london docklands tour

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THE LONDON DOCKLANDS WALK

A riverside ramble.

• Private Bookings Only
• West India Quay DLR Station

DISCOVER DOCKLANDS OLD AND NEW

As well as being one of the Capital’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Docklands is also the district of London that has seen the most dramatic changes over the last 50 years.

Soaring Towers and Stunning Views

From a modern perspective, it is home to some of the Capital’s most exciting architecture, has more street sculpture than any other comparable quarter of London, and offers some of the most stunning views imaginable.

The Past is There if you Scratch The Surface

Yet, echoes of the hustle and bustle of the area’s riverside past are still there for those who take the trouble to delve into the streets and passages that nestle behind the soaring modern skyscrapers and gleaming silver towers.

Atmospheric old warehouses – the majority of them now converted into luxury apartment blocks or leisure complexes – vie with historic riverside pubs and churches to lure the casual stroller further and further back into the fascinating past of this vibrant district of contrasts.

Indeed, Docklands is not just a place to discover, it is a place to savour and experience, and on our walk through London Docklands you will do just that.

Gleaming Temples to Mammon

Beginning at the heart of modern Docklands, you will immediately see that this is an area in which the past and present have blended harmoniously together as you encounter a series of old warehouses, 19th century dock buildings and sturdy brick walls that almost cower beneath the gleaming bulk of Canary Wharf and the other soaring Temples to Mammon that crowd around it.

We move on through modern Docklands, uncovering as we go further fragments of the past which hark back to those long ago days when great ships, their holds heavy with cargoes from all over the Globe, moored in deep basins hewn from mud and marsh of the Thames.

You will hear all about the history of the area, learn how the docks went into rapid decline mid way through the 20th century, and discover how, in the 1990′s, a new modern City sprouted from what, throughout the 1970′s and 80′s was a vast and desolate wasteland.

But, in addition to treating you to a whistle stop tour of Docklands, your guide will also tell you all about the modern towers that rise over you, will draw your gaze to some of their highlights, and will astonish you with some amazing facts about individual buildings and the 21st century skyscape in general.

Look Back In Wonder

But we will at all times be snapping at the heels of the past. For, every so often, the modern buildings will part to reveal tantalising glimpses of bygone docklands.

Ancient stairs, their mildewed stones – lapped by the tides of time and Thames – will conjure forth vivid images of long ago days when this stretch of the river was nothing short of a vast sea of tall masts and the riverside paths echoed with the shouts, grunts, banter and profanities of the dockworkers. Days when the air hereabouts was pungent with the aroma of sugar and spice and some things not nice.

A TRUE VOYAGE OF DOCKLANDS DISCOVERY

So join us on a voyage of discovery through this vibrant quarter of London. Experience for yourself the contrast between the gleaming, silver towers of docklands present and the dark brick and white stone walls of the past. Breathe in the distinctive aroma of the Thames as you pick your way along its time-washed banks.

In short come along and enjoy a captivating wander on which each step taken, each corner turned and each secret uncovered will inspire feelings of surprise and wonderment.

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The London Docks Tour - Rum, Ivory and The Noose

Tour Information

From humble beginnings as a small settlement on the banks of the River Thames to a dominating global empire, London's docklands have always been at the heart of the capital. Come with Free Tours by Foot and explore centuries of shocking, gruesome, iconic and important events along the waterways of London's infamous docks!

Tracing the paths of some of the most important and scandalous characters in London’s history, Free Tours by Foot is ready to show you the London you won’t fin in your tourist guidebooks!  Explore London's infamous docklands with us at Free Tours by Foot!

Sights we visit or cover on the London Docks Tour:

• The Gloriana (Queen Elizabeth II's royal barge!)
• The Dickens Inn
• Pier Head Wharf
• The Town of Ramsgate
• Execution Dock
• Tobacco Dock
• Hydraulic Power Station
• Turners Old Star (the site of witch trials!)
• River Access (if tide is out)

Tour information

Reservations: Click here to reserve .

Where: Tour begins from underneath the NORTH side of Tower Bridge outside the Starbucks ( map ). Nearest Underground Stations are Tower Hill and London Bridge.

Duration: Approximately 2 hours.

When: View our full tour calendar .

Cost: This tour is free to take, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done. A name-your-own-price tour is a tour for anyone's budget.

Save even more money with a London tourist discount card .

Be sure to check out our other tours in London .

And much, much more

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London Canary Wharf & Docklands Tour

Explore Canary Wharf, a vibrant city within a city and a stunning regeneration of London’s historic dockyards

A London Canary Wharf & Docklands Tour is unmissable because…

If you think you’ve seen all that London has to offer, head east to Canary Wharf and discover a buzzing business and cultural centre to rival the City of London. Built during the financial boom of the 1980s, this area was a magnet for world-leading architects like Norman Foster, Richard Rogers, and Cesar Pelli. Their gleaming skyscrapers, graceful piazzas, and beautifully landscaped gardens create a vibrant and innovative environment to work, live and visit.

Must-sees during a London Canary Wharf & Docklands Tour

• Breathtaking modern architecture created for leading world companies like HSBC, Barclays, and Reuters.
• One Canada Square – the icon of Canary Wharf, this office block stands 770ft tall and features Canary Wharf Group’s Level39, the world’s most connected tech community.
• A subterranean town complete with shopping malls, gyms, and restaurants.
• Beautiful public spaces where you can enjoy peaceful gardens and modern art installations.
• Fantastic views across the River Thames of the City of London’s iconic skyline.
• The fascinating Museum of London Docklands which charts the history of the docks and the lives of those who worked here.

Book a Blue Badge Tourist Guide for a London Canary Wharf & Docklands Tour because…

• Your Guide will take you through the history of the area from the dockyard to international financial powerhouse.
• You’ll learn about the very first docks built for the sugar and rum trade – both of which relied on slave labour.
• Your Guide will tell you about the hard lives of the dockers and their families and what happened to them when the docks disappeared.
• You’ll hear stories of smuggling and crime in the crowded docks where ships might wait days before they could unload.
• You may extend your tour to include a visit to Royal Greenwich, a pretty little town and a popular film location featured in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, ‘Thor’, ‘Les Miserables’ and many others.
• For another great example of urban regeneration, take a trip to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, venue of the 2012 Summer Games. It’s now a beautiful public space and an emerging cultural hub.

Please bear in mind that these are not public tours, but private tours conducted by specialist Blue Badge Tourist Guides who will charge a separate fee, details of which can be found on our fees page.

Let us 'Match' you with one of our Blue Badge Tourist Guides who are:

• Friendly, professional and used to dealing with groups of all ages and sizes
• Holders of the prestigious Blue Badge (the highest Tourist Guiding qualification in the UK)
• Able to use special entrances at certain well known attractions to avoid waiting in long lines
• Able to offer tours in over 30 different languages

Simply input your tour request details in the form below. When you have finished, hit the Green ‘Submit to Match’ button. Your request will be instantly emailed to three highly qualified and enthusiastic London Blue Badge Tourist Guides, matching your criteria. They will then email you confirming availability, pricing and suggestions for the tour itself. So let one of our 500+ Blue Badge Tourist Guides make your stay in London a special one.

Short notice request! We will do our best to accommodate your needs, but generally try to give at least two days notice.

Date of tour: Flexible dates Coming to London for a whole week? Let the guide know that the date is flexible, so they can suggest an upcoming event or a less crowded time for the tour. (+/- 3 days)

Language: Albanian Bulgarian Chinese (Cantonese) Chinese (Mandarin) Croatian Czech Danish Dutch/Flemish English Finnish French German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Italian Japanese Korean Lithuanian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Slovak Spanish Swedish Swiss-German Taiwanese Turkish Welsh

Duration: Morning Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to finish by 13:00 Afternoon Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to start by 13:30 All Day Full days are up to 9 hours, usually finishing no later than 18:00 Evening Only Half day tour up to 4 hours maximum, usually expected to start no earlier than 18:00

Travel by: Walking & Public Transportation Tour Explore London by walking and a variety of public transport (Underground, Black Cab, London double decker bus or even riverboat) Cycling Tour Cycle around London with a professional Guide. Bring your own bicycle or request the Guide to help you hire one. Driving Tour Get driven around in style by a professional Driver Guide. Usually for groups of up to 7 people. Coach Tour A tour for larger groups (typically 20+). Please tell the Guide if you have your own coach and driver, or request the Guide to help you hire one. Virtual Tour Explore London's top sights and attractions from the comfort of your home

Interests: Major London sites Museum and Galleries Beyond London Specialist Tours London Canary Wharf & Docklands Tour

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London Docklands & Canals Tour

Overview of the tour in London

It is still possible to breathe the mystifying air that hovers the Docklands. This walk will make you discover the big pools and waterways that have characterized for centuries the east of London. Yet, it's not only water what lays behind the history of Wapping and Limehouse: some of the most incredible churches of London are here, among them one by obscure architect Nicholas Hawksmoor which is worth a deepening. Add to that Victorian architecture and monuments dedicated to the Waterloo battle. And when you had enough of history you'll have the possibility to catch sight of the most outstanding views of Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and eventually just enjoy the pleasant and quiet walks through the mysterious streets and Victorian remains of the Docklands.

