Top England Arts & Design

The City of London packs nearly 2,000 years of history into a single square mile, and most of it is hiding in plain sight. On this self-guided walking tour, you'll follow the area's story through its overlooked details. You'll also discover how the City's unique powers of self-governance, its livery companies, and its coffeehouses shaped the modern world. You'll head through Postman's Park, where a remarkable memorial honours ordinary Londoners who died saving others, then wind through the Goldsmiths' Garden – a bombsite turned green space – where two neighbouring livery halls share a centuries-old grudge dating back to World War II incendiary bombs. You'll stand in Guildhall Yard, where a medieval Great Hall, a Roman amphitheatre, and William the Conqueror's original city charter occupy the same site. You'll then follow the medieval market street of Cheapside, whose side streets – Bread Street, Milk Street, Friday Street – still bear the names of what was once sold there.

The V&A holds more than 2.3 million objects, yet over 80% arrived through private hands, not royal decree. On this self-guided tour, you'll trace how individual taste, ambition and obsession shaped one of the world's great design collections – and how its founders tried, and often failed, to teach the British public what good design meant. From the Cromwell Road steps, you'll meet the figures behind the Great Exhibition of 1851, spend time with William Morris's seven-and-a-half-metre Bullerswood Carpet, and see how Indian textiles redirected the museum's collecting strategy. From there: medieval jewellery, Tudor bronze, and the Ardabil Carpet, woven around 1540 for an Iranian royal shrine. You'll also hear about Henry Cole's scandalous "Chamber of Horrors" of bad design, four bronze angels that spent decades on golf club gateposts, and a Yorkshire chair faked to look older. The tour ends in the Ceramic Staircase. Bring comfortable shoes and a willingness to look closely.

On this self-guided walking tour, follow the spark that lit Manchester’s music revolution: a lone heckler shouting “Judas!” at Bob Dylan inside the Free Trade Hall. Stand outside Arrow Studios, where Joy Division recorded Shadowplay, and hear how producer Martin Hannett once moved a drum kit onto a freezing rooftop chasing the perfect snare sound. Pass the basement beneath a Portland Street clothing factory where The Smiths rehearsed in secret, then head to The Boardwalk, where a teenage Liam Gallagher first took the stage, and where his brother Noel later talked his way into fronting an unknown band called The Rain. The trail ends near the old Haçienda site, where DJ Mike Pickering helped ignite Madchester’s acid house scene. Perfect for music lovers tracing Manchester’s sound from punk to Britpop to rave. Download the VoiceMap app and enter the code from your confirmation email to start touring whenever you’re ready.

Want a wallet-friendly way to boost your photography skills? Want to get to know the Soho area of London better? This digital audio tour has what you’re looking for. Let a professional photographer lead you around the area via a mobile app and teach you more behind-the-camera skills. With a one-time purchase, you get lifetime access to the tour so you can revisit it again and again.

Go beyond central London’s upmarket royal neighborhoods and see a different side of the city during an audio tour of Brick Lane, in the East End. If you enjoy the structure and information of guided tours but don’t like keeping up with a group, this self-guided tour is ideal. Set your own pace as you explore the markets and outdoor street art galleries in this vibrant, multicultural neighborhood.

Even though it’s conveniently sandwiched between Victoria and Oxford Circus, many visitors skip the affluent neighborhood of Pimlico when visiting London for the first time. This self-guided Pimlico audio tour takes you off the beaten path and reveals a side of the capital that most people miss. As you explore, discover the rich heritage of historic buildings and leafy squares.

Explore London's first Roman settlement at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Meet a slightly crazy Elizabethan Doctor, the most feared man in Tudor England, and an unlucky delivery boy on this history-filled tour that takes you from Londinium to Edwardian London • Hear from producer Steve Matthews whose passion for London has led him to provide guided tours since 2010 • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before and after your booking date • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Trace London's development through its landmarks from the 17th Century to today. Explore at your own pace with this affordable self-guided walking tour. • Learn about the contemporary architects whose unconventional work makes London's skyline so distinctive • Hear from producer, Dr. Alan Montgomery, one of Context Travel's local expert tour guides • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

Explore London’s camp history on a private self-guided tour through Mayfair and Soho. Created by a leading LGBTQ+ historian, this GPS-enabled experience lets you discover sites from Beau Brummell’s home to David Bowie’s breakthrough and The Ritz. Enjoy offline access to audio and maps, and explore at your own pace without group constraints.

