Whitehall Place, London

City of Spies: Espionage in London & Churchill War Rooms Private Tour

This exciting City of Spies private tour has been created exclusively to take you on a fascinating journey through London's espionage history during the Cold War, the origins of MI5 and MI6, and to learn about Churchill's role in bringing down the Nazi regime.

On your private city of spies tour of London, you will:

Learn London's rich history of espionage at St Ermin's Hotel, where Winston Churchill's meeting known as 'Setting Europe Ablaze’ occurred in 1940, and walk past the Caxton bar located inside this famous spy hotel used by intelligence service officials to meet up;
Discover the stories of double agents known as the Cambridge Five: Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, John Cairncross, and Sir Anthony Blunt;
Hear the plots to overthrow the government at some of the most powerful institutions in Westminster, including Downing Street, Whitehall, and Westminster Palace;
Learn about the extraordinary life of Sir Mansfield Cumming, the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) first director, known as MI6;
Explore the Churchill War Rooms with your private guide and get up close to the Cabinet Room;
See the Map Room, the beating heart of the war rooms;
And discover the Telephone Room that allowed direct communication between the US and the UK government.

Your tour guide will take you on a journey through the streets of London to uncover the main characters and buildings that shaped the history of the world while telling you stories that seem more like Le Carré novels than real life.

After your walking tour, you will visit the Churchill War Rooms, located below the streets of Westminster. An underground network of bunkers that functioned as British wartime offices, planning, and map rooms.

It was here that much of Allied intelligence and strategy was discussed and planned in WWII, as well as serving as a place of refuge and shelter for the government during the blitz. Your guide will give a detailed and fascinating tour of this place that has been left exactly as it was since 1944.

Family-Friendly Royal London: Private Half-Day Tour & London Eye

Discover the most popular sites in Royal London on this family-friendly half-day tour, where you will see London’s unmissable attractions, parks, and finest Royal sites with an expert tour guide while keeping your family entertained.

On this family-friendly private tour, you will:

Explore London with a tour guide handpicked for leading family-friendly tours;
Pass by the Statue Of The Duke Of Wellington and walk under the famous Wellington Arch;
Admire the grandiosity of Buckingham Palace from the outside and discover the Victoria Memorial;
Visit St. James's Park and see the Pelicans donated to King Charles II by a Russian ambassador during a visit in 1664;
Walk past Whitehall and 10 Downing St, UK's Prime Minister's office;
Enjoy a walking tour of Westminster, where you’ll see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey;
Finish your time enjoying panoramic views of the city from the London Eye, a family favourite!

This tour is ideal for those families who would like a taste of London in half a day and want to see London’s unmissable attractions and finest Royal sites in an exciting four hours.

Whether your family is interested in history, nature, experiencing iconic British traditions or marvelling at beautiful Royal Palaces and Parks, this tour has something for everyone.

Get a peppering of tales, fun facts and stories about London, British Culture and tradition. Hear of the Secret tunnels which lie beneath Buckingham Palace, and the many attempts to steal the Crown Jewels. And the infamous 14-year-old cat burglar caught stealing the late Queen Victoria’s underwear. See London’s famous palace guards, the household cavalry mounted on their famous black horses, and maybe even members of the royal family, if you are lucky!

On this half-day tour, you will also avoid the rush and busyness of a group tour, and enjoy a more intimate, flexible experience. Your tour ends with an adventurous ride on the London Eye.

Your personal guide will help you quickly navigate London and ensure you have the smoothest, most enjoyable day possible creating great memories with your family.

The Best of Westminster: Private Walking Tour with Westminster Abbey

Discover the best of Westminster, and see some of London's unmissable attractions in a half-day tour including spectacular parks and royal sites with a Blue Badge tour guide.

On your private tour, you will:

See Whitehall and 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben;
Enjoy a privately guided tour of Westminster Abbey, where 38 coronations have taken place;
Learn about fascinating English history, British tradition and London's incredible past—from the plague and the great fire of London to the Blitz;
Hear stories as you visit the outside of Buckingham Palace, via the beautiful St James's Park and Trafalgar Square.