This activity includes:

Trinity Square Gardens

• Tower Bridge
• Canary Wharf Station ( Elizabeth Line )
• Historical outline of the area
• Stylistic examination of buildings
• Stunning Landscape views

Meeting point

LOOK OUT FOR THE PINK UMBRELLA! Trinity Square Gardens are just next to its homonymous metro station, in front of the Tower of London. We will meet in this park which also hosts the Trinity House, headquarters of the institution founded by Henry VIII in 1514 for the superintendence of security of navigation, and a great introduction to our tour.

Things to note

Once we get to Shadwell Basin you can travel from there with several buses, overground, and DLR from Shadwell station. THIS TOUR IS DONATION BASED. THIS TOUR IS BOOKABLE FOR MINIMUM 2 PEOPLE, if you are only one contact me through the Freetour chat. For any inconveniences on the day of the tour, please contact me via the free tour chat

Free Cancellation

You are free to cancel a booking anytime. We kindly remind you to cancel bookings you cannot arrive for. Being reported as absent decreases your customer level points and the benefits you can enjoy.

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Project Description

London – docklands and canary wharf.

Languages available:  EN ES

Customizable tour:  Yes

Recommended group size per guide: 25

Duration: 4 hours

DESCRIPTION – London: Docklands and Canary Wharf

Discover in this city tour through London the Docklands and Canary Wharf and enjoy the architecture from that area with the company of one of our professional guide-architects.

The regeneration of old docks of east London, the Docklands, which has been in progress for almost 40 years and continues today, is one of the most interesting architectural tours of London. When the Thames docks were closed around the 1970s, the zone degraded and since then has been transformed with the help of architecture.

The Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was founded in London to encourage this process. The first phase of reconstruction of the area finished with the financial complex known as Canary Wharf, which has some of the  tallest skyscrapers  in the United Kingdom, such as  One Canada Square . From there, many other skyscrapers have been built in recent years by societies or financial entities, like the new headquarters of HSBC, the  Barclays building or the  Citigroup European Center .

Many bars and restaurants have been added to the edifice and the profile of the residents has changed.  What used to be a working class zone has turned into a middle or even upper class area . The old, unused warehouses have been transformed into tall-standing apartments for the zone’s workers.

Other tours in London

London – “The City”: Financial Center

London – docklands and canary wharf.

London – Old Town and Financial District

London – Post Olympics Architecture

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Museum of London Docklands

Top ways to experience Museum of London Docklands and nearby attractions

• West India Quay • 4 min walk
• Westferry • 4 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (0.08 mi) Point A Hotel London Canary Wharf
• (0.12 mi) London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf
• (0.12 mi) Marriott Executive Apartments London, Canary Wharf
• (0.18 mi) Canary Riverside Plaza Hotel
• (0.19 mi) Premier Inn London Canary Wharf (Westferry) hotel
• (0.01 mi) Munich Cricket Club Canary Wharf
• (0.03 mi) Pizza Pilgrims
• (0.03 mi) The Ledger Building
• (0.04 mi) Coco Canary Wharf
• (0.09 mi) Browns Brasserie & Bar - West India Quay
• (0.02 mi) Skuna
• (0.03 mi) St Peter's Barge
• (0.04 mi) Ann's Smart School of Cookery
• (0.04 mi) Cineworld Cinema
• (0.10 mi) China Health Spa

Group Travel Tour Operator and DMC for London

Docklands discovery.

London Docklands view of Canary Wharf

The London Docklands and River Thames reflects London’s diversity, from peaceful countryside to an urban vibe. The city is also awash with charming canals and waterways that are perfect for exploring this beautiful part of London.

Dates throughout 2024 & 2025

Suggested itinerary by coach

Travel to your hotel.

Arrive at your hotel in the Docklands area. Dinner can be arranged in the hotel this evening if required or taken at leisure.