Journey into the heart of Manchester and get to know some of its distinct and dynamic neighbourhoods. On this GPS-guided walking tour, you’ll be left not only with a collection of interesting stories and a love for the city, but also a Manchester swagger in your step. The tour begins at Manchester Central Library, where you’ll see some striking architecture from the 1800s. From there, you'll see how England’s first industrial city has grown over the years and become a master of reinvention. As you weave your way through the city’s neighbourhoods, you’ll hear about a man who ended up inspiring a cocktail while inventing a drink to replace alcohol, and about the tragedy of computer scientist Alan Turing, who spent a few years in the city. You'll also see an artwork dedicated to a dream about pets, learn how pizza created some of the most desirable housing in the UK, and take in Newton’s Apple Tree, grown from the seeds of the very tree that birthed the theory of gravity.

The East End is home to some of London’s most vibrant and varied street art. During this private tour, your guide takes you to atmospheric London areas such as Brick Lane, Spitalfields, and Whitechapel. Admire famous artworks from the likes of Banksy, Ozmo, Thierry Noir, C215, and more. Along the way, stroll through the Old Spitalfields and Petticoat Lane markets, see the Grenfell Tower Memorial Wall, and visit the Nomadic Community Garden and Whitechapel Gallery.

Art lovers can be overwhelmed in London, with so many amazing galleries and museums to choose from. Simplify your artistic sightseeing during a private tour of three must-visit institutions: the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery. Your guide customizes the tour to your interests and needs, showing you both famous and lesser-known artworks. Ask all the questions you want on this private tour.

London is a shopaholic’s dream, but between the markets, department stores, and the high street, it can be hard to know where to begin. Before whipping out the credit card, recruit a personal shopping guide to help you navigate. The itinerary is customizable but typically includes Covent Garden, SoHo, Carnaby Street, and other fashionable hotspots to suit your personal style, whether that’s boho or glam.

This private day trip from London combines Tudor intrigue with 20th-century legacy as you visit the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and the beloved residence of Winston Churchill. Hotel pickup and dropoff from a professional English-speaking driver / local guide 100% Customizable & Private Start with a visit to 1Hever Castle Hever Castle, a moated Tudor palace set in stunning gardens, where Anne Boleyn spent her early years. Stroll through 2Gardens at Hever Castle the castle gardens, featuring Italian fountains, roses, and lakeside paths. Then drive through 3Chartwell House scenic countryside to 4Countryside Scenic Drive Chartwell House, Winston Churchill’s long-time home filled with personal belongings, paintings, and wartime memorabilia (optional entry). Enjoy a lunch stop at a traditional country inn before returning to London, reflecting on the rich history and lush landscapes of Kent and Surrey.

Skip the crowds and explore the National Gallery at your own pace on this private half-day tour, with morning or afternoon start times to fit your schedule. Your guide creates a personalized itinerary, offering insider insights into masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, and more, helping you fully appreciate the art without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Gain a personalized overview of the National Portrait Gallery’s highlights and history on this private 3-hour tour, with morning or afternoon options to suit your schedule. Benefit from your guide’s expert knowledge as you follow a tailored itinerary, focused on the people and topics that interest you, from famous monarchs to modern culture.

Westminster’s landmarks are a must-see for all ages, but keeping the little ones entertained while sightseeing can be tricky. Embark on a kid-friendly private tour to make it a memorable trip for the whole family, with a specially tailored itinerary, skip-the-line admission to Westminster Abbey, and a Blue Badge guide offering immersive insight into the city’s history.

Immerse yourself in the London of “Harry Potter“ with your own personal guide to lead the way with this tour. Hear fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories about the books and films from your Potterhead guide, and see filming locations that you might not find on your own. As an added bonus, receives a free Harry Potter London film locations map so you can explore more after your tour.