Reveal the secrets of power and politics on your exciting tour of Westminster, seeing some of the most recognisable landmarks. Learn all about the Houses of Parliament, the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, and be inspired by its mighty history.

Then, gain insight into the centuries-old Westminster Abbey (with entrance tickets included), the setting for every coronation since 1066, many royal weddings and the final resting place of 17 monarchs.

Amble through the fabulous gardens and sights of St James's Park and admire the magnificent Buckingham Palace, the official London residence of the UK’s sovereigns since 1837. Walk along the Mall and learn curious facts about British kings and queens, who turned the British Empire into the most dominant power on Earth.

Your tour finishes with a walk through Trafalgar Square, onto Covent Garden, where your guide will show you the best places to spend the rest of your time dining and shopping.

The Heart of London: Classic Westminster Private 2-Hour Tour

Westminster is one of the most historic and well-known areas located in the heart of London. It has been home to many kings and queens, including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I and on this 2-hour private tour, you will have the chance to explore Westminster in all its glory.

On your private tour, you will:

Walk past Westminster Abbey where every British monarch since William the Conqueror has been crowned;
See Whitehall and 10 Downing Street, where the prime minister lives and works;
Pass by the Houses of Parliament also known as the Palace of Westminster and the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom so that you can see Big Ben up close;
See Buckingham Palace, home to the British monarchy since 1837 and hear about British kings and queens who turned the British Empire into one of the most dominant powers in history;
Take a stroll via the beautiful St James's Park, the oldest Royal Park at the heart of ceremonial London and see St James's Palace;
Explore Trafalgar Square, where Nelson’s Column can be found in honour of Admiral Nelson, after his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
End your tour at Covent Garden, a shopping and dining hub in London's West End.

If you want to discover the heart of London, come with us on this private tour!

This 2-hour trip will take you through some of the most famous and beautiful locations in Westminster, including Whitehall and 10 Downing Street, where all the British government happens. We'll also take you to the Houses of Parliament, the supreme legislative body of Great Britain, Somerset House and Big Ben for the perfect photo opportunity!

You'll hear stories about fascinating English history, British tradition and London's incredible past—from the plague and great fire of London to the Blitz, and the secrets of power and politics on our exciting tour of Westminster while you visit some of the most recognisable landmarks in London.

You will also take a stroll down St James's Park through its fabulous gardens and sights before heading over to Buckingham Palace.

Your tour will end with a walk through Trafalgar Square to see Nelson's column onto Covent Garden where your guide will show you the best places to spend your time dining and shopping!

007 James Bond Locations in London: Private Black Cab Tour

Delve into the world of espionage with Bond, James Bond on a private tour of London to uncover many filming locations in the city of London that you have seen in your favourite movies for over 40 years.

On your James Bond filming locations tour, you will:

Travel in the comfort of a private and iconic London Black Cab;
Relive your favourite spy flicks and their lead characters with an accredited London Driver Guide who's a 007 aficionado;
Become a special agent of "His Majesty’s Secret Service" and explore the haunts throughout London where Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan and Craig each brought Bond to life;
Explore the places behind the stories in Ian Fleming’s iconic novels and the subsequent films;
Learn about the real-life world of the Secret Service as you tour Westminster, Whitehall, Downing St, and the National Gallery.

London is a city unlike no other in respect of its long associations with the world of espionage - the spies, double agents, traitors, heroes and villains from every continent played out their cloak-and-dagger games of cunning, deceit and treachery on the mean streets that we shall traverse.

Like in real life, the city has played host to some incredible spy moments on the big screen, including in Bond film scenes over the past 55 years. Your 007 expert tour guide is here to take you undercover and whisk you through the film locations from ‘Dr. No’ through to ‘Spectre.’

James Bond fans will not only get to see those film scene sites - but also most of London's iconic landmarks, plus a special visit inside one of the world's most famous spaces, the National Gallery.

The Heart of Royal London: Private Tour with Afternoon Tea

Situated just across Green Park from Buckingham Palace and other royal residences like St James’s Palace and Clarence House, the Sheraton Grand is perfectly positioned to enjoy the many stunning sites of London. The hotel has long enjoyed links with Royal London, and it is even rumoured that the late Queen Elizabeth II had dancing lessons in the Tudor Rose room when she was still Princess Elizabeth.