Docklands and the Thames

After breakfast at the hotel you will meet your knowledgeable guide, who will give you an introduction to London Docklands. Your first stop will be at the Museum of the Docklands, where the history of the Thames and the Docklands is told. There will be a short walking tour of the area, and some free time, before a return trip on the IFS Cloud Cable Car giving a spectacular view of the Thames, a great way to end the day. Dinner can be arranged either in the hotel or an alternative venue this evening.

Return home

After breakfast return home. You may however, like to end your stay with a short cruise on the River Thames

Suggested Hotels

We offer a wide selection of 3 and 4 star Docklands located hotels.

A single room supplement will apply – details on request.

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Steve's London

Discover London with veteran guidebook author Steve Fallon — Accredited Blue Badge Guide

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The Docklands & London’s East End Tour

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The coveted Blue Badge is a qualification awarded to professional tourist guides upon successful completion of a rigorous and comprehensive two-year course on guiding in the UK.

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You can book a tour as much as a year in advance.

Tour Prices & Conditions

London docklands tour, pirates stories walking tour in london and climbing experience on the o2 arena roof.

Parts of the former port of London known at the time as the largest port in the world, the Docks were areas where ship workers communities lived and worked with their own rules and traditions. In the last 2 centuries, these Docks have been developed and expanded, while being preserved at the same time. With your knowledgeable guide, you will discover their stories, and their old buildings witnessing the past. From Tower Hill station, you will enjoy a stroll towards East past St Katherine Dock to the area of Wapping, passing some historic pubs where famous artists and writers such as Charles Dickens and WJM Turner, used to go to find some inspiration. On your way, you will discover the mix of old and contemporary architectures such as the former warehouses turned into luxurious design apartments. Your tour will continue at the O2 Arena where you will enjoy a climbing experience, going 52 meters up (171 feet) on the Dome. Previously known as the Millennium Dome and famous for hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, the O2 Arena in the second biggest seating venue in the United Kingdom. From the top, you will marvel at the London breathtaking cityscape.

London United Kingdom

1/2 day duration, 10 max. no. on tour, tour details, keywords : palais de tokyo, notre dame de paris, moulin rouge, paris history, 19th century, included in the tour.

- Transport from Canary Wharf to North Greenwich - Climbing experience on the O2 arena (Climbing requirements: at least 10 years old - at least 1.2 m (3.2 feet) tall - not weigh more than 21 stone/130kg/286lbs - not have a waist measurement more than 125 cm - not have an upper thigh measurement more than 75 cm. There must be at least one adult for every two children. Not suitable for pregnant women.)

NOT INCLUDED

- Drinks and/or snacks during the tour

Starting from Tower Hill underground station, follow your guide towards London East past St Katherine Dock to the area of Wapping. On your way, stop at few historic pubs and learn about their stories: many artists such as Charles Dickens and WJM Turner used to visit the these Docklands local pubs. Continue on the Thames foot path to the area of Limehouse, where you will climb up to the O2 arena, large entertainment complex and second biggest venue in in the United Kingdom. After climbing the Dome 52 meters (171 feet) above the ground, you will enjoy some the London spectacular views.

WHERE AND WHEN?

About your guide.

In love with London, I moved there several years ago and completed the Blue Badge guide course which entitles me today to guide visitors through many different places and sites in London and its surroundings, including their historical and cultural facts. I have always been interested in tourism: as a little girl sitting at my desk at home, with an atlas and other various guide books around me, I tried to sell tours to family members. Then, as a teenager I found the perfect summer job as a tour guide in one of the many castles in the Czech Republic. My relationship with that castle lasted over ten years. To pick a course at University was a piece of cake, anything tourism related. After three years, I was the proud holder of a Management in Tourism degree and a National Tour Guiding certificate for the Czech Republic. Throughout my studies I have detoured a little bit, spending some years abroad working as a Flight Attendant for easyJet: still in tourism but just a different sector... I am now packed with knowledge and experience and it will be my pleasure to take you on one of my tours to show you the wonderful city of London

Book this tour and you could give it its first review !

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Call the Midwife Official Location Tour

01 Mar - 31 Oct 2024

If you’re a fan of the hit series and you’ve been wondering where Call the Midwife is filmed, put yourself in the picture and explore where the real drama happens with a Call the Midwife Official Location Tour.

Created in partnership with award-winning television production company,  Neal Street Productions , our  Call The Midwife Official Location   Tour  is the only one of its kind in the world. Whilst the show is set in the East End of London, many of the outside scenes from the BBC series are actually filmed at The Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent.

