London's Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour

London, GB
100% of travellers recommend this
Excellent (29 reviews)
Self-guided

Included

  • inclusion
    Other
    An entertaining tour with a local guide.

Excluded

  • exclusion
    Gratuities
    Gratuities

Meeting Point

Meet your guide in front of the main station entrance/exit directly in between the new and old stations - near Timpson and Pret.

Meeting point

43 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BY , United Kingdom

End point

End Point

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

Meeting point

19 Old Bailey, London EC2A 9EA , United Kingdom

End point

What to expect

1

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.

Duration 10 minutes
2

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...

Duration 15 minutes
3
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.

Duration 15 minutes
4
Cloth Fair

Here your guide will show you where to pick up a drink before attending a public London execution.

Duration 10 minutes
5
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.

Duration 15 minutes
6
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.

Duration 10 minutes
7

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...

Duration 15 minutes
8
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.

Duration 15 minutes
9

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...

Duration 15 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Additional information
    Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    Service animals allowed
  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Additional information
    Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Additional information
    Wheelchair accessible
Provided by Tours by Foot London

What our experts say

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    Grab a late-night snack at nearby St. John.
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    Consider visiting the nearby Museum of London.
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    Check out the historic pubs on Cloth Fair.
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    Wear comfortable shoes for the cobblestone paths.
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    Bring a camera for spooky photo ops!

More About this Experience

Introduction

London's Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour offers a unique and eerie experience delving into the dark side of London's history. Led by a professional storyteller, this tour promises to uncover the chilling tales and mysteries that lurk within the city's haunted past.

What to expect?

Embark on a journey through the twisted history of London, where ghost stories, tragic events, and creepy facts will send shivers down your spine. Discover the secrets of the Barber Surgeons, explore the execution site of a legendary hero, and visit an infamous Victorian hospital known for its dark past of grave-robbery. Walk in the footsteps of London's past inhabitants as you uncover gruesome details and haunted locations.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for thrill-seekers, history enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the macabre. Whether you're a local looking to uncover hidden tales or a visitor eager to explore the darker side of London, this experience is sure to captivate and intrigue.

Why book this?

Immerse yourself in the chilling atmosphere of London's haunted past with a tour that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions. Led by a knowledgeable guide, you'll unravel mysteries, hear chilling ghost stories, and explore lesser-known sites steeped in history. This experience promises to be unforgettable, offering a unique perspective on London's gruesome past that will leave you spellbound.

Good to know

As you embark on this nighttime walking tour, be prepared for a spine-tingling adventure filled with historical insights and hair-raising tales. Dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare to explore the hidden corners of London that hold secrets from centuries past. Get ready to be amazed, spooked, and enlightened as you uncover the haunting history of this ancient city.

Reviews

Travelers who have taken London's Ghosts & Gruesome Past Nighttime Walking Tour rave about the captivating storytelling, immersive experience, and unique perspective it offers on London's history. Many praise the knowledgeable guide and the eerie atmosphere created during the tour, making it a must-do for those seeking a different kind of London adventure. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey into the haunted past of one of the world's most intriguing cities.

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