London Covent Garden Scandalous History Walking Tour

Walk the streets of Covent Garden
and hear about its red-light past

Meet your guide opposite Covent Garden Underground Station and walk around Covent Garden and nearby streets for about 90 minutes to 2 hours. The tour covers the era when the area was London's notorious red-light district, focusing on the lives of people who were pushed into illicit work or marginalized by the strict morality laws of the time. The walk is just over 2 km with 11 stops.

Follow the change from monastery garden to theatreland

Covent Garden was a walled garden for the abbey of Westminster in the 1200s before architect Inigo Jones developed it into an Italianate square for wealthy tenants. From the late 17th century, theatres, coffee houses and brothels moved in, and by the 18th century it had become London's most famous pleasure district. As you pass the Piazza, Russell Street and Bow Street, hear how the trade later moved to Soho and the area became today's theatre and shopping district.

Hear stories of characters and scandals by theatres and hotels

Passing the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Lyceum Theatre and The Savoy, hear about Mother Douglas and her house, and the high-class courtesans and madams who inspired the TV series 'Harlots'. Stories continue with 'Harris's List', which rated sex workers, early drag performances, the trial of Oscar Wilde and the royal mistresses linked to the area.

Finish at The Nell Gwynne Tavern

The tour ends at The Nell Gwynne Tavern in Bull Inn Court, just off the Strand. It finishes at a different place from the meeting point, so please plan your onward route.

※ The itinerary is for reference and may change depending on local conditions.