Walk in the footsteps of Nurse Trixie Franklin, Sister Julienne and Dr Turner and explore where the real drama happens. You will be guided through the Historic Dockyard by your very own costumed Midwife, armed with a photograph book and tales of their ‘sisters’, before being allowed to explore the sets, costumes and props in the all-new, exclusive gallery.

You’ll see just how  Neal Street Productions  transform 400 year old Chatham dockyard into East London. Along the tour you’ll recognise the cobbled streets and buildings of ‘Poplar’ plus iconic locations such as the Grosvenor Hotel and ‘Chummy’s Hill’, where Nurse Noakes famously learnt to ride her bike.

Call the Midwife Location Tours run from March – October.

tour prices

Your Call the Midwife Official Location Tour includes a 90 minute, guided Call the Midwife Experience and access to The Historic Dockyard Chatham including its fantastic collection of Historic Warships and Galleries on the day of your visit. 

Aged 4 and over

Add a treat

Cream Tea with Prosecco

What’s included.

The official tour has been overseen by Call the Midwife producers, Neal Street Productions. It features material from the latest series, as well as props, costumes and set, all guided by your personal costumed midwife.

The tour lasts for 90 minutes.

Walk in the Footsteps

Walking Tour

Walk in the footsteps of Sister Julienne, Nurse Trixie Franklin, Nancy Corrigan and Dr Turner, to explore the cobbled streets and buildings of the Dockyard which double as ‘Poplar’, plus view the iconic locations of Grosvenor Hotel and ‘Chummy’s Hill’.

There are some uneven surfaces and we advise you to wear comfortable foot wear. The tour is wheelchair friendly but please advise us in advance if you have any mobility issues.

Exclusive Gallery

Sets & Props

An exclusive gallery featuring sets, costumes, props and unique artefacts. Visit Fred Buckle’s shop to view the vintage sweets and treats and snap a perfect sel­fie over the counter in Violet’s Haberdashery or take a seat in Dr. Turner’s waiting area. Brush past beautiful costumes, as you get up close to popular props, including treasured wedding dresses and uniforms.

Dockyard Entry

Your Call the Midwife Official Location Tour ticket also gives you access to the wider Historic Dockyard site, including all galleries and exhibitions on the day of your tour.

Merchandise

After your Call the Midwife Tour don’t forget to pop into the shop to browse through the Call the Midwife merchandise. From branded tea, jams, fridge magnets to books and mugs – wonderful memorabilia from your day.

An extra treat

Add an extra treat to your afternoon with our delicious Cream Tea in the Mess Deck Restaurant. Including a fresh Fruit Scone, Clotted Cream, Strawberry Preserve, a Chocolate dipped Strawberry and your choice of Tea or Coffee. Add some bubbles with a 200ml bottle of Prosecco. Simply add this to your booking when selecting a date.

Our Cream Tea is served in the Mess Deck restaurant. Please show your email confirmation receipt at checkout and take a seat ready to be served your delicious treat.

Gift Vouchers

A gift voucher is the ideal treat for someone special to visit the Call the Midwife Official Location Tour, choose from a souvenir gift voucher wallet that we can send you through the post (price includes postage) or if you’re in a hurry, our gift voucher e-tickets are emailed directly to you on completion of your order. You can also add a cream tea as an extra treat.

Gift vouchers are undated so the Call the Midwife fan in your life can choose the date that suits them (vouchers must be used within 12 months of purchase). A phone number is provided on the voucher for the recipient to book their tour directly with us.

On location

Walk in their footsteps …

Whilst we can’t guarantee you’ll spot any of the cast or crew from Call the Midwife on your tour, we are lucky to have welcomed them to the Historic Dockyard on many occasions.

“Just wanted to say how much we all enjoyed the tour last Wednesday. The whole experience was very enjoyable and the display brought it to life. I would also like to say how much we enjoyed the services of Irene who was our tour guide. Please pass on our thanks to all involved in making the day memorable.”

The Small Print

Terms & Conditions

• If you miss your tour please be aware that we cannot accommodate a new date for you and there will be no refund for missed tours.
• For any amendments to your tour please contact our bookings team on  [email protected]  and we will try to accommodate changes. Please note there will be a £5.00 administration fee for changing your tour date and we will require at least 28 days notice of these changes.
• For any enquiries please get in touch.

Blogs & Articles

Related Stories

Dive a little deeper into our Call the Midwife Official Location Tours with our blogs and articles.

