Free Soho Tour London

Visit the Palladium, where The Beatles had their first ever gig in London and the term “Beatlemania” was coined.
Walk through Carnaby Street, the birthplace of the Swinging 1960’s, and the place where the first miniskirt was made.
See the Red Lion Pub where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were asked to write the Communist Manifesto.

Latest reviews

13/04/24

Marion

07/04/24

Nathan

06/04/24

Very interesting. Excellent tour guide James. Highly recommendable.

Alexander

06/04/24

Lisa

27/03/24

A really interesting and enjoyable tour finding out about places i usually walk past quite unaware of their history.

Lynne

25/03/24

Eine wirklich interessante und abwechslungsreiche Tour, die Erzählungen waren sehr lebendig. 😀

Maria

17/03/24

LOLA

17/03/24

Becky

08/03/24

Excellent guided walk led by Colin. The two hours flew by. Would not hesitate to use local guides again, obviously passionate and knowledgeable about the area.

Lynn

Join the Free Soho Tour and come on a journey through London’s most iconic neighborhood. No other location in the world has had as much influence on pop culture as this hectic, mad, and charming enclave in Central London. It was the very heart of London’s seedy underbelly and the temple of Swinging Sixties London. It has been a favorite of musicians, writers, bohemians, and subcultures since the mid-19th century. Sign up for the Soho Free Tour to find out more about this fascinating neighborhood! Most tours will begin near the London Palladium Theater, one of the most famous venues in London, where The Beatles had their first ever London gig. Other iconic acts who have played there include the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

As you walk its energetic streets, you’ll come across the birthplace of the swinging sixties, Carnaby Street. The cultural and street style epicenter; home to Mods, Punks, Skinheads, and New Romantics. As you stroll down the street, you’ll hear about the likes of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, and the Sex Pistols, and their relevance to Soho. Music is the lifeblood of the area and it has some of the oldest and most emblematic clubs and jazz clubs in the country, such as Ronnie Scotts. The tour will take the group to the Old Red-Light District and cover taboo topics like prostitution and the history of the sex industry. Soho has also long been the heart of London’s LGBTQ+ community. A short walk away is the Admiral Duncan, London’s oldest gay pub.

Soho is always at the vanguard of many cultural and social movements. On this tour you'll discover the side of Soho that has attracted writers and intellectuals for centuries and visit the Red Lion pub frequented by Karl Marx and Fred Engels. You might have a chance to walk around Chinatown, where you’ll find a host of Chinese restaurants and traditional Chinese stores. Whether you’re interested in hearing more about musicians and celebrities in London, or if you’re a history of politics buff, join the Free Soho Walking Tour and discover a neighborhood where legacies are born. During the tour, do not hesitate to ask your guide as many questions as you wish. And, of course, you’ll come away with a host of recommendations and tips for the rest of your stay.