A FREE tour! I think that’s every travelers dream. Or at least it’s mine. Tours are something I’ve always had a fancy for, especially when you’re trying to fit in as much as possible, but don’t know where and how to start at times. I think of it as a traveler’s “day-off” from travel planning and having to think about all the logistics of where to go and how to get there. Also, exploring a new place is never a dull moment when someone who knows the history and all it’s quirks is leading the way.
I was extremely delighted when Leena had a free tour booked during our short stay in London. It was definitely a highlight of our trip, and one I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good walk and some history. And if you’re blessed with a sarcastic tour guide – Jackpot, you are a winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Here’s everything you need to know about booking a free London tour, and beyond!
All about Strawberry Tours
Strawberry Tours is a travel company specializing in free walking tours and guided city experiences worldwide. They operate as a “free” walking tour service, although participants typically tip the guide at the end based on their experience and as a token of appreciation for their service. Some may argue this isn’t truly free, although, for the time and effort these local-based guides are taking to volunteer their expertise, it most certainly is worth it.
The company’s main focus is to bring people together and to share local gems. You will find tours geared towards local history, culture, and popular landmarks – providing any traveler with an overall wholesome experience. The walking tours will also vary in duration, based on number of people, weather changes, etc. So make sure to always be prepared for unexpected weather conditions, especially for cities like London.
P.s. Unfortunately, I am not paid for any recommendations I provide on my blog, simply sharing for the sake of sharing and love for making travel accessible for all!
Walking tour attractions
Our free London tour consisted of many landmarks, all of which were architecturally stunning and a great insight of the city’s long history.
The attractions we visited were:
- Big Ben
- House of Parliament
- Westminster Abbey
- Buckingham Palace
- Churchill War Rooms
- St. James’ Palace
- St. James’ Park
- Leicester Square
- 10 Downing Street
- The Commonwealth Gates
- The Mall
- Parliament Square
For a better visual of all the landmarks, where they are located within the city, and further information, I recommend checking out the tour link here.
The experience
Now, for the best part – the experience. Overall, the experience was a solid 9/10, only because the weather was a bit colder for comfort. Of course it was expected, knowing it was the end of December and rain and gloomy skies were part of the forecast. Other than the weather, the walk was enjoyable, seeing so many historical buildings and landmarks was intriguing, the context provided by our tour guide was captivating, and the pace of how the tour progressed was reasonable. Brief snack, drink, and shelter breaks were also provided, considering it would sprinkle and rain here and there.
Towards the end of our tour, the sky eventually started to clear up and the sun occasionally made an appearance, making the entirety of the experience well worth the struggle walking in the cold.
By the time we departed from our tour guide and group, Leena and I approved our tour guide would be the token white man in our friend group. Apologies, his name completely escaped my mind….
Recommendations
- Wear comfortable shoes!
- Bring snacks & liquids.
- Be prepared for weather changes.
- Tipping the tour guide after the tour is highly recommended.
As always, happy travels!
