Slow Horses Locations – TV Walking Tour in London

Espionage starts beside a poet’s grave. This Slow Horses walking tour links the series to real London streets, beginning at Bunhill Fields and finishing at Leadenhall Market. I like the small group limit of 15, and I like the way the walk adds London history rather than pointing only at film locations.

The guide, Susannah, brings strong knowledge of the show, its Mick Herron book connections, and real espionage. The main drawback is physical: expect about three miles on foot over two hours, and take care at the meeting point because the extra address details caused map trouble for one participant.

Key details before you book

• Start at Bunhill Fields: The meeting point is beside Blake’s grave, a memorable opening for a story about discarded spies and secret work.
• Walk through the Barbican and Aldersgate: You see the modern concrete setting linked with Slough House and hear about the area’s London past.
• Pause outside the real Slough House inspiration: The fictional office has a real-world counterpart where MI5 careers supposedly go to die.
• Finish at Leadenhall Market: The tour ends at one of the show’s locations, with food options nearby.
• Keep the group small: A maximum of 15 people makes it easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• Plan for roughly three miles: The route is manageable for most participants, but it is still a proper city walk, not a short photo stop.

Why Slow Horses works so well as a London walk

Many screen-location tours amount to a quick point, a photograph, and a reference to the episode. This one has more to work with. Slow Horses uses London not just as a backdrop, but as part of its mood: old churchyards, hard-edged office blocks, narrow city streets, and grand financial buildings all help tell the story.

You get a chance to connect those settings with Jackson Lamb’s team and the book series by Mick Herron. The tour also explains how the fictional Slough House relates to a real building associated with MI5. That mix gives the walk value even if you are not able to name every character.

I would especially recommend it after watching at least some of the series. You will recognize more locations and understand why a plain office entrance or junction matters. Still, the city material gives non-experts something to enjoy, so you do not need to arrive as a spy-fiction specialist.

The route covers about three miles and lasts around two hours. That is a useful pace for seeing several central London areas without giving up an entire day. You should wear comfortable shoes and expect ordinary city walking, including time outdoors and movement through busy public spaces.

Meeting at Bunhill Fields and Blake’s grave

The tour begins at Greggs U1, 91 City Road, London EC1Y 1BD. The nearby starting point is Bunhill Fields, where the group gathers at the grave of William Blake.

This is a clever opening. Blake’s grave serves as one of the meeting places connected with Jackson Lamb’s team, while Bunhill Fields gives the guide an immediate chance to explain a piece of London history. The setting has more character than a generic café or Tube entrance, and it puts you into the show’s world before the walking really gets going.

You should check the exact meeting details carefully on your mobile ticket. One participant had trouble with the extra address numbers in Apple Maps, so I would allow a little extra time at the start. The tour is near public transportation, but the information provided does not specify a particular station or route. Do not cut it close.

The first section lasts about 30 minutes. Admission to Bunhill Fields is free, and you are not paying for a separate attraction ticket. The value here comes from the guide’s explanation, the connection to the series, and the setting itself.

Through the Barbican and Aldersgate

From Bunhill Fields, the group heads toward the fictional Slough House through the Barbican Highwalk and the area around Aldersgate. This is the longest part of the route, at about 45 minutes.

For fans, this section is likely the heart of the experience. The Barbican’s concrete walkways and stark architecture fit the show’s cool, slightly severe look. You are not simply told that a scene was filmed nearby. The guide places the show within the wider district, helping you see how its streets and buildings create the atmosphere of the series.

I like that the tour treats the Barbican as part of London, not just as a television set. The guide also shares facts about the area and the city as you walk. That makes the route useful for anyone who enjoys architecture, urban history, or city walks, even if the espionage references are less important to them.

The Highwalk can feel very different from traditional London streets. That change in level and texture is part of the appeal, but it can also make navigation less obvious if you are exploring alone. With a guide, you can focus on the locations instead of trying to work out which walkway leads where.

Susannah’s presentation seems to be a major part of the tour’s appeal. She is described as enthusiastic and well informed about the show, the books, and the neighborhood. Her Jackson Lamb impression also adds a bit of comic relief, which suits the series’ dry humor.

Seeing the real inspiration for Slough House

A stop outside the real-life inspiration for Slough House gives the story a sharper edge. In the series, Slough House is where unwanted MI5 staff are sent, and the building is treated as a place where careers go to die.

The tour does not require you to enter the building. The interest is in seeing the exterior and understanding how the real location relates to the fictional office. That distinction matters. You are visiting a public city setting connected with the show, not touring an operational intelligence facility.

This is also where the book connection becomes useful. The guide discusses Slow Horses alongside its television version, giving you more context for the fictional organization and its characters. If you have read the novels, you will likely appreciate those links. If you have only watched the show, the extra background should make a rewatch more fun.

The stop is free, like the other outdoor locations. You are paying for access to the guide’s interpretation and for a route that ties several scattered places together. Without that structure, the building might look like an ordinary London office. The tour gives it a story.

Bank Junction and the Royal Exchange Building

The walk continues toward Bank Junction and the Royal Exchange Building. About 30 minutes are devoted to this part of the route, including stops where important scenes are set.

