Secrets of London Covent Garden & Rules Restaurant Tour

Key Points

• Price and Duration: The tour costs $17 per person and lasts 2 hours, making it a compact, affordable way to explore Covent Garden’s secrets.
• Guided Exploration: Led by an expert guide with deep knowledge of London’s history, involving storytelling about royal scandals, famous figures, and hidden stories.
• Covent Garden Highlights: Walk through iconic streets, see landmark sites like the Royal Opera House and Bow Street Magistrates Court.
• Unique Insider Access: Visit locations tied to George II, Oscar Wilde, and other notable figures, gaining insights into London’s upper-class past.
• Exclusive Ending at Rules: Finish with an exclusive visit to Rules Restaurant, London’s oldest restaurant, and enjoy a cocktail in a setting rich with scandalous tales.
• Small Group Experience: Limited to 10 participants, ensuring a personalized storytelling experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Discover Covent Garden’s Rich and Scandalous Past

This guided tour shines a spotlight on Covent Garden, one of London’s most historic neighborhoods. For 2 hours, the guide leads you through iconic streets, revealing the area’s bizarre history and secrets. The tour blends royal, aristocratic, and criminal stories, providing a colorful picture of London’s past. The walk lasts 1.5 hours, with a 30-minute segment dedicated to a photo stop, visit, and cocktail at Rules Restaurant.

The expert guide shares stories about London’s most powerful people, including affairs of monarchs, aristocratic scandals, and stories about famous figures like George II and Oscar Wilde. This tour is ideal for those interested in London’s hidden stories and the glamorous side of Covent Garden.

Starting Point and Meeting Details

The tour begins at 6 James Street, where participants meet on the south end of James Street near the Covent Garden Piazza. The guide is easy to spot, holding an orange umbrella. The meet-up point is straightforward, and the tour’s small size (limited to 10 people) helps ensure an intimate experience.

Exploring Covent Garden’s Landmark Sites

The guided walk covers some of Covent Garden’s most notable landmarks. As the guide walks the streets, expect to see the Royal Opera House, a hub for ballet and opera, along with the Bow Street Magistrates Court, famous for its historical role in London’s legal history. The guide explains the stories behind these sites, connecting them to famous figures and events.

Other locations linked to George II and Oscar Wilde add layers of royal and literary intrigue to the tour. The stories told highlight the high-society world that once thrived here, contrasting with the scandalous secrets hidden behind closed doors.

Uncovering London’s Scandalous Secrets

One of the tour’s most engaging parts is the storytelling about scandalous London. Participants learn about a British ballet dancer who orchestrated a coup, a nefarious coffee house owned by a female gangster, and actors’ wig disputes that led to deadly consequences. These tales paint a vivid picture of London’s underbelly and elite society.

The stories are story-based, emphasizing London’s gossip and cover-ups, making the tour especially appealing for those curious about secrets and scandals that shaped the city’s history.

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The Exclusive Visit to Rules Restaurant

The tour concludes at Rules, London’s oldest restaurant, known for its history of high society and scandal. Inside, visitors hear about the secrets held within its walls, adding a romantic and mysterious layer to the experience.

At Rules, there’s an opportunity to enjoy a cocktail, included as part of the overall experience. The restaurant has a simple dress code that excludes shorts, joggers, sportswear, and similar attire, as it aims to preserve its traditional ambiance. Entry to Rules requires adherence to this dress code, and the restaurant reserves the right to refuse entry if it isn’t followed.

Practical Details: Booking and Group Size

This small group tour is limited to 10 participants, fostering a personalized storytelling environment. The meeting point is easy to find, and the tour operates in English only. Participants should bring passport or ID for verification, and be aware that the tour is story-driven, requiring a better-than-basic conversational understanding of English.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, and the reserve now, pay later option provides flexibility if plans change.

Accessibility and Suitability

This tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or children under 18, mainly due to the cocktail bar visit and content aimed at adults. It is ideal for history enthusiasts and those interested in London’s elite past and scandals.

Additional Experience Details

Offered by Where Now Tours, this experience emphasizes storytelling and exclusivity. The duration is exactly 2 hours, and availability depends on the schedule, with various starting times available. The tour includes a guided walk through Covent Garden and an exclusive visit to Rules.

Final Thoughts on the Covent Garden & Rules Tour

This tour offers a rich narrative combined with a scenic walk through one of London’s most vibrant neighborhoods. The stories about royal scandals, criminal figures, and the glamorous world of high society make it a captivating experience. The small group size ensures personalized storytelling, while the end at Rules adds a touch of luxury and history.

While the cost is affordable at $17, note that drinks at Rules are not included. The tour is best suited for adults interested in London’s secret past and those who appreciate storytelling and historical intrigue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for children?
No, the tour is recommended for ages 18+ because of the cocktail bar visit and content involving scandalous stories.

What is the dress code for Rules?
Participants should avoid shorts, joggers, sportswear, and similar attire, as Rules enforces a simple dress code to maintain its traditional ambiance.

How long does the tour last?
The guided walk lasts 1.5 hours, with a 30-minute segment at Rules for a photo stop, visit, and cocktail.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.

Are drinks included at Rules?
No, drinks from Rules are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?
No, this experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What language is the tour conducted in?
The tour is only available in English and requires a better-than-basic conversational grasp.

How many people participate in each tour?
The small group size is limited to 10 participants, ensuring a more personalized experience.

Where does the tour start?
It departs from 6 James Street, where the guide will meet participants holding an orange umbrella.

What landmarks will be visited?
You’ll see Covent Garden, the Royal Opera House, and Bow Street Magistrates Court, among others tied to London’s royal and criminal history.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby