Serial killers, but make it interactive. Led by Declan McHugh, London Serial Killers – The Blood and Tears Walk strings together real cases and grim landmarks into a fast, funny, street-level evening. I really liked the stop-by-stop storytelling and the hands-on profiling and quiz moments that keep you switched on instead of just listening.

One heads-up: this is a brisk walk with about 2 miles covered in roughly two hours, so it may feel tough if you have mobility limits or health concerns. Add in the fact that it runs in all weather, and you’ll want to plan for rain (and cold) when you pick your night.

Key things I’d watch for

• Declan McHugh runs the show with a story-first style that mixes humor with true-crime detail
• Interactive profiling and quizzes turn several stops into mini challenges, not just lectures
• A small-group vibe (max 20 per booking, with an overall cap stated as 45) helps the experience feel personal
• You see lesser-known corners of London’s crime map, especially through the East End and around major courts
• A tough pace for some people—constant walking, plus Underground delays means you should pad your arrival time

London at 7pm: The Blood and Tears Walk in real-world terms

This is not a museum tour. It’s a walk through London with a dark theme, starting at 7:00 pm and lasting about two hours while you cover around 2 miles (3.2 km). The big idea is simple: you don’t just hear about serial killers—you stand where the guide says key moments happened, then work through the cases like a detective, with questions thrown in along the way.

The cost—about $27.74 per person—feels reasonable for a live, guided, small-group nighttime experience. You’re getting Declan McHugh’s on-the-ground storytelling, plus a route that hits major landmark sites like the Old Bailey and Royal Courts of Justice, and then detours into side-streets and alleys you’d probably miss on your own.

The part to be honest about: you’ll be moving the whole time. The tour is designed to fit ten serial-killer stories into two hours, so there’s little standing around. If you want a slow-paced, sit-and-sip type of walk, you’ll probably feel rushed.

The guide vibe: humor, quizzes, and the Declan McHugh factor

Declan McHugh is the headliner, and his approach is built around keeping the group participating. Several stops include interactive moments: movie-vote questions, profiling-style thinking, and a psychic experiment where you’re asked to experience the space in a specific way.

That mix is exactly why so many people come away impressed. The stories are presented with enough energy that the walk doesn’t feel like a repeated lecture, and the atmosphere matters. You’ll hear people talk about how he keeps the group entertained while still sticking to facts and structure.

Still, the interactive element is real. If you dislike being put on the spot—even in a playful way—this might be a mismatch. One criticism that shows up is that the quizzes and correction style can feel intense to a small number of people. My advice: go in expecting a game. The guide isn’t trying to humiliate you; he’s trying to get you thinking.

Where you start and how the walk usually flows

The tour begins at Underground Ltd, Aldersgate St, Barbican (EC1A 4JA). It finishes near Holborn at the Princess Louise pub (208 High Holborn, WC1V 7EP), with Holborn Underground lines just about a minute away.

You’ll also want to plan for delays on the Underground. The tour guidance specifically suggests you add 20 minutes extra travel time because of constant Underground train delays. That matters because the route is time-tight; arriving late reduces your ability to keep up.

Group size is kept small: up to 20 people per booking, with a maximum number of travelers stated as 45. Either way, this is far from the big-bus-tour experience. You’re closer to the guide, and that makes the interaction feel easier.

Stop 1: St. Bartholomew the Great and the unsettling pattern

The walk kicks off at Church of St. Bartholomew the Great. This is where the tour frames an early thread: a serial killer who was not caught after a first killing of a 6-year-old girl, then years later another killing of a 7-year-old girl tied to Barbican Station.

What I like about starting here is that it sets the tone without jumping straight into the most famous name. Instead, you get a structured look at similarities between cases—something that becomes a big theme later in the evening when the guide asks you to think like a profiler.

Practical note: churches can mean uneven ground and narrow paths around the building. You’ll want stable shoes, especially if rain makes the area slick.

Stop 2: Holy Sepulchre London and the economics of the dead

Next up is Holy Sepulchre London. Here the tour leans into the theme of the disturbing trade around death—grave-robbing and serial killing—plus the idea that some institutions and people made it easier for criminals to operate.

Even if you’re not usually a true-crime person, this stop works because it explains the system around the crimes, not just the crimes themselves. It’s the kind of detail that makes the rest of the route feel connected.

