London Serial Killers - The Blood and Tears Walk
Description
Your Guide, Declan, is an expert on London and British serial killers, AND world serial killers. Yes, Jack the Ripper, but NOT just Jack the Ripper - Declan knows about the behaviour and psychology of serial killers worldwide. The Tour has, at this moment, 472 5-star reviews on Viator/TripAdvisor and it is rated ‘Excellent’ by Viator. It's also a 'Traveller's Choice' on TripAdvisor. This is an immersive and memorable experience. The Tour is a 12+ certificate meaning ONLY people aged 12 and over can attend. That is because there are many chilling & disturbing stories. You will leave the Tour better informed - but also more wary... With the 'Tour plus Book' option, you receive a personally signed copy of Declan McHugh's best-selling 'Bloody London' book, nearly 200 pages of dark deeds in London's grim past. The Book is 90% different from the Tour - essentially, Book and Tour are two totally different products. The Book has sold 8,500 copies so far, with excellent Amazon reviews.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The sad story of an uncaught serial killer who first murdered a 6 year-old girl, then 7 years later murdered a 7-year-old girl inside Barbican Station! Your Guide, Declan, discusses the similarities between the cases and profiles the Killer.
The sinister economics of dead people. Grave-robbing and serial killing. Clue: The Doctors at St Bartholomew’s Hospital were happy to deal with real low-lifes.
The most famous court in the world: The Central Criminal Court. Otherwise known as The Old Bailey. Two serial killers who had their trials here. Firstly, one who appeared here TWICE and who sent an innocent man to his death before later confessing his multiple murders of women. Then the grim background to another who murdered 13 women and caused terror for over FIVE years. Later in the Tour I talk about two other serial killers whose trials were here. One who murdered 15 boys and men; and the other serial killer who is perhaps the most dangerous woman in the world.
A ‘lighter’ moment on the Tour… Declan wants your vote on the scariest horror movies of all time. Declan reveals the 'Top Ten' votes from 23 years of the Tour, including a film in the 'Top Ten' that most of you simply do not know. Even more intriguingly, the film has been recommended by 2,000 men, but not one single woman! Also Declan's personal recommendation: a total cult classic horror film, 60 years old, that practically none of you will have seen. And it's free to watch on YouTube.
Hear a dramatic, immersive account of a little known Victorian serial killer who murdered on two continents and lived here. This true-life story, with a number of twists, would be perfect for a Movie, and yet the Movie has never been made. The story ends with a question, based on what you will have just heard, which very, very few people can get right...
It's Jack the Ripper time. We visit the place, just off Fleet Street, where my Jack the Ripper suspect lived, and hear a detailed account of precisely why I think this man was Jack the Ripper. (He has an entire chapter in my 'Bloody London' book. Let's see how good you are at profiling... Also In this Jack the Ripper section of the tour is the toughest question of the entire tour. Get this particular question right and you are on the 'Roll of Honour' of 'The Blood and Tears Walk'. Only one person out of every 500 people who attends the Tour can get this question right!
The narrow, dingy, isolated alley we enter here may just be the creepiest place you have been to in your entire life. And I am not kidding... We conduct a psychic experiment here - it's a murder scene - and you hear about a pair of devious serial killers who operated around here. If you are psychic, you will NOT like this place. I have had tough men be shaken by the atmosphere in here, especially in the dark months. Warning: This is NOT a nice place. And you will feel it.
This is your section. I am not going to spoil what that means, but it is unfailingly interesting, and sometimes mind-boggling and jaw-dropping.
I mentioned them earlier. These are two other serial killers whose trials were at the Central Criminal Court. One who murdered 15 boys and men. The other serial killer may well be the most dangerous woman in the world.
We end at the wonderful Princess Louise pub, famous for its wonderful Victorian decor. However, after the final serial killer story of the Tour, you may hesitate to enter this pub! I will tell you about a well-known British serial killer's truly horrible piece of behaviour. I can guarantee that you simply won't know of this, despite all the books and documentaries about this person. What I will tell you isn't in those books and documentaries. How do I know the information? Because it was told to me by the Head of Forensics involved in the case of this serial killer. He came on my Tour! After this final story, Declan will sell copies of his best-selling book 'Bloody London' for £10 cash or Paypal. Declan signs each book with a personal message.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A maximum of 20 people per booking
- Operates in all weather condition so dress appropriately
- MINIMUM age is 12 years. This is strictly enforced.
- Children are 12-14 years old. Adults are 15+.