On your private tour, you will:

Set out along Piccadilly - famous for its gentlemen's clubs like Whites, iconic shops like Fortnum and Masons, and exclusive hotels including the Ritz;
Walk across pretty Green Park passing famous royal residences like Clarence House and Buckingham Palace, picking up tidbits of royal gossip along the way;
Stop outside St James’s Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard assemble and follow the guards as they play a medley of tunes and march down the Mall towards the majestic Buckingham Palace;
Enjoy this famous spectacle (on days it is running) before walking up through St James’s Park and Birdcage Walk;
Admire the mounted Household Cavalry at Horseguards Parade on their black stallions; (Only on morning tours)
Walk around Parliament Square to see the magnificent Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben;
Learn about the coronations of the Kings and Queens since 1066;
Hear about Guy Fawkes and the infamous Gunpowder Plot;
Learn about the House of Commons and House of Lords - and Charles Barry the architect (who also designed Downton Abbey - or Highclere Castle!);
Stroll up Whitehall - the nerve centre of British politics, passing by the Cenotaph, the State Departments, and the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street;
End your tour at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane with a delicious Palm Court Afternoon Tea including sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delicate pastries hand-crafted by the talented pastry team.

Please note: that the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from August to May, but can be subject to change and weather conditions. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays you will see the changing of the Horseguards at Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. During June and July, the Changing of the Guard occurs daily.

The Sheraton Grand enjoys an unparalleled position in the heart of London, on Piccadilly just across from Green Park and Buckingham Palace. Our prestigious hotel is famous for its magnificent Portland stone façade and its Art Deco style - it's classified as a Grade II listed building.

Walking into the hotel feels like stepping into an episode of Poirot! Indeed the hotel has been used for several films and TV series including The End of the Affair starring Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore, and the Golden Compass starring Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. Learn more about the exquisite Ballroom, the Tudor Rose Room - where a young Princess Elizabeth had dancing lessons, and the Palm Court - the beating heart of the hotel (and a wonderful place to enjoy our award-winning Afternoon Tea) after finishing your tour of royal London.

You'll first walk across Green Park which connects the hotel to Buckingham Palace and the Mall. You’ll see many royal residences, as well as statues of former monarchs as you walk to the back of St James’s Palace to see the Changing of the Guard assemble.

The Guardsmen are famous for their red jackets and giant black bearskin hats. You’ll have the chance to see them and follow them as they march along the Mall, accompanied by the military band playing a mixture of regimental and modern tunes, then watch the historic guard change at Buckingham Palace forecourt.

Next, you'll stroll through Birdcage Walk and St James’s Park to Parliament Square - the heart of royal and political London.

With your expert guide, you’ll learn all about the history of British politics and royalty in front of Westminster Abbey and the two houses that make up the Palace of Westminster, the House of Commons and the House of Lords. You’ll hear many stories from history - like Guy Fawkes and the infamous Gunpowder Plot, Oliver Cromwell and the Civil War, and the coronations of every monarch in the Abbey since William the Conqueror on Christmas Day, 1066. It is also where many royal weddings have happened, including the Queen Mother and George VI, and William and Kate - the new Prince and Princess of Wales.

Stroll along Whitehall - the political centre of the UK, learning about the subterranean Churchill Bunker and war rooms. You'll pass the Cenotaph and other war memorials, and Downing Street - home to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister. (You might meet Larry the Cat - who has outlasted the last five prime ministers!)

At Horseguards Parade, you will see the smartly dressed soldiers of the Household Cavalry, with their famously shiny black boots and plumed helmets, sitting on King's Guard on their impressive black stallions.

After the tour, you will be invited to experience a traditional British afternoon tea in the Palm Court! The Palm Court is just one of the original features of the hotel from when it was completed in 1927, with beautiful Art Deco interiors.

The afternoon tea includes a selection of delicious pastries, sandwiches and freshly baked plain and golden raisin scones served with a homemade selection of seasonal preserves and clotted cream. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the heart of Mayfair!

