Secrets of London Bike Tour: Thames, Tower Bridge, and Market

London’s great riverfront sights come at you in quick succession on this four-hour bike tour. You’ll pedal from Southwark to Westminster, cross Tower Bridge, thread through the City, and return over London Bridge. It is a smart way to cover ground that would take much longer on foot.

I especially like the local storytelling, which connects plagues, wars, fires, and film locations to the streets around you. I also like the Borough Market stop, where you can trade the usual tour snack for falafel, noodles, fish and chips, or something more adventurous. The catch is London traffic and crowded walkways. You need to ride confidently, and parts of the route can feel tight.

Key points to know before you book

• See seven major London sights in one ride: Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tower Bridge, and London Bridge.
• Borough Market is a real food stop: Morning departures include about 30 minutes for lunch, but food costs extra.
• The route crosses both famous bridges: You ride over Tower Bridge and London Bridge, with changing views of old and new London.
• The group can reach 14 people: Some departures are smaller, but a group of 11 may not feel especially intimate in crowded areas.
• Guides shape the day: The route can adjust to the group, and guides such as Emily, Jonathan, Thomas, Josh, Beth, and Nick have been praised for their humor and London stories.
• This is cycling, not a boat tour: The current experience is a bike tour. Do not book it expecting a Thames clipper ride.

A fast, useful introduction to London

If you have only a few days in London, this tour gives you a useful first look. You are not entering every landmark, so you will not see the Crown Jewels inside the Tower of London or climb into St. Paul’s Cathedral. Instead, you stop outside, hear the story, take photographs, and mark places to revisit later.

That distinction matters. I see this as an orientation tour, not a substitute for London’s major museums and historic buildings. The value comes from linking many districts in a single morning or afternoon, while a guide explains why the city looks the way it does.

The route begins at Unlimited Biking, formerly Fat Tire Tours, at 135a Mepham Street in Southwark. The listed start time is 10:00 a.m., and the tour returns to the same meeting point. You receive a bicycle and helmet for the ride.

The bikes are described in the reviews as comfortable fat-tire bikes, which suit a slow city pace. You are not racing. You are stopping often, listening to stories, and sharing busy streets with buses, pedestrians, and other cyclists.

Big Ben and the London Eye set the tone

The first major sights are Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Technically, Big Ben is the Great Bell, while Elizabeth Tower is the clock tower itself. Your guide can help sort out that familiar London naming mix-up while you take in the Gothic riverfront.

The stop is short, about five minutes, so think of it as a photo and orientation pause. You will not have time to tour Parliament. That is fine for a first pass, since the point here is to place Westminster within the larger river route.

You then ride past the London Eye, the huge observation wheel on the South Bank. It rotates above the Thames and gives a different view of the city than the street-level ride. Admission is not part of the tour, so you will see it from outside rather than take a flight during the bike trip.

This stretch helps you understand why the Thames is such a useful organizing line for London. On one side, you have Parliament and historic Westminster. On the other, the South Bank’s theaters, food stalls, galleries, and river walk.

South Bank brings London close

The South Bank section is one of the most enjoyable parts because it feels less like checking off monuments and more like moving through everyday London. You pass public walkways, riverside activity, and the changing mix of old brick, modern buildings, theaters, and food spots.

You may also ride through tunnels and narrow passages. That can be fun, since you see parts of the city that a standard coach tour skips. It can also be the point where you need the most patience. Pedestrian traffic can make the ride slow, and some riders have found themselves weaving around people in tight spaces.

Your guide leads the group and helps manage the route. Guides called Beth and Thomas have been praised for keeping groups together, explaining traffic rules, and making riders feel safe. That matters in London, where you ride on the left and may encounter buses, crowded paths, and uneven surfaces.

The tour does not promise a quiet cycle path from start to finish. You should expect a city ride with interruptions. If you want a relaxed, car-free cruise, this is not the right format. If you are comfortable stopping, starting, and following a guide, the city traffic becomes part of the experience.

