Sherlock Holmes London Walking Tour: Free Self-Guided Literary Route + Downloadable Map
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Are you a Sherlockian searching for an easy way to explore London for free?
Between the city’s sky-high prices and expensive guided tours, I created this completely free self-guided Sherlock Holmes London tour for fellow fans who’d rather spend their pounds on tea at Speedy’s than on a tour guide.
As a devoted Sherlockian who’s walked every cobblestone from Baker Street to the Thames, I’ve created this tour after multiple trips to London to track down filming locations, literary references, and hidden gems tied to our beloved detective.
From exploring 221b Baker Street to finding the real Speedy’s Café (where I got a perfect BBC Sherlock-inspired lunch) to discovering the Sherlock Pub’s secret upstairs recreation of Holmes’ study, I’ve done the detective work so you can simply enjoy the adventure.
Whether you’re devoted to Doyle’s original stories, obsessed with Benedict Cumberbatch’s BBC version, or somewhere in between, this tour will speak to your Sherlocked heart—and it won’t cost you a single pound.
Is this Sherlock Holmes London Walking Tour Worth Taking?
This free self-guided Sherlock Holmes walking tour covers 3.1 miles through central London, taking 4-5 hours, including stops at 221B Baker Street, Regent’s Park, Speedy’s Café, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, and the Sherlock Holmes Pub. Based on multiple trips I’ve taken since 2013, it works well as a morning activity for Sherlock fans, with no booking required and only optional museum admission (£19) as a cost.
Who Is This Tour For (And Not)
This tour is built for genuine Sherlock Holmes fans—of the original stories, the BBC’s Sherlock, or both—who want to see the real filming locations and literary landmarks without paying for a guided tour.
It rewards people willing to do a bit of self-directed walking and reading rather than following an audio guide.
It also works well for non-fans traveling with a Sherlockian, since stops like Regent’s Park, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square are worthwhile on their own, with no Sherlock knowledge required.
It’s less suited to travelers who want a guided, narrated experience—for that, the GetYourGuide and Viator options linked below are a better fit.
My Free Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour London
I first created this tour in 2013 on my 2nd visit to England, between seasons 2 and 3 of the BBC’s Sherlock, so it’s very inspired by that series and the original canon.
On subsequent trips, I’ve added to it here and there to refine it, but note that most of these locations are in central London, so whether you do the full route or not, you’ll surely find some of the famous detective along the way!
This self-guided Sherlock Holmes walking tour covers 3.1 miles of central London, takes 4-5 hours including stops, and is completely free. The only costs are optional museum admission (£19 at the Sherlock Holmes Museum) and food.
The route starts at 221B Baker Street and ends at the Sherlock Holmes Pub near Trafalgar Square.
The ground is mostly flat with one brief slope near the Sherlock Pub, making it manageable for most fitness levels. No booking required, just download the map and walk at your own pace.
While this tour was designed with Sherlockians in mind, non-fans will find plenty to enjoy, such as Regent’s Park, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square, which don’t require you to know anything about Sherlock.
However, note that it will require you to take in the sights and sounds of the city, as there is no audio accompaniment (other than the soundtrack I linked below).
If you prefer to get more out of each site, I’ve linked some popular guided walking tours below.
| Stop | Duration | Distance from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| Sherlock Holmes Museum (221B Baker St) | 1 hour | — |
| Regent’s Park | 30 min | 0.1 mi |
| Speedy’s Café | 30-45 min | 1 mi |
| Chinatown | 15 min | 1.2 mi |
| Piccadilly Circus | 15 min | 0.3 mi |
| Trafalgar Square | 15 min | 0.3 mi |
| Sherlock Holmes Pub | 1 hour | 0.2 mi |
| Total | 4-5 hours | 3.1 miles |
Book Recommendation
Read the Enola Holmes series—I first watched the Netflix film and loved it so much that I gave the book a chance. It’s a fun romp, especially for fans of YA and female leads.
