The size and breadth of London’s history can overwhelm, especially the first-time visitor. Thankfully, help comes from London Walks, a guided tour company in operation for more than half a century. There’s no need to book a tour in advance. Simply meet your guide at the nearest subway stop, pay the $15 ($12 for seniors; children ages 15 and under are free), and off you go on a two-hour stroll.

London Walks focuses on specific neighborhoods or popular London subjects such as Jack the Ripper, the Beatles or Harry Potter. The most informative trips, however, are the tours that delve into the city’s rich history, like the Westminster and the West End walk on Sunday mornings. The tour begins at Big Ben and makes stops at Westminster Hall, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St. James’s Park, ending at the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Often led by former barristers who make these monumental buildings come to life, London Walks is the best bargain in town.