Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
Discover the darker side of the Square Mile on this special Halloween walking tour through the historic City of London.
Starting near St Paul’s Cathedral, we’ll make our way east through the City, uncovering stories of execution, violence, superstition, disaster and some of the more macabre episodes from London’s past.
Along the way, you’ll hear about the so-called London Monster who terrified the capital in the 18th century, legends of human sacrifice at London Stone, mysterious reports of fire during the Great Fire of London, and the severed heads once displayed on Old London Bridge.
We’ll also explore tales of public execution at Tower Hill, the medieval legend of St Dunstan and the Devil, and finish beside Tower Bridge at Dead Man’s Hole — a former recovery point for bodies pulled from the River Thames.
This is a historical walking tour rather than a ghost hunt, combining real events, old legends and easily missed details hidden in the streets around you.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We’ll meet at the National Firefighters Memorial in Carter Lane Gardens, directly south of St Paul’s Cathedral. Look for the bronze statues of three firefighters. Look out for the man with the company's name sign.
The tour will end next to Tower Bridge, on St Katharines Way. Tower Hill Tube station is a short walk away, with connections to the rest of the City
Itinerary
-
1
Hear the story of Colonel Francis Hacker, who helped guard Charles I on the day of his execution — only to face execution himself after the monarchy was restored.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Discover the terrifying story of the so-called London Monster, whose knife attacks on women caused panic across the capital in the late 18th century.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Step into the filthy, foul-smelling world of medieval London, when animal skins, waste and dirty trades were part of everyday life in the City.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4The london stone
Uncover one of London’s strangest legends: was this ancient stone really used by Druids for human sacrifice, or is that just another gruesome story London invented about itself?
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Hear how mysterious reports of fire appearing where no flames should have been helped fuel rumours of arson during the Great Fire of London.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6The Monument to the Great Fire of London
Explore the darker side of the Great Fire — and discover why the monument built to remember the disaster later became associated with deaths of its own.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7St. Magnus The Martyr
Stand beside the former entrance to Old London Bridge and hear how the severed heads of convicted traitors were once displayed on spikes above the Thames.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8St. Dunstan In The East
Among the atmospheric ruins of this bomb-damaged church, hear the medieval legend of St Dunstan battling the Devil with a pair of red-hot tongs.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9All Hallows By The Tower
Look across towards Tower Hill, where generations of condemned prisoners were publicly executed before enormous crowds.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
10Tower Bridge
Finish beside one of London’s most macabre hidden places: a former recovery point where bodies pulled from the River Thames were brought ashore.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Get our app