St. Paul’s and Shakespeare’s Globe

St. Paul’s Cathedral is another outside stop, usually around ten minutes. The cathedral has hosted major state occasions, including Winston Churchill’s funeral and the wedding of Charles and Diana. You get context and a chance to admire the dome, but admission is not included.

Allow yourself more time at St. Paul’s on another day if the interior is high on your list. The bike tour gives you the story and the setting, not the full cathedral visit.

The Globe Theatre adds a different kind of London history. The modern reconstruction was founded by American actor and director Sam Wanamaker and explores Shakespeare’s plays and the original playhouse. Again, you see the exterior and hear about its role in the area rather than taking a full theater tour.

I like the contrast here. Within a short ride, you move from medieval and religious London to the world of Elizabethan theater. The guide’s stories are important because the stops themselves are brief. A good guide turns a quick look at a building into a clear piece of the city’s story.

Borough Market is the tour’s best pause

Morning departures stop at Borough Market for roughly 30 minutes. This is the most practical break of the day and one of the best reasons to choose the morning option.

You buy your own lunch, with choices that can include crispy fish and chips, a Damascene falafel wrap, or noodles with your preferred toppings. The market’s food reflects London’s international character, so you can eat well without sitting down to a long formal meal.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick purchase, but it is not a leisurely market lunch if the group is large or the queues are long. Keep an eye on the meeting time. You do not want to turn a tasty break into a search party.

The stop also gives your legs a rest. Some riders found the tour easy and well paced, while others noted that the day feels different depending on the group’s cycling level. A longer market stop may suit a relaxed group, but it leaves less time for riding.

Afternoon departures do not include this Borough Market lunch stop according to the tour description. Check the departure details carefully before booking if the food market is a priority.

Tower Bridge delivers the big moment

After Borough Market, the route heads toward the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Tower of London stop lasts about ten minutes and is mainly for viewing and photographs. The historic fortress is associated with the Crown Jewels, royal prisoners, the Bloody Tower, the Chapel of St. John, and the Royal Armories.

Admission to the Tower is not part of the bike tour. You can return later for a full visit, which is wise if you want to explore the buildings and exhibits properly. The short stop works well as a preview.

Then comes the tour’s signature moment: cycling across Tower Bridge. The bridge’s Victorian engineering and twin towers make it one of London’s most memorable crossings. From here, you see the Shard rising above the river, its glass form sharply different from the older buildings nearby.

Crossing by bike gives you a sense of the bridge as a working part of the city, not just a postcard view. It is also a place where the group may slow down for photographs. Stay alert and follow your guide, since this is a public crossing rather than a closed course.

Several riders singled out Tower Bridge as the highlight. I understand why. You get movement, river views, architecture, and a small feeling of adventure without needing advanced cycling skills. The cobblestones may be less charming the next day, though, so expect a firm ride rather than a cushioned one.

The City of London packs centuries into a few blocks

Across Tower Bridge, you enter the City of London, the capital’s financial center. This is where the route makes its strongest old-and-new contrast. Glass towers rise beside churches, markets, monuments, and narrow historic streets.

The guide discusses the events that shaped the city, including plague outbreaks, wars, and the Great Fire of 1666. The Monument to the Great Fire provides a clear reference point for that story. The column commemorates the disaster and helps explain why so much of central London was rebuilt.

Leadenhall Market is a particularly attractive stop. Its ornate covered structure has medieval roots, though much of what you see today comes from later rebuilding. The market also appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, giving the stop a pop-culture hook for fans.

This part of the ride is valuable because it shows how London’s past survives beside its financial present. You may notice office towers, old churches, market arcades, and lanes all within a short distance. The guide’s timing and storytelling matter here, since you are often looking in several directions at once.

London Bridge brings the loop home

The final section heads back toward Southwark and crosses London Bridge. Despite the common confusion, London Bridge is not the ornate Tower Bridge. Its importance comes from its long role as a crossing over the Thames, while Tower Bridge provides the famous towers and bascules seen in photographs.

