Private Bespoke Tour: Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Foggy London, Sherlock clues everywhere. This private Sherlock Holmes-themed walk lets you trace case locations around central London, then tie the sites to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, including filming locations from TV Sherlock adaptations. I like that the guide is a dedicated Sherlockian, and I also like that the pace is relaxed, with stops timed so you can look around instead of sprinting from one photo spot to the next.

Your biggest consideration: it’s mostly a walking tour with short hops on the Underground between locations, so you will want to be comfortable using the tube for a few stretches. Also, the Sherlock Holmes Museum at the end is not included in the price, though your time there is built into the plan.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• A Sherlockian guide with real Baker Street ties, including work at the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street
• Private group of up to 2 people, so you can ask questions without competing for attention
• No-rush timing at each stop, so you actually absorb the place, not just pass it
• Tube-friendly route, with practical stops that make sense in real London travel
• A satisfying ending at 221B Baker Street, with optional museum time

A private, Sherlock-led route that stays easy to follow

This is built for a small group, up to 2 people, which changes the vibe right away. Instead of a loud pack, you get a guided walk where you can pause, ask why a place matters, and linger if you spot something interesting. The total time runs about 3 to 4 hours, and it is structured so the travel between sites does not eat the whole day.

You start at Embankment station and finish at Baker Street near the museum. The tour uses mobile tickets, so you are not hunting for paper. And because the route includes Underground movement between stops, I recommend planning for a bit of transit time as part of the experience, not as a chore.

Starting at Northumberland Avenue, where Doyle and Holmes feel close

You begin on the Embankment side, then work into Northumberland Avenue, and the first character stop sets the tone. The guide brings you to the area outside the Sherlock Holmes Pub, and the point here is not just the pub itself. It is a smart setup for understanding Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s London, and how the Holmes character took shape.

You also get a direct connection to what was once nearby hospitality tied to the story world. The tour notes that the pub area was formerly the Northumberland Hotel where Sir Henry Baskerville stayed when he arrived in London to seek Holmes. Next, you move across toward the Turkish bath, mentioned as part of Holmes’s London scenery. Even if you are new to Sherlock, these kinds of grounding details help you link the fictional dots to real streets.

Practical tip: this early segment is outside and easy to absorb. If the weather is poor, you may still get a lot out of the stop because the guide’s explanation does not depend on going inside anywhere right away.

Scotland Yard clues at the Metropolitan Police HQ

The next stop brings you to the Metropolitan Police headquarters, where Lestrade and Hopkins were based in the detective universe. The tour frames this as a place where you can imagine the usual detective atmosphere, even if Holmes’s opinion of them is not exactly flattering in spirit.

One big plus here is how the guide encourages you to look at the building like a set. The site has recently been restored beautifully, and the presence of huge gas lamps makes it easy to picture an older London scene. If you spot a modern black cab nearby, the guide helps you mentally swap it for a hansom cab dropping Sherlock off at the Yard. That mental game is half the fun.

Timing is short here, around 10 minutes. That is enough for context and photos, but it also keeps the day moving toward more specific story-linked places.

Simpson’s in the Strand: a favorite restaurant and a slice of old London

Next you head to Simpson’s in the Strand, tied to Holmes’s habit of taking nourishment. The restaurant is described as a classic traditional English spot with a long pedigree. The tour connects it to Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Winston Churchill, and it even mentions that the place originally started as a chess club and coffee house.

What I like about this stop is that it is both a Sherlock detail and a real-world London detail. Holmes is a detective, yes, but he is also written into the daily rhythms of the city. If you arrive before lunch service, you can sometimes peek inside at the meat carving trolleys, with use dating back to 1840. You should not count on that exact timing every day, but it is worth knowing because it adds a tangible, visual wow factor.

This is another short stop, about 10 minutes. Treat it as a quick story and street-scene break, not a full meal stop.