The Official Location Tour of Call The Midwife returns for 2024

Cast of Call The Midwife opened new gallery and official location tour

Launch of new gallery and official location tour for Call The Midwife

Dockyard drama – where is Call the Midwife is filmed?

Call the Midwife Tours are back!

Launch of the Official Call the Midwife Location Tours

Student midwives meet ‘Call The Midwife!’

Events & Activities

Not to be missed

Don’t miss out on other great events and activities taking place this year.

RNLI 200: The Exhibition

Stormy Stan’s Chatham Challenge

The Brave and the Waves

Medway Gaming Festival

Salute to the ’40s

Ralph STEADman: INKling Exhibition

Join the conversation.

Share your day with us using hashtag #DockyardChatham X: @DockyardChatham FB:@historic.chatham

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The new museum coming in 2026 will be situated at the heart of the capital’s historic Smithfield area next to Farringdon. Until then, the fun continues at our Docklands museum!

• Conferences and meetings
• Dinners and receptions
• West Smithfield

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The Museum of London Docklands is the perfect place for groups to experience London's history and culture and provides an engaging introduction for visitors to the capital.

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Horses Run Loose Through Central London in Surreal Spectacle

A number of runaway army horses galloped through London on Wednesday morning, causing alarm and injuring pedestrians. All of the animals were eventually recovered.

By Mark Landler

Reporting from London

Several runaway military horses galloped through the streets of London on Wednesday morning, alarming pedestrians, sideswiping cars and buses, and turning an ordinary rush hour into a frightening, almost surreal spectacle.

Four people were treated for injuries, including a soldier who was thrown from one of the horses, according to the London Ambulance Service. The horses, which belong to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, a unit that parades in royal pageants, are normally well-trained symbols of London’s regal past.

On Wednesday, however, they broke into a panicked stampede that had more in common with the Wild West. Galloping past some of London’s most famous sites — from Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge — they left a trail of damaged vehicles and shocked pedestrians, some of whom had to dart out of their way.

By 10:30 a.m., the Metropolitan Police said that all the horses had been recovered and were back in their barracks in Hyde Park. But some had suffered injuries, including a white horse that had blood splashed on its neck, chest and forelimbs.

The drama began shortly after 8 a.m. when the horses, apparently spooked by the noise from a nearby construction site, threw off the military riders who were taking them out for routine exercises. Photographs showed one of the soldiers being treated while lying on the ground on Buckingham Palace Road.

Video footage captured a pair of riderless horses galloping in Aldwych, a stately area in central London. Their hooves clattered in the shadow of grand stone buildings as passers-by scattered, buses jerked to a stop and cars honked. The white horse, wearing a saddle and stirrups with its reins flying behind it, was caught on video later galloping in the vicinity of Tower Bridge.

Other pictures showed the result of unexpected encounters between animals and a busy urban landscape: a double-decker tour bus with a smashed windshield and a gray Mercedes van with a dented door and smashed rear windows.

As the incident unfolded, newspapers and broadcasters began carrying live coverage, briefly riveting much of the city. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement, “We are aware of a number of horses that are currently loose in central London and are working with colleagues, including the army, to locate them.”

Shortly before 10 a.m., the City of London police reported that its officers had corralled two of the horses near Limehouse, a neighborhood adjacent to the city’s docklands. That indicated they had made their way across Central London, from Westminster through Covent Garden and past the financial district.

“We’re waiting for an army horse box to collect the horses and transport them to veterinary care,” the city police said in a statement.

An army spokesman told The Daily Telegraph that horses had been recovered and returned to their camp, but he added, “A number of personnel and horses have been injured and are receiving the appropriate medical attention.”

The Household Cavalry — made up of the two most senior units in the British Army, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals — is a familiar sight in royal pageants. They trooped in the coronation of King Charles III last May and during the state funeral of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II , in September 2022.

The cavalry’s horses are trained to be comfortable in busy streets and around people, which made the incident on Wednesday extraordinarily unusual.

Tourists often pose for pictures next to the horses when they stand guard in front of Horse Guards Parade , a ceremonial parade ground on Whitehall, north of Downing Street. The soldiers astride them only occasionally scold the tourists for getting too close or otherwise disturbing the animals.

Mark Landler is the London bureau chief of The Times, covering the United Kingdom, as well as American foreign policy in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He has been a journalist for more than three decades. More about Mark Landler