London Serial Killers – The Blood and Tears Walk

London gets darker after sunset. The Blood and Tears Walk turns two miles of central London into a stage for grim true crime stories, forgotten courts, murder scenes, and a close look at Jack the Ripper theories. I especially like the unusual East End and Fleet Street locations and guide Declan McHugh’s mix of facts, questions, humor, and theatrical storytelling. The main drawback is the brisk pace, which can be tiring in rain, heat, or for anyone with mobility or health concerns.

At about $27.74 per person, this is a reasonably priced evening tour for true-crime fans. It covers ten serial killers in roughly two hours, and you’ll see corners of London that most standard sightseeing walks skip. Just remember that this is a serious subject, the minimum age is 12, and some stories and locations are genuinely unsettling.

Key points to know before booking

• Ten serial killers in two hours: Expect a fast-moving series of cases rather than one long Jack the Ripper lecture.
• Declan McHugh leads the walk: He is the author of Bloody London and uses quizzes, profiling questions, horror-film talk, and audience participation.
• The route covers about two miles: The walk is mostly flat, but the pace is deliberately quick.
• The creepiest stop is St. Dunstan in the West: A narrow, isolated alley sets up a murder-scene experiment and one of the tour’s darkest moments.
• It ends near Holborn Underground station: The final stop is the Victorian Princess Louise pub, where signed copies of the guide’s book are available.
• The mood mixes horror and humor: A horror-movie discussion provides a breather between grim Victorian and modern crime stories.

Why this London true-crime walk feels different

Many London crime tours concentrate almost entirely on Jack the Ripper. This one gives him only part of the evening. You’ll hear about ten killers connected with London, including people who murdered women, boys, and men, as well as criminals whose cases reached the Old Bailey.

That wider scope is a major strength. I like the way the walk uses crime to show different sides of London: hospitals and the trade in human remains, famous courts, old alleys, pubs, and streets that are easy to pass without noticing.

Declan McHugh is central to the experience. His book Bloody London forms part of the tour’s background, and his style is active rather than purely lecture-based. He asks you to profile suspects, vote on the scariest horror films, and take part in a psychic experiment at one stop.

That approach will suit you if you enjoy being part of a group discussion. It may not suit you if you prefer a quiet walk where the guide speaks without asking questions. One critical account found the questioning too much like a classroom, while most of the available feedback praised the energy, humor, and storytelling. That difference is worth taking seriously before you book.

Starting at Barbican with a child murder case

The walk begins at Underground Ltd on Aldersgate Street, close to the Barbican area. The first stop is the Church of St. Bartholomew the Great, where Declan tells the sad story of an uncaught killer who murdered a six-year-old girl, then, seven years later, killed a seven-year-old girl inside Barbican Station.

The focus here is not simply shock. Declan compares the two cases and asks you to consider what the similarities suggest about the killer. It is an early example of the walk’s main method: hear the evidence, form an opinion, and then listen to the guide’s profile.

The church itself adds atmosphere, though the stop lasts only about eight minutes and admission is not included because no admission is needed. You are listening outside rather than touring the building as a separate attraction.

The Holy Sepulchre and London’s grim medical trade

At Holy Sepulchre London, the subject changes from murder cases to the economics of dead bodies. Declan explains grave-robbing and the demand for human remains, including the uncomfortable relationship between body snatchers and doctors at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.

This five-minute stop gives the tour useful social context. Crime does not happen in isolation, and London’s medical advances created a market that encouraged people to steal corpses. The story also helps explain how desperate people and institutions could become involved in activities that now seem unthinkable.

It is a short talk, but it broadens the evening beyond famous killers. You are not simply collecting gruesome anecdotes. You are also hearing how hospitals, courts, poverty, and public fear shaped the city.

The Old Bailey brings four killers into focus

The Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey, is one of the route’s most important locations. Declan discusses two serial killers whose trials took place here, then returns later to two more cases connected with the same court.

The first case concerns a man who appeared at the Old Bailey twice. He helped send an innocent man to his death before later confessing to multiple murders of women. That story raises difficult questions about false evidence, public confidence, and the danger of accepting a confident accusation too quickly.

The second concerns a killer who murdered 13 women and caused fear for more than five years. The details show how long a murderer can operate while a city struggles to identify the threat.

