London Serial Killers – The Blood and Tears Walk

London has a very dark side. The Blood and Tears Walk mixes true crime, local history, horror-film talk, and on-the-spot questions as guide Declan McHugh leads you through lesser-seen corners near the City and Holborn. I like the unusual route, which visits places most standard London walks skip, and the interactive storytelling, which asks you to profile killers and test your instincts. The main catch is the pace: you cover about 2 miles in two hours, often briskly.

At $27.74 per person, this is a fair price for a focused evening walk led by the author of Bloody London. It suits true-crime fans, horror devotees, and curious adults who enjoy grim stories told with humor. It is less suitable for anyone with mobility or health concerns, young children, or anyone who prefers a slow, photo-heavy stroll.

What makes this London crime walk different

• Ten serial-killer stories in roughly two hours, with cases linked to courts, alleys, hospitals, pubs, and railway locations.
• A route through overlooked central London streets, beginning near Barbican and ending close to Holborn Underground station.
• Declan McHugh as your guide, bringing material from his book Bloody London and years of leading this walk.
• Interactive moments throughout, including killer profiling, audience questions, a psychic experiment, and a vote on horror films.
• A genuinely creepy stop at a narrow alley, where the mood shifts from entertaining to unsettling.
• A brisk 3.2-kilometre walk, operated in all weather, with a minimum age of 12.

Starting near Barbican with a child murder case

The walk begins at 7pm near Underground Ltd on Aldersgate Street, close to Barbican. Give yourself extra time to arrive. The operator specifically advises adding 20 minutes because London Underground delays can make a tight connection risky.

The opening story takes place near the Church of St. Bartholomew the Great. Declan discusses an uncaught killer linked to the murder of a six-year-old girl, followed seven years later by the murder of a seven-year-old girl inside Barbican Station. The interest here is not simply the horror of the crimes. Declan compares the cases and asks you to consider what similarities might reveal about the killer.

That sets the tone for the evening. You are not just standing at a location while someone recites dates. You are asked to think about evidence, behavior, and patterns. Each stop lasts only a few minutes, so the walk moves quickly from one case to the next.

The setting also gives you a useful introduction to London’s layered past. This is an area where churches, stations, courts, hospitals, and narrow lanes sit close together, making the city feel less like a collection of attractions and more like a place where disturbing events unfolded amid ordinary daily life.

Holy Sepulchre and the grim business of bodies

At Holy Sepulchre London, the subject shifts from murder itself to the economics surrounding dead bodies. Declan explains the connection between grave-robbing, serial killing, and medical training.

The stop is short, about five minutes, but the topic adds useful context. In the past, the demand for bodies for medical study created an ugly market. Doctors at nearby St. Bartholomew’s Hospital were willing to deal with people from the lowest levels of society, and that made the trade in corpses especially sinister.

This section is valuable because it broadens the evening beyond famous names. You get a look at the social conditions that helped crime grow, rather than hearing only isolated tales of individual killers. The material is dark, but it also connects murder to medicine, poverty, class, and the workings of old London institutions.

Inside the shadow of the Old Bailey

The Old Bailey, officially the Central Criminal Court, is one of the walk’s most important settings. The building is famous even if you have never taken a crime tour, and four killers discussed during the evening had trials there.

The first case concerns a man who appeared at the court twice. He helped send an innocent person to his death before later admitting to multiple murders of women. That story raises uncomfortable questions about false testimony, legal failure, and how easily a confident criminal can manipulate the justice system.

The second case involves a killer who murdered 13 women and spread fear for more than five years. Declan presents the background to the case here, then returns later to two other killers tried at the same court. One murdered 15 boys and men. The other is described as possibly the most dangerous woman in the world.

The stop lasts about eight minutes, so you should not expect a full legal history of each trial. Instead, think of the Old Bailey as a central chapter in a fast-moving series of stories. The court gives the cases a strong physical anchor and helps you understand how London’s criminal justice system dealt with some of its most notorious offenders.

A brief horror-film break on Printer Street

The stop at Printer Street provides a change of mood. Declan asks the group to consider the scariest horror films ever made, then shares the top ten choices gathered over 23 years of the walk.

This is not filler. It gives you a breathing space between grim true-crime stories and lets the group take part in something lighter. One film on the long-running list has been recommended by 2,000 men but not one woman, according to Declan’s tally. He also shares a personal cult-film recommendation that is about 60 years old and available free on YouTube.

