Gangster Tour of London’s East End Led by Actor Vas Blackwood
Description
Learn about the godfathers of British crime on a 2-hour walking tour of London’s East End, led by ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ actor Vas Blackwood! Vas is instantly recognizable as on-screen gangster Rory Breaker, having a wealth of knowledge about the villains (both on-screen and real) involved in London’s murky underworld. Hear tales of the notorious Kray twins while visiting sites around Whitechapel and the East End that are linked to them, and see iconic film locations from ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.’
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet your guide – Vas Blackwood (famous for playing Rory Breaker in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as well as Only Fools and Horses in which he played the robber Lennox 'Shadow' Gilbey) - in Whitechapel, the gritty heart of London’s East End. Then set off on your 2-hour walking tour of the area, visiting film and TV program locations as well as real-life places associated with London’s criminal underworld. Famously the stomping ground of the Kray twins (Ronnie and Reggie) who terrorized the East End during the 1950s and 60s, the area is rich with sites linked to them. Pay a visit to Repton Boys’ Club, where the twins learned to box, and see the Blind Beggar pub, where Ronnie killed an arch rival – one of the ruthless acts that propelled him from mere gangster into an East End celebrity icon (albeit a feared one).
Having rubbed shoulders with many of London’s ex-gangsters to prepare for his role in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Vas Blackwood has countless tales to tell, and you’ll hear the best as you walk from site to site. Learn about ‘The Guv’nor,’ Lenny McLean, a gangster-turned-good guy who started his criminal resume as a bareknuckle fighter before going on to act in popular UK TV programs, like Eastenders and The Bill. You'll also hear tales of Barbara Windsor – a much-loved London actress who married one of the Krays' feared associates Ronnie Knight -- as well as discovering the dastardly doings of Brown Bread Fred, a chap nicknamed after the cockney rhyming slang in which ‘brown bread’ means 'dead' in reference to the murders he committed. See the pub used as Samoan Jo’s in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, as well as Hatchet Harry’s office, where ‘Porn King’ Harry Lonsdale worked in the film.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(426)
really enjoyed the gangsters tour! Vas was great! very informative and good fun! would def recommend..
Met at the Blind Beggar pub, notorious for its history, Vas was an excellent guide, full of knowledge, humour and bad language 😂. Involved the audience throughout. Your lasted around 3 hours, well worth it. If you're easily offended by colourful language, this is not for you
Uncle Vaz is an absolutely brilliant guide! This was my very first walking tour, and I found it while Googling things to do in London. Although I’m not really into gangsters, I had enjoyed Lock Stock and Only Fools and Horses years ago, so I thought it would be a fun afternoon out. The tour starts at the Blind Beggar pub, a wonderfully relaxed and atmospheric spot that feels like stepping through a portal off Whitechapel Road into a land that time forgot. From there, Uncle Vaz takes over and does a fantastic job. Even though our group was quite large, it never felt crowded — it stayed intimate and engaging throughout. I would highly recommend this tour. Uncle Vaz is not only very entertaining, but by the end of the afternoon I genuinely felt like I knew the Krays. Brilliant experience
Absolutely brilliant tour from start to finish. Vas certainly makes that tour amazing 🤩. Totally recommended.
A very interesting tour with Vas, picked a hot day but , still enjoying the 2h 15 mins of information and jokes from the funny guy.
Lots of naughty words but all adds to the experience. Lots of gangsta chat and Vas was absolutely brilliant telling the story of the Krays. Thoroughly enjoyed it, Vas is so funny and kept us amused throughout. Definitely recommend
The Gangster tour is a great experience and if you don’t mind a bit of banter and swearing then I would thoroughly recommend It is a great place to visit with a lively community and Vas has a wealth of knowledge regarding the Krays, their uprise and fall Vas brings humour and fun into the tour and is a great host, most interesting and a great pleasure to meet him
It was all ok. 50 minute talk standing outside in the heat at the stand of Blind Beggar was a little much. Could have done this from inside. Interaction with the group was a little intense at times, shouting in faces and pointing in faces etc and actually detracted from the story being told. It was all ok. Just feel I would have got just as much from googling locations and walking around the sites by myself.
Had a really fun afternoon, Vas is a really nice bloke and very knowledgeable on the Krays, the history and the local area plus brings his own style and wit as he presents the facts. The tour was slightly bigger than expected (45ish people) but that didn't make any difference and Vas made sure everyone could hear and he also interacted with everyone in the group at different points in the tour. Overall a great experience which lasted around 2.5 hours and we will be recommending to friends to do it
A great experience from start to finish (even though the weather wasn’t great!). Not too far to walk, the frequent stops were all accompanied by a variety of stories. Our guide, Vas Blackwood, certainly knows his stuff and delivers a wealth of information in a highly entertaining style. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and is definitely one I’d recommend… Keep up the good work!
