London is a HUGE city, packed with humans, old buildings, delicious food and a deeply rooted history. It’s one of those iconic cities that even those travellers who don’t have an interest cities, often have it on their bucket list.
Why? Because it’s London, baby!
As a traveller heading to London, it’s hard to scratch the surface of the city’s beating heart. The city is vast and there is A LOT to see and do. Most travellers will have the usual suspects on their itinerary – you know: see Big Ben, ride on the London Eye, visit the Palace.
But it’s difficult to get a glimpse under the covers as to what the city is really about without a local to show you around; I’m talking the history, the food, the culture. Lucky for us, Airbnb has launched Airbnb Experiences which is literally that – a local to show you around their home!
AT A GLANCE: Our Top 3 Picks for Airbnb Experiences in London
From discovering hidden pubs, enjoying a bike ride around London or maybe high tea at Kensington Gardens? There are so many Airbnb Experiences in London to choose from – so, I’ve done us a favour and collated the BEST of the best experiences on offer.
So, without further ado, let’s get into them.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
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Top 10 Airbnb Experiences in London
London is a city with a pulse and a fast one at that. Have you been to Waterloo Station at 5 pm? This place can get seriously wild. However, with Airbnb Experiences in London, you can find small pockets of magic all across the city, with the guidance of a local to show you the way. Whether you’re a foodie or a history buff, there is something for everyone on this list.
Each of the Airbnb Experiences in London that I’ve selected has a TON of stellar reviews so you don’t just have to take my word for it – these are some of the best things to do when visiting London.
So, here are the best Airbnb Experiences in London:
| THE BEST AIRBNB EXPERIENCES IN LONDON | |||
|---|---|---|---|
#1  | Hidden Pubs of London
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#2  | Retired Royal Guard Iconic London Walk
| VIEW ON AIRBNB | |
#3  | No Diet Club – Best Food in East London
| VIEW ON AIRBNB | |
1. Hidden Pubs of London
You can’t travel to the UK without immersing yourself in the pub culture in one way or another! This Hidden Pubs of London tour is the PERFECT way to experience the pub life in this iconic city. The tour is three hours long during which time you’ll journey through the historical ‘street of shame’.
The tour begins at St Paul’s Cathedral, and from there you’ll explore the windy backstreets and courtyards of London, following in the footsteps of some of the UK’s greatest literary legends – including Dickens, Shakespeare and more. There are four pub stops at pubs that date back as far as the 1500s – crazy, right?!
This is a fantastic way to dive into the famous UK pub culture and sample some of the best watering holes in the city. The hosts share spellbinding stories and history tales that keep you hooked throughout the tour. Just make sure your hotel in London is within stumbling distance!
- Price: $
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Review: 4.9/5
2. Retired Royal Guard Iconic London Walk
The Royal family are a fascinating bunch and are one of the top tourist highlights when heading to London. Rich in history, scandals and stories there’s a lot to learn about the Royals during your adventures in London.
So, why not learn about it from a retired London Police Inspector (David) who spent nine years in the Royal Protection Squad at Buckingham Palace? Yep, this man is pretty cool and has a lot of knowledge to share. During your tour, David will take you around the Royal palace and other famous royal sites, he will share personal experiences with the Royal Family.
The tour will take you around Trafalgar Square, then to watch the Changing of the King’s Guard (an iconic London activity), head to St James’ Palace and Clarence. You’ll head over to Buckingham Palace, Parliament Square… and more! There is a lot to see and learn on this tour with David as he takes you around some of the best places to visit in London.
Bazarly, David will also show you a piece of Prince William and Kate’s wedding cake… I’m not sure how well it would’ve held up! You’ll have to let me know…
- Price: $
- Duration: 3 hours
- Review: 4.9/5
3. No Diet Club – Best Food in East London
London has some HELLA good food options, like seriously, some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. For a country whose most famous meal comes with mushy peas and curry sauce, they have really outdone themself with the food scene in London.
However, there are almost too many options. How the heck are you supposed to decide which ones are the top of the food hierearchy? Well, folks, I can tell you how – you can join this iconic ‘No Diet Club’ food tour in London, where you can sample the best indulgent delicacies the east of the city has to offer.
These No Diet Club food tours started in 2017, so these guys know what they are doing when it comes to the London food scene. London is a multicultural city that is brimming with tantalising tastes from all over the world. From local cheeses, mouth-watering pies, London’s best chai, homemade pizza and MORE.