Somerset House as your smart shortcut between worlds

Not every stop is a Sherlock set piece. Somerset House is included more as a thoughtful walk-through and a practical shortcut. You pass through an area tied to earlier architecture, starting as a Tudor palace belonging to the Duke of Somerset, then rebuilt as a civic building in 1775.

The tour also points out filming use for Love Actually, which adds a modern layer: London keeps reusing its own streets. You do get a sense of time stacking, but the key benefit is still movement. The route uses Somerset House as a way to connect to nearby transit, including Temple station.

Expect a short stop, around 5 minutes. This one is for your legs and your orientation. It helps the route feel efficient rather than random.

St Bartholomew’s Hospital: where Holmes and Watson start working together

The mood turns story-centric at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London’s oldest hospital. The tour anchors this stop to the moment Holmes and Watson first meet after being introduced in A Study in Scarlet. It highlights how Watson runs into a colleague at the Criterion Bar who mentions an eccentric friend looking for rooms in Baker Street, and then how that leads to Watson’s next steps with Holmes.

You also get a look at Holmes’s analytical approach in a laboratory setting at St Barts, and how the partnership forms afterward at 221B. Even without going inside anywhere, the area around the hospital is presented as meaningful, with extra local history shared to enrich the walk.

This is the longest mid-tour stop, about 20 minutes. If you are a first-time Sherlock fan, I’d treat this as your anchor moment because it connects the locations into a clear narrative arc rather than a list of addresses.

The Langham dinner moment, where Doyle meets the world

Next you visit The Langham, London, and this stop shifts away from Holmes-as-detective into Doyle-as-literary figure. The tour describes the Langham as very grand and notes that in August 1889 it hosted a dinner that helped kick off international careers, with Oscar Wilde and Arthur Conan Doyle dining with an American publisher on a talent scouting mission.

Even if you care more about Holmes than Wilde, this stop is useful because it explains how Doyle’s real life intersected with major names and international attention. It makes Doyle feel less like a statue and more like an active writer operating in the same London network that shaped other famous authors.

You will only spend about 5 minutes here. It is a quick hit, but it gives you a reason to care about the street beyond the detective brand.

Queen Anne Street practice: picturing Watson settling down

At Queen Anne Street Practice, the tour follows the shift from Baker Street living to real medical life. The idea is Watson can’t stay bachelor forever, he marries Mary Morstan, and then opens his practice at 8 Queen Anne Street after leaving 221B.

Standing outside the building, the guide invites you to imagine Sherlock on the doorstep, cane in hand, and Mrs Watson rolling her eyes because Watson is off on yet another adventure. That light, visual storytelling is exactly what turns a location into a scene.

This stop is also around 5 minutes. It works best when you enjoy the human side of the stories, not just the crime-solving moments.

Crosbie Care and the Baker Street Underground era

Then you reach Crosbie Care, described as a must-see pilgrimage stop for true Sherlockians. Here the tour ties Arthur Conan Doyle’s medical practice to the exterior, and it says the exterior has remained unchanged since Conan Doyle was in 1891. The guide also includes Doyle’s comment about how not a single patient darkened his door, and it links the walk to the idea that between inspiration and writing, the stories that became The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes grew during this period.

After that, the tour moves to the Sherlock Holmes Statue outside Baker Street Station. Baker Street Station is highlighted as one of the oldest Underground stations in the world, and the tour notes that Holmes and Watson used the Underground in the stories. The statue is said to have been commissioned by the Abbey National Building Society, which occupied 221 Baker Street for years.

This is a short stop, about 5 minutes, but it matters because it sets you up for the final moment at 221B. You get a neat connection between real Victorian-era movement and how the stories imagine transportation and city life.

Ending at 221B Baker Street: optional museum time, but the neighborhood matters either way

The tour finishes at the Sherlock Holmes Museum area at 221B Baker Street. Your guide ends the walkthrough by giving you time to either shop for Sherlock souvenirs or enter the museum set out as Sherlock and Watson’s home with Mrs Hudson.

