News, Booze and Bad Behaviour: A mischievous meander through Fleet Street’s Historic Pubs
Booking Details
Tastings: Visit 5 of London's most unique drinking establishments. Sampling local brews and traditional pub grub.
Duration: 3:00pm - 6:00pm Daily
Location: Blackfriars, River Thames, Fleet Street, The Old Bailey
Perfect for: A humourful afternoon look at London's scandal and intruige.
Group discounts: For groups above 6 please email us and we will arrange a private experience.
Adult Price
£ 80
Tour Description
Step off the tourist trail and into the London that headlines were too polite to print.
On this afternoon walking tour, you’ll wander from Blackfriars Bridge to the shadow of the Old Bailey, slipping into five characterful historic pubs along the way. This isn’t a messy pub crawl – it’s a smart, witty, story-soaked wander through the old heart of British journalism, fuelled by good beer and even better gossip.
Over a relaxed few hours you will:
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Sip a drink in five handpicked pubs, each with its own story, quirks and colourful past
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Hear how Fleet Street became the nerve centre of British journalism – and the scandals that followed
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Stand on streets reshaped by the Great Fire of London and discover how it really unfolded around here
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Uncover tales of spies, scandals, reporters and rogues in the shadows of the Old Bailey
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Discover the drinking dens where editors plotted, reporters celebrated scoops and reputations were quietly destroyed
You’ll leave feeling like you’ve been let in on London’s private jokes – the kind of stories that don’t usually make it into guidebooks.
More Than “Just” a Pub Tour
Yes, there’s beer. Very good beer, in fact.
But this experience is really about the stories:
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Murky deals and media mischief
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Careers made and broken over a quiet pint
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Dark corners, secret back rooms and whispered conversations that changed front pages
Think historical thriller meets bar-hopping with a sharp-witted local, rather than a rowdy night out.
A drink is included at each stop and you can choose whether beer, wine or even a gin and tonic or similar.
Who It’s Perfect For
This tour is ideal if you:
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Are looking for something a little more interesting than the usual sightseeing
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Enjoy a well-poured pint, glass of wine or G&T, but also appreciate context and conversation
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Are wanting a deeper cut of London – the stuff locals talk about after a couple of drinks
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Prefer couples, groups of friends or solo travellers looking for a fun but fascinating afternoon.
Whether you’re a couple looking for a different kind of date, friends on a city break or a solo traveller who enjoys good company, you’ll feel right at home.
Tour Highlights
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Start at Blackfriars Bridge, with the Thames rolling by and the city’s history all around you
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Explore the alleyways and courtyards off Fleet Street that most people walk straight past
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Visit five distinct historic pubs – from ornate Victorian splendour to cosy nooks steeped in gossip
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Finish by the Old Bailey, where tales of crime, justice and press sensationalism come together
What you will enjoy?
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Intimate group size: just 6 guests max. We will blend in with the locals.
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Five distinctive pubs: chosen for their stories, not just their beer taps.
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Local drinks: A small pour of something special at every stop—no pressure to keep up, just enough to savour.
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Tales to remember: hauntings, hangings, hidden tunnels, and a whole lot of history with a humorous twist.
Gallery
What you need to know
Tour runs daily and starts at 3:00pm
Tour lasts about 3 hours.
As we’ll be visiting some great pubs this tour isn’t suitable for under 16’s.
It’s not a pub crawl, more of a drink with friends sharing stories and tales. (How it should be)
For groups of 7 or more please give us a shout on london@bitestours.com
FAQs
We think the best time for a tour is about 3 hours. We will be there or thereabouts. If you would like a more in depth London food tour please email us london@bitestours.com We can tailor-make a specific tour to suit your needs.
Once your booking is confirmed we send you an email with useful information. This includes the tour start point and time. Don’t worry our starting points are easy to find.
You will also have the details of your guide including a phone number if you get lost.
All of the food and drinks in the itinerary are included. Enough for a big lunch or dinner. You only need to bring your camera and an empty stomach.
For some of our tours we offer an alcohol add on package. This can vary for each tour so check on the relevant tour page for what drinks are included.
Tips for your friendly guides are not included and at your discretion.
We’ll be walking from stop to stop so please wear comfortable shoes.
Also, this is England. Be prepared for rain. Apart from that bring your camera and of course an empty stomach. We’re going to eat, eat, eat.
Our tours are rain or shine events. If it rains we try and alter the route so you are covered as much as possible.
This is England though, it does rain. Please arrive prepared for rain even if it looks like a lovely day.
Yes, vegetarians can be catered for. Please make sure you let us know at the time of booking.
We will do our best to accommodate other dietary needs however we cannot promise that every stop will be able to meet these needs. Vegetarians are fine though.
If you have a serious food allergy our food tours probably aren’t for you. We have had a few people come along with the rest of their group and still have a great time though.
Our guides will do their best to accommodate you with some alternative bites. You will still get to enjoy all of the cool stories and tales of London.
For less serious allergies please inform us at time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Our Borough market tour is not suitable for Gluten free diets. If you are Gluten free please book a private Borough market tour and inform us at time of booking.
Yes for private groups please send an email to london@bitestours.com to find out more.
Yes we do. Our private food tours are very popular so please make sure you book in advance. Please send an email to london@bitestours.com or book on our website for £120 per person. We need a minimum of 2 people.
Yes we do. Food tours are a great way for corporate groups and teams to bond and get away from the stresses of everyday work life.
We have hosted corporate food tours for companies like of Google and Allianz as well as University groups from overseas and locally. Please send us an email and we can help your group out london@bitestours.com
You can cancel anytime 24 hours prior to the tour start and receive a full refund. Any cancellations less than 24 hours can’t be refunded as we need to pay guides and suppliers. We will do our best to move you to another date or time slot if need be.