London: Cheese Tasting Walking Tour

Cheese walks beat most sightseeing lists. I love the Royal cheesemonger stop with guided tasting and shop talk, and I love the practical lessons on pairing cheeses with wine. The big consideration: this one is not suitable for people with lactose intolerance, food allergies, or nut allergies.

In about 2 hours, you move through Mayfair and Soho for a run of different styles, from English varieties to French, then Italian drunken cheese, and finally British cheeses near Covent Garden. You also get a bottle of water so you are not scrambling for a drink mid-taste.

This is a 10 people max live, English-language walk with a friendly guide who may even toss in a few cheesey jokes. Wear comfortable shoes, since you are standing, tasting, and walking outdoors between stops.

Key takeaways before you go

• Royal cheesemonger stop plus shop talk: you get context, not just random samples.
• Wine pairing lessons: you learn how to match flavors, even if you do not drink wine on the walk.
• A quick “passport” through styles: English, French, Italian, and British cheeses in one 2-hour loop.
• Small-group feel: with a max of 10, questions are easier and less awkward.
• Water included: a small detail that actually helps during multiple tastings.

Getting your bearings at Green Park tube station

You meet outside Green Park tube station, on the Piccadilly South side exit. Look for the spot opposite the M&S shop, under the bus shelter. It is a clean, easy landmark, and it puts you in the right zone for Mayfair-style cheese shops.

There is no hotel pick up. That is normal for walking tours, but it matters if you are staying far out, or if you hate schlepping luggage through stations. I suggest arriving a few minutes early, then getting comfortable standing on sidewalks for the first tasting.

This is a short tour, 2 hours total, so you will cover distance at a light pace. You will also be tasting multiple times, so comfortable shoes really do matter here.

Mayfair first tasting: the Royal cheesemonger and its cheese lessons

Your first big stop is the Royal cheesemonger, a top-tier cheese shop in London tied to royal buying. What makes this moment worth it is not just the tasting, it is the talk you get with the samples.

You start with a couple of fine English cheeses and a guided explanation of what you are tasting. Expect the guide to connect the flavors to style and to how you might choose cheese later if you shop on your own. If you like learning why something works, this part is a strong win.

Why this stop is such good value

At $74 per person for a 2-hour walk, you are paying for access plus education, not just bite-size samples. The Royal cheesemonger stop is a concentrated dose of expertise, and you get it right away, which makes the rest of the tour easier to follow.

One practical tip: during the first tasting, take notes mentally. If you can remember one or two flavors you like, later stops will feel more intentional instead of a blur of dairy.

Mayfair second tasting: Royal Delicatessens and pairing cheese with wine

Next you head to Royal Delicatessens for another 30-minute tasting block. This is where you typically get more structure in how cheeses are described, and how they pair with wine.

You are learning about pairing cheeses and wine, not just hearing a list of facts. That matters because cheese shops often overwhelm you with choices. By the time you reach the end of the walk, you will be better at asking questions like what you want the cheese to taste like, and what kind of wine style supports it.

I also like that the tour keeps things interactive. You are not stuck listening the entire time. You taste, you talk, and you get feedback from the guide on what you might be noticing.

Soho stop one: F&M French cheese and learning the flavor map

In Soho, you visit an F&M deli and sample a fine French cheese. French cheese can mean very different things, so this stop is useful as a flavor contrast to what came before.

This is also a good point in the tour to slow down and pay attention. French cheeses often bring sharper aromatics or more complex textures, so your first few minutes here can teach you how to identify what you like, not just what is popular.

A small caution

If you are sensitive to strong flavors, plan for that now. The tour includes cheese samples, so you are tasting multiple styles back-to-back. Pace yourself, sip water, and remember you can always take smaller bites during strong ones.

Soho stop two: Italian drunken cheese and staying curious

Your next stop is an Italian delicatessen where you sample the drunken cheese. That name alone tells you this is not a random cheese grab. You are getting an example of a preservation or aging approach that changes the character of the cheese.

This is where the tour’s humor can help, in a gentle way. When a guide jokes about drunken cheese, it can loosen the moment so you stay engaged instead of overthinking every bite. I find that matters on tasting tours, because too much formality can make it harder to enjoy.

