London is a great city for cheese people, and this walk fits the bill fast. You’ll move through Mayfair to Covent Garden with a small group and stop at well-known cheesemongers, sampling different styles along the way. I really like the way the tour mixes classic cheeses like Stilton and Camembert with more playful pairings, including drunken cheese with sparkling wine.

Two things I like a lot: you get time to ask questions in a max 10-person setting, and the tasting includes both what to buy and how cheese actually works (what changes from one maker to the next). One drawback to keep in mind: it’s weather-dependent, so if London turns rainy, you may need to swap dates or adjust expectations for a walking tour.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group (max 10): more time talking with your guide and less rushing between stops.
• Classic-to-weird tasting mix: expect big-name cheeses plus “drunken cheese” and a sparkling wine pairing.
• Big names on the route: Fortnum & Mason and Neal’s Yard Dairy are both part of the experience.
• Little Italy wandering: a change of scenery as you move between cheesemongers.
• Hands-on learning: you’ll hear how cheese is made while you eat.
• Mobile ticket: you’ll check in with a phone, not paper.

Cheese tasting in London, without the museum vibe

If you’ve ever stood in a cheese shop, staring at the wall like it’s a magic trick you don’t know how to decode, this tour is for you. It’s a short walking loop designed to make cheese feel practical. You’re not just sampling. You’re learning what you’re tasting and why it matters.

What makes this experience especially appealing in London is the pace. In about two hours, you’re hitting multiple stops rather than doing a single store visit. That means you get contrast: different textures, different strengths, and different ways cheesemakers (and sellers) talk about their products. And because the group is small, your guide can actually answer follow-up questions instead of broadcasting facts into the void.

You also get a nice mix of “familiar comfort” and “try something new.” The tour highlights creamy Stiltons and warm Camemberts, then adds a local-curious option like drunken cheese paired with sparkling wine. That kind of combo is a smart way to get beginners excited while still giving cheese-minded people something to think about.

Where you meet: the Diana statue at W1J 9DZ

The tour starts at London W1J 9DZ, in front of the Statue of Goddess Diana. That’s your anchor point. The activity runs about 2 hours, and it’s scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm.

Why the meeting point matters: a short tour leaves less room for getting lost. Showing up a few minutes early helps you avoid stress, especially if you’re navigating central London streets at walking pace. Since the tour is near public transportation, you can usually reach it without planning your entire day around a car or taxi, but you still want to arrive before the group leaves the start area.

This is also where you’ll want to think about comfort. You’ll be walking between shops, and the tour is tied to good weather. If the forecast looks iffy, dress like you expect a damp London afternoon and keep a light layer handy.

Fortnum & Mason to Little Italy: the route that keeps changing your tastes

After the start, the tour moves toward Fortnum & Mason in Mayfair, one of London’s most famous department-store addresses. The stop window is about 1 hour, which is a generous chunk of time for tasting and conversation.

Here’s what I think makes this part of the route work: it’s not just “walk into a shop, taste a bite, walk out.” The structure is designed to pair your senses with a guide’s explanations. That means when you taste a stronger cheese, you have context immediately—what kind it is, how it behaves, and what to listen for in flavor and texture.

Then you’ll wander through what’s called Little Italy as you head to other cheese-seller stops. That little change of neighborhood scenery does more than look nice on a photo. It helps break up the experience so it doesn’t blur into one long cheese blur. You’ll feel the tour adjusting from “posh landmark stop” to “local food streets,” and the contrast makes the tastings more memorable.

A practical note: Fortnum & Mason can be busy. If crowds slow down your group, don’t panic. Use the time to ask the guide questions. This tour’s setup—small group and guide time—means you’re not stuck waiting silently.

Covent Garden and Neal’s Yard Dairy: where learning feels friendly

Next you move to Covent Garden, with a stop at Neal’s Yard Dairy. This segment is about 30 minutes, so it’s short, but it’s timed well. By the time you reach this part of the route, you’ve already tasted a range of cheeses, so you’re more likely to notice differences right away.

Neal’s Yard Dairy is the kind of place that can turn a casual cheese taste into real interest. Even without getting overly technical, a stop like this helps you connect the dots between what you taste on the tour and what you could buy after. You’ll likely find that the guide’s explanations make it easier to choose what to take home later, instead of relying on labels alone.

One drawback to expect here is the time limit. Thirty minutes sounds like plenty until you’re standing in front of a display and realizing you want to ask one more question about production style or aging. If you have a specific cheese curiosity—like blue cheese intensity or what makes camembert taste different from one brand to another—try to bring it up earlier in the tour so you get the full answer when you still have time.

