Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough
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Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough

By Historic London Tours
Recommended by 100% of travellers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 13-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • Walking Tour Guide
What's not included
  • Gratuities


Start:
  • Borough High St, London SE1 1JX, UK
    We meet outside the exit of Borough Station. Please aim to arrive five minutes early as the tour will start on time. If you aren't able to make the tour or you will be late, please message me on +44 7783 401 129 so that I know whether to send you our live location on WhatsApp.
End:
  • Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, UK

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 181808P4

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Most travellers can participate
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 181808P4

From
£20.00
per adult
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Itinerary
  • Borough High St, London SE1 1JX, UK
    We meet outside the exit of Borough Station. Please aim to arrive five minutes early as the tour will start on time. If you aren't able to make the tour or you will be late, please message me on +44 7783 401 129 so that I know whether to send you our live location on WhatsApp.
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Historic London Tours
    5.0 of 5 bubbles564
    London, England
    Joined in July 2019
  • Birthdaygit
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Kindness and customer service
    We have not been on the tour yet, this review is about superb customer service at a difficult time for us. Our daughter bought my husband a voucher for a tour taking place on 22 March, but unfortunately a few weeks before we were due to go, he was booked for an operation to remove a cancerous tumour from his kidney. I contacted Historic London and asked whether we could exchange the voucher for a different tour two days earlier on 20 March, which they did for us. Then on 18 March we had a call from the hospital bringing the operation forward to 19 March, meaning we couldn’t make the new date either. I messaged the company again, this time explaining why we needed to change things again, and they responded so kindly, expressing their sympathy and sending a voucher to cover the cost of a future booking. I thought it was a lovely thing for them to do and they deserve the credit for it.
    Written 18 March 2025
  • 548nickif
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do it if you want to learn about London and have fun at the same time.
    Excellent tour thank you. This was our second tour with Tom and, as before, was really good. He kept us and the story moving on but at no point was it rushed and there was lots of time fif questions and just general chat. If you want a fun, interesting and informative tour of a part of London literally steeped in hundreds of years of history, then this is one for you! We will be back for another tour.
    Written 17 March 2025
  • Trail19407
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent tour of central London locations - recommended
    The tour leader's knowledge and rapport with the group was excellent. The route and stories told were interesting even for someone who lives and works in London. I enjoyed the tour and would thoroughly recommend this tour guide.
    Written 7 March 2025
  • 926lizzyg
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A fantastic tour for finding hidden gems in London!
    This tour was great! I enjoyed seeing all the locations, many of them I would consider hidden gems that you can't get anywhere else but this tour! I would have never known about some of these places, statues, and histories had it not been for the impressive work by Tom! He really is a wealth of knowledge, and his passion for his craft really shows in his ability to answer any question you throw his way. He was a great guide and I hope I can take another of his tours the next time I'm back to London!
    Written 3 March 2025
  • 863carmelb
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Really great tour !!
    Fantastic tour. I very much enjoyed the walking tour. Tom was very articulate and didn't over complicate the historical facts. I liked the fact that he was happy to answer questions. I did get separated from the group at one point due to the crowded streets and Tom was happy to wait till I found the group again. I hope to be going on another tour with Tom this year.
    Written 2 March 2025
  • A1718COwillj
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do tour
    An excellent tour and highly enjoyable. As someone who lives and works in London I was amazed by how much I didn't know about the city. I would highly recommend.
    Written 2 March 2025
  • Daydream722556
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The unexpected London
    Tom was an excellent guide.He gave us a lot of information ,delivered clearly and with a real interest and passion in the topic.He showed us many places we would have never noticed if we had wondered around London plus ideas of places to return to in the future.
    Written 2 March 2025
  • desireehP740RG
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent guide for historic London walks
    Tom is an excellent guide. The tour is surprising and I learned a lot, in a pleasant way. We walked from the Tower of London to Fleet Street in a small group.
    Written 27 February 2025
  • stevec370
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great in sight in to the history of London.
    Tom, gave a very interesting and amusing tour, complete with little history facts and readings at the different sights we visited.. Will go on another tour with Tom.
    Written 23 February 2025
  • Travelling_momager
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fabulous informative 2 hours spent in great company
    Really enjoyed this tour. Felt I fully understood what life was like back then. Went to many places I will revisit like Charterhouse Museum and can’t wait for the new museum of London. Will book one of Tom’s other tours in the near future.
    Written 21 February 2025
  • 263alastairw
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A history tour as part of a weekend visit to London
    Concise and informative tour. Tom spoke with authority on this part of London's history. Very interesting and it made us take notice of important landmarks and buildings that we would have missed if not being part of this tour. Highly recommended.
    Written 20 February 2025
  • TJeinsteinwood
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely brilliant
    Wow this was brilliant! The whole process, from booking, to meeting up and the whole tour was excellent. Tom is so knowledgeable and took us to places you wouldn't ever seen or know about. If you are considering a walking tour, choose one of these!
    Written 26 January 2025
  • P5206DGhelenam
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great historical tour of London
    We highly recommend booking the Roman Ruins to Blitz Bombings: A Walking Tour of London's Fiery History with Tom. Whether you're a tourist or a Londoner rest assured that you will learn new and exciting facts about London. Tom is engaging and makes the tour very enjoyable. We cannot wait to book another one !
    Written 26 January 2025
  • Livelife2max
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating history
    My third tour with Tom and another fantastic experience. I learnt so much about an area of London I have never explored. Tom made the tour informative, interesting and entertaining. His historical knowledge is amazing. It was a thoroughly enjoyable outing on a very cold day. Highly recommended.
    Written 22 January 2025
  • kva1223
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful walking tour of historic London!
    I took this tour on my last day (sadly I was not aware that Tom does more tours during the week, I would generally take a guided tour in the beginning of a trip!). I considered cancelling it, but I am so glad I didn't. Tom took us on a tour of the historic City of London, a small area but with SO MUCH history packed in. I will certainly take another tour on my next trip back, I learned so much despite having taken other tours (at St. Pauls etc).
    Written 18 January 2025
See all 564 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles74 reviews
Excellent
73
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1
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0
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Fionagrace93
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 • Family
This is the second of Tom's tours we have been on as we enjoyed the previous one so much. This tour was interesting and engaging and we learnt so much. Tom clearly knows his stuff but also doesn't overwhelm you with information, it's the perfect balance. It's also great to support an independent guide who does all his own research. Whether you live in London (like we do) or you are visiting, we would highly recommend. There is so much history hiding in London and it's such a unique activity and way to see London.
Written 12 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Departure10751865697
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
My daughter and I went on this tour with Tom while she was visiting from the US. It was a lovely day and we learned so much amazing information! We move along with purpose, so although the pace is not too fast there is little time for lingering and picture-taking before we move on to the next stop (it felt very rude to snap while he was speaking to us, but we did a few times nonetheless). I would definitely recommend his company's tours to anyone interested in learning history about the areas in and around London!
Written 3 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John Q
17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Interesting and informative walk around a less well-known part of London, conducted at a reasonable pace. Tom was knowledgeable, easily heard and did a great job of unravelling fact from fiction. Would thoroughly recommend.
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lawrence B
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Couples
Tom was brilliant! My partner and I joined a small walking tour for 2 hours and it was amazing. He knows so much about London and was open to questions throughout; and we learned a great deal about the area. He took us down some of the backstreets you wouldn’t normally come across, pointing out fascinating facts and stories from centuries ago. We’ve been telling friends about this tour ever since.