I get my audiobooks from Libro.fm—they split the profits with an independent bookstore of your choice.
Start at the Sherlock Holmes Museum
The first stop on my Sherlock Holmes London tour is the official Sherlock Holmes Museum, located at 221b Baker Street, which is no surprise to any fan, as it’s his famous address.
Here, you can spend an hour checking out his famous apartment, which is decorated as if he and Dr Watson still live there!
It does focus much more on the books than the film and television incarnations, as it should.
But it’s good to note that in case you were expecting any Cluedo!
Though I’ve only read half of Conan Doyle’s Holmes stories, I still loved the museum, as it kind of gave me that living-history feel.
If you’re a fan of living history, visit Hampton Court Palace, which is just a short train ride outside London, and is famous as Henry the 8th’s home.
📍 Address: 221b Baker Street, Marylebone, London NW1 6XE
⏳ Duration: 1 hour
Stroll Through Regents Park
From the private detective’s address, it’s just a short walk to many of the locations that inspired the original novels and the subsequent movies and TV shows.
Next on the list is a walk through Regent’s Park; it is only a block away.
You can actually see the edge of it from Sherlock’s window.
Take your time here, as it is a lovely park to wander through. Though if you’re short on time, say you only have 2 days in London, hustle just a bit.
They host plays here as well. Robert Sean Leonard was performing in “To Kill a Mockingbird” when I did this walking tour myself.
Leonard is well known for his role in House as Dr. Wilson. Which, if you didn’t know, that TV series was based on Sherlock Holmes!
However, if you’re looking to cut down on steps, you can go along the edge of Regent’s Park on the way to our next destination.
⏳ Duration: 30 minutes
Speedy’s, a BBC Sherlock Filming Location
Coming through to the other side of Regent’s Park, you’ll find yourself near Speedy’s.
Speedy’s, you’ll recall, is a filming location for BBC Sherlock.
It’s quite small and just a few blocks away from the park’s edge.
If you find yourself there at lunchtime, be aware that this place is popular! I had to stand outside the door for about 5-10 minutes to get inside and order, but it was well worth the wait!
They have plenty of menu items, so you won’t be short on options.
Of these delicious choices, there’s a Sherlock and a Watson wrap, though I couldn’t bring myself to order those and out myself 1000% as a Sherlockian.
I did get an excellent chicken wrap, however.
If you poke around inside, they have some photos and fan art from BBC Sherlock (one of my favorite TV shows set in Europe) on the walls. You can tell they do love the show and their fans.
The people who work here are super nice and friendly, plus, you can’t turn down well-priced, tasty food in London!
Just next door to Speedy’s is where 221b Baker Street is located in the BBC Sherlock series.
They swap out the door so it has the correct address when filming.
You could easily recreate the photo shown above, Sherlock cosplayers! Please comment below on this Sherlock Holmes London tour post if you do! I’d love to see the picture!
📍 Address: 187 N Gower St, Euston Rd., London NW1 2NJ, United Kingdom
⏳ Duration: 30-45 minutes (less if you don’t snack and just go for pics)
Solve Crimes in Chinatown
On one of my first trips to London, I came across Chinatown quite unexpectedly while on my way to Piccadilly Circus.
It’s a lovely area, and if you’re a Chinese food nut like me, you’ll enjoy the fare as well.
But more importantly, it’s another BBC Sherlock filming location!
Part of “The Blind Banker” was shot here, as you’ll likely recall.
📍 Address: Gerrard St, London
⏳ Duration: 15 minutes for photos (longer if you stop for a meal)
Meet John in Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is shown in the show’s opening credits, as well as in other scenes.
It is not far from Chinatown.
Take in all Piccadilly has to offer, including Criterion Bar, a haunt of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes.
In the first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, Dr. Watson is told of his prospective roommate after he meets a friend at the Criterion.