- You MUST add 20 minutes extra travelling time, due to constant Underground train delays
- I would seriously consider choosing a different Tour if you have mobility/significant health issues. It’s a fairly brisk pace – it has to be to cover 10 serial killers in two hours - and we cover 2 miles (3.2 km). And in Summer it can be hot all through the two hours. Truthfully (and quite apart from the subject matter), this Tour will not be suitable for everyone because of the distance and the reasonably fast pace. This Tour is also not recommended for people in their 70s because, as I said, it's quite fast-paced and we cover about 2 miles =3.2 kms.
- Don't attend if you are feeling unwell and have a temperature with a new persistent cough
Reviews(707)
As a true crime lover, I enjoyed the tour so much! Declan is so knowledgeable and one of the best most passionate story tellers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. He was excellent at engaging the group and as a foreigner I felt like he did an excellent job at setting every scene throughout the tour. A further thing that I was very impressed by, was his ability to recall all the details of each case, including victims names, setting, and the small details that added so much vividness to the experience.
If I made you this happy - I'm very happy! Declan
Declan was a spirited storyteller and very knowledgeable. The small group was perfect for keeping us engaged and wandering the streets of London together. The only thing we wished was that the tour could be longer because it was so enjoyable!
Well, thank you very much indeed! There's a 10 hour version costing £500. Just joking. I wonder if I would get any takers if I offered that.... Declan
Declan was outstanding. His knowledge and story telling abilities were fantastic! I would want to do this tour again the next time that I am in London.
This made me very happy. I'd like to think my Irish background may be connected to the story-telling. I am also happy that I provided good wxpwrienxe although I have simply no idea what that means! Declan
A huge thank you to Declan for his incredible storytelling and insights. He helped us gain a much deeper understanding of the horrifying events that once took place in the hidden corners, streets, and alleyways of this city. As we followed in Declan's footsteps, listening to the stories of both the victims and the perpetrators, we were able to uncover parts of history that are often forgotten or unknown. At one point, Declan asked us why we had joined this tour. My answer would be this: the darkness and cruelty of human nature are not unique to the modern world. They have been etched into the places and memories left behind by victims over hundreds of years. By remembering what happened, we learn to respect history, honour those who suffered, and remain grateful for the lessons it teaches us. I also hope that by understanding the patterns and warning signs of serial killers, people can better recognise dangerous behaviour and protect themselves and those around them. As Declan said, this is more than just a walking tour—it's a lesson in self-defense and awareness, one that will stay with you for the rest of your life. I highly recommend it!
Beautiful words. I say straightaway on the tour that the tour has an ethos and that I won't be glorifying serial killers. They cause a tsunami of misery, not just for victims, but also for those who knew the victims. I try and expose the way they operate.... Declan
This tour was a wedding gift, and we'd been looking forward to it for ages. It certainly lived up to our expectations! Our guide was fantastic—friendly, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. It was obvious how much research had gone into the stories, and he presented the history of the infamous serial killers in a respectful, fascinating, and often surprisingly entertaining way. Guide told us that around 80% of people who book this tour are women, and looking around our group, that definitely seemed to be the case! It gave us a little laugh before we set off. The evening was a perfect mix of true crime, history, and storytelling, with a walk through some beautiful historic streets that really added to the atmosphere. Time flew by, and we came away having learned so much. If you're interested in true crime, history, or just fancy a different kind of evening out, I'd highly recommend this tour. It was an unforgettable experience and a brilliant wedding gift!
I am very happy I made you happy. Fabulous review! Declan
He was knowledgeable of the serial killers, but it was not a step-by-step history saying this is what happened on the street I’m taking you to that street. Also, he was anti-photo and persuaded you from taking them, which I feel as part of the Tour, so you can remember things and show your friends. I would not do this tour again
Sigh. It's simply not true to say I am anti-photo. You must not have been listening when I said "Please don't take photos when I am describing something or telling a story, wait until the end of that bit, say 'Photo' and then take as many as you want". I even said "I LIKE photo-taking, it shows interest". As for the other bit of criticism, I am dealing with TEN London-connected serial killers in two hours, not just the ONE most London serial killer tours focus on. People come on my tour, they tell me, precisely because they want more than just that one.... Declan
Declan provided a fantastic insight and such a clear in depth knowledge it really made for a fantastic evening. We saw parts of London we haven't seen before and learned so much from the past and more recent histories. Highly recommended.
Nice friendly little group tonight. Thank you! Declan
It was amazing, great engagement and amazing voice.
So nice of you to say this! Declan
Was an excellent tour with Declan! Loved it
I totally appreciate this 5-star review! Declan
I had a fantastic time tonight with Declan. The walking path was interesting, his enthusiasm was genuine, and the storytelling was awesome (unsurprisingly, from an author!) I had such a fun time and would recommend it to anybody interested in the macabre
Lovely succinct praise, Declan
