• The Mayflower Pub - Guests will be personally greeted at their central London accommodation by a private guide to embark on a journey through London’s finest and most historic pubs.

This tour is relaxed, informative, and enjoyable, customized to suit individual interests and pace.

First on the list is - The Mayflower

This riverside tavern dates back to the 1500s, and in 1620, Christopher Jones docked his ship outside the tavern. That ship, named the Mayflower, carried the founding colonists to the New World, which would become the USA.

Those with ancestry linked to the Mayflower can request to sign the register kept behind the bar. Postage stamps are also available for purchase, a tradition from when the area was bustling with sailors from around the world. They often lacked time to visit a post office while ashore, so the Mayflower was granted a special license.

Filled with nautical items, a cozy fireplace, and candlelight, it truly feels like stepping back in time.

• George - The only surviving galleried pub in London, dating back to Tudor times. Often referred to as William Shakespeare’s local, it also has connections to Charles Dickens and Sir Winston Churchill. The yard next to the George was once the site of the Tabard Inn, featured in Canterbury Tales.

While bear baiting, cockfighting, and bare-knuckle boxing are long gone, the George retains many of its period features and eccentric clientele.

Shakespeare is said to have performed plays in the courtyard here.

• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese - With cellars dating to the 13th century and the upper rooms largely unchanged since the 1700s, it’s no wonder this pub is listed among the most atmospheric sites in London. A truly Dickensian pub.

The upstairs bar is as traditional as imaginable, complete with a fireplace and wooden paneling dating back to the reign of Charles II. Dr. Samuel Johnson, David Garrick, and James Boswell are all said to have enjoyed ale and dined on chops here.

The most famous resident of this pub is Polly, who sits stuffed in a glass box above the bar. This celebrity parrot lived in the pub for over 30 years and became notorious for bad language and mimicking the sound of corks popping!

Apparently, the Hellfire Club met in the upper rooms here. The erotic tiles discovered in the 1960s seem to support that rumor.

As a personal guide, the operator will ensure guests learn all the fascinating history of this very special pub.

• Ye Olde Mitre - A pub with a history stretching back to Tudor times. It is said the doorway is supported by a tree that Queen Elizabeth I danced around. Tucked away down a tiny alley, even those familiar with the area find Ye Olde Mitre hard to locate.

A strong contender for London’s oldest pub, it is also in the Diamond Quarter of London, Hatton Garden. It wouldn’t be surprising if some retired safe breakers and bank robbers are among the regulars.

It has certainly featured in many films and TV shows over the years, notably “Snatch” starring Brad Pitt.

Fagin’s gang in “Oliver Twist” had their den in this area too. Surely Dickens popped in for a pint?

• Cittie of Yorke - There has been a pub on this site since the 1400s. The current building is a mix of different centuries, with numerous nooks, crannies, and wooden booths. When open, it’s possible to explore the cellars.

Many notable figures throughout history have enjoyed ale here or warmed themselves next to the curious triangular stove that stands in the middle of the main room.

Fingers crossed, guests can secure one of the cozy wooden booths and enjoy discussing their favorite pubs and drinks of the day.

• Local guide
• Professional guide
• Private tour

• Transportation to/from attractions - Mostly on foot, but some Tube travel involved.
• Alcoholic beverages

The UK is renowned globally for its cozy, unique, quirky, historic, and atmospheric pubs. This tour showcases the best that London has to offer. Escape the typical tourist path and explore the hidden courts and alleys of old London.

Expect vibrant and sometimes grim tales, flagstones, wooden paneling, quiet snug corners, and remnants of the many people, both notable and ordinary, who have frequented these bars in the past.

• The Oldest and Most Historic Inns, Taverns, & Pubs
• Visit the Pubs that inspired Charles Dickens
• Hidden Alleys, cozy corners, and log fires
• Sample traditional Ales & Ciders
• Discover the stories and history behind each Pub

A relaxed tour at your own pace - Can you handle all 5 Pubs?

• Minimum age is 18 years

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.