Later, at Portugal Street, you’ll hear about one killer who murdered 15 boys and men and another described as possibly the most dangerous woman in the world. Connecting several cases to the same court gives the walk a strong sense of place. The Old Bailey is not just a famous building in the background. It becomes the setting where London’s most disturbing cases were tested in public.

A horror-film break on Printer Street

Printer Street provides a deliberate change of tone. Declan asks the group to vote on the scariest horror movies and reveals the top ten choices collected over 23 years of the tour.

This is more than filler. After several murder cases, a few minutes of film talk give you a mental break without abandoning the evening’s theme. Declan also recommends a 60-year-old cult horror film that he says is free to watch on YouTube.

The most amusing detail concerns one title recommended by 2,000 men but not a single woman. You can decide for yourself what that says about horror audiences. This part will appeal to film fans, though anyone hoping for nonstop true crime may find it a little off track.

Red Lion Court and a killer on two continents

Red Lion Court brings one of the most cinematic stories of the walk. Declan tells the tale of a little-known Victorian serial killer who murdered on two continents and lived in London.

The case includes several twists, and Declan ends it with a question based on the evidence you have just heard. Very few people get the answer right, so this is one of the tour’s recurring challenges rather than a simple talk followed by the next street.

I like this format because it makes you pay attention to motive, opportunity, and behavior. The subject is grim, but the puzzle structure keeps the group alert. It also explains why the walk can feel more like live entertainment than a standard historical lecture.

Hare Place and Declan’s Jack the Ripper theory

At Hare Place, just off Fleet Street, the tour turns to Jack the Ripper. Declan identifies the place where his suspect lived and explains in detail why he believes this man was the killer. The suspect receives an entire chapter in Bloody London.

You should approach this section with an open mind. Jack the Ripper’s identity remains a subject of debate, and the value here is hearing one specific theory argued from evidence rather than being handed a vague list of possibilities.

This is also where the walk’s toughest question appears. Declan says only one person in about 500 gets it right, and anyone who answers correctly earns a place on the tour’s Roll of Honour.

That competitive touch will delight people who enjoy puzzles and profiling. If you dislike being asked questions in public, you may prefer to listen quietly and let others take the spotlight. No one needs specialist crime knowledge to follow the talk, but you do need to stay focused.

St. Dunstan in the West is the atmospheric high point

For many people, St. Dunstan in the West will be the most memorable location. The group enters a narrow, dingy, isolated alley near the church, where Declan sets up a murder scene and conducts a psychic experiment.

This is the point where the setting does much of the work. In the darker months, the alley can feel genuinely unpleasant, and the guide warns that even confident adults have found the atmosphere unsettling. You should not expect a pleasant historic lane or a polished tourist attraction. The appeal comes from its discomfort.

Declan also tells the story of two devious serial killers who operated nearby. The experiment asks you to react to the space and consider what you sense there. You can treat it as a bit of theatrical fun, but the location gives it more force than a question asked on an ordinary pavement.

If you are sensitive to frightening settings, this is useful to know in advance. The subject matter is not mild, and the atmosphere may be stronger at night or in cold weather.

The Royal Courts of Justice adds a surprise

The Royal Courts of Justice is another short stop, lasting about five minutes. Declan calls this your section and does not reveal the full idea in advance.

That element of surprise is part of the entertainment. The court building also keeps the walk tied to London’s legal past, following the Old Bailey with another major judicial setting. Since the details are intentionally withheld, you should expect something interactive or unexpected rather than a conventional architectural explanation.

The short timing matters. This is a compact stop within a tightly packed route, not a guided interior visit.

Portugal Street revisits the Old Bailey cases

Portugal Street returns to two serial killers whose trials were held at the Central Criminal Court. One murdered 15 boys and men. The other may have been the most dangerous woman in the world.

This later section reinforces the way the walk moves through connected cases instead of treating each stop as an isolated story. You hear about the court early, then return to the people whose trials took place there.

For me, that structure makes the route easier to remember. You see a place, hear one case, move through London, and then receive another piece of the legal story later. The downside is that the material comes quickly. If you want detailed notes on every case, you may find two hours too short.

