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Oldest London Restaurant & Covent Garden Guided Tour

5.0 · 8 reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor ⏱ 2h ✓ Free cancellation
Oldest London Restaurant & Covent Garden Guided Tour

At a glance

Oldest London Restaurant & Covent Garden Guided Tour is a 2h small-group experience in London, United Kingdom, operated by Where Now Tours. Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 8 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $21.68 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Professional English-speaking guide, Exclusive entry to Rules Restaurant before public opening hours, Guided walking tour of Covent Garden.

Highlights

  • Small group of up to 10 people for a more personal experience
  • Free cancellation for flexible planning
  • 12 stops in one well-planned itinerary

Quick facts

Duration
2h
Group
Small group, up to 10 travellers
Languages
English
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Travellers
1–10 per booking
Ages
Adult 18–100
Cancellation
Free cancellation (see policy)

Options & availability

  • Oldest London Restaurant & Covent Garden Guided Tour

    from $21.06

    Days:
    Fri
    Start times:
    10:30

Times and prices come from the operator’s live schedule and are confirmed when you book.

Overview

Get yourself a Cocktail at the Famous Rules Restaurant after retracing the steps of Covent Garden’s elite, their bizarre history and secrets.

Step into the glamorous and scandalous world of old London on our Covent Garden guided tour and learn the history of the rich, the royal family and the city’s most powerful people.
Hear about the British ballet dancer organising a coup behind closed doors, the nefarious coffee house owned by London's most feared female gangster and the deadly argument between actors about their wigs.

Gossip with us about the affairs of the aristocracy and the monarch’s mistresses before escaping to London’s oldest restaurant, Rules. Immerse yourself in high society and hear about the scandalous secrets held inside the restaurant’s walls.

Join the most unique sightseeing experience in London, bringing you a combination of royal history, upper-class cover ups, and Covent Garden’s rich past.

What's included

What's included

  • Professional English-speaking guide
  • Exclusive entry to Rules Restaurant before public opening hours
  • Guided walking tour of Covent Garden

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Option to buy yourself at cocktail at the beautiful Rules Restaurant
  • Snacks
  • Meals

Itinerary

  1. Stop 1 · 10m

    One of London's most famous streets for retail. A bustling and lively street filled with shops and boutiques.

  2. Stop 2 · 10m

    The apartment where prima ballerina Margot Fonteyn lived at this apartment for most of her life. Known as the greatest ballet dancer of her generation, perhaps of all time.

  3. Stop 3 · 5m

    A secret garden hidden behind the large building of the shopping district. A great example of Green-Urbanism.

  4. Stop 4 · 5m

    A famous street for shopping which takes you to the north-west entrance of the Covent Garden Piazza.

  5. Stop 5 · 10m

    Known as the "Actors Church", the historical St. Pauls backs onto the Piazza and is known as much for its plays and performances as its sermons.

  6. Stop 6 · 10m

    Make-up brand that originated from the 2014 blog of Emily Weiss, the building was once the coolest club in London.

  7. Stop 7 · 10m

    Was one called "Convent Garden" as it was a garden where nuns lived and grew food for the poor. It has had many incarnations since - a living enclave only for the 1%, a den of vice, an arts district, and of course a huge market. These days the piazza houses a small version of what it once was with a much smaller market filled with known brands and boutiques.

  8. Stop 8

    At the front of the actors church is where the famous Covent Garden Street performers take to the stage. You will often find jugglers, buskers, and magicians plying their trade on the cobbles here.

  9. Stop 9 · 10m

    An iconic London theatre with its origins in the 17th century. Known for its world-renowned Opera and Ballet performances.

  10. Stop 10 · 5m

    Historical London West End Theatre, built at the same time as the Royal Opera House but known for its more salacious stories.

  11. Stop 11

    Historical London Street where J.M.W Turner Was born.

  12. Stop 12 · 20m

    London's Oldest Restaurant. Once frequented by Charles Dickens, Graham Greene, and Ian Fleming. Also known for its connections to the political elites and the royal family.

Meeting point

Meet your guide where James Street meets the Covent Garden Piazza. Your guide will be holding an orange umbrella. Please adhere to Rules Restaurant dress code of avoiding shorts, joggers, tracksuits, or sportswear.

End point

London's oldest restaurant and cocktail bar

Traveller ratings

5.0

8 reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor

  • 5 ★ 8
  • 4 ★ 0
  • 3 ★ 0
  • 2 ★ 0
  • 1 ★ 0

Good to know

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

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

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Oldest London Restaurant & Covent Garden Guided Tour take?

The experience lasts about 2h.

How much does it cost?

Prices start from $21.68 per person. The final price depends on the date, time and number of travellers, and is confirmed on Viator before you pay.

What's included?

Professional English-speaking guide; Exclusive entry to Rules Restaurant before public opening hours; Guided walking tour of Covent Garden.

Where does it start?

Meet your guide where James Street meets the Covent Garden Piazza. Your guide will be holding an orange umbrella. Please adhere to Rules Restaurant dress code of avoiding shorts, joggers, tracksuits, or sportswear.

Can I cancel?

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

Which languages is it offered in?

It is guided in English.

Is it worth it?

Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 8 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in London.

From $21.68 · Check availability