You can forget the Tube, where being cast underground like rats one barely sees daylight let alone the sights and sounds of London. You can forget the bus, which whilst a famous London icon rarely enables you to see London at its best due to being surrounded by too much traffic. And you can certainly forget a taxi, which wiz around the city charging you the Earth. No, the only way to see London at its best and really get to know the city is to walk.

Whilst meandering through London’s streets, squares and alleyways without having an inkling of where you are heading has appeal in a lonely and pensive kind of way, the best way to discover London by foot is to join in a guided London walk.

City Guides put on various daily walks throughout London, most of which take a couple of hours to complete. Here are five of the best guided London walks.

London’s River – The City’s ebb and flow

On a Monday morning and Saturday morning at 11 o’clock, walkers meet and take a leisurely walk down the River Thames, ‘London’s lifeblood’.

Roman London – The City beneath our feet

On a Monday at 2pm and a Friday at 11am there is a guided walk that explores the remnants of London’s hidden Roman past. Walkers have the chance to visit Londinium’s Temple of Mithras and Amphitheatre and discover how the Roman’s put London firmly on the map!

Love and Romance in the City – London life and love

On a Tuesday at 11am and a Thursday at 11am those participating in this guided walk will learn about tales of marriage, romance and infidelity amongst the monarchs, radicals and rogues who have lived in London over the centuries.

The City in Spires – A tour of Wren’s churches

At 11am on Wednesday London walkers can meet and go on a walking tour of Christopher Wren’s churches, including St Mary-le-Bow and St Michael Paternoster.

London’s Burning – A city transformed

Every Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock and Sunday morning at 11 o’clock, walkers can go a tour that explores the sites that were damaged by the Great Fire of London and rebuilt again from the ashes.