This is also one of the shorter stops, so you’ll want to stay alert. The tour keeps moving, and the guide’s timing means you won’t get a long pause to read everything on your own.

Stop 3: The Old Bailey—the courtroom that repeats terror

Now you hit the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court and one of the most famous court settings in the world. The guide lays out trials connected to serial killers here, including one described as appearing twice—first sending an innocent man to his death, then later confessing to multiple murders of women.

The tour also covers another grim chapter: a killer tied to 13 murders of women over five-plus years. Later, the route also points to more serial-killer trials tied to this court building, including one linked to 15 murdered boys and men, plus a mention of a woman presented as possibly the most dangerous in the world.

What makes Old Bailey special on this walk is that it turns the area from scenery into evidence. You’re not just in London—you’re in the legal machinery the guide uses to explain how cases were handled (or missed) and how terror persisted.

If you’re sensitive to heavy topics, this is the point where the evening can feel the darkest. The tour doesn’t shy away from describing what happened.

Stop 4: Printer Street and the horror-movie vote twist

Printer Street brings a lighter moment. After all the courtroom and murder-scene tone, Declan asks for your vote on the scariest horror movies of all time. He then shares Top Ten votes compiled over 23 years of his tour.

There’s also a genuinely odd detail in this segment: one film is said to show up on the men’s list, yet not one single woman voted for it. The tour also includes Declan’s own personal top choice: a cult classic horror film about 60 years old that you can watch for free on YouTube.

Why this matters: it gives your brain a break. It also makes the walk feel like a shared night out rather than a history lecture. If you’ve ever wanted your true crime to come with pop-culture context, this is where it happens.

Stop 5: Red Lion Court and a Victorian killer across continents

Red Lion Court is where the tour leans into a lesser-known Victorian serial killer story. The guide describes a murderer who operated on two continents and even lived in the area.

This stop stands out because it has the feel of a twisty mystery: the story includes turns that make you pay attention to how the narrative is built. And the ending lands on a question—one that you’re told very few people get right—which makes you think about the details you just heard.

A small drawback here is that because it’s story-heavy, it can be hard if you’re trying to take photos at the same time. If you care about pictures, keep your phone away until the guide calls for photo breaks.

Stop 6: Hare Place and the Jack the Ripper profiling challenge

This is Jack the Ripper time. The tour goes to Hare Place, just off Fleet Street, focusing on a suspect the guide believes lived there and the reasons behind that belief. In this section, you’re pushed into profiling mode—learning how the guide links clues to his theory.

This is also where the tour’s toughest question comes in. You’re told only one person out of every 500 can get it right, and if you do, you’re included on the Roll of Honour for The Blood and Tears Walk.

Even if you’re not a specialist in Jack the Ripper, you’ll still get something from this stop: the guide’s method, not just the name. It’s less about memorizing and more about learning how to build a case from partial information.

Stop 7: St. Dunstan in the West and the psychic experiment

At St. Dunstan in the West, the tour turns the dial up on atmosphere. The narrow, isolated alley is described as possibly the creepiest place you’ve been, and the guide conducts a psychic experiment there—explicitly framed as a murder-scene experience.

The guide also warns you that you might feel shaken, especially in the darker months. That warning is not there for drama. The point of the stop is to make you pay attention to how spaces can affect perception and mood.

If you’re prone to getting spooked by environments, this is the stop to know about. If you’re the kind of person who likes “real life” fear rather than jump scares, you’ll probably enjoy it.

Stop 8: Royal Courts of Justice and the mind-boggling facts section

Royal Courts of Justice is where the guide’s tone becomes more courtroom-logic and less alleyway atmosphere. This part is described as unfailingly interesting and sometimes jaw-dropping, and the guide treats it like your segment—meaning you’re likely to stay mentally active rather than passive.

What makes Royal Courts of Justice a good stop on this route is the contrast. You’ve just been in a tight, eerie alley. Now you’re looking at a major legal space tied to the kind of cases that shape public fear and legal outcomes.

Stop 9: Portugal Street and two more trials tied to the Central Criminal Court

Portugal Street brings more serial-killer story connections to the Central Criminal Court. The guide covers one killer who murdered 15 boys and men, and another killer described as possibly the most dangerous woman in the world.