What you actually taste: Stilton, Camembert, and drunken cheese

The tour’s tasting menu isn’t described as a rigid list, but the highlights are clear. Expect samples that include:

• Creamy Stiltons
• Warm, gooey Camemberts
• A local-feeling specialty like drunken cheese
• A pairing with a glass of sparkling wine alongside the drunken cheese

This mix is smart for two reasons.

First, it covers cheese personalities. Stilton brings bold, rich character. Camembert is the opposite of intimidating: it’s comforting, soft, and easy to understand once you taste it warm. Drunken cheese is the “fun question” option. It gives you something to talk about and compare, and the sparkling wine pairing helps reset your palate between richer bites.

Second, the pairing and the warmth are part of the point. Cheese tastes change depending on temperature and how you’re eating it. A tasting walk that includes a warm element and a wine pairing gives you a better sense of what you like in real life—not just what sounds good in theory.

If you have food restrictions, this is where you should plan ahead. The tour specifically asks you to communicate any allergy or special diet needs. I’d treat that as a must-do step, not a polite extra. In a cheese-focused experience, substitutions need time and clarity.

How the guide makes it worth more than snacks

The tour isn’t just about eating. It’s built around explanation. You’ll learn about how cheese is made as you enjoy the samples, and because it’s a small group, you can ask questions instead of taking in information at high speed.

That matters for two reasons.

1) It turns tasting into skill. Once you understand what makes a cheese firm or creamy, you get better at selecting cheese in shops later.

2) It helps you taste like a pro, even if you’re a beginner. You stop asking, Is this good? and start asking, Why does this taste the way it does?

Also, with a maximum group size of 10 travelers, the experience tends to feel more like a conversation with guidance than a lecture. That’s where the real value is. You’re paying for time, interpretation, and a guided route between multiple vendors—not just small bites.

Price and value: is $63.90 a fair deal?

At $63.90 per person for about two hours, the best way to judge value is not the time alone. Here, you’re paying for:

• Multiple tasting stops rather than one shop
• Time spent with a guide (and room for questions)
• A structured route that includes major cheesemonger names
• Samples that include classic cheeses and at least one pairing with sparkling wine

If you were to buy a similar variety of cheeses and drinks on your own, you’d spend money—and you’d still have to figure out what you like without a guide turning the tasting into a learning experience. This tour leans into that idea: it helps you taste broadly, then understand what you’re tasting.

One more value factor: central London walks can eat up time. A guided route saves mental energy. You don’t have to build your own cheese itinerary across neighborhoods.

So is it good value? For food-focused people who enjoy guided learning and want a structured way to sample, yes. For someone who only wants one casual snack stop, it may feel like more effort than needed.

Practical tips so the tour goes smoothly

Here’s how I’d set yourself up for a good afternoon.

• Arrive early at the Diana statue meeting point so your start isn’t rushed.
• Wear walking shoes. It’s a walking tour with multiple stops, and Covent Garden streets can be uneven.
• Check the weather. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
• Tell them about restrictions. If you need allergy-safe choices or a special diet, communicate it at booking time.
• Bring questions. If you’re curious about blue cheeses, aging, or the difference between firm and soft styles, ask early so you have time for follow-ups.
• Keep your contact info handy. One sour note in the provided experience data involves a guide not showing up on a booking. It’s not something you should expect, but it’s smart to have the tour contact details ready in case anything goes off schedule.

Who this tour is best for

This tour is a great match if you:

• Like eating while learning, not just collecting photos
• Want to try several cheese styles in a short window
• Enjoy guided discussions and want time to ask questions
• Prefer a small group size (max 10) over a larger crowd

It’s less ideal if you:

• Hate walking or don’t want a weather-dependent plan
• Have strict dietary needs and expect the tour to handle them without advance notice
• Only want a single tasting experience with no learning component

Should you book Taste London: Cheese Tasting & Walking Tour?

I’d book this if you want a focused, food-first London afternoon where you taste well-known cheeses and learn what you’re eating. The small group size is a big deal, and the stop mix—from major landmarks to a Covent Garden cheesemonger—keeps the experience from feeling repetitive.

I’d hesitate only if you’re extremely weather-sensitive or you’re worried about last-minute disruptions. And because there’s been at least one problematic instance involving a guide not showing, I’d make sure you show up on time, keep your confirmation details, and are ready to contact the tour organizer if something seems wrong.

If you’re the type who likes to leave a tour with a better sense of what you’d buy next, this one has that payoff.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at London W1J 9DZ, UK, in front of the Statue of Goddess Diana. It ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

It starts at 3:00 pm and lasts about 2 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

What should I do if I have food restrictions or allergies?

You need to communicate any food restrictions (allergy, special diet, etc.).

What happens if the weather is poor?

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