If you love old pubs, this walk hits the spot. You’ll tour London’s oldest taverns while sampling classic British pub food and real ales.

Two things I really like: the small-group feel (max 12) and the way each stop mixes food with story. One thing to consider: the included food is very much snack size, so don’t treat this as a full meal.

Key highlights that matter before you go

• Four food tastings + four drinks built into a 3.5-hour afternoon, so you’re not hunting for pubs or menus
• Ye Olde Mitre (built 1546), Ye Olde Cock Tavern (since 1549), and other very old stops you can actually picture in your head
• Local English-speaking guide with pub-and-neighborhood context, plus short walks between sites
• Classic pub pairings like pork pie with ale, sausage roll with cider, and devilled whitebait with stout
• Shuffleboard at the end (weather permitting at the pub), which adds a fun twist beyond just eating and drinking

The big idea: old pubs, real food, and a guided stroll

London has pubs everywhere, but not all of them feel like a time machine. This tour is built around places that have survived for centuries, so the buildings themselves do half the work for the stories.

What makes it work is the rhythm. You’ll stop, eat, drink, and then move on at a steady pace—no long dead time. And because it’s capped at 12 people, you’re more likely to feel part of the group instead of a spectator in the back.

Starting at St Andrew Holborn Garden: quick setup, then you’re off

Your meet point is St Andrew Holborn Garden (Holborn Viaduct), London EC4A 3AF, starting at 3:00 pm. The good news is it’s near public transportation.

The small gotcha: the meeting spot is a garden area next to a church. If you’re standing there with your phone open and feeling uncertain, you’re not alone. I’d suggest pulling up the map early and using landmarks rather than relying on street-level assumptions.

From there, you’ll head into the City with a local guide who sets the tone fast: you’re not just touring pubs, you’re learning how London drank and ate day to day.

Stop 1: Ye Olde Mitre (built 1546) and the pork pie starter

Ye Olde Mitre is your first “how is this still here?” moment. Built in 1546, it has that Tudor-style look outside and an old, cozy pub feel inside once you step in.

You’ll get your first tasting: pork pie with half a pint of London Pride Ale. It’s a classic pairing—simple, British, and perfect for getting your stomach ready for the rest of the tour.

Why this stop is a smart opener: the guide can set the broader context of London pub culture while you’re still fresh and walking. And because this place is iconic, it’s a comfortable anchor before you shift into smaller, more off-the-grid taverns.

Stop 2: The Old Bell Tavern near the Covent Garden edges

From Mitre, you’ll walk to The Old Bell Tavern, described as a calmer break from the busy streets nearby. It’s a great contrast stop: still traditional, but more “pause and settle in” than “museum you can’t touch.”

Your tasting here is fish goujons & chips with half a pint of Old Rosie Cider. If you’re a cider fan, this is an easy win. If cider isn’t your thing, you can treat this as a food stop first—the pub food is the main event in this pairing.

This stop also does something useful for your planning: it keeps the walk time short and predictable. You’ll keep moving without feeling rushed, and that matters on a 3.5-hour afternoon.

Stop 3: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese (15th century) and devilled whitebait with stout

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is the “this pub has famous writing-energy” stop. It’s a 15th century inn, and the tour description highlights that it’s drawn well-known names across centuries, including Mark Twain, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens, and Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Here you’ll try deep-fried whitebait paired with half a pint of stout. Whitebait is one of those foods that tastes small but feels very British—crispy, salty, and best when eaten hot.

A balanced note: fried seafood isn’t everyone’s favorite. Some people love it; some want more heft. If you’re picky about texture, pace yourself and focus on one tasting at a time so you don’t end up forcing bites later.

Stop 4: Ye Olde Cock Tavern on the Thames and the scotch egg finish

Your final pub is Ye Olde Cock Tavern, with roots going back to 1549. It’s on the banks of the River Thames, which gives it extra atmosphere, especially if the light is good.

Inside, you’ll find heavy wooden beams and low ceilings—exactly the kind of place where stories feel less like trivia and more like something you’re sitting inside of. Here, your tasting is scotch egg with half a pint of portobello ale.

And there’s one more fun extra: shuffleboard. Depending on how the pub runs it, you may be able to play while you’re finishing your last drinks and chatting with the group. It’s a simple activity, but it’s a nice way to end without everyone rushing out right after the last pint.

The tastings and drinks: snack-sized, pub-classic, and easy to share

This tour is built for enjoyment, not stuffing. The “lunch included” language can be confusing if you expect a sit-down meal. In practice, you’re getting light bites at each stop, plus drinks, across the full 3 hours 30 minutes.

From the sample menu you can expect classic pairings like:

• Pork pie + London Pride Ale
• Fish goujons & chips + Old Rosie Cider
• Devilled whitebait + stout (served as deep-fried whitebait)
• Scotch egg + portobello ale

A common theme in the better moments: each stop’s food is freshly served and hot, which makes the tastings feel more like a proper experience than a pre-portioned snack.

