Digging into some of these creepy things to do in London uncovers an incredible world filled with creepy history and dark stories. You’ll experience otherworldly adventures which are different from the common places that tourists frequent.
Wander the creepy backstreets of cursed communities and enjoy hair-raising rides at chilling sights such as the London Dungeon. The city is teeming with enough creepy, crawly fun to feed even the most devilish desire.
Uncover the macabre stories of some of London’s most notorious characters, including Jack the Ripper. Or, explore America’s historic cemeteries that are both beautiful and creepy.
Discover secret meeting places and take terrifying ghost walks! The following post uncovers the top attractions and events to explore the darker side of London. Ideal for adventure seekers or historical enthusiasts in search of the extraordinary.
1. Visit the London Dungeon
The London Dungeon is where horror meets history and education marries entertainment. This multi-award winning attraction immerses you in spooky London, showcasing the city’s most chilling eras for an exhilarating, theatrical, walking adventure. With more than 20 cast members producing an immersive experience, you’ll encounter infamous historical murderers like Jack the Ripper and Sweeney Todd, known for their gruesome murders.
Every show recreates gruesome historical acts, including the Great Plague and the terrifying Jack the Ripper experience, which is particularly popular among those interested in the ripper tours. From France to the UK and beyond, these immersive experiences both educate and entertain, making for fun, memorable visits that truly deliver for friends and families.
For thrill-seekers, the Dungeon offers a series of heart-racing rides to take the scares up a notch. The Tyrant Boat Ride takes you backward through terrifying tales, while the ‘Drop Dead’ ride delivers an adrenaline-filled free fall. These rides, while highly enjoyable, add great context and segue into the historical themes of each show, enhancing the overall spooky experience.
The total experience runs about 75 to 90 minutes, allowing enough time to explore and take it all in at a leisurely pace. Be sure to plan ahead to get the most out of your visit. Booking your tickets in advance will allow you to save 15% on parking, which is a great perk for your London trip!
For those looking to explore more, combining your London Dungeon visit with the London Eye saves up to 35% compared to separate tickets. The Dungeon’s current home at County Hall is conveniently located next to attractions such as the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, making it an ideal base for a thrilling family day out!
If you want to avoid long wait times, visit during times when the dungeon is less crowded for a more enjoyable experience. Definitely the spookiest entry on this list, the London Dungeon is equal parts entertaining and good value.
Its combination of immersive walk-through experiences and heart-racing rides makes it one of the top haunted places for everyone. Whether you’re thrilled by the performers or the scares, this attraction promises an exhilarating experience like none other!
2. Explore Highgate Cemetery
Highgate Cemetery is at once an open–air museum of architecture and history, and a mystical woodland landscape of history and enchantment. As you wander through its grounds, you too will quickly see why this unusual beauty is one of London’s most magical spots. Goths come in droves to the cemetery, enchanted by its otherworldly beauty.
Overgrown ivy, wildflowers, and weathered tombstones mingle to create a mesmerizing scenery. During fall, the ivy that creeps over the gravestones and carpet of leaves adds to the cemetery’s beauty, with it possibly being the most picturesque around Halloween.
The gothic architecture here is really a site to behold. From the thunderous mausoleums to the detailed engravings on tombstones, each element shares a story, recalls a memory from a past lifetime. The most famous of the West Cemetery’s grandeur is the Circle of Lebanon, where the cemetery’s 2,500-year-old cedar tree is ringed by spectacular sculpted crypts.
Fun fact: scenes for the Lestrange Mausoleum in the Harry Potter films were shot here. Whether you explore on your own or join a guided tour, there’s plenty at Highgate to take your breath away. You’ll hear stories about the luminaries such as Karl Marx, Christina Rossetti, Elizabeth Siddal and even Douglas Adams, all buried here.
The cemetery’s story dates back to 1839, when Elizabeth Jackson became the first person interred. Part of the “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries, Highgate was designed to relieve the need for overcrowded church graveyards in 19th-century London.
If you’re a photography lover, the cemetery is full of interesting subjects to photograph. The heavy foliage pairs beautifully with the stones, allowing for reflective, haunting scenes. Engulfed in Victorian beauty, the cemetery charms with its crumbling tombstones and technicolor wildflowers.
You’ll want to take thousands of beautiful pictures, no matter where you turn. Tickets are reasonably priced too, starting at $5.60 for adults and $0.60 for children to discover the East Highgate. West Highgate is $12 for adults, $7.30 for children.
It’s open year-round aside from Christmas and Boxing Day, and has a 97% approval rating from visitors on Tripadvisor.
3. Tour the Jack the Ripper Museum
London’s world-famous Jack the Ripper Museum invites you to experience the dark history of the infamous Ripper murders of East London’s Whitechapel district. Housed in a stunning restored Victorian row house, the museum explores the still unsolved crimes that terrorized the Victorian era in the late 19th century. This spooky London destination is perfect for those intrigued by the city’s gruesome history.
Immerse yourself across several floors packed with intriguing exhibits and authentic artifacts. There are few places that give you such a close-up view of the evidence surrounding this infamous case. The exhibits include life-size, detailed crime scene recreations and preserved artifacts that reveal the chilling tales of the gruesome murders that took place.
