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Alternative Tourist and Tours

Alternative Tourist and Tours

London is brilliant at things that never make it onto the tourist trail. We've spent years finding them — the medieval wine historian who makes you rethink everything you know about drinking, the market walk that ends in a proper feed, the guide who actually knows why a building looks the way it does. Walking tours, bike tours, even a tour by classic Mini Cooper — all run by people with a genuine story to tell, not a laminated script. Over 50 experiences, from £15.

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The Knowledge is our collection of insider area guides, bringing together the best experiences, hidden gems and independent favourites.

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54 experiences

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes these tours different from a standard sightseeing tour?

The guides, mostly. The Medieval Wine Tour London tastes medieval-style wine out of a coconut shell with historian Dr Matthew Green — the kind of detail a generic tour guide simply doesn't have, from £59. The Coffeehouse Tour covers London's 17th-century coffee house culture and how it quietly reshaped the city, from £34.

Are there tours that include food and drink along the way?

Most of them, one way or another. The Food Lover's Market Tour is a two-hour walk through Bermondsey's hidden food markets, from £54. The History of London in 4 Drinks traces the city's story through gin, coffee, beer and tea, from £65.

What if I want something outside London entirely?

Walk The Manchester Music Scene covers the city's own music history on foot, from £22 — proof that a good tour doesn't need a London postcode. For fans further afield, Beatles Tour of Marylebone and Abbey Road in London for Two crosses the famous zebra crossing and uncovers the Fab Four's actual London haunts, from £34.

Are there tours built around a bigger, more theatrical evening?

Fine Dining by Bus serves six courses from an onboard chef as you travel through London's historic streets, from £240. Magical History. Private Tour. uncovers the capital's occult and alchemical past with a guide who knows where the real secrets are, from £220.

How does booking one of these tours actually work?

Buy the voucher, then let the recipient pick their own date directly with the guide — nothing to coordinate in advance. eVouchers land in the inbox within 15 minutes, and every tour can be swapped for a different one if it's not quite the right fit.