Private Tour

London's Alternative History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Overview

Available languages

Chinese

English

Dutch

Mobile ticket

If you like humorous history, quirky facts and hidden surprises, this self-guided walk right in the centre of London is for you.

Having lived in London all my life, I decided to uncover its wacky history. I'm also an avid traveller and understand the importance of experiencing a city with a local guide. But more importantly, I love sharing this city's amazing history!

On this tour, you’ll learn about the secret behind the flow of the River Thames, the origins of the name “Covent Garden”, and the story of a drink most wouldn't associate with Britain. You'll also discover how the Americans stole coffee from the British, see the only street in London that confuses taxi drivers and learn about London's most notorious 18th-century brothel and the now-extinct police force that shut it down.

Whether you’re visiting London for the first time or are a local curious about the city's alternative tales, this tour is a valuable introduction to the city's alternative history.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This tour is wheelchair accessible with one caveat: part of the final portion of the tour after Waterloo Bridge has staircases – wheelchair users can stay on bridge-level and proceed to the final two stops which are on the same level.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

VoiceMap Application

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Lifetime access to 'London's Alternative History Tour'

Smartphone

Transportation

Food/drinks

Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

What To Expect

Covent Garden

Explore the bustling market and discover the origins of its name, which comes from "Convent Garden" due to its history as a convent’s garden in medieval times.

Admission Not Applicable

Known as the "Actors' Church," this is where many famous actors have been memorialized. It's also the location of London's first recorded punch-up.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

London's Alternative History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Reviews

5.00

4 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Perfectly paced, easy on the ears
Jill C,
Feb 3, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
What an amazing experience, thank you. Your pace was exactly right. Four of us absolutely loved the walking tour, all interesting, Covent Garden, Dickens flat, Somerset house even though we had a very interesting tour there the day before, the Savoy cabs and carts!! Also, the voice was soothing and perfectly paced. Excellent 👌. Looking forward to another.
Wonderful tour, so easy to use
sarah r,
Mar 8, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
I am such a fan of these voice map tours! They are so well executed and truly entertaining. I am ordinarily very challenged with Google walk directions but voice maps made it so easy. Would tell me where to look, which way to turn, etc. And the narrator was terrific . I can’t wait to do another today !
Highly recommend!
Tracy N,
May 21, 2022
- Review from Viator
5.00
I had a couple of hours to fill in our day and found this online. So glad I did! It was really interesting and fun to follow the route. We took longer than the hour but that’s why this is great- it’s totally up to you how long you take. We stopped and chatted here and there about what we were listening to - just paused the audio and I don’t walk particularly fast! We learnt some fab facts that I’ve been telling everyone about since arriving home! I shall do more of these in other cities.
Get to know the city even as a local!
Nigelllllll,
Oct 15, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Did this tour a few weeks ago and loved it - got to know so much about the city despite having lived here my whole life. Learned a bunch of things I never knew, really easy to use the interface as well.