Free Sherlock Holmes & the Art of Deduction Tour*

Duration - 2 Hours

Language - English

Start Time - 11am

Price - Free

Few characters in literature are as intrinsically linked to a city as Sherlock Holmes is to London. Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories and the many TV and film adaptations are love letters to this city, the foggy back alleys and low lives of London as important and distinctive as Holmes himself, so grab your deerstalker hat and join us on our Free Sherlock Holmes Tour.

Your expert guide will lead you in the footsteps of the legendary detective, as we visit the real locations that feature in Arthur Conan Doyle’s books and in the various screen adaptations over the last century.

As we delve deeper into the life of Arthur Conan Doyle, we will uncover the hidden connections between the author and the city where his character made his mark, from the library where he paused to research, to the bars and theatres where he spent his evenings. We also examine his friendship with Oscar Wilde and the bizarre truth that Doyle, who created arguably the most rational character in literary history, believed passionately in the supernatural and the paranormal.

Our London walking tour adventure begins in Piccadilly Circus, outside the Criterion Theatre, where a plaque proudly states that this was the exact place where the very first Sherlock Holmes story began.

After a stroll along Piccadilly, you will find yourself in The Royal Academy’s courtyard, where the fictional Sherlock was made an honorary fellow of the Academy of Chemistry for being the first detective to employ chemical science as a method for catching criminals.

On the Sherlock Holmes Tour, we will pause on Pall Mall to take in the many Gentlemen’s Clubs that both inspired the creation of Mycroft Holmes and ultimately were used as filming locations in the BBC production and the Guy Ritchie film series.

After a visit to The Sherlock Holmes Pub near Trafalgar Square, the Sherlock Holmes Tour concludes with a walk along the Strand, to discuss how the character was thrust from the page onto the stages of first London and then the world.

Don’t worry if you haven’t read the books, as you will see places frequented by Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr, Christopher Plummer and Jeremy Brett in their screen appearances as the famous sleuth.

So book your tickets now, but hurry, the game’s afoot!

But if you're looking for a suaver international man of mystery why not book our James Bond and the Art of Espionage Tour as a private tour?

Tour Highlights include:

Piccadilly Circus
The Reform Club
The Adelphi Club

Great Scotland Yard
The Lyceum Theatre
The London Library

The Sherlock Holmes Pub
Burlington House
& much more!

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Meeting Point - The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain

We begin in the centre of Piccadilly Circus, next to the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, just near the underground station. The station is on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly line, and around a 5-10 minute walk from Leicester Square and Oxford Street.

We recommend arriving 10-15 minutes before the tour starts, it gives you plenty of time to meet the guide and grab a coffee or ice cream!

How do I find the Guide?

Head to Tower Hill Underground Station, next to the Tram Coffee stop, and look for the guide holding up a bright red umbrella.
Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts outside M&M World in Leicester Square and the guide should be nearby holding a red umbrella. The tour will finish near Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, in Westminster. The exact location will vary depending on the guide and the day, but the guide will always let you know at the beginning of the tour.
How long is the tour?

The tour is roughly 6 long, but will vary on the guide. There's a lunch break in the middle, lasting approximately an hour.
Do I need to make a booking? Or cancel if my plans change?

Yes please. The number of bookings we receive dictates how many guides we send to run the tour. If we have 100 extra people turn up, it's not going to be a good experience for anyone. Please be aware, we do not accept groups of 8 people or more. Even if you book separately, if you attend the tour as a big group, you will be turned away. If you are a group of 8 or more please contact us to enquire about booking a private tour. We'd be very grateful if you could cancel if you can no longer attend, as it could allow us to give your spot to someone else.
What if its raining?

If its raining, we will get wet! We always recommend you carry an umbrella in London, the weather really is that temperamental, but if we didn't run tours in bad weather, we wouldn't get to do many. Rain or shine we will be there waiting. Of course, if you don’t fancy standing in the rain with us we understand.
What should I wear?

Our tours are all walking, so we always recommend comfy shoes. Check the weather on the day of the tour, but we recommend bring a raincoat and some SPF just incase.
How is it free?*

We run all our tours on a pay what you think it’s worth basis. There is no booking fee for our free tours, and no payment is required before the tour begins. This means they are accessible to every budget. However our guides are all freelancers and don't get paid to do the tour, if you have fun then you can decide if you would like to tip your guide. The value is up to you, whatever fits in with your budget and your level of enjoyment. This also incentivises our guides to never stop trying to improve, as the system rewards the guides who provide the best quality tours. Tipping is always voluntary and our guides will never pressure you into it, but this is their job so if you have had fun, we ask that you take a moment to consider what it was worth to you.

Prefer to join us on a Private Tour?

If you are booking for a group of 8 or more, or just want a more personal experience away from the crowds, then you can book this as a private tour. You can dictate the content, the route and the time or sit back and let your guide lead you.

For more information on Private tours click here.

Please note, ALL schools and educational groups should book a Private tour.

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What our Customers say:

"Our Sherlock Holmes tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour interesting and fun. Would recommend to anyone interested in Sherlock Holmes history & Arthur Conan Doyle - thoroughly enjoyed."