London Serial Killers – The Blood and Tears Walk

London at night can feel different. This one turns the volume up on true crime, with Declan McHugh leading you through some of the grimest legal and street level corners of the city. You get a compact route, a fast pace, and a storytelling style that mixes dark details with just enough humour to keep the evening moving.

Two things I really like are the variety of stops and how they build toward a bigger picture of London’s criminal justice system and street life. You start with churches and grave sites, then you hit the courts, and the walking route threads together several killer stories you are unlikely to see on a standard sightseeing walk.

One key drawback to think about is the speed. You cover about 2 miles in roughly two hours, and you will need decent stamina for a brisk pace, crowds, and underground delays. It is also not a good choice if you dislike interactive quizzes or you get uneasy in very dark, narrow lanes.

Highlights worth showing up for

• Interactive profiling and quizzes that keep you participating, not just listening
• Declan McHugh’s storytelling style, part true crime, part theatre
• East End locations that most London tours skip
• Old Bailey and nearby courts, where major trials shaped modern views of crime
• A proper horror movie detour on Printer Street, including a trivia twist about who votes
• A final finish at The Princess Louise, Victorian pub vibes after the last case

A night walk built for true crime fans, not just facts

This is not a museum tour with a calm pace. The Blood and Tears Walk is built around atmosphere, moving you from site to site as the stories unfold. That means you spend more time learning through scene setting and pattern spotting than you do reading plaques.

I like that Declan McHugh does the hard work of making the subject matter understandable while still keeping it tense. You are guided through 10 serial killer accounts across the walk, and you are encouraged to think like a profiler during certain sections, not just memorize dates.

If you want a straightforward, lecture style history tour, you might find the interactive moments too game like. The point is fun engagement, but it is still a serial killer tour, so your comfort level matters as much as your curiosity.

St Bartholomew the Great and the cases that feel too similar

The evening opens at Church of St Bartholomew the Great, a starting point that sets a serious tone right away. Here, you hear the sad story of an uncaught serial killer who first murdered a 6 year old girl, then returned seven years later to murder a 7 year old girl inside Barbican Station.

What makes this stop more than just sad trivia is how Declan draws attention to the similarities between the cases and the way profiles can look consistent across time. It is a grim way to start, but it gives you a lens for the rest of the walk.

Also note: the stop time is brief, so do not plan to linger for photos or deep inspection. If you want pictures, wait until the guide finishes the point, then ask for a photo.

Holy Sepulchre and the darker economics around death

Next up is Holy Sepulchre London, where the focus shifts from streets to the systems around the dead. You hear about grave robbing, plus how serial killing could connect to the “business” and opportunism that grew around bodies.

This is one of those stops that helps explain how crime does not always happen in isolation. People take advantage of institutions, demand, and gaps in oversight, and that theme keeps coming back later when you move toward court sites.

The drawback here is pacing. It is a short stop, so you will not get a slow, step by step explanation. If you want deep context, keep your questions for the walks between locations.

Old Bailey, trials, and the reality of courtroom consequences

Then comes the big one: Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court. This is where multiple trials played out, and you hear how courtroom outcomes affected lives, guilt, and long term justice.

At this stage of the walk, the stories focus on how the evidence and the outcomes were handled. You hear about a serial killer who had trials here twice, including one case tied to sending an innocent man to his death before later confessions. You also hear about another killer linked to terror over five years and the murder of 13 women.

What I like is the structure. You are not just getting “what happened,” you are seeing how the legal system processed these crimes and what that meant for victims and society.

Later in the route, additional Old Bailey related cases are referenced again, which helps you remember that these events are not scattered myths. They are connected by place, procedure, and pattern.

Printer Street: horror movie trivia with a real twist

After the heavier stops, Printer Street gives you a lighter break without leaving the darkness behind. Declan turns the evening toward horror films and asks the group to vote on their top horror movies.

This section includes a specific and unusual trivia angle: a Top Ten list gathered over 23 years of the tour, plus an odd gender based voting story tied to who recommends a certain film. Declan also shares a personal recommendation of a cult classic horror film that is available free on YouTube.

Why this works for the tour is simple. It gives your brain a chance to reset while still keeping the theme tight. You do not get whiplash from “court and murders” to “random entertainment.” It still fits the evening’s obsession with fear and storytelling.

Red Lion Court and the Victorian killer with international reach

At Red Lion Court, the tour goes Victorian in a big way. You hear about a little known Victorian serial killer who murdered on two continents and lived here.

This is a stop built around twist driven storytelling. The key thing you should know is that the story ends with a question, and not a simple trivia question. It is designed so only a small fraction of people get it right, based on the details you were just told.

If you like puzzles, this is a good moment. If you dislike being put on the spot, you can still enjoy it as narrative, but be ready for that final “think it through” finish.

Hare Place and the Jack the Ripper profiling moment

Now you get the section fans often wait for: Hare Place, just off Fleet Street. Declan shares why he believes a particular Jack the Ripper suspect lived in the area and you get a detailed explanation for the profiling argument.

Declan also notes that the suspect is covered in an entire chapter of his book, which signals how seriously he takes this portion. The hardest part is the tough question built for this stop, and it is stated that only one person out of every 500 attendees gets it right.

This is where the tour feels most like a test of reasoning. You are not only listening, you are being nudged to connect clues, choices, and patterns the way an investigator might.

Practical note: because this section is so question driven, you will want to stay alert and not drift into phone scrolling. The payoff is that you leave with a story you can actually argue for.

St Dunstan in the West: the psychic experiment alley

At St Dunstan in the West, the tour takes a sharp turn toward atmosphere. You enter a narrow, dingy, isolated alley that Declan describes as extremely creepy, and you get a psychic experiment framed as a murder scene.