All the food is included in the price of the tour (love that, no hidden costs!) Plus, vegetarians are welcome. If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to add this one to your London itinerary.
- Price: $$
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Review: 4.9/5
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View on Osprey View on REI4. London’s Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour
If you’re a die-hard Harry Potter fan you will LOVE this tour. Or, even if you are not a die-hard fan, but you are travelling with kids, it is a fantastic day out for them. This walking tour takes you through over 10 movie set locations and many of the locations that inspired JK Rowling.
The tour starts at Kings Cross Train Station where you can check out the filming location for platform 9 3/4 (do not try to run at the wall, I repeat, do not try to run at the wall). You’ll head to Leicester Square, London Bridge and more.
And the best part? Kids under 13 can join for FREE! Just book yourself in and let them know how many kids you’ll be bringing… I told ya it was a good family day out! This is easily one of the best things to do in London if you’re travelling with kids.
- Price: $
- Duration: 3 hours
- Review: 4.8/5
5. Royal London Bike Ride, with Cosy Ale Pub and Street Art
If you like to keep things active while exploring the city, this bike tour is an ICONIC way to explore the city like a local. The tour provides you with hand-built British bikes that are in really good nick (which if you’ve ever been on a bike tour before, you’ll know it’s not always the case!)
The bike tour will take you around some of London’s most iconic sights, as well as lesser-known hidden gems. You’ll bike around a mix of backstreets and dedicated bike lanes – don’t worry, the biking is not too strenuous; London is very flat!
The ride takes you from Big Ben, past Westminster Abbey and over to Buckingham Palace, wave a quick hello to Charlie, if he’s home – watch the changing of the guards, before continuing along.
There is a break from biking where you can enjoy a pint of beer at a historic, cosy pub. But lastly (my favourite part of the tour!), you’ll get to try your hand at street art with spray paint in Banksy’s graffiti tunnel.
- Price: $$
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Review: 4.9/5
6. Royal High Tea at Kensington Palace
A royal high tea at Kensington Palace? C’mon, it doesn’t get much more British than that! However, the high tea is just one part of this Airbnb Experience in London. The tour starts with a stroll around Kensington Gardens where you’ll learn the history behind the gardens from your passionate and entertaining guide.
Once you’ve soaked in the beauty and history of the gardens, you’ll head into the gorgeous 18th-century tea house, The Orangery. Where again, you’ll not only get to enjoy the delicious afternoon tea but you’ll also learn more about the UK’s national drink and further history and insights into the Royal Family.
- Price: $$$
- Duration: 2 hours
- Review: 4.8/5
7. Obi’s African & Caribbean Food Tour in Brixton Market
You know how I mentioned earlier that London is brimming with cuisines from all over the world? This Airbnb Experience in London is a food tour for those who LOVE (or are interested in trying out) African and Caribbean cuisine.
The tour takes you not only around the most delicious food in the area but also on a journey through Brixton itself. Obi will reveal hidden gems, uncover local artwork and dive into the history of Brixton.
But the highlight of the tour is really the food (duh!). You’ll head to the bustling hub of Brixton Market, where you’ll journey through a world that will stimulate your senses with tantalising flavours and fascinating cultures. It’s an immersive experience full of delicious stalls selling a wide variety of foods.
The best of the food will be from the local eateries that specialise in African and Caribbean cuisine. Whether you’ve eaten these indigenous flavours a million times or if this is your first experience, you’ll love it either way. The tour welcomes those who are vegetarian, gluten or dairy-free or eat halal.
- Price: $$
- Duration: 3 hours
- Review: 5/5
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View on REI Read Our Review8. Penny Farthing Bike Tour London
I remember being in primary school in the UK when a man came in with one of these penny-farthing bikes for us to try. It’s one of those core memories that I feel like I’ll remember forever. So, the idea of doing a penny-farthing bike tour around London seems like a bloody EPIC (and memorable) day out!
For those of you who aren’t British or are thinking WTF is a penny-farthing bike – these are bikes that have been around in London since the late 19th century. They are high-wheel bikes with a MASSIVE front wheel and a tiny back wheel. The wheels resemble the British penny and farthing coin – hence the name!
The tour includes a leisurely guided bike around the Westminster area, passing by some of London’s most iconic spots. Including the Palace of Westminster, the gardens of 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. Plus, you’ll also have short photo stops and a coffee break along the way.
