Themed Walk, Set Price
London: Sherlock Holmes-Themed Walking Tour
Set-price shared walk at £26.48, the most affordable way to cover the key sites.
From$26Check availability
The Short Answer
Sherlock's London is spread across the city, from the 221B exterior at 187 North Gower Street to St Bartholomew's Hospital. Many spots are free to view independently. For a structured visit, a private black taxi tour (3 hours, from £399 per taxi for up to four people) covers the major sites, while guided walking tours offer a cheaper alternative.
The BBC series Sherlock (2010-2017) may have shot most of its interior scenes in Cardiff studios, but its London exteriors are real and easy to find. The production famously used 187 North Gower Street in Camden instead of the actual Baker Street, because the real road was too busy and modern for filming. Today that quiet corner, with Speedy's Cafe beside it, draws fans from around the world.
Beyond North Gower Street, the series scattered its locations across central London: St Bartholomew's Hospital for the rooftop confrontation in The Reichenbach Fall, Borough Market, the building used for Magnussen's office, and the MI6 headquarters exterior. A tour ties these far-flung sites together, though several can also be reached on foot or by public transport for nothing.
Compare The Tours
The tours below differ mainly in format and group size. One is a budget-friendly themed walking tour with set departures, while the others are private or very small group walks, some blending BBC filming sites with traditional Sherlock Holmes locations such as the real Baker Street. Choosing comes down to how much personal attention you want and whether the BBC series alone is the draw.
Private Walking Tour
Sherlock Holmes Private Walking Tour in London
Fully private guide and flexible route, ideal for dedicated fans wanting the itinerary shaped around them.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Very Small Group Walk
Sherlock Holmes BBC Series and Traditional Locations - A Very Small Group Tour
Capped at a very small group, so more guide interaction than a standard shared walk.
PriceLive on listingCheck availability
Private BBC Plus Traditional
Sherlock Holmes Private Guided Tour - BBC Series & Traditional Locations
Private tour pairing BBC filming sites with traditional Holmes landmarks like the real Baker Street.
From$128Check availability
What You Will See
187 North Gower Street
The exterior that stood in for 221B Baker Street throughout the series. It is a private residence, so viewing is street level only, but it remains one of the most photographed spots for fans, sitting right next to Speedy's Cafe.
Speedy's Cafe
The sandwich shop next door to the North Gower Street location appears frequently in exterior shots. It is a working cafe, so visitors can step inside, order something, and sit among the show's most recognisable street furniture.
St Bartholomew's Hospital
Used for hospital scenes and, most famously, the rooftop sequence in The Reichenbach Fall, plus the spot where Sherlock and Watson first meet. The grounds and exterior are accessible to the public; the roof itself is private.
Borough Market
One of London's oldest food markets, used as a filming location during the series. It doubles as a practical stop on taxi tours, letting visitors combine sightseeing with lunch among the market stalls.
Magnussen's Office Building
The office tower used for the media magnate's headquarters in series three. It is viewed from outside on the taxi tour, an example of how the series mixed real London architecture into its modern-day setting.
MI6 Headquarters Exterior
The real intelligence service building on the Thames appears in the series and features on the private taxi route. Like other stops, it is exterior viewing only, since the building itself is a working government facility.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
The private black taxi tour picks up from any central London hotel in Zone 1 and finishes near Euston, removing any need to plan transport between the scattered locations. Independent visitors will find North Gower Street a short walk from Euston or Mornington Crescent stations, while St Bartholomew's Hospital sits near Barbican or Farringdon. Borough Market is close to London Bridge station. Walking between the main clusters takes a while, so comfortable shoes help.
Tickets, Hours And Timing
The official BBC Sherlock tour by private black taxi costs from £399 per taxi, covering one to four people, and runs about 3 hours. Departures are daily at 9:30am or 1:30pm, year-round, with advance booking required. Viewing the outdoor locations independently is free at any time, though St Bartholomew's small museum has limited hours and the Sherlock Holmes Museum on the real Baker Street requires tickets. Guided walking tours listed below offer a lower-cost middle ground, typically lasting around two to three hours.
Booking Tips
- Book the taxi tour in advance; private departures at 9:30am or 1:30pm fill up ahead of time.
- The £399 taxi price covers one to four people, so splitting it among a group lowers the per-person cost.
- Under-18s are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.
- The taxi tour is not wheelchair accessible, so check options before booking if that matters to your group.
- Remember most 221B interiors were filmed in Cardiff; the London stops are all exteriors.
On The Map
4 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is 221B Baker Street In The Show?
The exterior was filmed at 187 North Gower Street in Camden, not the real Baker Street, because the production wanted a quieter, more period-appropriate street. The actual 221B address houses the Sherlock Holmes Museum, which focuses on the literary character rather than the BBC series.
Can You Visit Speedy's Cafe?
Yes. Speedy's is a functioning cafe next to the North Gower Street location and appears regularly in exterior shots. Fans can eat there during opening hours and photograph the famous facade of 221B from the pavement outside.
How Much Does The Private Taxi Tour Cost?
The official private black taxi tour starts at £399 per taxi, covering one to four passengers. It runs daily at 9:30am or 1:30pm throughout the year and lasts about 3 hours, ending near Euston.
Can You See The Locations Without A Tour?
Yes. North Gower Street, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Borough Market and the MI6 building are all visible from public streets for free. The trade-off is planning your own transport between sites spread across central London, which the taxi and walking tours handle for you.
Was The Show Actually Filmed In London?
Partly. The exteriors were shot on real London streets, but most interior scenes, including the 221B flat itself, were filmed in studios in Cardiff. London visits therefore focus on outdoor locations and street-level recognisable spots.
Is The Tour Suitable For Children?
All ages are welcome on the private taxi tour, though anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Note that the taxi tour is not wheelchair accessible, so travellers with mobility needs should check alternatives such as the walking options.
Sherlock fans have two realistic paths: an independent walk past North Gower Street, Speedy's Cafe and St Bartholomew's, or a guided option that strings the locations together. The private taxi tour suits groups who want comfort and a packed three-hour route, while the walking tours below cost less and add context from a guide. Either way, book ahead in peak season, as departures are limited and the small-group walks sell out first.
