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London's Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour

29 Reviews 4.93 out of 5 stars Based on 29 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
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Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. London, England
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from $205 per group (up to 15)

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Telling the story of the execution of William Wallace outside his memorial in Smithfield
London's Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour Image 2
Uncovering the secrets of the Barber Surgeons at St. Parts
Delving into the history of Charterhouse Square
Stories of body snatching

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On average, this is booked 14 (0) days in advance.
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2 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English

Overview

Take a walk through the sinister past of the Dark Side of London, hearing ghost stories, tragic tails, and creepy facts and figures, all the more unsettling because it is true! You will learn the salacious history of the Barber Surgeons, see the site of the execution of a legendary hero, and stand before an old Victorian hospital famous for grave-robbery.

On this tour you'll find out why Londoners used to drink blood and eat bones, learn who is said to haunt London's Underground network, and hear the story of England's most prolific serial killer (and if you think you know who it is - think again!). You'll walk over plague pits, through haunted graveyards and along the very same paths the condemned would have once taken on their final journeys.

This tour, guided by a professional storyteller and scholar, is a must for anyone who wants to get off the beaten track and learn about the macabre tales that this ancient city has to offer. You’ll never look at London the same way!

What's Included

  • An entertaining tour with a local guide.
  • Gratuities
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

43 Cowcross Street
London EC1M 6BY, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

19 Old Bailey
London EC2A 9EA, UK

The tour finishes near the Old Bailey, within walking distance of St. Paul's Underground Station.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Farringdon

Your local guide will meet you just outside the station and will ensure you "mind the gap" as you learn about the ghost of a girl that is said to haunt the station.It's busy and colourful, but try to listen through the noise or - if you are not afraid - come after midnight... It's a tragic story of a young girl badly treated when she was alive and even worse after death. Is she still here? Some say you can spot her if you know what to look for.We will tell you what happened to her in the 18th century and then you can decide if you are brave enough to look for her remains or just listen to her scream.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Smithfield Market

It's a great place to buy some meat, but that's not why we will bring you here.We will ask you to close your eyes and try to imagine how it looked back then... This market was a place for public executions for centuries. Heroes, martyrs and innocent folk were tortured and killed in many different ways.But, you have hand it to the executioners - they were very inventive when it came to drawing the last bit of life from exhausted human flesh...
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Charterhouse Square

This is a lovely and peaceful park in the middle of a busy city. But before you sit on a bench, be careful, as they are made of snakes!And that's just the beginning. Layer after layer, century after century and one horrendous disease after another...Deeper and deeper we will unravel how plagues changed London, how deadly they were, how doctors tried to stop them and just what happened to those who survived.Keep an eye out under your feet, as you're never far from a skull as you stand on top of London's plague pits.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cloth Fair

Here your guide will show you where to pick up a drink before attending a public London execution.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Church of St. Bartholomew the Great

Here we will make our way through some narrow passages and old streets until we discover one of the oldest churches in London - St. Bartholomew the Great.For nine hundred years it served the people, both alive and dead. Among other famous burial stories we'll tell you one about the founder of this church: How his eternal rest was disturbed, what's missing from him now, and how he tried to get his revenge.You'll take in these stories while standing in tranquil settings surrounded by centuries-old tombstones as you find yourself standing in one of London's most haunted graveyards.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

WIlliam Wallace Memorial

Here we will take you into the past as we go way back to when England and Scotland were at war. One Scottish freedom fighter has a special place in the memory of his people - and also on this spot.Hear the true story of William Wallace from the gory details of his triple execution, the later consequences for the UK as a result, and also the inaccuracies of the film loosely based on his life.
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10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Saint Bartholomew's Hospital Museum

Here we will wander past another church before we end up in the middle of the hospital yard.Both the church and hospital have the same patron and the same long history. You will be grateful for your current medical service when you find out what methods, tools and means the doctors here used in the past!You wouldn't believe what you had to drink, eat or smear on yourself in the hope to get better! Imagine a doctor not washing their hands; sharing a hospital bed with another patient; having an audience watch your surgery or amputation. Oh, and be careful because even just watching can be deadly on its' own...
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Holy Sepulchre London

Visit yet another historic church and graveyard, but this one seems to be missing something. Where are the graves?These empty pits are a reminder of the times, over two hundred years ago, when some people made a living by taking dead bodies out from their graves and selling them.Taking or stealing? That's debatable and, as you will find out, sometimes the distinction could make a very important difference. But most importantly, who would buy a dead body? Well, we've just been to the hospital and on the way we passed the pub ... just connect the dots.Was it legal? Was it profitable? And how did it end? The answer is a book with a very disturbing cover.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old Bailey

We always keep the worst for the end! At this legendary courthouse, your guide will introduce you to the "worst serial killer" England ever saw. And if you think it's Jack the Ripper - think again!Here you will stand outside an imposing court building which stands on the site of a former prison. In that prison, among many murderers, thieves and degenerates one stands out.An ordinarily looking woman, but with a piercing, chilling look and a deadly touch. To make matters worse she specialised in killing the innocent. Even worse, she was making money out of it. Even worse than that, she was actually twice caught and allowed to carry on! And worse still, she had a daughter herself. And even all of that is not the worst part of this story...
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the London’s Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-478005P3

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Reviews

4.93
29 reviews

Average 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 29 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
27
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the London’s Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • An entertaining tour with a local guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

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

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the London's Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour is as follows:

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for London’s Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

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  • An entertaining tour with a local guide.
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

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  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Operated by a business

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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