City of Spies: Discover London's Espionage History Private Tour

Immerse yourself in one of the world’s largest centres of international trade, finance, geopolitics, and espionage history. Journey through London's role in the Cold War, the origins of MI5, MI6 and Churchill's role in WWII bringing down the Nazi regime.

On your private City of Spies tour, you will:

Experience the worlds of fiction and reality, uncovering hidden places, bunkers, and luxury hotels.
Hear stories of double agents and plots to overthrow the government at some of the most powerful institutions in Westminster, including Downing Street, Whitehall, and Westminster Palace.
Follow in the footsteps of the key double agents in the Cold War, such as Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, and Guy Burgess - and ask if there was an unidentified "Fifth Man".
Learn about the extraordinary life of Sir Mansfield Cumming, the first director of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), known as MI6.
Finish your tour with a drink included at the Caxton Bar where, during WWII, MI5, SIS and Naval Intelligence Division officers such as 007 author Ian Fleming himself met their agents.

In this unique experience, you will walk by and learn about many of the protagonist buildings and sites where these world-changing events have taken place.

Your guide will mesmerise you with stories that seem more like Le Carré novels than real life. Of course, these stories are not confined to the Second World War and Cold War History, as foreign operatives in London continue to make splashes across global headlines.

Venture out onto the streets of Westminster and discover the area's colourful history of espionage, dirty politics and death. The toppling of regimes, battle against ideology and revolution have all been orchestrated and exercised along these streets. Revisit the setting of infamous covert operations, traitorous meetings involving double agents and murder plots.

Along your walking tour, you will retrace the steps of Britain's most famous spies, enjoy the remarkable tales that later inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels, and hear of the extraordinary success of the Cambridge Spy ring.

Come and enjoy this unique experience, but please be discreet, the information given on this tour is classified...

Customise Your Own 7-hour Private London Tour in a Black Cab

At Black Cab Heritage Tours, we have a wide range of private tours and day trips from London, but our priority is to make sure you have a memorable experience, and that every detail of your tour is taken care of.

This “Customise Your Own Tour” will allow you to work with one of our staff members to create the perfect customised tour according to your requests.

These tours have been designed to be delivered within the city of London. If you want to do a day trip out of town or to a different area, please reach out directly so we can reconfirm the duration and the itinerary for the day.

We look forward to welcoming you to London soon!

Please note

No entrance fees are included
Guides are not allowed to guide inside certain venues
Hotel Pick-Up & Drop-Off is only included from Central London

"Darkest Hour" Filming Locations in London: Private Half-Day Tour

"Darkest Hour" is a 2017 British war drama film with Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill in the early days of World War II when he became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom leading the country through "its darkest hour". The movie received 6 nominations for Academy Awards and an Oscar for Best Leading Actor, and on this tour, your driver-guide will take you to movie spots that will repeat the experience offscreen.

On this half-day tour, you will:

Travel back to 1940 in one of our traditional London Black Cab time machines, which doubled up as fire engines in WWII, when the wartime leader was under pressure to make peace with Hitler as his armies advanced across Europe;
Storm through the violence of ‘The Blitz’ with your private guide;
Feel the jitters as you visualise Nazi Germany threatening Western Europe and Great Britain’s very existence;
See the Houses of Parliament, an iconic building where Churchill gave his famous speeches;
Discover Buckingham Palace, the residence of the British monarch is also featured in the film;
Pass by St. Paul's Cathedral, which plays a significant role in the film, as it was where Churchill attended a service to rally the British people during the war;
End your tour at the Cabinet War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum or Warship HMS Belfast. (Tickets not included)

Step into an iconic London black cab and immerse yourself in the history of the capital with a half-day tour of "Darkest Hour" filming locations. With an expert driver-guide at the wheel, you will visit some of the most iconic sites of the movie, from the Houses of Parliament to the Cabinet War Rooms.

Pass by the places where Churchill stood and spoke to the people of Britain during the country's darkest hour and get a feel for the resilience and determination that helped shape the course of history.

With a knowledgeable guide to provide historical context and entertaining anecdotes, this tour is a must-do for history buffs and movie lovers alike.

Sit back and relax as you travel back in time in one of London's most iconic vehicles, taking in the sights and sounds of the city that Churchill called home during this pivotal moment in history.

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