London Cheese Crawl & Walking Tour

London’s grandest cheese counter, a historic cheesemonger, an Italian deli, and perhaps even a supermarket form the backbone of this two-hour cheese crawl through west London. You’ll taste blue cheese, Stilton, truffle cheese, wine-soaked cheese, goat cheese, and baked Camembert while walking between Mayfair, Soho, and Covent Garden.

I like that all tastings are included in the $63.98 price, and I like the mix of classic British cheeses with less expected picks such as drunk cheeses. Guides including Jack, Nick, Nic, Perla, and Bettina bring plenty of jokes and cheese facts, with a quiz to keep the group involved.

The main concern is group size. The experience is advertised for no more than eight people, but some outings have had 12 or even 24 participants. Large groups can mean smaller portions, waits outside, and less room to enjoy the shops.

Key points to know before booking

• Fortnum & Mason starts the crawl with blue cheese and truffle cheese, plus Stilton from a long-established cheesemonger.
• Lina Stores adds an Italian note, with wine-soaked cheeses in Soho’s former Little Italy area.
• Five or more cheese styles are included, and portions have sometimes amounted to about two servings per person at each stop.
• Jack, Nick, Nic, Perla, and Bettina have led the tour, with humor and cheese trivia forming a big part of the experience.
• A supermarket stop may appear, which can feel practical to some people and underwhelming to others.
• The pace and group size matter, especially during Christmas or other busy periods.

From the Diana fountain to London’s cheese counters

The tour begins at noon beside the Constance Fund fountain of Diana in London SW1A 1RN. That puts you in a central part of London, close to public transportation and within reach of Mayfair. The activity finishes back at the meeting point, so you do not need to work out a separate end point while planning the rest of your day.

The opening half-hour is listed under St. James’s, though the food stops carry most of the interest. You’ll walk through one of London’s most polished central districts, with the cheese theme giving the stroll a clear purpose rather than sending you from one unrelated sight to another.

I would keep your schedule fairly open after the tour. The advertised length is about two hours, but one outing ran long enough that a participant had to leave early for another appointment. A food tour can also slow down when the guide needs to buy, cut, and serve cheese, particularly with a larger group.

The walking itself is not described as difficult. One outing had a comfortable pace, while another guide had to move faster than expected because the group was larger than usual. That makes this a reasonable choice for most people who can manage a normal central London walk, but it is not ideal if you need a fixed finish time.

Fortnum & Mason: a polished first tasting

Fortnum & Mason gives the tour an unmistakably London opening. The famous department store is known for food as much as fashion, and its cheese counter provides a fitting first stop for a crawl built around British taste.

Here you may try blue cheese, truffle cheese, and Stilton. The truffle cheese offers a more luxurious flavor, while Stilton connects the tasting to one of Britain’s best-known cheese traditions. The counter also provides a useful setting for learning how cheese is sold and presented in a major London food institution.

The tour also introduces a historic cheesemonger said to have occupied the same spot since the early 18th century. That detail gives the tasting some context. You are not just sampling random cubes from a tray. You are hearing how London’s food trade has carried certain products through generations.

Still, Fortnum & Mason can be hard work at peak times. Christmas crowds made one visit especially cramped, and the tasting had to take place in the street. If you book during a busy season, you may get the cheese but not the calm, elegant shop experience you imagined.

I would also avoid treating this as a private counter appointment. You may have time to look around the shop, but the tour moves on. If you want to browse Fortnum & Mason properly, plan another visit.

Soho’s Italian connection at Lina Stores

The next food stop is Lina Stores Soho Delicatessen, in the area described as one of the last remnants of London’s Little Italy. This adds a welcome change of style after the British emphasis at Fortnum & Mason.

The featured tasting here is drunk cheese, meaning cheese that has been treated or matured with wine. It is a smart pairing for the tour because it encourages you to think about cheese alongside drinks, rather than as an isolated snack. The flavor can be more unusual than familiar cheddar or Brie, which is part of the fun.

Lina Stores also helps the tour feel connected to London’s food culture. You are visiting a small Italian deli rather than staying inside a chain of formal attractions. The stop is less about grand presentation and more about finding a distinctive food tradition in central London.

The precise range of cheeses can vary by day, so I would treat the listed menu as a guide rather than a guarantee of every single item. The planned selection also includes matured goat cheese, which may appear at this or another small food stop.

The supermarket question

A stop at Whole Foods has appeared on some versions of the outing. This is the weakest part for many people who expect a tour of specialist cheesemongers. If you already have a Whole Foods near home, walking into a supermarket in London may feel like a poor use of limited vacation time.

There is a fair argument on the other side. The cheeses selected there have included unusual options, and a supermarket can show how food shopping works in modern London rather than offering only postcard scenery. It may also give the guide a practical place to source and serve a particular tasting.

Your reaction will depend on what you want from the tour. If the main goal is to sample interesting cheese, the stop can still do its job. If you want historic shops and small independent food businesses at every stage, this part may disappoint.

The hygiene concern raised about hand washing is worth keeping in mind. The experience involves the host cutting and handing out food, and one account specifically found the handling uncomfortable. The available information does not establish a cause for any illness, but anyone with strong food-safety concerns should ask the operator about current serving procedures before booking.

Covent Garden and the final cheese course

The cheese adventure ends in Covent Garden, after about half an hour at the final section of the route. The planned menu includes baked Camembert, a warmer and softer finish than blue cheese, Stilton, or goat cheese.

Camembert changes the texture of the crawl. Earlier tastings may be firm, crumbly, blue, or wine-treated. A baked version gives you something creamy and comforting at the end. It also makes the final stop feel more like a shared food moment than a technical tasting.