Along the way, the route passes an old medieval church damaged during the Second World War Blitz. Details like this are easy to miss on your own, especially when the street is busy. This is where the guide adds real value by pointing out the small marks of the city’s past.

The published itinerary also lists a beer tasting at an authentic London pub near the end. However, the experience details do not give a pub name or specify the tasting format. Treat it as part of the stated itinerary, but confirm current arrangements when booking if this matters to you.

One important clarification: some older descriptions or expectations referred to a Thames boat ride. The information provided for this tour lists a guided bike ride, and several accounts note that the boat ride was no longer included. Do not count on a Thames clipper journey.

How good is the value at $62.01?

At $62.01 per person, the price is fair if you want a guided overview rather than a series of paid interior visits. The fee covers about four hours, the bike, helmet, and guide. You also get a route that connects Westminster, South Bank, the Tower, the City, and Borough Market without arranging several separate outings.

The value is strongest early in your London stay. You can use the ride to decide where to spend more time later. If St. Paul’s, the Tower of London, or the Globe interests you, you will finish with a better sense of their location and surrounding streets.

Budget extra for lunch at Borough Market. The London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and the Globe all list admission as not included or are visited from outside. This is not a bargain if you expect entry to the city’s major attractions.

The guide is the other major part of the value. Strong guides such as Jonathan, Josh, Thomas, Emily, and Beth have been described as entertaining, well-informed, and passionate about London. One rider who had lived in London for more than three years still found the history engaging, which suggests the commentary can offer more than basic sightseeing facts.

Guide quality can vary, though. One three-star experience found the scenery good but the guide less effective. That is normal for any tour built around individual guides, and it is worth remembering when you compare this with a self-guided route.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to first-time London visitors who want a broad orientation and enjoy learning while moving. It also suits people who like food markets, river views, photo stops, and a little city riding.

You should be able to ride a bicycle independently and handle a moderate level of physical activity. Children are not recommended unless they are proficient riders. Tag-alongs and trailers are not allowed, and the operator asks for children’s ages in advance so it can provide suitable bikes.

This is not a good pick if you dislike traffic, uneven paving, crowded walkways, or frequent stops. London can make even an easy bike tour feel demanding when pedestrians fill the route. Riders of mixed ability can manage it, but you need to stay close, listen to instructions, and accept a slower pace.

The tour operates in all weather. Dress for rain, wind, or sun, and wear clothes that are comfortable for several hours on a bike. You will want practical shoes and a layer you can adjust during the day.

Booking advice and final verdict

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Book this tour if you want to see a large slice of central London quickly, especially at the start of your visit. The combination of Tower Bridge, Borough Market, both Thames banks, and the City’s older streets gives you more variety than a simple riverside walk.

Skip it if your main goal is entering attractions, avoiding traffic, or taking a boat along the Thames. For confident riders who want a lively introduction, the tour offers good value and a memorable bridge crossing. For nervous cyclists, London’s crowds may take some shine off the experience.

FAQ

How long does the Secrets of London Bike Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Unlimited Biking, formerly Fat Tire Tours, at 135a Mepham Street, London SE1 8SQ. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m.

Is a bicycle included?

Yes. A bicycle and helmet are provided for the duration of the guided tour.

Is lunch included?

No. Morning departures stop at Borough Market for about 30 minutes, but you pay for your own food.

Which London sights are included in the route?

The sightseeing includes Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Borough Market, Tower Bridge, the Monument to the Great Fire, Leadenhall Market, and London Bridge.

Can children take this bike tour?

Children are not recommended unless they can ride a bicycle proficiently on their own. Tag-alongs and trailers are not permitted.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

Does the tour include a Thames boat ride?

The supplied tour details describe a bike tour and do not include a Thames boat ride. Some older expectations referred to a boat trip, so confirm the current inclusions if a cruise is important to you.