This stop comes with a warning in plain language: if you are sensitive to surroundings, you might feel shaken, especially in the dark months. The story is about a pair of devious serial killers who operated around here, but the experiment adds an extra layer beyond standard historical storytelling.

Why it is valuable is that it changes the way you experience the location. Instead of thinking only about the facts, you feel the “what if” mood that makes true crime such a powerful genre.

Royal Courts of Justice and why London law feels strange up close

The walk then reaches the Royal Courts of Justice, and this is described as your section where you get consistently interesting, sometimes jaw dropping material. The details here are intentionally left spoiler light in how the tour is framed, but the takeaway is that it hits the intersection of law, power, and how cases are handled.

Even without the exact courtroom specifics spelled out in your notes, you get the bigger effect. Standing in the setting helps you understand that trials are not just paperwork. They are public processes that can shape reputations, consequences, and future attitudes toward policing and evidence.

Portugal Street and the last cluster of Old Bailey cases

Next comes Portugal Street, where the tour revisits additional serial killer trials connected to the Central Criminal Court. You hear about one who murdered 15 boys and men, and another serial killer described as possibly the most dangerous woman in the world.

This pairing matters because it shows range. The tour is not locked into one “type” of murderer, and you see how court narratives shift depending on the case.

By now, you have heard enough to notice patterns in how stories are told, how evidence gets weighed, and how public fear can linger. It makes the final stop hit harder.

Ending at The Princess Louise pub, with a forensics sourced twist

You finish at Princess Louise, a pub known for Victorian decor and the kind of cosy space that feels almost wrong after the last story. The final account is a well known British serial killer and a horrible piece of behaviour, specifically described as information you likely have not seen in books and documentaries.

What makes the last stop especially practical for fans is that Declan says the detail came from the Head of Forensics involved in the case, and that forensics perspective is presented as the reason the story is different.

Declan then sells copies of his book Bloody London for £10 cash or Paypal, and he signs each copy with a personal message. If you want something to take home, this is the moment to buy.

One thing to prepare for: the tour ends with the mood still heavy. Even if the pub looks cheerful, you may feel a little uneasy walking in.

Price and logistics, plus the real pacing test

The price is $27.74 per person, and the main reason it feels like value is that you get a full 2 hour run with a named guide, multiple major landmark stops, and interactive moments that keep the evening from feeling like a slideshow. You also get pickup and drop off from designated meeting points, plus live entertainment.

But the hidden cost is your energy. You cover about 2 miles (3.2 km) at a fairly brisk pace to fit 10 serial killer stories into two hours. Declan also advises adding 20 minutes for travel time because Underground delays can throw off your arrival.

For me, that means you should treat this like a night outing with a schedule, not a casual stroll. If you arrive late, you can lose time during the crucial intro and miss parts of the interactive segments.

Group size is also worth noting. The booking is capped at 20 people, and the tour also states a maximum of 45 travelers. Smaller groups usually mean more chances to ask questions and interact, but the pace stays the same either way.

Who should book the Blood and Tears Walk

This tour is a strong fit if you are into true crime and horror, and especially if you like storytelling with audience participation. The guide’s energy and humour are repeatedly mentioned as part of what keeps the evening enjoyable, and the route hits major judicial ground you can easily miss on typical tourist walks.

It is also a good fit if you want a route that goes beyond the usual “London highlights.” You get East End style locations and specific sites tied to cases rather than just general London atmosphere.

It is not a good fit if you:

• have mobility limits or struggle with fast walking
• need long photo breaks and slow pacing
• get very rattled by dark, narrow lanes and a psychic style experiment
• prefer a quiet, non interactive format

If you are traveling with kids, the stated minimum age is 12, and children 12 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are 15 plus for that age bracket rule.

Tips so the night feels fun, not stressful

A few practical moves help a lot.

First, wear comfortable shoes and plan for weather. The tour operates in all weather conditions, and you are told to dress appropriately.

Second, bring the right mindset. This is not a light comedy. It is a serial killer walk, so you will enjoy it more if you accept the subject matter up front and let the humour act like relief, not denial.

Third, for photos, you do not just wander off. When Declan finishes speaking at a stop, ask for a photo. That keeps the group moving and stops you from feeling rushed.

Finally, for the interactive sections, stay present. The horror movie voting and the profiling questions are part of the experience, and you will get more out of the story if you keep your attention through the “answer” moments.

Should you book, or skip?

Book this tour if you want a 2 hour London night experience that mixes serious true crime locations with participation and a guide who uses humour to keep the stories from feeling bleak. The Old Bailey focus, the Jack the Ripper profiling argument, and the creepy alley experiment all make this feel more like a themed event than a standard history walk.

Skip it if you dislike brisk walking, dislike quizzes or profiling games, or if you tend to get unsettled by very dark, isolated spaces. Also, if you are unwell, the tour advises you not to attend.

If you are a true crime fan visiting London and you want something different from the usual sights, this is one of the few options that gives you both London landmarks and the darker stories in a tightly paced evening.

FAQ

How long is the London Serial Killers walk?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What is the meeting point and start time?

The tour starts at Underground Ltd, Aldersgate St, Barbican, London EC1A 4JA, UK, at 7:00 pm.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at 125 High Holborn, London WC1V 6AN, UK, and the final stop is at The Princess Louise pub at 208 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EP.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12, and this is strictly enforced. Children 12 to 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

How much walking is involved?

The tour covers about 2 miles (3.2 km) with a fairly brisk pace.

What group size should I expect?

A maximum of 20 people per booking is stated, and the tour also lists a maximum of 45 travelers.

Does it run in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately for rain and cool evenings.