Tom is engaging and knowledgeable and we would definitely recommend and may even do another one of his tours as we live in London!
Written 26 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Resort56022068761
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Friends
This was my first walking tour and Tom came recommended. He did not disappoint and 2 hours flew by very quickly. I learnt so much about the borough and Tom delivers his mini history lesson in a very engaging manner. He encourages questions and nothing seems too much trouble. What a nice chap! I'll definately be back to join in one of his other tours.
Written 8 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rosemary M
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
This was our second outing with Tom so we felt assured that we were going to be finding out a great deal about London’s rich history over the next two hours.. you have to pay attention, as there’s much to learn and each and every (sometimes grim) detail is absorbing and fascinating. Tom takes you away from the busy high street into alleys, lanes and churchyards you would never notice otherwise. His walking tours are simply the best and most engaging way of fuelling one’s imagination of London’s incredible past.
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Liz
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Another fantastic walking tour of the Southwark areas of London.. 2 hrs just sped by ! Was so interesting and again left us with the feeling of being a little more knowledgeable about some of the history to our capital city!
Tom’s a great guide … brings to every tour the right level of informative but also appreciate the back history to places we’d have just walked by without knowing it’s past ‘usage’
Just brilliant!
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heather Y
Maidstone, UK9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2025 • Couples
Tom was incredibly informative and really does know his stuff. This tour was so interesting, I like to think I’m well read in Londons history but I learnt so much right from the off! Even though the weather was a bit miserable we were captivated throughout. 💯 recommend and will definitely be doing some of the other tours of Toms and also was thinking these will be great gifts ideas too for loved ones who love history!
Written 16 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kia W
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
A wonderful Friday morning spent with Tom who told us everything we wanted to know about the history of the Southwark area - we will certainly pick up some of our Dickens' books this autumn. Tom explained how hard life could be for the less lucky people just hundred years ago, far away from the glittering TV series of the early 20th century aristocracy. We can recommend this tour to anyone curious to know what has been going on in real life not far from the fancy parts of London. And be sure - we will try all the other tours as well!
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rosiemulford
Surbiton, UK26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Family
Amazing tour! Tom was so knowledgable, had so many fun anecdotes and facts to tell and we learnt so much in the two hours.

It was the perfect amount of time, with a great amount of information but not an overload. Will definitely do one of his other tours at some point!
Written 3 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough provided by Historic London Tours

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