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City & Secrets: Explore London's Hidden Gems

57 Reviews 4.98 out of 5 stars Based on 57 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. London, England
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from $89.10 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
At Tower Bridge and the River Thames
The City of London
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Cycling backstreets
Enjoy a pint of beer by the river
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.
4 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Join us on a serene bike tour through London's quiet streets, uncovering its historical tapestry. Our route takes you to both famous landmarks and hidden corners of the city. Cycle through areas once roamed by pirates in Wapping, alongside the remnants of London's Roman wall, and over the majestic Tower Bridge. You'll get a close-up view of St. Paul's Cathedral and visit locations from the enchanting world of Harry Potter. This tour offers more than just sightseeing; it's an opportunity to experience the juxtaposition of London's ancient ruins, historic pubs, and modern architectural feats.

What's Included

  • Rain poncho (if required)
  • Tweed cap (optional)
  • Helmet (optional)
  • Gratuities
  • Snacks and drinks
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

189 Hercules Road
London SE1 7LD, UK

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Roupell Street

Explore Roupell Street, a fascinating glimpse into 1820s London, with its charming Georgian houses built for the working class. John Roupel reclaimed marshy land and named the streets after his family. Postmen's confusion led to name changes. The area almost burned down in 1829, prompting fire insurance reminders. Notice plaques on houses – without one, private firefighters would let your house burn. Despite WWII bombings, these streets remain.Visit The King's Arms, a Grade II Victorian Pub, offering 10 real ales, including local brews. Once an undertaker's and magistrates' court, it now serves top-notch Thai cuisine.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Blackfriars Bridge

Visit the brigde which was opened 1in 869 by Queen Victoria. It is named after the Dominican Friars who had their monastery at the north end of the bridge. The tops of the support columns are shaped like pulpits in its memory.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Cockpit

The Cockpit pub was the site of monastic houses and Dominican friars had their monastery here. Shakespeare bought the gatehouse and lived here.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

St. Paul's Cathedral

St. Paul's Cathedral, an emblematic London landmark, held Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding and Winston Churchill's funeral. Wellington and Nelson also lay here. With a rich history dating back to 604 AD, old St. Paul's was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, 1666. Christopher Wren rebuilt it, symbolising resilience. Despite WWII bombings, St. Paul's stands tall as an emblem of survival.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

St. Mary Le Bow Church

Discover the church, whose bells are the most famous in London, where if you are born within the sound of Bow bells, you are true a Cockney Londoner.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Guildhall

Delve into Medieval London, and the town hall of the City of London and hear stories of the weird, archaic traditions, which have been unchanged since middle ages.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Mansion House, City of London

Uncover the history of the highest point in the City of London, which has been of importance since Roman Times. Where you will learn about Mansion House (the home of the Lord Mayor of London) and the Bank of England.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Leadenhall Market

Visit the Victorian market, designed by Sir Horace Jones which in Roman times was the location of the Forum and Basilica. Here you'll uncover the Harry Potter Locations of Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Lloyds of London

Discover and be immersed in the diverse architecture at the heart of the City of London. See the architectural masterpiece of Richard Roger's Lloyds of London Skyscraper, surrounded by its neighbours the Cheesegrater and the Gherkin in contrast to St Andrew Undershaft, a pre 1666 fire church, built when Henry VIII was king (1517).
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

London Wall

Discover one of the oldest parts of London and see the Roman wall of London, of which part was built by Romans around 200AD.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Cable Street Mural

Visit the mural completed in 1983 in one of London's most diverse, multicultural areas. It depicts the battle between fascists and protesters in 1936, when the area was a predominantly Jewish area.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Shadwell Basin

Explore one of London's original docks, in an area that has been regenerated since the 1980s, and learn about the history of what was 100 years ago, the busiest docks in the world.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tobacco Dock Ltd

Explore the ornamental canal and old tobacco warehouses in the heart of the old London Docks, which have been redeveloped since the 1980s.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

St Katharine Docks

Explore the last of London's Docks to be built in 1825 and the first to close down in the 1960s. The area was the site of the the hospital St Katherine's by the Tower founded in 1147 by Queen Matilda.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, an iconic symbol of London, is a combined bascule and suspension bridge that spans the River Thames. Completed in 1894, it was designed by Sir Horace Jones and engineered by Sir John Wolfe Barry. The bridge features two neo-Gothic towers connected by a central walkway and has become a major tourist attraction. The Tower Bridge Exhibition, housed within the towers, offers visitors a chance to learn about the bridge's history and enjoy panoramic views of the city from the glass-floored walkway. The bascules are raised around 800 times a year to allow tall ships to pass through, providing a spectacular sight for onlookers.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tower of London

Discover the Tower of London, an iconic historical site built by William the Conqueror shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Once a royal palace, menagerie, observatory, and armoury, it is most famous as a state prison and execution site. Entering through Traitors Gate often meant a grim fate. Notable figures like William Wallace, Thomas More, Henry VI, and Edward V met their demise here, as did Henry VIII's wives Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Today, the Tower houses the magnificent Crown Jewels, a must-see for any visitor.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

HMS Belfast

Take in the grandeur of the World War II Cruiser Class Destroyer ship, which was built in the same shipyard as the Titanic in Belfast. The ship protected convoys in WWII and the Korean War and was part of the D Day Landings on June 6th 1944. And today it is a floating museum, where you can see interiors which doubled as the Royal Yacht Britannia in Netflix's The Crown.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

City Hall

View the former City Hall of London, designed by Norman Foster.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

St. Dunstan In The East

Take a moment in a quiet space in the middle of the busting City of London. The original church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, but was rebuilt by Wren.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Monument to the Great Fire of London

View the great monument to the Great Fire of London of 1666. Standing at 202 ft high, If laid on it’s side, the golden urn on top would land at Thomas Farriner’s bakery shop on Pudding Lane where fire started 2 Sep 1666.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Southwark Bridge

Witness Shakespeare's Globe from one of London's finest bridges. Experience the magic of Shakespeare's Globe, a 1997 reconstruction of the original 1599 venue. As home to The Lord Chamberlain's Men, it saw the debut of many Shakespearean classics.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tate Modern

Tate Modern, the world's most-visited modern art gallery, opened in 2000 after transforming a 1950s Bankside Power Station. Its twisted brick pyramid, a 2016 extension, features a 10th-floor viewing gallery. The impressive turbine hall hosts changing, monumental commissions. A masterpiece itself, the building is worth visiting even for non-art lovers. Admire works by renowned 20th/21st-century artists, from Mondrian and Richter to Rothko and Picasso.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • The content of this tour includes references to history and stories that some might find disturbing.
  • Minimum alcohol drinking age is 18 years
  • Riders must be aged 13 years and over
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the City & Secrets: Explore London’s Hidden Gems?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-7168P3

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.98
57 reviews

Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 57 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
56
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 28 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the City & Secrets: Explore London’s Hidden Gems?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Rain poncho (if required).
  • Tweed cap (optional).
  • Helmet (optional).
  • Hand built British bicycle.
  • Local guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
  • Snacks and drinks.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 16. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the City & Secrets: Explore London's Hidden Gems is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • The content of this tour includes references to history and stories that some might find disturbing.
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for City & Secrets: Explore London’s Hidden Gems will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Rain poncho (if required)
  • Tweed cap (optional)
  • Helmet (optional)
  • Hand built British bicycle
  • Local guide
  • Gratuities
  • Snacks and drinks

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • The content of this tour includes references to history and stories that some might find disturbing.
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Minimum alcohol drinking age is 18 years
  • Riders must be aged 13 years and over
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name