Embark on a journey into the past and immerse yourself in the dark and mysterious streets of London with our Jack the Ripper Haunted London and Sherlock Holmes Tour. This tour combines a unique experience of history and mystery, exploring the city's most sinister secrets and revealing the history behind some of London's most infamous crimes.
Part One: Driving through sinister and haunted London
We'll begin our tour aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach, where you'll take in the dark streets of London as our expert guide narrates chilling tales. As we pass Westminster Abbey, you'll hear the legends of the people buried there, and soon we'll arrive at Banqueting House, the site where King Charles I was beheaded. Here, our guide will detail the brutal methods of execution that were practised in the past, such as on Tower Hill, where executions were a public spectacle. We continue to the Old Bailey, scene of multiple public executions, and pass the Royal London Hospital, home of the Elephant Man. We then hear the spooky tales of Mrs Lovett's infamous pie shop and her neighbour, the butcher's barber, whose legend continues to terrify all who hear it.
Part Two: Ghostly Walk through Smithfield Market
Arriving at Smithfield Market, we alight from the bus for a guided walk through this now deserted market and the cobbled streets that surround it. Our guide will take you to William Wallace's plaque, where ‘Braveheart’ was brutally tortured, and tell you the macabre stories of 19th century body snatchers who dug up corpses to sell for science. You'll learn the details of the executions of John Bishop and Thomas Williams, two of the most famous body snatchers, who were hanged in Newgate Prison in front of thousands of spectators. Then, prepare to hear the haunting sounds of the ghost of Fanny Lynes in Cock Lane, as our guide recounts her tragic tale of death, sex, usury, arsenic poisoning and séances that have left an indelible mark on London's history.
Part Three: Jack the Ripper
As night falls, we head to London's East End, a place that in the 19th century was known as a hotbed of crime and vice. During the autumn of 1888, this neighbourhood was terrorised by a serial killer who emerged from the fog and poorly lit alleyways to stalk and mutilate his victims: Jack the Ripper. It is here that we leave the safety of the bus to walk Jack the Ripper's trail of death. We will visit the sites of his murders, examine the evidence and discuss the suspects. To this day, the case remains unsolved - dare you investigate for yourself? Who was Jack the Ripper?
Part Four: Fancy a nightcap?
End your evening in the warmth of the Sherlock Holmes Pub, a place that not only offers traditional drinks and food, such as the famous Fish & Chips, but also has an extensive collection of memorabilia of the world's most famous detective. While enjoying refreshments, you can immerse yourself further into the world of Sherlock Holmes. This iconic pub, located near Trafalgar Square, is the perfect place to relax and discuss the day's disturbing stories with your fellow travellers.
This tour is the perfect combination of history, mystery and a dash of horror. It will transport you back in time and allow you to explore London's darkest corners, following in the footsteps of some of history's most infamous characters.