This section works best if you’ve been paying attention to the earlier theme: how courts, institutions, and timelines connect. The walk doesn’t feel like random stops; it builds toward the end by repeating patterns in different places—then challenging you to connect the dots.

Stop 10: Princess Louise pub and the final story you may not expect

The tour ends at the Princess Louise pub, famous for Victorian decor. The mood could be awkward after the last story, and the guide leans into that with the final reveal: a well-known British serial killer and a horrible piece of behavior that the guide says you likely won’t know about from mainstream books and documentaries.

The guide attributes the information to the Head of Forensics involved in the case, who came on his tour. After this final story, Declan sells copies of his best-selling book Bloody London for £10 cash or Paypal. He signs each book with a personal message.

This final stop is also a practical win. You’ll be close to Holborn Underground lines, and you can decompress after two hours of heavy subject matter. If you’re buying the book, you’ll leave with something to read that likely matches the route’s tone and structure.

Price and value: what $27.74 buys you here

For a little over $27, you’re paying for several things that add up:

• A live guide (Declan McHugh) who runs the full narrative arc
• A route that covers multiple major London landmarks tied to crime and courts
• Multiple interactive segments (movie vote, profiling question, quiz-style moments)
• A small-group experience rather than a crowded bus tour
• A final add-on with a book sale and signing at the Princess Louise

If you’ve tried other London walks that just repeat general facts, this one feels more like a scripted evening game: you’re expected to participate, not just listen. That format is why many people rank it highly.

The trade-off is pacing. If you can’t handle brisk walking for about 2 miles, the value drops because you won’t enjoy the route at the same intensity.

The pacing reality: 2 miles, a brisk walk, and why it matters

You cover about 2 miles (3.2 km) in roughly two hours. That’s not long in distance, but it’s long enough to feel like work at night—especially in rain or cold.

The tour guidance also says it’s fairly brisk because it has to cover ten serial-killer stories in two hours. You’re not meant to stop and wander. You move with the group, and you keep your attention on the guide’s timing.

In hot summer weather, you may get warm while the stories stay intense and the alley stops get tight. Pack accordingly. If you’re traveling with an older relative or anyone with stamina limits, take the tour’s own warning seriously: it’s not recommended for people in their 70s and not suitable for those with significant mobility or health issues.

Weather and comfort tips (so the night stays fun)

This walk operates in all weather condition, so you should dress like you’ll be outside the whole time—because you will be. If rain hits, slick pavement near alleys and street corners can slow you down, and the route doesn’t pause for anyone.

Two practical tips:

• Wear comfortable, grippy shoes. You’ll be walking and turning corners consistently.
• Build in that Underground buffer and arrive early. The tour itself explicitly asks you to add 20 minutes due to train delays.

If you’re the kind of person who likes photos, you should still know the guide’s style: you’ll only have moments to stop. The tour teaches that you can request a photo break at the right time—so don’t assume you can stop whenever you want.

Should you book this serial killer walk?

Book it if you want a London night that mixes storytelling, interaction, and real landmark context—and you’re okay with a fast pace and heavy subject matter. If you like true crime but also enjoy being asked questions, voting on horror movies, and doing profiling-style thinking, this fits your taste.

Skip it if either of these is true:

• You need a slow, easy walk with lots of stopping. This route is designed to move.
• You’re uncomfortable with dark true-crime storytelling in tight spaces like isolated alleys and burial-related stops.

If you’re a true crime fan who thinks Jack the Ripper is just the start, this one has a strong argument for itself: it’s not only about the famous cases. It’s about the web around them—courts, institutions, and the places where stories connect.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is The Blood and Tears Walk?

It runs for about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Underground Ltd, Aldersgate St, Barbican (EC1A 4JA) and ends at the Princess Louise pub near Holborn (208 High Holborn, WC1V 7EP).

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 7:00 pm.

How much does it cost?

It is priced at about $27.74 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What ages can join?

The minimum age is 12, and this is strictly enforced. Children 12–14 are considered children; adults are 15+.

How large are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 20 people per booking, and a maximum of 45 travelers is stated.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

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

Is it suitable for mobility or health limitations?

It’s not recommended if you have mobility or significant health issues. The walk is fairly brisk and covers about 2 miles (3.2 km).

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Less than 24 hours before start time is not refunded.

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