Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour
At a glance
Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour is a 3h private experience in London, United Kingdom, operated by Ye Olde England Tours. Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 42 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor. Prices start from $255.71 per person, and free cancellation is available. Included: Local guide, Private tour, Professional guide.
Highlights
- Private experience — just you and your group
- Free cancellation for flexible planning
- 25 stops in one well-planned itinerary
- Wheelchair accessible
Quick facts
- Duration
- 3h
- Group
- Private tour — only your group
- Languages
- English
- Pickup
- Hotel pickup or meet at the start point
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation (see policy)
Overview
This private walking tour takes us to many hidden, silent, sacred and secret gardens and ruins in the City of London. Even Londoners don't know about most of these sites and that is why they are such wonderful and historic places. Beautiful old gothic church yard gardens, each a peaceful, historic oasis in busy London.
This is an immersive historical and architectural walking tour of the City of London's public pocket gardens, ancient churchyards, and medieval ruins. It does not enter private residential squares or domestic backyards.
Secret Gardens of the City of London is also a #1 ranking travel book and has been the travel feature in the Independent Newspaper.
What's included
What's included
- Local guide
- Private tour
- Professional guide
- Tour escort/host
- Hotel pickup
Not included
- Transportation to/from attractions
Itinerary
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Stop 1 · 5m
The tour starts under the majestic gaze of one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
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Stop 2 · 10m
Explore the beautiful landscaped gardens of St Pauls Cathedral.
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Stop 3 · 5m
Delightfully colourful gardens with an incredible backdrop.
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Stop 4 · 5m
This beautiful garden was redeveloped during Covid and features a water feature and view not to be missed.
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Stop 5 · 5m
Beautiful shady garden, a haven for silver birch with a cooling water feature at the rear amongst other things.
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Stop 6 · 5m
Beautiful gardens with an Italian inspiration due to the Roman ruins that lay beneath.
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Stop 7 · 5m
This secret garden is dedicated to one of the most famous Lord Mayors of London who amongst other things built the nearby church.
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Stop 8 · 5m
Almost completely hidden from view, this beautiful garden has a definitive Welsh theme with a sad history behind it.
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Stop 9 · 5m
See the incredible monument to the Great Fire of London
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Stop 10 · 10m
Visit the most beautiful ruin in the old City of London.
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Stop 11 · 5m
One time home of the most famous diarist in history, Samuel Pepys, the garden has some incredible decorative stones illustrating the unique and memorable life of this fascinating man,
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Stop 12 · 10m
This historic church and garden has been through Great Fires, Plagues, World Wars and as such as some incredible history.
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Stop 13 · 5m
80 years after The Blitz this garden is finally being redeveloped but its true secret is why it is hear at all and for that we have to go back to one of the darkest moments in Londons history, many centuries ago.
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Stop 14 · 15m
Visit London's newest sky garden which offers a fantastic view of where we have been and where we will be going. The garden has a capacity of 207 people so it is possible that on rare occasions we cannot get in. So far so good though!
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Stop 15 · 5m
A beautiful modern garden with a poignant work of art regarding the slave trade on the spot where two men campaigned tirelessly for its destruction.
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Stop 16 · 5m
A stunning Victorian market built on top of a Roman market, beautiful and iconic, seen in many shows and movies.
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Stop 17 · 5m
The garden of this ancient church is relatively plain but it has a grave within it that is possibly the most famous grave in English literature, set as it is amongst ancient lanes and alleys.
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Stop 18 · 5m
No cars or any vehicles can get close to this secret garden, huddled away in the medieval passageways. A beautiful garden with a nice sun trap too. Surrounded by old churches, pubs and the oldest coffee shop too.
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Stop 19 · 5m
Right in the middle of London we will stand on top of the old Roman amphitheatre
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Stop 20 · 10m
This little space in the heart of the old Jewish district of London and almost entirely rebuilt after WW2.
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Stop 21 · 10m
This sunken garden has a history both ancient and the merely old.
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Stop 22 · 5m
These unusual gardens hold an ancient secret uncovered in WW2, ruins of the old Roman City Wall.
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Stop 23 · 10m
This little garden has strong associations to William Shakespeare and even Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
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Stop 24 · 5m
A magnificent old tree steels the show here with incredible modern architecture all around.
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Stop 25 · 10m
Visit this beautiful but rarely visited park with its touching memorial to everyday heroes.
Meeting point
The tour starts just outside Caffe Nero outside St Pauls Underground Station
Good to know
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual
- We have earmarked this tour as especially safe during the Coronavirus outbreak due to generally quiet places that we visit where social distancing is generally not a problem. All of our tours are private so it is just you/your family and your guide. To make it easier and safer for all concerned we would suggest starting this tour a little later than the usual time, perhaps around 10.30-11am which allows us all to miss rush-hour. We are happy to still come to your hotel to meet you but for the moment we would suggest meeting us at the tour starting point. This allows you to arrive by a taxi or uber rather than public transport. Please feel free to wear masks throughout or at times during the tour. Your guide will also have a mask with them.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Secret Gardens of the City of London Private Tour take?
The experience lasts about 3h.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from $255.71 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?
Local guide; Private tour; Professional guide; Tour escort/host; Hotel pickup.
Where does it start?
The tour starts just outside Caffe Nero outside St Pauls Underground Station
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 4.9 out of 5 across 42 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor, which places it among the top-rated experiences in London.
