West End and South Bank Theatre Walking Tour in London

4.9 (35 reviews) 3 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

35 reviews

4.9

West End and South Bank Theatre Walking Tour in London — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

West End and South Bank Theatre Walking Tour in London, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Discover 400 years of stage history in the theatre capital of the world! A journey across the West End and the South Bank featuring the biggest names, greatest successes & most infamous disasters.

Theatres covered on the tour include: The Coliseum, Duke of York's, Noel Coward, Wyndham's, Her Majesty's, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Harold Pinter, Prince of Wales, Lyric, Apollo, Gielgud, Sondheim, Palace, Ambassadors, St Martins, The Arts, ROH, Fortune, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Lyceum, The National, Shakespeare's Globe...plus a top-secret final location!

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Small Group Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 3 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English
Operated by: Charlie Tantam

Ages: Children (4–15 years) · Adults (16–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Historic programmes & theatre artefacts

Itinerary

London Coliseum

5 min

Learn the history of the Coliseum. The largest theatre in the West End!
Duke Of York Theatre

5 min

Discover the many stars who made their debuts on this West End stage. Including Peter Pan!
Noel Coward Theatre

10 min

Hear of the great productions of the past. The only theatre where two significant theatre giants ever shared a stage.
Stop 4

5 min

Learn of the history of this beautiful theatre. See the bust of Shakespeare on the front - the only one in the West End!
Leicester Square

5 min

Discount ticket booth - how to get great West End seats at low prices! Old music hall spots - historic theatres such as The Alhambra & The Empire.
Theatre Royal Haymarket

5 min

A theatre favoured by both Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench. There's also rumour of a haunting...
His Majesty's Theatre London

5 min

The second oldest active theatre site in London. Also home to the second-longest running musical - The Phantom of the Opera!
Harold Pinter Theatre

5 min

Opening in 1881, the Harold Pinter Theatre is one of the oldest playhouses in the West End. Hear of the stars that have caused a great sensation here - including Marilyn Monroe!
Prince of Wales Theatre

5 min

Now home to The Book of Mormon, the Prince of Wales has had a rich history of comedy & musical spectacles. Famous names who've appeared here include The Beatles, Peter Sellers and Barbara Streisand!
Shaftesbury Avenue

10 min

The road with more theatres than any other! Hear about the history of Shaftesbury Avenue and theatres including The Lyric, Apollo, Gielgud, Sondheim & The Palace.
Lyric Theatre

5 min

The oldest surviving theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue! Also the place where a British comedy icon tragically died...
Apollo Theatre

5 min

The first Edwardian Theatre, opening in 1901. Also once home to a truly legendary production of our time!
Gielgud Theatre

5 min

Now named after the great Sir John, the Gielgud has seen a few famous faces give their West End debuts. Including Harry Potter himself!
Sondheim Theatre

5 min

Learn the history of Les Miserables, the world's longest-running musical. Also - a few famous faces who debuted here in the 80s!
Palace Theatre

5 min Admission not included

Once a famous music hall venue, now home to Harry Potter & the Cursed Child. Discover the origin of the phrase 'bring the house down'.
Ambassadors Theatre

5 min

Although unremarkable on the outside, the Ambassadors has had a rich theatre history. Legendary theatre stars who debuted here include Vivien Leigh & Paul Robeson.
St. Martins Theatre

5 min

Home of The Mousetrap - the world's longest-running play! Discover the history of this unlikely theatrical hit.
The Arts Theatre

5 min

The West End's smallest theatre. Also once home to the most controversial play of all time!
Covent Garden

10 min

See the legendary Covent Garden Market! Also, London's official Actors Church, street theatre spots and two of the oldest theatre sites in London.
Royal Ballet and Opera

5 min

One of the oldest theatre spots in London - est 1732. Now home to the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet.
Fortune Theatre

5 min

Home to The Woman in Black - the longest-running horror play ever. Hear of the spooky stories that have occurred during the play's 30+ year history...
Theatre Royal Drury Lane

5 min

The oldest active theatre spot in the West End. Discover the legends of the past who made their names on its legendary stage.
Lyceum Theatre

5 min

Now home to The Lion King, going since 1999 and still a hot ticket! Hear of the leading actors of the Victorian era who once dominated the Lyceum's stage - Sir Henry Irving & Dame Ellen Terry - and also the genesis of a famous gothic horror creation.
National Theatre

10 min

Hear about the history of our National Theatre. Also, the founder of the National, Laurence Olivier, stated the opposite.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

15 min

Discover the history of Bankside - where Shakespeare made his name. See the famous reconstruction of Shakespeare's Globe and a final top-secret theatre location!

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Across the street from Charing Cross Station.

End point

Close to Shakespeare's Globe, with an excellent selection of food/drink places nearby and good transport links (London Bridge & Blackfriars.)

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.