Real live London walking guides are usually very entertaining, but sometimes it's better and easier to do it yourself... especially when discovering London's dead. It might be raining on the night of the walk, or you might not be the type who likes touring with a group. You might feel like lingering in some places, or want to take a break and have a pint in a London pub. You can't do these with a group, and if the group is big and noisy it might spoil the spooky atmosphere of a haunted London tour.
Armed with the Walk around Haunted London booklet from Louis' London Walks, you can see London's most haunted places by yourself... maybe even at dead of night.
The Haunted London guide is 20 pages long, in A6 format, so it slips easily into the pocket or purse. It won't take much out of your pocket or purse either, as it only costs £2.50 (see below). At the front is a full-page map, with all the haunted and other spooky sights clearly marked, while the pages that follow give clear walking directions to get you from one to the next. You won't even need a London A-Z.
Haunted London Pubs
The walk starts at St Paul's underground station and ends at the Barbican underground station. There's no indication of how long it might take, but then there are so many haunted London pubs on the route it might take some people a lot longer than others.
The first few stops include:
- Christ Church Greyfriars, with the ghosts of Queen Isabella (the She-Wolf of France) and Lady Alice Hungerford
- Dead Man's Walk, where the ghost of the Black Dog of Newgate has been seen
- St Paul's Churchyard, where the heads of the Gunpowder plot conspirators were stuck on spikes
- The Central Criminal Court, said to be heavily haunted as it was built on the site of Newgate Prison
The book has a long and vivid description of Newgate Prison. The author even points out where the road widens to accommodate the crowds who would come here to watch the public executions. A good view was to be had from upstairs at the pub opposite, the Magpie and Stump, where they used to serve a "hanging breakfast". The pub is over 300 years old, and still doing a good trade, though no longer in hanging breakfasts.
The Ghosts of Smithfield Market
Another popular spot for public executions was Smithfield, visited a little further along the walk. One poisoner was put in a pot of cold water and boiled till he died, while witches and heretics were also boiled, burned or roasted here. Hopefully that won't put readers off their meal, as there are some excellent restaurants around Smithfield Meat Market, which has been here over 800 years, making it one of the oldest markets in London.
There are many more gruesome stories and ghosts in this fascinating if rather creepy walk. It's not just a book of blood-thirsty tales, though, as it's also an intriguing look at many of London's most interesting historical buildings, including churches and pubs. Well, you always find spirits in pubs!
Practical Information
A Walk Around Haunted London is published by Louis' London Walks at £2.50 plus postage, and available from their website.
Mike Gerrard - Mike is an award-winning travel writer who has worked for National Geographic, the London Times, and many other clients. ...