Covent Garden is a useful ending because it leaves you in a central area with plenty of onward options. In this case, though, the tour returns to the original meeting point, so do not assume you can simply finish in Covent Garden and walk away from the group. Check the guide’s instructions on the day.

The stated stop times are roughly 30 minutes each. That sounds generous enough to taste, hear a few stories, and look around. In practice, the number of people in the group has a major effect. Four people can be served quickly. Twenty-four people may need to wait while the guide shops, cuts, and distributes each sample.

How much cheese do you actually get?

The selection is better than a token tasting. The planned menu covers truffle cheese, Stilton, drunk cheese, matured goat cheese, and baked Camembert. One account described five selections and portions that worked out to roughly two servings per person at each stop.

That is a substantial amount for a two-hour walk, especially if you eat a full breakfast or lunch beforehand. I would arrive hungry but not empty-stomached. Cheese is filling, and several rich samples in close succession can become heavy.

Portions are not guaranteed to feel the same on every departure. Smaller groups have produced more generous servings, while a 12-person group found the cheese sparse. The occasional 24-person outing created an even bigger problem, with waiting and less food per person.

This is why confirming the group size matters more than the headline price. The tour is listed at $63.98 per person, which can be fair if you receive a broad tasting, a guided walk, and useful food recommendations. It feels less convincing if much of your time goes into standing outside while cheese is prepared for a crowd.

The guides make or break the mood

The personality of the guide is central here. Jack, also known as Monterey Jack in the tour’s playful style, has been praised for his jokes, cheese facts, and ability to keep the group entertained. Nick and Nic have also led engaging outings, with clear explanations about cheese origins and production.

Perla made a strong impression by handling busy conditions well, while Bettina worked hard with a larger-than-usual group. The recurring theme is that guides use humor to prevent the experience from becoming a dry lecture. Expect cheese jokes, trivia, and a quiz that may include the game service station or cheese.

That playful tone suits the subject. You do not need expert knowledge to enjoy the tour, and the word turophile, a person who loves cheese, gives the group a light introduction to cheese vocabulary. The guide’s recommendations may also help you choose food for the rest of your London stay.

The downside is that a good guide can only do so much with a poorly sized group. Even Jack, Perla, or Bettina cannot make a crowded pavement feel like a private tasting room. The host’s energy is a major plus, but the booking conditions still matter.

Price, value, and what you are really buying

At $63.98, this is not a cheap snack walk. You are paying for more than the cheese itself. The price covers the guide, the route, the tasting portions, access to several food businesses, and the convenience of having someone explain what you are eating.

I see decent value if you are keen on cheese and want a structured afternoon in central London. Buying five or more interesting cheeses on your own could cost a fair amount, and you would not get the trivia, quiz, or guide’s recommendations. The tour also removes the work of finding suitable shops and building a route between Mayfair, Soho, and Covent Garden.

The value drops if you mainly want famous London sights. This is a food outing with a walk attached, not a standard sightseeing tour. It gives you neighborhoods and shops, but the cheese remains the main event.

I would also compare the price against your appetite. If you are only mildly interested in cheese, the same money might buy a meal you enjoy more. If you are a serious cheese fan, the variety and chance to try products you would not choose alone make the cost easier to justify.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and most people can take part.

Tell the operator about allergies, dietary needs, or other food restrictions before you go. The tasting centers on dairy, and the menu includes blue cheese, goat cheese, wine-treated cheese, and baked Camembert. The supplied details do not promise substitutes, so you should not assume every restriction can be accommodated.

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the cut-off uses London local time.

The experience also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

It is normally booked about 41 days ahead, so advance planning makes sense. I would also confirm the current group size before paying, given the difference between the listed maximum of eight and the larger groups that have occurred.

Who should book the London Cheese Crawl?

I would book this for a cheese lover who wants a social, food-focused walk and enjoys trying unfamiliar flavors. It suits someone who likes a guide with jokes, wants practical food suggestions, and has enough time to let the afternoon run a little loose.

It is also a good fit for a repeat visitor who has already seen the main London sights. The route gives you a reason to walk through Mayfair, Soho, and Covent Garden while focusing on local food traditions.

I would think twice if you need a quiet tasting, have a strict timetable, or dislike crowded shops. The possibility of a Whole Foods stop may also bother you if you want only specialist cheesemongers. Finally, anyone with serious food allergies should contact the operator first rather than relying on the standard menu.

Final verdict

Book this tour if the idea of Stilton, truffle cheese, drunk cheese, goat cheese, and baked Camembert sounds more appealing than another formal London attraction. The best departures offer generous tastings, a funny and informed guide, a manageable walk, and a useful look at several food shops.

Before booking, ask about the expected group size and current tasting arrangements. That one check can separate a relaxed cheese crawl from a crowded afternoon of waiting outside. At its best, this is a cheerful and filling way to explore central London. At its weakest, it is too large, too rushed, and not specialist enough for the price.

FAQ

How long does the London Cheese Crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours, though one outing ran longer than planned. Allow extra time if you have another appointment afterward.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at noon by the Constance Fund fountain of Diana, London SW1A 1RN, United Kingdom.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What cheeses are included?

The planned menu includes truffle cheeses, Stilton, drunk cheeses, matured goat cheese, and baked Camembert. Exact selections can vary.

Are the tastings included in the price?

Yes. All listed cheese tastings are included, so there are no separate tasting fees.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $63.98 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience is listed with a maximum of eight participants. Larger groups have occurred on some outings, so it is sensible to confirm the expected group size.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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 are not accepted. If bad weather or insufficient participation cancels the tour, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.