Spend about three and a half hours walking from the City of London toward Covent Garden, stopping at four historic pubs. Guides such as Tim, Chris, Freddie, Mark, and Dave combine pub customs with stories of Dickens, Fleet Street, churches, lawyers, and London life. The group is limited to 14, and all drinks are extra.

“Our Irish tour guide Dave was terrific, being both knowledgeable and entertaining. We happened to run across the local artist Ben Wilson (chewing gum paintings) at work and got to meet him and learn about his work, which can be found all over the city. Also we witnessed some activity apparently related to the Irish rap group Kneecap and a small crowd of their vocal supporters outside of a courthouse on the way to our final pub. Both random events, but the way Dave incorporated these serendipitous encounters into our tour so seamlessly, it felt as though we were just exploring the city with a local friend. After the tour,…”

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2.Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour

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

Walk from Piccadilly Circus through Soho’s music and pub history, visiting four distinctive venues linked to the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mozart. Guides such as Ben, Gherto, Tom, Harvey, Danny, and Callum mix stories with practical drink tips. Your ticket covers the guide and pub entry, but not drinks or food.

“Tom was a fantastic tour guide. If you like music you’ll love the tour. Really fun stories and great bars we returned to later in our trip. This was a trip highlight for us!”

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

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

Start at the Guy Fawkes Inn at 6:30 pm and follow a guide such as Dan, Josh, or Mackenzie through York’s dark past. Expect about 90 minutes of theatrical storytelling, stops near the Minster, lesser-seen streets, and a finish at the Shambles. The walk suits most people, but bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes.

“So we had Dan (I think) who was fantastic. His voice carried he include a little humour and was very affable. He wasn’t put off by the locals who made ghost noises. We learned a little on a very cold evening and my only gripe I guess was that for a place that’s the most haunted city in Europe - why did we only get 5 stories?”

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4.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

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

Walk through York’s Roman, Viking, medieval, and royal past with a private English-speaking guide. Starting near York Minster, you’ll visit major historic sights, hear stories shaped to your interests, and finish by Clifford’s Tower. Guides including Alan, Chris, Sean, Karen, and David lead tours lasting about two to three hours.

“We had a great private tour of York with our guide, Sean. He was incredibly knowledgeable and gave us a great overview of the city and its history. We enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it.”

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

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

Follow a historian guide through Liverpool’s waterfront, medieval center, Georgian streets, old docks, and modern Liverpool ONE. John and Julio lead an English-language walk focused on trade, maritime growth, the Atlantic slave trade, and the city’s changing buildings. The tour costs $27.74 and welcomes most participants.

“Great tour. Helpful Informative. Funny. Interesting. Great value for price. Highly Recommend this tour”

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6.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, stopping at historic pubs while guides such as Ben, Luke, Henry, Tom, and Carlos share royal tales, local lore, and drink tips. The 2 to 3-hour tour costs $44.38, includes a veteran local guide, and limits groups to 12 people.

“The history is great and the beer is even better. The tour guide showed us some stuff I would have never expected.”

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7.Private Group: Historical Pub Walking Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 660 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $173

Walk from Cheapside toward Holborn with a private guide such as Lyndon, Lachlan, Adam, or Ricky. Visit characterful pubs including Black Friar, the Old Bank of England, and Princess Louise, while learning about London history. Drinks cost extra, and your guide can shape the route around your group’s interests.

“Lachlan Andrews was a fantastic London pub tour guide!! He knew so much about each pub we visited and the beers/ales/casks they served. He also was very knowledgeable about London history. Our group of 5 really enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend Lachlan.”

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8.Best Of Liverpool Heritage, History & Culture Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 539 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $31

Walk from the Bluecoat through Liverpool’s Ropewalks, waterfront, Three Graces, Town Hall, and Castle Street before finishing near Mathew Street. Guides such as Mike, Carl, Pam, and Allan bring local stories, Beatles context, maritime history, and Scouse humor. Expect cobbles, changing weather, and a maximum group of 20.

“Allan our tour guide was really good he was knowledgeable which he imparted in a very understandable way. He was unstinting in his time and appropriately numerous. I would recommend both him and the tour.”

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9.Historic Pub Walking Tour of London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 484 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $19

Start at Embankment Station at 1:30 pm and walk through central London to four historic pubs, ending in Covent Garden. Guides such as Rachel, Mike, Carolina, and Connor share pub folklore, London stories, and drink suggestions. You pay for drinks and food separately, and all participants must be at least 18.

“Meet on the river side of embankment tube station. I looked at instructions and this was not prominent enough.”

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10.York Witches and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $23

Follow a costumed guide through York’s medieval center on a 70 to 75 minute walking tour. You’ll visit the Shambles, York Minster, Stonegate, Barley Hall, and other old streets while hearing stories about witches and York’s past. Guides such as Nix, Merlot, Willow, and Cornelius keep the mood playful, though the quality can vary by performer.

“Wonderful tour of York and the Shambles. Our tour guide, nutmeg, I believe 🤔, gave a fantastic tour, she was fun and very informative. Would definitely recommend..”

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11.History Guided Tour of Liverpool and the Beatles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 408 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Walk from Liverpool Central Library through St George’s Hall, Mathew Street, the Cavern Club, Liverpool ONE, Albert Dock, and the Beatles Statue. Guides such as Terry, Helen, Ian, Rob, Heidi, and Jack bring local stories, football history, music, and practical city tips to a two-hour route for up to 20 people.

“Our tour guide was Terry and he was excellent. Highly recommend this walking tour. It covered the highlights of Liverpool in about 2-2.5 hours. Easy walking, no issues.”

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12.White Cliffs of Dover & Historic Canterbury Day Tour from London

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 373 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $109

Leave London at 7:30 am for the White Cliffs of Dover, with time for a coastal walk and views across the English Channel. Then explore Canterbury on a guided stroll and free time for lunch, shopping, or an optional cathedral visit. Expect plenty of walking, a group of up to 32, and guides such as Lucy, Taylor, or Freya on some departures.

“Just right relative to time and excellent locations and tour. Driver, bus, guide - all spot on! Great history tour.”

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13.Liverpool Hidden History and Dead House Evening Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 200 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

At 7 pm, a professional guide leads you from the Queen Victoria Monument through Liverpool’s old city, Town Hall, and Exchange Flags before entering the Dead House beneath St Nic’s through a trapdoor. Expect a 90-minute English-language walk with ghost stories, medieval history, theatrical characters, and a strict no-alcohol policy.

“Seeing St Nicks at night was amazing. Some hidden gems in terms of the factual history that is provided.”

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14.Cruise Wells Next The Sea on Historic RNLI and Dunkirk Veteran Lifeboat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $243

Meet your captain and crew at 2 E Quay for a 90-minute cruise aboard a restored RNLI and Dunkirk Veteran Lifeboat. You’ll hear about Operation Dynamo, Wells’ maritime past, and the boat’s renovation while drifting near Wells Beach with tea, coffee, or a cold drink. Groups are limited to 12 people.

“Lovely "different" experience. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. We learned a lot about the boat and its history and also local history and geography.”

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15.Dark History Walking Tour in Warwick

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $15Best value

Join a 90-minute English-language walking tour through Warwick after dark. Your guide leads you from Lord Leycester to the market square, sharing tales of murder, executions, witchcraft, castle intrigue, and the hellhound Moll Bloxham. Expect plenty of standing, theatrical storytelling, and free time for a pub or restaurant afterward.

“Hearing dark history of buildings you might not give a second look. Hearing about some of Warwick's colourful historic characters.”

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