Finishing at the Princess Louise pub

The final stop is the Princess Louise, a Victorian pub at 208 High Holborn. Its interior is famous for its Victorian decoration, but Declan ends with one last story about a well-known British serial killer before you go inside.

The final detail is said to have come directly from the head of forensics involved in the case. Declan says it does not appear in the usual books and documentaries, which gives the ending a personal, behind-the-scenes quality.

The pub is a fitting end because it offers a chance to come back to ordinary London life after two hours of murder, courts, alleys, and suspects. You are not required to stay for a drink, but the setting gives the evening a natural finish.

Declan also sells signed copies of Bloody London for $10 cash or PayPal, adding a personal message to each book. I would treat that as an optional extra, not part of the tour’s value calculation.

Pace, weather, and meeting details

The walk starts at 7 p.m. from Underground Ltd on Aldersgate Street, near Barbican, and finishes at the Princess Louise in Holborn. Holborn Underground station, served by the Central and Piccadilly lines, is about 60 seconds from the pub.

Allow extra time to reach the start. The tour specifically advises adding 20 minutes because Underground delays are common. Arriving at 7 p.m. is not the same as arriving ready for the group, so plan to be in the area early.

The route covers about 2 miles, or 3.2 kilometers, at a fairly brisk pace. It is largely flat, and one 63-year-old participant found the walk manageable, but the speed is not suitable for everyone. The guide needs to keep moving to fit ten cases into two hours.

The walk operates in all weather. Wear shoes you can walk in and dress for rain, cold, or summer heat. Heavy rain has made the experience less enjoyable for some people, while summer can remain hot throughout the full two hours.

Groups can be as large as 45 people, although the booking information also lists a maximum of 20 per booking. That means your own reservation may be small, but the full walk can be considerably larger. A bigger group may make it harder to hear or take photographs, so speak up if you need a pause. Declan has said that visitors can ask for a photo opportunity after he finishes speaking at a stop.

The minimum age is 12, and children aged 12 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Service animals are allowed.

How good is the value at $27.74?

At $27.74, I consider the tour good value if you want a focused evening activity rather than a major attraction with admission fees. Your payment covers a professional guide, live entertainment, a two-hour route, and ten connected crime stories in central London.

The strongest value comes from the guide’s preparation and delivery. You are paying for research, storytelling, location choices, and the chance to ask questions or test your own theories. It is not a museum visit, and there are no included meals, drinks, or paid entries.

A 4.9 rating from 672 ratings, with 97 percent recommending the experience, reflects the strong appeal of the format. Still, the less positive feedback points to real issues: the pace can feel too fast, the classroom-style questions may annoy some people, and a small amount of book and website promotion may not appeal to everyone.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book the Blood and Tears Walk?

I would choose this walk if you enjoy true crime, British crime cases, horror movies, or unusual London history. It is especially good for people who want more than Jack the Ripper and like a guide who brings the group into the story.

Families with teenagers can enjoy it, provided everyone meets the age rules and is comfortable with the subject. One family found that two reluctant teenagers became interested after the first story and continued researching the killers afterward.

I would think twice if you have mobility issues, significant health concerns, or trouble walking quickly for two hours. I would also skip it if you are looking for gentle sightseeing, detailed photography time, or a quiet historical walk.

Should you book it?

Book the Blood and Tears Walk if you want a lively, unsettling evening that covers London’s darker side from several angles. Declan McHugh’s strongest qualities are his command of the material, his willingness to involve the group, and his ability to use humor without losing the serious nature of the crimes.

Do not book it simply because you expect a slow Jack the Ripper stroll. This is a brisk two-mile route with ten killers, audience questions, rain exposure, and some genuinely disturbing stories. For true-crime fans who can keep pace, the $27.74 price buys a distinctive night out in parts of London you might otherwise walk past without noticing.

FAQ

How long does the Blood and Tears Walk last?

The walk lasts approximately two hours.

How far does the tour travel on foot?

The route covers about 2 miles, or 3.2 kilometers.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Underground Ltd on Aldersgate Street, Barbican, London EC1A 4JA.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at the Princess Louise pub at 208 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EP. Holborn Underground station is about 60 seconds away.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7 p.m.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12. Children aged 12 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult, while participants aged 15 and older are classed as adults.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. It operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not accepted.