Cheese turns London into a walkable tasting menu. This small-group walk links classic cheesemongers with tastings that range from creamy Stilton to warm gooey Camembert, plus a stop for drunken cheese paired with sparkling wine. I like that the format gives you time to ask real questions, not just follow along. I also love the route through areas that feel like food neighborhoods, including a Little Italy-style wander while you sample different cheeses. One thing to watch: the tour requires good weather, so you may need a backup plan if it gets cancelled.

You’ll meet near the Statue of Goddess Diana in W1J 9DZ and start at 3:00 pm, then circle back to the same point. It runs about 2 hours and keeps things simple with a mobile ticket and a route that’s near public transport. The schedule also shows ticket-free entries at the listed stops, which is useful if you’re trying to control costs while still getting a guided food experience.

Key Points If You Love Cheese

• Small group up to 10 people: more time to ask questions as you taste
• Stilton and Camembert pairings: classic styles plus a more playful option
• A wine pairing moment: drunken cheese comes with a glass of sparkling wine
• Fortnum & Mason as a starting anchor: an easy-to-find, iconic Mayfair launch point
• Neal’s Yard Dairy in Covent Garden: a second stop that keeps the flavor variety moving

Why this Mayfair-to-Covent Garden cheese route is such an easy win

If you’re in London with limited time, walking tours are a smart way to pack in flavor without spending hours figuring out where to go. This one is built around cheese shops and tastings, but the real value is how the guide helps you make sense of what you’re eating. Instead of treating cheese like a random assortment, you learn how it’s made and what to notice as it ages, warms, or develops stronger notes.

The route also makes sense geographically. You’re starting in Mayfair (near a landmark that’s easy to find) and ending in the Covent Garden area, which is ideal for combining with other sightseeing later. And because the group is kept small, the walk doesn’t feel like a frantic sprint through storefronts. It’s paced for eating and chatting, which is exactly what you want on a tasting tour.

One practical upside: the tour is only around two hours, so it fits well if you’re doing a full day of museums or markets. You can plan dinner afterward without worrying you’ll still be on the move.

Getting started at W1J 9DZ without wasting your 3:00 pm window

The meeting point is listed as London W1J 9DZ, in front of the Statue of Goddess Diana. That detail matters because finding the exact start point can make or break a short tour. I’d suggest getting there a bit early, especially on a day when streets and crowds can slow you down.

This walk is also described as being near public transportation. That’s helpful because cheese tours don’t always run on a schedule that works perfectly with your other plans. If the tube or bus route is convenient for you, you’ll feel less rushed. A mobile ticket makes day-of entry smoother too, since you’re not juggling printed paperwork.

Most people can participate, which is good if you’re traveling with mixed ages or stamina. Still, it’s a walking tour, so wear comfortable shoes and keep your water handy. Two hours sounds short until you’re standing in and out of shops with small samples.

Fortnum & Mason plus the Little Italy cheesemongers stop

This experience typically kicks off in Mayfair at Fortnum & Mason. Starting at a place that’s widely recognized is more than just convenient. It helps you orient fast, and you spend less mental energy hunting for the first tasting window.

From there, the walk shifts into a Little Italy-style wander, aimed at taking you to some of the better London cheesemongers. The goal isn’t just to show storefronts. You’re there to sample different cheeses while learning what makes each one distinct, including how cheese is made.

Here’s what you should expect from the flavors discussed for this tour: creamy Stiltons and warm, gooey Camemberts. Those are classic choices for a reason. Stilton gives you a chance to notice depth and intensity, while Camembert is a good test for how cheese changes when it’s warmed. If you enjoy comparing textures and flavors across tastings, this is a solid pairing strategy.

The tour also mentions drunken cheese, paired with a glass of sparkling wine. This is the moment where the experience gets more playful, not just formal. If you like your food stories to have a little personality, you’ll probably enjoy that pairing. If you don’t drink alcohol, you should still communicate any dietary needs or restrictions ahead of time, since the wine pairing is explicitly part of the tour concept.

A small drawback to consider at this stage: the first hour is where you’re often most likely to feel rushed if you’re hungry already or if you arrive late. When the tasting schedule is tight, arriving early gives you breathing room to settle in.

Neal’s Yard Dairy in Covent Garden: the second tasting chapter

The walk then moves to Covent Garden for a visit to Neal’s Yard Dairy, scheduled for about 30 minutes. That shorter stop length matters. It usually means you’ll get a focused taste-and-learn session rather than a long browse. If you like structure, this works in your favor.

Neal’s Yard Dairy is a recognizable stop name in this part of London, so it’s a good way to end the tour with variety. After tasting styles like Stilton and Camembert earlier, the second stop can feel like a reset: you’re still in cheese territory, but the tasting experience stays fresh because you’re at a different kind of venue.