You get about 40 minutes here, and museum entry is not included in the tour price. That is a practical point to consider when deciding whether you want to spend your time inside. If you love details and staged rooms, you’ll probably want to go in. If you prefer street-level story context, you might keep it lighter and just enjoy the Baker Street scene.

Either way, you end with the most recognizable location in the whole tour. It is a clean landing spot after several stops that build the larger picture.

Price and value for a group of up to two people

At $232.04 per group for up to 2 people, the math can be quite reasonable if you are booking as a pair. Split between two, you are looking at roughly $116 per person for 3 to 4 hours of a private guide focused on a specific theme and a tight route through central London.

For that cost, you get more than a generic “London highlights” walk. You get a guide who works Sherlock story beats alongside real London locations. You also get tube-assisted routing that keeps the day efficient without turning it into a checklist where you barely stop.

If you are traveling alone, the per-person cost is higher, since the price is for the group. In that case, you should ask yourself if you want private attention from a dedicated Sherlockian, or if you would rather pay less for a larger-group option.

A small extra signal: the tour is commonly booked about 121 days in advance, which suggests it sells out or fills up for popular days. If your dates are fixed, I’d treat early booking as the smart move.

Getting ready: what to bring for a mainly walking London day

Because this is mostly a walking route, plan like you are touring on foot. I’d wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer for foggy or rainy London days, since you will be outside at multiple stops. The guide covers key areas with short explanations at each stop, so the comfort part matters.

Also bring your transit basics. The tour notes that you’ll need an Oyster Card or travel card to make the Underground moves easier. Even if you are experienced in London transit, this is one of those small things that can slow you down if you forget.

If you think you might want the museum at the end, set aside the time and confirm the entry cost separately since it is not included. The good news is you still get a full 221B finale even if you choose to skip the museum.

Who this tour is best for (and who might want a different plan)

This is ideal if you are a Sherlock fan who likes locations, not just plot summaries. The tour is also friendly if you are new, because it starts with context about how Holmes and Doyle came together, and it keeps explanations tied to places you can picture.

It is also a strong option for anyone who likes a guide who can handle both classic literary connections and practical city navigation. The route touches a mix of story landmarks and real landmarks, which makes it work for curious travelers who want more than one-note sightseeing.

If you hate walking or you strongly dislike using the Underground, you may feel the format more than you’d like. The tour is set up for most people to participate, but comfort with transit and outdoor time is the main requirement.

Should you book this Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tour?

If you want a private, story-focused London tour with a dedicated guide and a route that actually makes geographic sense, I think this is a great booking. The balance of famous Holmes stops, Doyle context, and a relaxed pace makes it easier to enjoy than tours that feel like a race.

Book it especially if:

• You want to connect Holmes locations to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s real-life world
• You like walking through neighborhoods rather than only standing at big monuments
• You want the 221B Baker Street finale with optional museum time

Skip or reconsider if:

• You would rather do a full indoor museum day
• You do not want any Underground transit involved
• You prefer larger group tours for lower cost

For many people, this hits a sweet spot: it is focused, thoughtful, and fun in that classic London way, where a detective story turns into something you can actually walk through.

FAQ

How long is the Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tour?

It runs about 3 to 4 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $232.04 per group, up to 2 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Embankment station, Embankment Pl, London WC2N 6NS, UK, and ends at Baker Street, Baker St, London (at the Sherlock Holmes Museum area).

Is this tour mostly walking?

Yes, it is mainly a walking tour, with Underground travel needed to move between locations.

Do I need an Oyster Card or travel card?

Yes. An Oyster Card or travel card is required for the London Underground to make moving between locations easier.

Is the Sherlock Holmes Museum admission included?

No. The tour includes time at the museum area, but museum admission is not included.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Can children join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What about cancellation?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.