Dark Side of the City of London Halloween Walking Tour

London, England
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Duration1h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 12 travelers

Overview

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

  • Walking Tour

What to expect

  1. St Nicholas Cole Abbey
    5m
    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.
  2. 5m
    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.
  3. 5m
    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.
  4. The london stone
    5m
    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. 5m
    Hear how mysterious reports of fire appearing where no flames should have been helped fuel rumours of arson during the Great Fire of London.
  6. The Monument to the Great Fire of London
    5m
    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.
  7. St. Magnus The Martyr
    5m
    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.
  8. St. Dunstan In The East
    5m
    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.
  9. All Hallows By The Tower
    5m
    Look across towards Tower Hill, where generations of condemned prisoners were publicly executed before enormous crowds.
  10. Tower Bridge
    5m
    Finish beside one of London’s most macabre hidden places: a former recovery point where bodies pulled from the River Thames were brought ashore.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

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.

End point

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

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
£25.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by Untold London · Booked through Viator
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