The drawback to plan for: portion sizes can feel small if you usually eat big while traveling. If you’re hungry-hungry, I’d treat this as your early dinner plan later rather than your only meal—especially since you’ll be drinking too.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $95.29

At $95.29 per person for about 3.5 hours, the value comes from a few specific things working together:

1) You’re paying for access and structure, not just food. The pubs are chosen for age and atmosphere, and you’re moving through them in a planned order.

2) You’re paying for the built-in pairing. Four drinks plus four food tastings add up fast if you try to replicate it on your own.

3) You’re paying for a small group and a local guide. This isn’t a lecture in a classroom. It’s more like guided wandering with a story thread.

Also, booking averages at about 64 days in advance. That’s a clue that popular time slots can go quickly, so if you want a specific afternoon, I’d lock it in sooner rather than later.

The guide makes or breaks it: what the best tours do right

The tour’s format depends heavily on your guide. Luckily, the guide quality looks consistently strong, with names like Sharan, Charo, Becki, Shadow, Pete, Susannah, Alex, Sophie, Anne, and Sue showing up as standout leaders in real experiences.

What these good guides tend to do:

• Connect the pub to the neighborhood and street-level detail
• Keep the pace moving while still telling stories
• Make the group feel included, not just talked at
• Add small moments of fun (like the shuffleboard finish)

If you get one of these guides, you’ll likely come away with a stronger sense of how London pubs shaped daily life—plus you’ll have a few places you’d actually return to on your own.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip)

This tour is best for you if you want:

• A historical pub crawl that still feels social
• Classic British pub food and ales/ciders
• A walking tour with a moderate pace and short stops
• An afternoon plan that keeps you out of the tourist-trap treadmill

It’s not recommended for vegans, gluten free, or dairy free. That’s important because the food tastings are part of the deal, not add-ons.

Vegetarians can be accommodated, and there are non-alcoholic options available. Pregnant women are also noted as adaptable. One caution: you may not have a replacement food option at every stop, so double-check early if your needs are strict.

For serious allergies, the tour asks you to sign an allergy waiver at the start and to email the team after booking so they can arrange ingredients. That’s exactly what you want from a food-focused experience.

Practical tips so the walk stays fun (not fizzy regret)

A pub tour can turn sour if you plan it like a museum. I’d handle it like a tasty hike:

• Eat a light meal before you go, especially if you tend to get hungry between stops. This is snacks plus drinks, not a full plated lunch every time.
• Wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in. The tour is a walking route, and you’ll be moving between pubs for the whole afternoon.
• Pace your drinks. You’ll want your head clear enough to enjoy the story bits, not just the bar stool version of your memory.
• If cider isn’t your thing, don’t panic. The tastings still include pub classics, and you’ll have multiple stops to find your favorite pairing.

And if it’s raining, you’ll still likely have a good time—this is London, after all. A good guide will keep the group organized.

Should you book this Devour London historical pub tour?

Book it if you want a guided, small-group way to see real old London pubs while eating and drinking along the route. The combination of centuries-old stops, included tastings, and a guide who ties pub culture to specific places is the main reason this tour works.

Skip it (or choose something else) if you need a fully gluten free or dairy free menu, or if you expect a full meal experience. Also skip if you hate walking and want long sit-down breaks between stops.

If you’re planning your first days in London and want a smart “get oriented” activity that still feels like a night-out, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Devour London Historical Pub Tour?

It runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes.

How many pubs do you visit?

You’ll visit four pubs: Ye Olde Mitre, The Old Bell Tavern, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, and Ye Olde Cock Tavern.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a local English-speaking guide, an expert guided walking tour, 4 food tastings and 4 drinks, and it’s a small group of up to 12 guests. Mobile ticket is also provided.

What food and drinks are included?

You’ll get classic British pub items such as pork pie with London Pride Ale, fish goujons & chips with Old Rosie Cider, deep-fried whitebait with stout, and scotch egg with portobello ale. The exact menu can change depending on what’s on tap.

Is this tour suitable for vegans or people with gluten or dairy restrictions?

No. It is not recommended for vegans, gluten free, or dairy free diets.

Can vegetarians or non-drinkers be accommodated?

Yes for vegetarians. Non-alcoholic options are also available, and the tour is adaptable for pregnant women, but replacement food options may not be available at every stop.

What about food allergies?

If you have serious food allergies, you’ll need to sign an allergy waiver at the start. After booking, you should email the guest experience team so they can arrange ingredients.

Where do you meet and when does it start?

You meet at St Andrew Holborn Garden, Holborn Viaduct, London EC4A 3AF and start at 3:00 pm. The tour ends at Ye Olde Cock Tavern, 22 Fleet St, Temple, London EC4Y 1AA.

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