Free Sherlock Holmes Tour

Few characters in world literature are as inseparably linked to a city as Sherlock Holmes is to London. From fog-filled alleyways and grand hotels to gentlemen’s clubs and gas-lit streets, Arthur Conan Doyle’s London is as vital to the stories as Holmes himself. Join our Free Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour and explore the real places that inspired the adventures of the world’s greatest detective.

Beginning in Piccadilly Circus, where the original book series began, this guided walking tour takes you through central London to locations connected to the original Sherlock Holmes stories, the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the many famous film and TV adaptations that have kept Holmes alive for over a century.

Along the route, you’ll stop at historic hotels, elegant gentlemen’s clubs, and atmospheric streets mentioned in classic tales such as The Hound of the Baskervilles, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Adventure of the Illustrious Client, and many more. A highlight for many visitors is a stop at London’s only Sherlock Holmes Pub, a must-see for any Holmes fan.

Even if you haven’t read the books, this tour is packed with familiar sights. You’ll visit locations used by actors including Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr., Jeremy Brett, Christopher Plummer and even Millie Bobby Brown, discovering how London has continually reinvented Sherlock Holmes on screen while remaining faithful to its Victorian roots.

Beyond the mysteries themselves, the tour delves into the fascinating life of Arthur Conan Doyle. Learn about his friendships with Oscar Wilde and Harry Houdini, his interest in science and deduction, and his later belief in the paranormal and spiritualism elements that add surprising depth to the creator of the world’s most rational detective.

Blending literary history, Victorian London, famous filming locations, and storytelling, this 2-hour Sherlock Holmes walking tour finishes at the historic Lyceum Theatre, a fitting end in London’s theatrical heart.

Perfect for Sherlock Holmes fans, literature lovers, history enthusiasts, families, couples, and solo travellers, this experience is one of the most engaging free walking tours in London and a fantastic activity for anyone looking for interesting things to do in London on a budget.

Places are limited, so book now, grab your deer-stalker hat and put your powers of deduction to the test on the streets of Sherlock Holmes’ London.

Important information: Groups larger than six people and educational groups must contact us in advance to arrange a private tour, as they cannot join the public tour.