A plaque commemorating this event was placed there in 1953.
There’s a new restaurant in the old space called Masala Zone Piccadilly Circus.
The ornate interiors are well worth the stop!
📍 Address: Piccadilly Circus, London, W1D 7ET
⏳ Duration: 15 minutes for photos (longer for a meal)
Trafalgar Square
Next, head down to Trafalgar Square, another filming location for BBC Sherlock’s “The Blind Banker.“
Trafalgar Square is a great spot for tourists, with a big open area that occasionally hosts events, and the National Gallery is right there as well.
If you’re a total nerd like me, you’re listening to the BBC Sherlock soundtrack by now during this Sherlock Holmes London tour!
📍 Address: Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS
⏳ Duration: 15 minutes (more if you want to go into the Gallery)
Go for a Bite at The Sherlock Pub
The perfect place to end your self-guided Sherlock Holmes tour is the Sherlock Pub!
This place is a bit of a hidden gem, and I really mean hidden.
My Aunt had trouble finding it, so make sure you have the address—else you’ll need to write Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to find you!
Once there, take the time to look at everything. There is an upstairs and downstairs. The upstairs contains a recreation of Sherlock’s study/living room.
There is also plenty of memorabilia from past film and television portrayals of our favorite consulting detective.
They even decorated the bathroom with memorabilia. Though I must say, the men’s bathroom had better photos of Robert Downey Jr. Don’t ask how I know!
The food here is pretty good and reasonably priced. Back in the States, any of these ‘themed’ restaurants charge you an arm and a leg for the ‘ambiance,’ so I was astonished at the level of quality here.
If it looks busy downstairs, head upstairs for a table or book in advance.
📍 Address: 10 Northumberland St, London WC2N 5DB, United Kingdom
⏳ Duration: 1 hour (if eating)
Sherlock Holmes London Tour Map
🗺️ How to Use This Map: Get more info about each point of interest by clicking the icons on the map. To save my interactive map, click Sherlock Inspired Walking Tour list, then hit ‘Save.’ It’ll then be accessible via desktop under ‘Saved’ and the Google Maps app under ‘You.’ Sort by ‘Distance’ to quickly see what’s open and nearby while traveling.
Additional Sherlock Locations in London
If you’ve got some more time and steps in ya, add these to your Sherlock Holmes London tour!
- 4 Marylebone Rd – A statue of Sherlock Holmes by the sculptor John Doubleday stands near 221B Baker Street, great for a quick photo op!
- St. Bart’s Hospital – Iconic for Sherlock fans as it’s where Holmes and Watson first met in both the original stories and in BBC Sherlock. It’s also the location of that dramatic rooftop scene from “The Reichenbach Fall.” The furthest location on this list. Visit by tube or bus.
- 2 Devonshire Place – This is where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle actually had his medical practice from 1891-1892. It’s very close to Baker Street and would be a quick detour before or after the museum.
- The Langham Hotel – A Victorian landmark that appears in several Holmes stories, including “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Sign of Four.” This is also where Conan Doyle had the historic dinner meeting with his editor that led to him writing more Holmes stories. Closest to Regents Park or Speedy’s.
- The Lyceum Theatre (on The Strand) – Used as a meeting place in “The Sign of Four” and currently home to Disney’s The Lion King theatrical performance. Not terribly far from the Sherlock Pub.
- Simpson’s-in-the-Strand – A London restaurant that frequently appears in the Sherlock Holmes stories because Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a patron. Holmes is mentioned visiting the restaurant in two specific stories: “The Dying Detective” and “The Illustrious Client,” and is described as Holmes’s favorite restaurant. Charles Dickens was also a regular. Located near Trafalgar Square.
- British Museum – Holmes frequently visited for research purposes, and you should too, as it’s a free thing to do in London, though I highly recommend reserving tickets in advance. Located between Speedy’s and Chinatown.
