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Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London's Bawdy Borough

84 Reviews 4.99 out of 5 stars Based on 84 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
London, England

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On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
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Overview

Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting William Shakespeare, medieval Winchester Geese prostitutes, Charles Dickens, the ghost of a nineteenth century pub landlady, and the wonderfully named Doorkins Magnificat!

On our walking tour we'll visit the areas around Borough and Bankside, which being outside the jurisdiction of the City of London were for centuries the site of seedy goings on. We'll learn how the area had been notorious for prostitution since the arrival of the Romans, visit the locations of Southwark's two most notorious prisons of which parts can still be seen today, take in the sights of a millennium-old market, view the remains of a medieval palace, and find Shakespeare's Globe Theatres both old and new!

The walking tour begins outside Borough Station, ends near London Bridge Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles.

Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.

What's Included

  • Walking Tour Guide
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Borough High Street
London SE1 1JX, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

New Globe Walk
London SE1 9DT, UK

What To Expect

St George the Martyr

The only remaining part of the Marshalsea Prison
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance

The final resting place for thousands of Southwark's outcast dead
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Hop Exchange

The largest extant reminder of Southwark's beer trade
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

George

London's last surviving galleried coaching inn
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret

Europe's oldest surviving operating theatre
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

London Bridge

The world famous and iconic London Bridge
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Southwark Cathedral

London's oldest surviving gothic church
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Borough Market

A one thousand year old food market
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Winchester Palace

The remains of one of the most prestigious homes in medieval England
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Clink Prison Museum

The site of the notorious Clink Prison
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

The reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Booze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London’s Bawdy Borough?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-181808P4

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.99
84 reviews

Average 4.99 out of 5 stars based on 84 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
83
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

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On average, this is booked 22 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Walking Tour Guide
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

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Free Cancellation

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100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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