I like this pause because two hours of murder stories could become emotionally heavy. The horror-film discussion brings in humor and group conversation without abandoning the evening’s central subject. Still, if you want an uninterrupted account of serial killers, this section may feel like a detour.

Red Lion Court and a killer with an international story

Red Lion Court brings one of the evening’s lesser-known stories. Declan describes a Victorian serial killer who murdered on two continents and lived in London.

The case is presented as a dramatic narrative with several twists. It has the shape of a film script, yet no film has been made about it. The story ends with a question based on what you have just heard, and very few people answer correctly.

This is a good example of what makes the walk more interesting than a standard Jack the Ripper presentation. You will hear about killers who may be less familiar, and the quiz element pushes you to pay attention to names, motives, and behavior. If you are the kind of person who enjoys trying to solve a case before the final reveal, this stop should work well.

The drawback is time. Ten killers in two hours means no case receives the treatment of a full lecture. Declan relies on sharp details and memorable turns rather than a slow, archival study of each crime.

Jack the Ripper near Fleet Street

Jack the Ripper is included, but he is not the entire subject. At Hare Place, just off Fleet Street, Declan discusses the man he believes was Jack the Ripper and explains why he supports that identification.

This is presented as a case for a suspect, not as settled fact. That distinction matters. Jack the Ripper’s identity remains disputed, so you should expect interpretation, evidence, and profiling rather than a final historical answer accepted by everyone.

Declan’s suspect has a full chapter in Bloody London, and the walk gives him room to explain the reasoning behind his view. You are also asked to try your own profiling. The section includes the hardest question of the evening, with a place on the walk’s Roll of Honour for anyone who gets it right. Only about one person in 500 is said to answer correctly.

That competitive touch may appeal to true-crime fans, though it can feel more like a classroom exercise if you prefer to listen quietly. The style is intentionally interactive. You may be asked to recall a small detail or make a judgment about a suspect, so pay attention from the start.

The alley near St. Dunstan In The West

The stop at St. Dunstan In The West is likely to be the most atmospheric part of the walk. The group enters a narrow, dingy, isolated alley connected with a murder scene and hears about two devious serial killers who operated nearby.

Declan also conducts a psychic experiment in the alley. The purpose is not presented as a scientific test. It is a theatrical way to make you focus on the physical mood of the place and imagine what it might have felt like during the crime.

This is where the walk shifts from grim storytelling to something more sensory. The alley is described as especially unsettling during the darker months, and even people who consider themselves tough may find the atmosphere uncomfortable. The warning is worth taking seriously: this is not a pleasant stop, and the experience may be too intense for anyone uneasy around confined or isolated places.

For me, this is also where the evening’s timing matters most. In winter, the darkness adds to the mood. In summer, it may still be light for part of the walk, but the stories and setting remain the focus.

The Royal Courts of Justice and a surprise element

At the Royal Courts of Justice, Declan promises a section that belongs to the audience. The exact nature is intentionally not revealed in advance, but it is described as consistently interesting and sometimes surprising.

This stop reinforces the walk’s theatrical side. You are not simply following a guide from one plaque to another. The guide uses the group, the surroundings, and the subject matter to create moments of participation.

The courts also continue the legal thread begun at the Old Bailey. Even when the stories concern events from earlier periods, the presence of major court buildings keeps bringing the question back to justice: who was convicted, who escaped blame, and how much did the authorities understand at the time?

Portugal Street and two more notorious cases

Portugal Street returns to the two killers mentioned earlier in connection with the Old Bailey. One murdered 15 boys and men. The other is described as perhaps the most dangerous woman in the world.

Because these cases are revisited later, you need to keep track of the walk’s structure. Declan introduces some information at one location, then completes or expands it at another. That approach helps connect the streets together, though it may be harder to follow if you are distracted by traffic, poor weather, or the fast pace.

The stop lasts about seven minutes. It is another reminder that the walk aims for variety. You get cases involving children, women, men, medical bodies, false convictions, and killers who worked across national borders.

Ending at the Princess Louise pub

The walk ends at the Princess Louise, a Victorian pub at 208 High Holborn. Its period decor makes it an appealing final setting, though the last story may make you hesitate before going inside.

Declan tells a particularly horrible piece of behavior connected with a well-known British serial killer. The detail is not found in the books and documentaries usually devoted to that person. Declan says the information came directly from the head of forensics involved in the case, who attended the walk.

That final story gives the evening a strong closing note. It also shows the value of a guide who has spent years researching and presenting the subject. You are not limited to the most familiar material repeated in every television program.