This is not a Beatles tour—this is the story of Paul McCartney. Step into post-war Liverpool and follow Paul’s early life through the homes, schools and neighbourhoods that shaped him. Visit his birthplace and trace his journey through a childhood defined by family, music, and resilience in a changing city. Discover how music entered his world—from the wireless at home to relatives returning with American records, including Elvis. After the loss of his mother Mary, Paul found solace in music, teaching himself guitar and later piano. His father Jim, encouraged Paul and his brother Mike to have hobbies and brought the family together for singalongs. Continue through the places that shaped his early independence, including his time in the Scouts and living in the tougher area of Speke. Explore locations linked to Paul, such as Penny Lane and Eleanor Rigby, each brought to life through expert storytelling—a deeper, more personal side of Liverpool most tours miss.

Step beyond the standard Beatles tour and discover the real story of John Lennon through the streets that shaped him. This experience takes you far deeper than the typical highlights, combining iconic locations like Strawberry Field and Mendips with lesser-known homes, schools, and hidden local sites that most tours simply miss. You’ll explore the places where John grew up, developed his personality, formed his first band, and began the journey that would change music forever. With expert storytelling and a focus on authenticity, this tour reveals not just where John lived—but how he lived, moved, and created across Liverpool. If you want more than just photos, real insight, deeper stories, and a true connection to the city—this is the tour for you. And for the complete Liverpool story, you can continue the journey by booking our separate Paul McCartney tour, offering a perfectly complementary perspective on the other half of the greatest songwriting partnership in history.

Liverpool visitors shouldn’t miss the Casbah Coffee Club—the true birthplace of The Beatles’ early story. Located in the family home of Pete Best, the band’s original drummer, this intimate venue is where it all began—long before the Cavern. Step inside this timeless venue & be wowed by ceilings painted by John Lennon & Paul McCartney themselves, making this the most authentic, preserved Beatles location in the city. You can also buy souvenirs. Often missed on standard tours, this 1-hour guided visit of the Casbah offers a rare opportunity to experience Beatles history up close in a truly personal way. Combined with a panoramic photo stop overlooking the city and photo stops by the Beatles’ schools and colleges on Hope Street, this reveals the earliest reasons behind the Fab Four’s success Also includes selfies at the Beatles statues on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront. With transport included, as the Casbah lies 4 miles north of the city, your expert guide brings the story to life.

Zone in one Newcastle’s unique art and architecture during a private walking tour that lets you go where cars can’t. You’ll navigate the city with ease and at a pace set by you rather than a large group, as you discover top Newcastle attractions such as Newcastle Cathedral, BALTIC art gallery, and Laing Art Gallery.

Explore Manchester like a local on this free walking tour that offers an authentic glimpse into the city’s rich culture and history. Led by passionate Mancunians, this tour is filled with local anecdotes, slang, and stories that reflect the city's vibrant spirit. Discover hidden gems and secret spots while gaining insights into the famous music scene, football rivalries, and industrial heritage. Each tour varies based on the interests of the group, ensuring a personalized experience. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a local, this tour promises an engaging and informative journey through Manchester's streets. Led by local experts with in-depth knowledge of Manchester Discover hidden gems and avoid tourist traps Enjoy a personalized experience tailored to the group's vibe Gain insider tips and local recommendations after the tour

Step off the well-trodden path and discover the lesser-known places that shaped The Beatles’ story on this intimate tour through Speke in South Liverpool. Includes a visit to Dungeon Lane the name of Paul McCartney’s new album! While many tours focus on the famous landmarks, Penny Lane Strawberry Field, this experience takes you deeper in to Speke to the quiet streets and overlooked corners where key moments in Beatles history unfolded. You can get out of the car safely to take lots of photos and selfies at locations including: Speke: Childhood homes on Western Avenue, Upton Green & Hardwick Road where Paul McCartney and George Harrison grew up, revealing their humble beginnings. Sefton Park: Hotel linked to Stuart Sutcliffe, early bassist and key influence on the band. Blomfield Road: where John Lennon’s mother Julia Lennon lived, offering insight into his upbringing. Liverpool Airport: Historic terminal used by The Beatles during Beatlemania in the 1960’s