The Original Tour was founded in by June 1951 by the London Transport Executive at the time of The Festival of Britain.

Used more widely during 2004 and fully adopted in 2005 with the entry into service of the Ayats bodied Volvo B7Ls, which were specified with electronic destination displays.

Previously, the routes were only distinguishable by a coloured triangle, propped up on the dash on the bus, although some had a metal holder on the front.

[8] At the end of 2007 The Original Tour opened a visitor centre on 17-19 Cockspur Street, off Trafalgar Square.

[9][10] When next tendered, route 337 passed to London General in May 2011 and The Original Tour ceased being a TfL operator.

[11][12] Historically the fleet consisted of former double deck route buses, that after being converted to open top configuration, were given a second life.