Afterward, Declan sells signed copies of Bloody London for $10 in cash or through PayPal. The personal message makes the book a useful souvenir if you enjoyed the walk and want more cases in the same style.

The pub is close to Holborn Underground station, about 60 seconds away, with access to the Central and Piccadilly lines. That makes the end point practical for getting back across London, although you should still check your route before the walk begins.

Pace, weather, and group size

The advertised duration is about two hours, and the route covers approximately 2 miles, or 3.2 kilometres. The ground is described as fairly flat, but the pace is reasonably fast because the group must reach ten serial-killer stories within the allotted time.

You can ask for a photo after Declan finishes speaking at a stop, but this is not a leisurely photography walk. If you need frequent breaks, want time to study buildings, or struggle to walk quickly, choose another London experience.

The walk operates in all weather. Rain has made some evenings less enjoyable, and summer heat can remain uncomfortable during the full two hours. Wear shoes suited to city streets and bring clothing for the forecast. A raincoat is more useful than an umbrella if you need to keep moving with a group.

The booking information allows a maximum of 20 people per booking, while the total group can reach up to 45 people. That is not a tiny private walk, so your position near the guide may affect how easily you hear every word. The guide’s strong voice and interactive style help, but arriving on time and staying close matters.

The minimum age is 12, and children aged 12 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The subject matter includes murder, children as victims, grave-robbing, and disturbing behavior, so parents should judge maturity rather than relying only on the age rule.

Is $27.74 good value?

At $27.74, the price is reasonable for a two-hour guided walk in central London. You receive a local guide, a professional presentation, live entertainment, and access to material that goes beyond the usual Jack the Ripper focus.

The value depends on how much you enjoy storytelling. If you want museum displays, documents, or entry into historic buildings, this will not be the right use of your money. The stops are viewed from public streets, and admission is not charged at them.

If you enjoy true crime, the price compares well with an evening of entertainment. You get ten cases, a walk through several areas of London, quizzes, a horror-film discussion, and a chance to ask questions along the way. Declan’s book is an optional extra, not part of the ticket.

The experience has received a 4.9 rating from 672 ratings, with 97 percent recommending it. That high score fits the tour’s strongest qualities: clear subject focus, a lively guide, unusual locations, and a good mix of facts and humor. It does not remove the real limitations of the pace, weather, and occasionally teacher-like questioning style.

Who should book the Blood and Tears Walk?

I would choose this walk if you enjoy true crime but already know the basic Jack the Ripper story. The best material here includes lesser-known Victorian cases, legal scandals, medical history, and killers who operated outside the usual London crime-tour circuit.

It is also a good pick for horror fans who like discussing films as well as real crimes. The movie section gives the evening a lighter turn and may lead you to a free film recommendation you would not otherwise find.

Families with teenagers can enjoy it if the children are comfortable with serious subject matter. The minimum age is 12, but the stories are not softened for younger listeners.

I would skip it if you have significant mobility issues, poor balance, or a health condition that makes a brisk two-mile walk difficult. I would also avoid it if you dislike audience participation or want a quiet, slow-paced tour with many photo stops.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want London history with a sinister edge, an energetic guide, and stories that go beyond the city’s most famous killer. Declan McHugh’s mix of research, humor, questions, and theatrical timing gives the walk a clear personality.

Skip it if the subject matter is too grim, if you cannot keep up, or if you prefer a conventional sightseeing route. For the right audience, $27.74 buys a memorable night in parts of London you might otherwise pass without noticing. Just arrive early, dress for the weather, and keep up with the group.

FAQ

Where does the Blood and Tears Walk start?

The walk starts at Underground Ltd on Aldersgate Street, Barbican, London EC1A 4JA. The scheduled start time is 7pm.

Where does the walk end?

The walk ends at the Princess Louise pub at 208 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EP. Holborn Underground station, served by the Central and Piccadilly lines, is about 60 seconds from the pub.

How long is the tour?

The walk lasts approximately two hours and covers about 2 miles, or 3.2 kilometres.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12, and this rule is strictly enforced. Children aged 12 to 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Anyone aged 15 or older is classed as an adult for the booking.

Is the walk suitable for people with mobility issues?

The walk requires moderate physical fitness and moves at a reasonably brisk pace. The operator advises choosing another tour if you have mobility or significant health issues.

What happens if it rains?

The walk operates in all weather, so you should dress appropriately. Rain and summer heat can affect comfort during the two-hour route.