You will likely get guidance on how the aging process affects smell and taste. Even if you do not remember every detail, you will walk away with a sense of how Italian styles can swing from mellow to bold depending on the method.

Final British dairy tastings near Covent Garden, finishing at Seven Dials

The tour rounds out with a dairy shop near Covent Garden, where you sample a few British cheeses. This last section is a smart reset. You start with English, jump across Europe for variety, then return home for a final set of familiar flavors.

Finishing at Seven Dials is a practical landing spot. It is easy to continue the evening with a drink or a proper sit-down meal after the tastings. You also get a clear end point, instead of the usual wandering last stop that is hard to navigate.

If you are planning dinner soon after, keep it light. After multiple tastings, you might not want a heavy cheese-based meal right away, even if you love cheese.

Price and value: what $74 buys in 2 hours

At $74 per person for a 2-hour small-group experience, you are not paying just for cheese. You are paying for guided sampling across several specialty shops, plus the shop talks and pairing education.

Here is the value logic I use when I judge a tasting tour like this:

• You get multiple stops in a concentrated time window, instead of doing it hop-by-hop on your own.
• You get explanations, which help you buy smarter later.
• You are in a small group, max 10, which makes it easier to ask questions and pay attention.
• Water is included, which sounds tiny, but it helps when you are tasting continuously.

Could you do a DIY cheese crawl? Sure. But you would still need to decide which shops to trust, what to ask for, and how to compare flavors without feeling lost. This tour does that comparison work for you, then hands you a tasting framework.

How long you’ll actually taste and walk

The tour runs 2 hours. The tasting blocks are roughly 30 minutes each, starting in Mayfair and continuing through Soho, then ending around Seven Dials.

That timing helps you manage expectations. You are not looking at an all-afternoon food marathon. It is built for a “do this, learn something, then go enjoy the rest of London” rhythm.

Still, you should plan for standing. You will likely be tasting while listening and walking between shops. That is why comfortable shoes are a must.

What to bring, and who should sit this one out

Bring comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing. London weather can change fast, and you will be outside while moving between stops. You may also be asked to use a face mask or protective covering, so bring one just in case.

Also read the restriction list before you book:

• Not suitable for children under 12
• Not suitable for people with mobility impairments
• Not suitable for people with a cold
• Not suitable for people with food allergies
• Not suitable for people with lactose intolerance
• Not suitable for people with nut allergies

One confusing detail worth mentioning: the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If that matters to you, contact the provider before booking so you can confirm what the route and shop access really look like for your needs.

Small group size, live guide, and the English-language advantage

This is a live tour with an English-speaking guide. With small groups capped at 10 people, you get a more personal pace than big group tours.

I like that the guide is there to connect the dots. Cheeses can be confusing if you only go by labels. On this walk, you get talk, samples, and wine pairing education, which makes the whole experience feel like a class you actually want to attend.

Should you book this London Cheese Tasting Walking Tour?

Book it if you want a structured cheese education in a short time. The combination of Royal cheesemonger context, multiple cheese styles across English, French, Italian, and British stops, and the wine pairing lessons makes this a smart choice for food lovers and curious beginners.

Skip it if you cannot have lactose, have nut allergies, or have other food allergies, or if you are traveling with a child under 12. Also consider avoiding it if you dislike strong flavors, because the tour is built around tasting multiple cheeses in sequence.

If you want a quick hit of specialty food culture without spending half a day planning, this is a solid bet. Start at Green Park, taste your way through Mayfair and Soho, then end at Seven Dials with a clearer sense of what you like and why.

FAQ

How long is the London: Cheese Tasting Walking Tour?

It lasts 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $74 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet outside Green Park tube station on the Piccadilly South side exit, opposite the M&S shop and under the bus shelter.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a tour guide, cheese samples, visits to artisan cheesemakers, a small group limited to 10 people, and a bottle of water.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing. You should also bring a face mask or protective covering.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible, and is it suitable for mobility impairments?

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Check with the provider to confirm what that means for your situation.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 12, people with mobility impairments, people with a cold, people with food allergies, people with lactose intolerance, and people with nut allergies.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pick up is not included.