What makes this stop valuable is the guided interpretation. The tour is set up so you don’t just eat samples; you also get context about production and what you’re noticing. For example, learning what makes a cheese develop certain flavors as it ages (or how warming changes it) helps you understand your preferences. That’s the kind of takeaway that can make your later cheese shopping more confident.

The main thing to be aware of here is timing. With only about half an hour, you’ll want to pay attention during tastings and questions rather than saving everything for the last minute. If there’s a cheese style you’re particularly curious about, this is the time to ask.

What you’ll taste, and how to enjoy it without getting overwhelmed

Cheese tastings are fun, but they can also sneak up on you. The tour is built around sampling multiple cheeses, including creamy Stiltons and warm gooey Camemberts, plus the drunken cheese and sparkling wine pairing. That mix is great because it spans different intensities and textures.

To get the most out of it, I’d treat each sample like a mini comparison:

• Notice smell first, then texture, then flavor intensity.
• Ask one specific question per shop if you can. For example, you can ask why a cheese tastes sharper today than it might in another form, or what to expect as it warms.
• Pace yourself. If you’re offered sparkling wine with the drunken cheese, sip slowly and keep water nearby.

Diet matters on this kind of tour. The experience asks you to communicate if you have food restrictions, including allergies or special diets. If you have even mild concerns, tell the organizer so they can guide you to safer choices or help you navigate what’s offered. Don’t assume the cheese tasting options will automatically fit every restriction.

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, the small group size (maximum 10) makes it easier to ask follow-up questions. If you’re a firm believer that you can’t learn anything on walking tours, this one is designed to prove you wrong by explaining how cheese is made along the way.

Price and value: is $63.90 for two hours a good deal?

At $63.90 per person for about two hours, this is not a bargain-basement tasting. You’re paying for three things: a guide, access to multiple cheese-tasting venues, and the time built in to actually taste and learn.

The schedule also lists ticket-free admission at the stops, which helps you understand where the money is likely going. You’re not paying separate entry fees to join the experience. Instead, the cost reflects the guided structure and the tasting portion of the tour.

The small-group cap of 10 travelers is also part of the value equation. If the group were larger, you’d spend more time waiting and less time asking questions. Here, the setup is meant to keep the flow friendly and conversational. For food experiences, that difference often matters more than people expect.

That said, there’s mixed feedback in the overall picture. The experience rating is 3.5 out of 5 based on six reviews. The biggest red flag is a report of a guide not showing up, with the group waiting for over half an hour and the guide not responding to messages or calls. It’s one incident, but it’s serious enough that I’d plan with a little caution.

My practical advice: confirm the day-of details you have for the guide contact, arrive early to the Statue of Goddess Diana meeting point, and if anything feels off, reach out early rather than waiting until the tour window feels hopeless. Most tours run fine, but when you’re paying for a short 2-hour block, you want to protect that time.

Who this cheese tour is best for (and who might not love it)

This tour is a great fit if you’re:

• A cheese-first foodie who likes tasting while learning
• The type who enjoys comparing Stilton versus Camembert styles
• Traveling with a partner or friends and want a guided experience without a big crowd

It’s especially appealing if you like conversation. The tour format is designed for lots of time with your guide to ask questions, not just listen and move on.

You might want to skip or reconsider if:

• You’re only interested in sightseeing and don’t actually want to taste multiple cheeses
• You’re very sensitive to alcohol pairings and haven’t communicated dietary restrictions
• Weather is unreliable during your trip window, since good weather is required and a cancellation can happen

If you’re planning your afternoon around it, you’re in luck: the start time is 3:00 pm, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. That makes it easier to head off to dinner or another nearby activity afterward.

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

I’d book it if cheese tastings are your kind of London memory. The combination of Mayfair and Covent Garden stops, the small-group size, and the specific cheese focus (Stilton, Camembert, plus drunken cheese with sparkling wine) makes it feel like a purposeful food experience rather than a random walk.

I would also go in with realistic expectations. It’s weather-dependent and only about two hours, so you’re choosing a tight tasting window. And since there’s at least one serious no-show report, I’d take the basics seriously: arrive early at the Statue of Goddess Diana meeting point, keep an eye on day-of updates, and use the contact details you’re given if something seems wrong.

If you’re ready to ask questions, taste with curiosity, and spend a short afternoon learning more than you’d learn from buying cheese on your own, this tour can be a smart use of time. If you hate walking or you’re the kind of traveler who needs very predictable logistics, you may want to look at alternatives with more flexible structure.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

The meeting point is in front of the Statue of Goddess Diana at W1J 9DZ, London, UK.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 3:00 pm.

How long is the Taste London cheese tasting and walking tour?

It lasts about 2 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Do I need to tell the tour about food restrictions?

Yes. If you have any food restrictions such as allergies or a special diet, you need to communicate them.

Does the tour depend on weather?

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