Look for Seattle’s most passionate and engaging guides to regale you with reality-based tales straight out of the Victorian Underworld. Giving you a tasteful overview of the gruesome details, they help you piece together the murders, the suspects and the victims.
If you’re up for an even more immersive horror experience, time your visit to coincide with one of the museum’s special programming events or themed “murder mystery” nights. These events contribute to the eerie atmosphere and offer different perspectives into the mystery of the Ripper.
Plan to spend one to two hours exploring the museum, which is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walking tours are available at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., offering a chance to step outside and trace the killer’s steps through Aldgate, a spooky place with a rich history.
It’s conveniently located, just a seven-minute walk from Aldgate East station. Tickets are as low as $15 per person. If you purchase tickets online, you will get instant savings—adult tickets are only $12 online versus $14 at the door!
The museum isn’t just about the crimes—it’s about understanding the history and the impact of the era. More than 90% of visitors would recommend this unique museum, making it a must-see for anyone on a London trip.
Obviously, it provides an incredibly fascinating and immersive peek into one of history’s most notorious mysteries.
4. Attend a Ghost Walk in Covent Garden
In addition to its charm, Covent Garden holds a chilling side you can explore by joining a guided ghost walk. Let member and world-famous ghost tour guide, Richard Jones aka London’s Master of the Macabre, be your guide. As a group, you’ll have the chance to visit some of the area’s most haunted places, including the infamous tombs of East London.
For over an hour and a half, Richard has them spellbound with his encyclopedic knowledge of London’s gruesome history. With more than 30 years of experience, the 62-year-old master storyteller knows how to spin a chilling yarn that animates his city’s shadowy past. As you explore, you reveal secret passageways and eerie landmarks that tell tales of supernatural occurrences.
One stop on the tour is the Theatre Royal, which is home to the intriguing tale of Sir Donald and his resident ghost. You’ll get to see the very window where Sir Donald was standing as the ghostly figure emerged! Our guide Marc narrated frightening tales that drew us in more and more, captivating us with stories of famous ghosts and haunted pubs.
As you explore the ancient streets, the feel is surely intriguing, but a bit creepy. Regardless of the weather, the walk is sure to be a memorable one, making for a truly unique experience. It’s an experience that’s not only creepy but filled with humor and teamwork, perfect for a spooky London visit.
Whether you’re coming with a crew or going solo, prepare for a night of thrills and chills that will have you gasping and guffawing. Currently available for private bookings only, the walk accommodates groups of at least 20 people and costs $10 per person. Start your journey from the Broadway Exit of St James’s Park Underground Station.
You’ll wander through London’s Theatreland all the while learning shivery stories of supernatural spirits and sordid pasts, including tales of the notorious Ripper tour. It’s the spine-tingling description from Richard’s voice and the atmosphere from this animated and obsessed group that makes this so exhilarating and entertaining.
This unique experience combines scares and smiles to sublimely spooky perfection. It’s sure to leave you with all sorts of spooky stories to tell well after the evening is over!
5. Discover the Haunted History of the Tower of London
The Tower of London holds a reputation as England’s most haunted building, with chilling stories tied to its dark history. The Tower is well known for its bloody beheadings. Stories of Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and Guy Fawkes ring in the air as their spirits reportedly haunt the Tower grounds.
Visitors routinely report feelings of extreme spookiness. They all describe eerie touches—unexplained taps on the shoulder, weird noises, phantom figures—which turns every walk through the Tower into a goosebump-inducing ordeal. The unfortunate end of the two innocent young princes, Richard and Edward, casts a grim shadow. They disappeared without a trace in 1483. Their skeletons, uncovered centuries later in 1674, stand as a chilling testament to the Tower’s dark history.
Intriguing myths and legends shroud the Tower, including the infamous ravens and tales of ghostly encounters. As the tale goes, the White Tower shall crumble should the ravens be allowed to leave, with it the ruin of England. Historical accounts tell of a headless ghost in white, believed to be a soldier, spotted by a sentry in 1864.
Henry VIII, jittery on his own death anniversary, adds to the Tower’s haunted lore. In the meantime, ex-inmates still walk the corridors, their souls forever restless. Ghostly encounters occur with such regularity that they’re now a central feature of the Tower’s tourism appeal. This unusual occurrence lures adventure-seekers from all over the world.
To explore more, guided tours provide an in-depth look into the Tower’s haunted tales and legends. These tours are a fun and spooky way to discover the Tower’s sinister vibe whilst learning more about its murderous past. Visiting during Halloween makes it even more spooky!
Experience special programming that enhances the eerie atmosphere, from curated tours to immersive encounters. Whether you’re a history buff or paranormal enthusiast, the Tower of London offers an unforgettable glimpse into its haunted past.
Conclusion
Luckily, London has no shortage of creepy places to visit. The Tower of London is chocked full of creepy history sure to make your skin crawl. The creepy Jack the Ripper history has long made the capital a favourite for fans of the macabre. Wander eerie graveyards and hear ghostly tales in Covent Garden. Enter the macabre world of the London Dungeon, where every attraction brings a unique thrill to give you goosebumps.
So, if you’re looking for a little history with your fright, look no further than these spine-tingling things to do. So rally your mates — or come alone if you’re brave enough — and explore London’s creepy, crawly history. It’s an unforgettable experience on an unconventional trip that’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.