This is SUCH a British way to explore the city, especially if you’ve only got a weekend in London. However, it can be a physically demanding experience! So I’d consider your fitness level before locking in this Airbnb Experience in London.
- Price: $$$
- Duration: 3 hours
- Review: 4.9/5
9. Explore London’s History with an Archaeologist
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
From the city’s roots as the Roman settlement of Londinium to the rocky medieval times, up until now. There is more to London than meets the eye and this tour is one of the best Airbnb Experiences to uncover more about the city. Khalid will be your guide for this tour and is one bloody knowledgeable man. He is a highly experienced, professional archaeologist so you can trust that this guy knows his stuff.
During the tour, Khalid reveals a hidden history that you would never expect as a run-of-the-mill London tourist. He not only takes you on a journey through the history of royalty and aristocracy but also that of everyday people. Passing by iconic landmarks as well as less-known hidden gems in London.
If you’re a history buff or just fancy diving into the past of how London became the place it is today – this tour is top-tier.
- Price: $$
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Review: 4.9/5
10. Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour
If you love good music and a splash of crafty liquid gold, this Airbnb Experience in London is for you. The tour will take you on a journey to four hidden, local pubs in unique locations. The musical past (and present) is captivatingly hilarious and mischievous. As you can imagine, your tour guides are quirky, comedic and entertaining.
During the tour, you’ll get to see where the Rolling Stones kicked off their career, where the Beatles recorded ‘Hey Jude’, Jimi Hendrix’s local party spot and the pub where The Who got the boot for life! Not to mention a stop-in at Mozart’s home, David Bowie’s hangout spots and SO SO much more.
There is a fascinating history of creatives tucked beneath the surface of this bustling city. So, join this tour to have a drink with locals while they reveal Soho’s history that is hidden from most!
- Price: $
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Review: 4.9/5
Top Tips For Getting The Most From Airbnb Experiences
- Book in Advance: Popular experiences tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. Booking early usually ensures you get a spot.
- Ask Questions: Since these are small, intimate groups, you’ll have the chance to ask your host lots of questions and learn even more about the experience.
- Check Reviews: Always read other travellers’ reviews to get an idea of what to expect and any tips they might have.
- Combine Experiences: Plan your days around different types of Airbnb experiences to get a well-rounded view.
Can You Trust Airbnb Experiences?
You may know that many Airbnb Experiences are curated by lay people rather than ‘professionals’. You may therefore wonder whether Airbnb Experiences are worthy of your time, trust and money.
Well, let me put your mind at ease here. These are just a few of the things that Airbnb does to ensure our safety:
- Vetting hosts: Hosts must meet specific criteria, including showcasing expertise in their respective fields and offering a unique experience that aligns with Airbnb’s values of authentic, local-driven activities.
- Cancellation Policy: Airbnb offers a decent level of flexibility with its cancellation policies for experiences, although the specific terms depend on the host. Some experiences do have stricter policies, so it’s always a good idea to check the specific terms listed on the booking page before you make a reservation.
- Liability: While each host is expected to maintain their own level of responsibility for the safety and delivery of the experience, Airbnb covers certain incidents through its Experience Protection Insurance. However, you should always take your own travel insurance before any trip.. which leads me to my next point.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for London
Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect it. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to London.
Month to month payments, no lock-in contracts, and no itineraries required: that’s the exact kind of insurance digital nomads and long-term traveller types need. Cover yo’ pretty little self while you live the DREAM!
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to work! Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Airbnb Experiences in London
As you can see, there are SO many fascinating Airbnb Experiences in London to choose from. Whether you’d like to dive into the history of the city, enjoy a fancy high tea or eat all of the best food in town – there’s an Airbnb Experience to suit everyone.
Each of these experiences has been hand-picked based on personal experiences, reviews from other travellers and what I think you might like! I love the Airbnb Experiences in London (and elsewhere) as it offers a more “local” view into a city that can be hard to scratch past the surface.
Whatever you end up doing in London, I hope you fall in love with the city as much as it did <3
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
- Check out our ultimate guide to backpacking in London.
- There are heaps of totally epic places to visit in London.
- Get planning your London itinerary to maximise your experience.
- Have a look at our guide to where to stay in London to choose the perfect area!
- You’ll need a hostel in London – it’s a great way to start your trip!
- Get yourself covered with travel insurance for the UK before you leave.
- Check out our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
- Our in-depth backpacking packing list has all the info you’ll need for your trip.
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