Private London: New York Times Journeys - Ancient Sites, Bites and Beers
London, United Kingdom
Office phone number: +44 7500 166 678


Private London: New York Times Journeys - Ancient Sites, Bites and Beers
London, United Kingdom
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Dive into London’s fascinating history, vibrant culinary scene, and enjoy some local craft beers right where they were brewed on a tour curated by Urban Adventures and The New York Times. See the city through the eyes of a local guide, eat your way through Borough Market, and get exclusive access and hands-on experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
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Highlights
- Experience an exclusive, behind the scenes tour of London’s ancient Borough Market and the surrounding area
- Meet a local, artisan coffee roaster and be mentored on how to make the perfect cup of coffee
- Indulge in locally sourced, gourmet bites as we enjoy London’s famous market culture
- Go behind the scenes of an award-winning craft brewery and meet the workers as we sample the goods
New York Times Exclusives
- Behind the Scenes Access: Gain exclusive access into South London’s most loved independent brewery and taste some award-winning beers whilst observing them being made!
- Hands-on Element: A barista tutorial with a local, artisan trader inside a hidden coffee roastery.
- Local Interactions: Exclusive experiences that enable you to meet local traders in Borough market and the staff of the Coffee Roasters and Southwark Brewing Company.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
Directly outside of Borough Station. There is only one exit. Your guide will be standing just outside the exit with a large, open red and white umbrella.
Borough High Street, London SE1 1JX.
View on Google Maps.
- Starting time: Various
- Ending point:
Tower Bridge
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking Guide, all entrance tickets, gourmet coffee, your choice of fresh oysters or freshly made empanadas or venison burger or scallops (vegetarian options available), two beers/English Ales or non-alcoholic beverages of your choice.
Exclusions: Items of personal nature, additional food or drink and gratuities for your guide.
Starting in Borough, far from the madding crowds, we’ll begin exploring the alleyways and cobblestone streets of this historic area. While we’re here, we’ll stop for a short coffee tutorial with the help of a local, artisan coffee genius in a hidden roastery. With our ethically sourced, gourmet coffees in hand, we’ll head for one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
In our eyes London’s most beautiful and historic cathedral is… No, not St Paul’s Cathedral, but Southwark Cathedral. Inside this gothic masterpiece we’ll find a wealth of commemorations to forgotten legends, such as John Harvard (as in the University) who was baptized there, and Shakespeare who was once a member of the congregation!
Culturally nourished, we’ll then need to nourish our bodies. And there’s no better place to do that than at Borough Market, over a millennium old and home to all that’s tasty and trendy in the capital. We’ll sample exquisite culinary delights cooked before our eyes, including options such as fresh oysters, scallops, empanadas, venison, and more (vegetarian options also available) as we mingle with local traders.
After feasting on locally sourced produce from the market we’ll be in need of a light stroll and some visual stimulation. This will come in the form of the magnificent Golden Hinde pirate ship and the ruins of Winchester Palace, and a stroll along the famous River Thames with amazing views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
Now that our feast has settled, it’s time to start thinking about an English beer. Hidden not too far away, in a listed structure with ancient brewing connections, is an award-winning brewery. Together we’ll make our way toward it taking in south London’s offerings of both recognizable monuments and hidden treasures.
Once there, it’s time to meet the beer wizards. In an exclusive one-on-one session, we’ll get to see how this magical liquid is made whilst the brewery is in full operation.
With no other guests permitted inside, we’ll have unique and exclusive access to see the inner workings of the brewhouse, and the chance to hear about the area’s awesome history in craft beer.
Now the only thing left to do is enjoy a couple of craft beers 10 yards away from where the beer is brewed, in the brewery’s private bar.
Before we go our separate ways, don’t forget to tap up your local guide for tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay in London.
Reading List
- 36 Hours in Southeast London
- New York Has a Public Housing Problem. Does London Have an Answer? (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/01/arts/design/hackney-london-public-housing.html)
- T’s Wellness Guide to London (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/15/t-magazine/london-wellness.html )
- Install Curtains, Judge Suggests to Neighbors in Tate Modern Privacy Case (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/arts/uk-tate-modern-privacy.html)
- It’s a Theater, With Craft Beer and D.J.s Until 6 a.m. (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/03/theater/yard-theater-london-now-festival.html)
- Five Places to Visit in London (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/travel/five-places-to-visit-in-london.html)
- London’s Theaters Tackle the Big Issue: Women’s Bathrooms (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/theater/london-theaters-toilets-bathrooms-women.html)
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking Guide, all entrance tickets, gourmet coffee, your choice of fresh oysters or freshly made empanadas or venison burger or scallops (vegetarian options available), two beers/English Ales or non-alcoholic beverages of your choice.
Exclusions: Items of personal nature, additional food or drink and gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Ages 18 and over only. No children Allowed.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +44 7500 166 678
Email address: foodanddrink@londonurbanadventures.com
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