Cheese makes London feel personal. This 2-hour walk turns four iconic food areas into a tasting mission with trivia and a cheese quiz.

I like that the price is straightforward, and every stop is built around eating, not just looking. I also like the mix of classic names and fun, weird cheese ideas, like drunk cheeses.

One thing to factor in: the experience is designed to be small, but peak crowds can change pacing and how fast you move through each counter.

Key things to know before you go

• 4 stops in about 2 hours, with the tour ending back at the start
• All tastings are included, so you avoid the constant add-ons at each shop
• A cheese quiz and trivia game, which keeps the walk from feeling like a lecture
• Fortnum & Mason in Mayfair is one of the highlights, with truffle cheeses and Stilton
• Soho’s Little Italy vibe shows up in the Lina Stores stop, plus pairing style tastes
• Small-group promise (max 8), but busy dates can feel bigger and move faster

A Cheese Fix in 2 Hours: What Makes This Walk Different

This is the kind of food tour that fits real vacation days. You get a clear route, a clear time window, and a built-in reason to stop and talk to the people behind the counters.

The big appeal for me is the way the tour uses cheese as the theme. You’re not just sampling flavors, you’re getting stories and facts, then putting it to use with a quiz. It makes the experience feel lighter than many food walks, and it gives you something to remember beyond a quick bite.

You also get variety across the menu. Truffle cheeses and Stilton bring the classic British comfort-food angle. Matured goats cheese and baked camembert add a different texture and mouthfeel. And then you get to try drunk cheeses, which is exactly the kind of fun name that makes a tour more than a checklist.

Route and Timing From the Diana Fountain

The tour starts at the Constance Fund fountain of Diana, London SW1A 1RN. It begins at 12:00 pm, and it ends back at that same meeting point.

That matters more than it sounds. You can plan your morning around it, then go straight into lunch afterward, without playing transport roulette. And because the end point is the same as the start, you don’t need to worry about how you’ll get home if you’re running late.

You’ll also want to dress for street time. This is a walking experience with short stops around counters, so comfortable shoes help. If it’s cold or rainy, plan to bundle up, because you may spend short periods waiting for cheese being prepared.

Finally, it’s offered in English, and there’s a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, and it’s near public transportation.

Stop 1 St. James’s: A Curds-and-Trivia Warm-Up

The St. James’s stop is where the tour sets the tone. You start with a first tasting and a burst of cheese trivia, which gets you thinking about what you’re tasting, not just tasting it.

This is also the part of the day that helps you understand how the guide will run the rest of the route. The best moments here are when the guide connects cheese to place and history in simple, human language, then turns it into an interactive quiz or game. Several guides have been praised for humor and for keeping the group moving with energy, like Jack and Nick in past experiences.

If you’re the type who freezes when a menu hits too fast, this warm-up can help. You get practice identifying flavors, noticing textures, and asking questions before the tour locks into the more “famous counter” rhythm later on.

Stop 2 Fortnum & Mason in Mayfair: Truffle and Stilton at a Classic Counter

Mayfair is where the tour levels up. Fortnum & Mason is a big-deal London shopping landmark, and the cheese counter gives the whole crawl a sense of occasion.

This is the stop that calls out two standout tastes. You’ll sample truffle cheeses, including a tie to the idea of luxury shopping from long-time royal tradition. Then you’ll taste Stilton from a counter associated with a cheesemonger that has been in the same spot since the early 18th century.

What I like about this stop is the balance between “serious” and “fun.” Fortnum feels formal, but the tasting moment keeps it accessible. You’re not required to know cheese terms to enjoy it. The guide can explain what to look for, what to compare, and why Stilton tastes the way it does.

One practical note: this area can be crowded. If the street is busy, you might find yourself standing longer than you’d like while the guide handles portions and the tasting pace. That does not ruin the tour, but it can change how relaxed the stop feels.

Stop 3 Lina Stores Soho Delicatessen: Drunk Cheeses and Wine Pairing Logic

Soho is where the crawl gets playful. The Lina Stores Soho Delicatessen stop leans into a Little Italy vibe, which gives you a different kind of London neighborhood energy than Mayfair.

The signature idea here is drunk cheeses. It’s a memorable category, and it also makes sense in a wine-and-cheese mindset: flavors that have been influenced by alcohol tend to feel bold, aromatic, and a bit more adventurous than standard aged styles.

This stop is also a good reminder that cheese tours can teach you how to make better food choices back home. When you taste something like drunk cheese, you learn what kind of pairing it might like, what the flavor turn is, and how strong it feels in one bite. That helps you shop smarter later, especially if you plan to buy a cheese board after the tour.

You’ll also likely get prompts about how to compare the cheeses you already tried. That’s where trivia and a quiz style game can genuinely help. You start building a mental map of what’s salty, funky, creamy, or sharp.

