London Historic Pubs Tour
Raise a glass to London’s pub past on the SANDEMANs Historic Pubs Tour!
ABOUT THE London Historic Pubs Tour
From cozy, wood-paneled watering holes to quirky alehouses with centuries of stories, this tour takes you deep into the heart of Covent Garden’s pub scene — one pint at a time.
We kick things off with a proper pint at The Harp, one of CAMRA’s most celebrated pubs, where you'll learn the difference between cask and keg, ale and lager, and why hand-pulled pints matter to serious beer lovers. Then it’s off to The Marquis, a vibrant boozer filled with thousands of vinyl records, colourful stories of highwaymen, and a real passion for live music and great ale.
Next, step inside The Salisbury, a jaw-dropping Victorian gem with mirrors, cut glass, and a few scandalous West End tales to match. At The Lamb & Flag, dive into Covent Garden’s rough-and-tumble past — from bare-knuckle boxing to literary legends.
We’ll stroll through Covent Garden Market, where you’ll hear about the tradition of street performers, magic acts, and a little wizardry that’s long been part of the area's charm. Then we drop into The Crown & Anchor, where the ghosts of 19th-century breweries meet Monty Python and a stellar lineup of cask ales.
We finish at The Cross Keys, a true local’s pub packed with memorabilia and heart — the kind of place you’ll want to settle in for “just one more.”
This is more than a pub crawl. It’s a journey through London’s beer-loving, actor-haunting, music-playing, history-making past. Come thirsty. Leave happy.
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Meet your guide in front of the Apple Store in Covent Garden - Kick off the experience in one of London’s most iconic and lively squares.
- The Harp – A Swift Half - Voted CAMRA Pub of the Year multiple times. Discover the differences between cask vs keg, ale vs lager, and what makes a good cellar. A classic pub with great beer credentials.
- The Marquis – A Cheeky Half - A vinyl-lover’s dream with over 3,000 records you can spin. Packed with stories of highwaymen, Dickens, and musical history. Excellent cask ales in a laid-back atmosphere.
- The Salisbury – A Beautiful Half - A stunning 18th-century interior full of cut glass and stage-worthy flair. Ties to the Gunpowder Plot and West End theatre mischief. Don't miss the Timothy Taylor’s Landlord.
- The Lamb & Flag – A Historic Half - Claimed to be Covent Garden’s oldest pub, with tales of bare-knuckle brawls and Sunday night jazz. Excellent rotating ales and timeless character.
- Covent Garden Market – A Magical Stroll - Wander through the heart of London’s street performance scene — a haven for magicians, artists, and entertainers for centuries.
- The Crown & Anchor – A Stop-Off Half - Learn about the Neal Street breweries of the 1800s, the Mrs Smith Gallery, and the pub's links to Monty Python. Great selection of cask and keg beers.
- The Cross Keys – A Boozer’s Half - A final pint in a true local gem, filled with quirky memorabilia and a warm, unpretentious atmosphere.
TOUR SCHEDULES
This tour doesn‘t run today
- Local, expert, English-speaking guide
- 3 half pints along the way
- Additional beer/wine tastings
- Gratuities for the guide (optional)
- The ticket price includes a half-pint of beer at each pub, carefully selected for you by your local guide.

Experience the London's history with a beer in your hand!
Our Historic Pubs Tour takes you to the best pubs in the city.
The Pub Tour is operated by SANDEMANs NEW Europe. A member of our staff, an Experience Leader, will accompany you during this evening. Your Experience Leader will escort your group, will liaise with venues and will make sure everything runs smoothly.
Enjoy a a relaxing afternoon with SANDEMANs
- Expert local guides
- History and beer all in one!