If you’re looking for more filming locations, I highly recommend taking a day trip from London to an area such as Wales, which is featured not only in BBC Sherlock but also in Doctor Who.
Guided Sherlock Holmes London Tours
If you’re short on time and also want more in-depth info, hire a guide instead of doing a self-guided tour.
GetYourGuide offers many marvelous options.
I love booking with them because if any issues arise, it’s easy to get a refund! You just reach out and let them know, and within a few days, the cost is back in your bank account.
Their tour operators are also affordable and reliable, making them my tour booking go-to!
Alternatively, there is also a Sherlock Holmes Museum & London’s Top Sights Walking Tour available on Viator.
FAQs
How Long is this Sherlock Holmes London Tour?
The self-guided Sherlock Holmes walking tour of London takes 4 to 5 hours in total, including time at each stop.
Note that this is an estimation, as I can’t calculate things like service time at the Sherlock Pub or whether there’ll be a wait at the Sherlock Holmes Museum to get in.
The walking portion alone—moving between all seven main locations—requires 1 to 1.5 hours at a comfortable pace.
The full route is 3.1 miles: from the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street through Regent’s Park, past Speedy’s Café (a BBC Sherlock filming location at 187 North Gower Street), through Chinatown, past Piccadilly Circus, across Trafalgar Square, and ending at the Sherlock Holmes Pub on Northumberland Street.
The tour works well as a morning activity, leaving the afternoon free for other London sightseeing.
Most stops require only 15-30 minutes, with the museum being the one location that warrants a full hour for dedicated fans.
Is this a Difficult Sherlock Holmes London Walking Tour?
The route is 3.1 miles long and on mostly flat ground.
There aren’t any big hills or steep inclines other than the short slope to the Sherlock Pub.
London is pretty flat, and you can do this Sherlock Holmes London tour at your leisure, so it should be fine even for those with limited mobility.
As you pass through Regent’s Park from 221b Baker Street to Speedy’s, I recommend taking a tube ride or taxi from Speedy’s to Chinatown if you want to cut down on walking.
What BBC Sherlock Filming Locations Does this Walking Tour Cover?
The tour covers three confirmed BBC Sherlock filming locations alongside two Conan Doyle literary landmarks.
Speedy’s Café at 187 North Gower Street served as the exterior of 221B Baker Street throughout the BBC series and continues to operate as a working café with a Sherlock-themed menu.
Chinatown on Gerrard Street and Trafalgar Square both appeared in the “Blind Banker” episode.
Piccadilly Circus features in the show’s opening credits.
The Criterion Bar at Piccadilly Circus contains a plaque installed in 1953 marking the fictional spot where Watson first heard of Holmes, as described in Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet, making it both a literary landmark.
The Sherlock Holmes Museum is focused entirely on the original stories rather than the BBC adaptation.
Is This Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour Safe for Solo Travelers?
Yes. This route runs entirely through well-trafficked central London during daytime hours—Marylebone, Regent’s Park, Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square are all busy tourist areas with heavy foot traffic.
I’ve walked this route on multiple trips, including solo, and never had any safety concerns.
The same general precautions apply as anywhere in London: keep bags zipped and stay aware in crowded areas like Chinatown and Piccadilly.
Related London Travel Guides
- Ultimate 2 Day London Itinerary: Top Sights for First-Timers
- See Inside Hampton Court Palace, How to Visit from London
- Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London Worth Visiting? Review from a Fan
- Sherlock Holmes London Tour: A Free Self-Guided Literary Walk + Map
- 11 Amazing London Day Trips You Can Easily Take by Train in 2 Hours or Less
- Need a Safe Hostel to Stay at in Soho, London? Book Astor Oxford Street
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Awww wow! I love this post! I love in the uk but not in London so it’s great to see your experience on here! I can’t wait to visit all the places!
Awe thanks! I hope to go back to the UK soon! I’m sure you’ll have fun!