Stop 4 Covent Garden: Closing Bites and Shopping-Friendly Recommendations

Covent Garden finishes the crawl with a familiar, central London setting. It’s also a smart end location because the area has plenty of nearby options if you want to keep eating after the tour ends.

The full menu includes a couple of comfort classics that tend to land well at the finish. Matured goats cheese brings tang and firmness, and baked camembert offers a warm, creamy finish. Those types of tastes close the loop after the more bold or quirky items, so you leave with a better sense of how different styles behave.

One reason I like ending here is the shopping momentum. If you’ve enjoyed the tastings, you’re likely to want to buy a few things for later. The guide’s recommendations are part of the point, so you’re not just tasting once, you’re learning what to look for.

If you’re short on time, keep your schedule realistic. A few guides have been praised for great entertainment and for giving time to explore small shops, but on busy days the walk can run longer and you may need to adjust plans.

Pacing, Group Size, and the Real Portion Check

The tour is set up for a small group, with a maximum of 8 travelers. That usually means you can hear the guide, ask questions, and get enough attention at each counter.

Still, real life happens. Some experiences have run with larger groups than the ideal setup, and that can affect two things: pace and portion size. When the group grows, you may move faster, wait longer at the counter, or feel like the tastings are thinner than you expected.

I’ve seen both ends of that spectrum in past feedback. Some groups report generous tasting amounts, with multiple types of cheese per stop. Others report that cheese portions felt a bit sparse on dates with bigger crowds, or that stops like famous counters can slow down due to the street crowd.

There are also a couple of quality-of-experience flags you should keep in mind. One reviewer raised a concern about basic hand-washing visibility during preparation and handing out food, especially during busy conditions. Another pointed out that eating in the middle of the street during peak congestion was less pleasant than hoped. These are not universal, but they’re worth considering if you’re picky about food handling or you’re sensitive to cold-weather waiting.

Bottom line: if you want the smoothest experience, aim for a date and time that feels less frantic. And if you’re a slow walker, plan to build in extra time.

Price and Value at $63.98

At $63.98 per person for about 2 hours, the value comes from one clear thing: included tastings. You’re paying for the walk plus multiple cheese samples across four stops, and the tour is positioned to avoid hidden add-on fees at each tasting moment.

To judge whether it’s a good deal for you, think about what you’d otherwise pay if you tried to copy it yourself. London cheese counters can be pricey, and buying multiple specialty cheeses on your own can stack up fast. Here, you get a range of styles in one afternoon: truffle cheeses, Stilton, drunk cheeses, matured goats cheese, and baked camembert.

I also like that the tour gives you learning value. The trivia and cheese quiz push you to notice differences. The guide’s humor, plus the cheese jokes style that people have praised from guides like Jack and Nick, makes that learning feel less formal.

So the cost feels fair when you match the vibe. If you truly want a guided tasting with a fun structure, this price lands in a sensible range. If you only want one cheese stop or you hate walking, it may feel like you’re paying for a lot of movement.

Tips for First-Timers Without Getting Over-Expectations

Cheese tours are easiest when you prep lightly. I’d eat a normal snack beforehand, not a big meal. The tastings can add up, and you want room to enjoy each bite instead of just chasing comfort.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, communicate them ahead of time. The tour asks you to share allergy needs or special diet details, because tasting choices and how the guide handles food may depend on that information.

Wear shoes that handle sidewalk unevenness and London weather. The route is not described as strenuous, and most people can participate, but you will be on your feet for the duration.

Also, show up ready to stand and move through counters. This is not a sit-down dinner. Some portions might be prepared quickly, others might take a moment, especially when it’s busy.

Finally, go in with the right mindset about what you’re buying after. This tour can help you spot what you like, then you can decide whether to buy from a counter, a nearby shop, or a grocery option afterward.

Should You Book the London Cheese Crawl?

Book it if you love cheese, want a short guided walk, and like tasting multiple styles without building your own itinerary. It’s especially good if you want a mix of classic names like Stilton and more playful categories like drunk cheeses, plus a cheese quiz that makes the time fly.

Consider skipping or swapping to another option if you’re sensitive to crowd conditions, dislike waiting outside, or expect every tasting stop to feel equally generous even on peak dates. Keep your expectations flexible, because pacing and portion impressions can shift when the street gets busy.

If you’re in London for only a few days and want something fun, structured, and easy to fit at midday, this is a strong pick. You’ll leave with cheese knowledge, neighborhood context, and a clearer idea of what you want to taste again later.

FAQ

How long is the London Cheese Crawl & Walking Tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

How many tasting stops are included?

There are 4 stops on the route.

What is included in the tour price?

All tastings are included, and there are no hidden fees for the cheese samples on the tour.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at the Constance Fund fountain of Diana, London SW1A 1RN, UK, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

How big is the group?

The tour lists a maximum of 8 travelers.

What should I do if there is poor weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.