By Nicholas Katers
The Best Sightseeing Tours in London
Tourists trying to navigate London's bustling streets should consider sightseeing tours. First-time visitors to London often overlook major attractions while trying to keep their eyes on the road. The best tours are led by experienced guides familiar with the city's history, culture and quirks. London offers tours by boat, bicycle and bus so travelers can see the city from different angles.
(Note: Phone numbers are given as if calling from the U.S. or
Canada. If calling from outside of the U.S. or Canada, dial 00 instead of 011.)
London Ducktours
The typical London Ducktours trip takes tourists past the London Eye, Parliament and Downing Street. Each London Ducktours coach is amphibious and floats along the Thames past the Florence Nightingale Museum in the final stretch. The tour company accommodates up to 30 passengers in each tour, with advanced reservations recommended. London Ducktours operates daily tours during the late spring and summer from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The company offers online, phone and in-person booking to accommodate travelers year-round.
London Ducktours
55 York Road
London, SE1 7NJ, United Kingdom
011 (+44) 020 7928 3132
www.londonducktours.co.uk
Evan Evans Tours
Evan Evans Tours takes tourists past Big Ben and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace during its Essential London Tour. The company's City of London Tour features a detailed tour of St. Paul's Cathedral, the River Thames and other destinations. Music fans see the London homes of artists like Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison and Jimmy Page on the Rock 'N Roll London Tour. Evan Evans Tours accepts reservations by online form, phone and fax from around the world.
Evan Evans Tours
258 Vauxhall Bridge Road
Victoria, London SW1V 1BS, United Kingdom
011 (+44) 020 7950 1777
www.evanevanstours.co.uk
London Bicycles Tours by Lord Jolly
London Bicycle Tours by Lord Jolly offers its Guided Bicycle Tour of Central London daily from July through September. This basic three-hour tour takes cyclists past Hyde Park, Lambeth Palace and 10 Downing Street. The Friday Evening Bicycle Jolly takes patrons along the River Thames Path to nearby neighborhoods and pubs for a relaxing Friday ride. Every patron at London Bicycle Tours by Lord Jolly rents a helmet and bicycle as part of the tour cost.
London Bicycles Tours by Lord Jolly
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1, United Kingdom
011 (+44) 07525 662 164
www.lordjolly.com
The Original London Sightseeing Tour
The Original London Sightseeing Tour's Original Tour is a two-hour journey from Piccadilly Circus past the Horse Guards' Parade to Shakespeare's Globe. The company's City Sightseeing Tour explains the history of the Wellington Museum, Hyde Park and the HMS Belfast in seven languages. The Museum Tour examines the history of London as the coach passes Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall and the Science Museum. Each guest is entitled to a walking tour of included destinations as well as a guided walk of the River Thames with admission.
The Original London Sightseeing Tour
Jews Row
Wandsworth, London SW18 1TB, United Kingdom
(+011) 44 020 8877 1722
www.theoriginaltour.com
Resources
About the Author:
Nicholas Katers has been a freelance writer since 2006. He teaches American history at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. His past works include articles for "CCN Magazine," "The History Teacher" and "The Internationalist" magazine. Katers holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in American history from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, respectively.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Andrew Page (Flickr)