Bank is one of the city’s most recognizable business districts, so it provides a useful contrast with Bunhill Fields and the Barbican. Here, grand commercial architecture and major streets replace the rougher office atmosphere of Slough House. That shift helps show how the series moves between different parts of London depending on the kind of scene being filmed.

The Royal Exchange Building adds another strong visual point. Even if you are not focused on filming details, the area gives you a clear sense of the City of London’s older commercial identity. The guide uses these locations to connect fictional espionage with the real city around you.

I would not expect long periods inside buildings. The tour is an outdoor walking experience, and the listed stops are free public locations. The reward is seeing how the production uses the city, then hearing the relevant stories while standing close to the places involved.

Ending at Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market is the final stop, with about 15 minutes set aside for the visit. It is also another location used in the show.

The market makes a satisfying finish because it changes the tone again. After concrete walkways, office exteriors, and financial streets, you end in a covered historic market setting. It is a good place to pause, take photographs, and think about how many different versions of London the series uses.

The tour ends at Leadenhall Market, on Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT. That is practical for your day. You can continue exploring the City, or stop for something to eat nearby instead of having to retrace the route to the starting point.

The short final segment means the market is more of a concluding location than a full market visit. If you want a long meal or plenty of time for shopping, plan to stay after the tour. The experience itself finishes there rather than including a meal or a guided food stop.

Susannah’s role and the group size

A good location walk depends heavily on the guide. The strongest comments about this experience focus on Susannah’s enthusiasm, her command of the show, and her ability to add useful London stories along the way.

She also brings in real espionage facts, not just fictional plot points. That gives the discussion more substance, particularly for fans who want to understand the world behind the show. Her Jackson Lamb impersonation sounds like a small detail, but it fits the humor of Slow Horses and keeps a two-hour walk from becoming a list of addresses.

The group maximum is 15 people. That is small enough for the guide to speak to the whole group without needing to shout constantly, and it gives you a reasonable chance to ask a question. It is not a private tour, so the pace and conversation will still depend on the group, but 15 is a sensible limit for city streets.

The tour is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, although the three-mile walking distance is the main physical factor to consider.

Is $27.62 good value?

At $27.62 per person, I see this as fairly priced for a two-hour guided walk in central London, especially with a maximum group size of 15. You are not paying admission fees at the stops, so the cost covers the guide, the route planning, and the specialist knowledge that ties the locations together.

The value is strongest if you already like Slow Horses or the Mick Herron novels. The more familiar you are with Jackson Lamb, River Cartwright, and Slough House, the more meaning you will get from each stop. You can then compare the television locations with the version you imagined while watching or reading.

For a casual London visitor with no interest in the series, the value is less certain. You would still get a neighborhood walk and city history, but there are many walking tours in London. This one earns its price through its narrow subject and the guide’s show-specific detail.

The booking pattern also matters. The experience is often reserved about 30 days ahead, which suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your London dates are fixed. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who should take this tour?

I would choose this tour for:

• Fans who have finished several episodes of Slow Horses
• Readers of Mick Herron’s book series
• Visitors who enjoy seeing how television uses real streets
• People who want a small-group walk rather than a large coach tour
• Anyone interested in London history with a modern espionage angle
• Repeat London visitors looking for a focused route through the City

I would think twice if you dislike walking three miles, want indoor attractions, or prefer a tour with transport between locations. This is a location walk, so the streets and the guide’s explanations are the main event.

It also suits a first London visit only if you already have other plans for the classic sights. The route offers a particular view of London rather than a broad introduction to Westminster, the Tower, or the royal landmarks.

Practical advice for a better walk

Wear shoes you can comfortably use for about three miles. The tour lasts approximately two hours, and the route moves through several central areas rather than staying in one place.

Arrive early at the Greggs U1 meeting point on City Road. Since the address caused confusion in Apple Maps for one person, check the location before leaving and keep your booking confirmation ready on your phone.

Watch the show beforehand if possible. You do not need to memorize filming dates or character names, but basic familiarity will make the references more rewarding. If you have read the books, bring those connections into the conversation and ask about differences between the novels and the series.

Keep the end point in mind when planning lunch. Leadenhall Market is a useful place to eat after the walk, and you will not need to return to City Road just to collect your bearings.

Should you book the Slow Horses tour?

Book it if Slow Horses is more than background television for you. The combination of filming locations, Mick Herron context, London history, and Susannah’s lively presentation gives this walk more depth than a simple location checklist.

The best reason to go is the connection between fiction and real streets. The main caution is the walking distance and the fact that the tour stays outdoors. At $27.62, the price is reasonable for a small English-language group, and the free cancellation window gives you some flexibility.

If you want to see the Slough House world, hear why these corners of London matter, and finish near food at Leadenhall Market, I would book it. If you are not a fan of the show or books, choose a broader London tour instead.

FAQ

Where does the Slow Horses walking tour start?

It starts at Greggs U1, 91 City Road, London EC1Y 1BD, UK, near Bunhill Fields and Blake’s grave.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London EC3V 1LT.

How long is the tour?

The walking tour lasts approximately two hours.

How far do you walk?

You should be prepared to walk about three miles during the experience.

How many people can join the tour?

The group has a maximum of 15 participants.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.