The sad story of an uncaught serial killer who first murdered a 6 year-old girl, then 7 years later murdered a 7-year-old girl inside Barbican Station! Your Guide, Declan, discusses the similarities between the cases and profiles the Killer.
The sinister economics of dead people. Grave-robbing and serial killing. Clue: The Doctors at St Bartholomew’s Hospital were happy to deal with real low-lifes.
The most famous court in the world: The Central Criminal Court. Otherwise known as The Old Bailey. Two serial killers who had their trials here. Firstly, one who appeared here TWICE and who sent an innocent man to his death before later confessing his multiple murders of women. Then the grim background to another who murdered 13 women and caused terror for over FIVE years. Later in the Tour I talk about two other serial killers whose trials were here. One who murdered 15 boys and men; and the other serial killer who is perhaps the most dangerous woman in the world.
A ‘lighter’ moment on the Tour… Declan wants your vote on the scariest horror movies of all time. Declan reveals the 'Top Ten' votes from 23 years of the Tour, including a film in the 'Top Ten' that most of you simply do not know. Even more intriguingly, the film has been recommended by 2,000 men, but not one single woman! Also Declan's personal recommendation: a total cult classic horror film, 60 years old, that practically none of you will have seen. And it's free to watch on YouTube.
Hear a dramatic, immersive account of a little known Victorian serial killer who murdered on two continents and lived here. This true-life story, with a number of twists, would be perfect for a Movie, and yet the Movie has never been made. The story ends with a question, based on what you will have just heard, which very, very few people can get right...
It's Jack the Ripper time. We visit the place, just off Fleet Street, where my Jack the Ripper suspect lived, and hear a detailed account of precisely why I think this man was Jack the Ripper. (He has an entire chapter in my 'Bloody London' book. Let's see how good you are at profiling... Also In this Jack the Ripper section of the tour is the toughest question of the entire tour. Get this particular question right and you are on the 'Roll of Honour' of 'The Blood and Tears Walk'. Only one person out of every 500 people who attends the Tour can get this question right!
The narrow, dingy, isolated alley we enter here may just be the creepiest place you have been to in your entire life. And I am not kidding... We conduct a psychic experiment here - it's a murder scene - and you hear about a pair of devious serial killers who operated around here. If you are psychic, you will NOT like this place. I have had tough men be shaken by the atmosphere in here, especially in the dark months. Warning: This is NOT a nice place. And you will feel it.
This is your section. I am not going to spoil what that means, but it is unfailingly interesting, and sometimes mind-boggling and jaw-dropping.
I mentioned them earlier. These are two other serial killers whose trials were at the Central Criminal Court. One who murdered 15 boys and men. The other serial killer may well be the most dangerous woman in the world.
We end at the wonderful Princess Louise pub, famous for its wonderful Victorian decor. However, after the final serial killer story of the Tour, you may hesitate to enter this pub! I will tell you about a well-known British serial killer's truly horrible piece of behaviour. I can guarantee that you simply won't know of this, despite all the books and documentaries about this person. What I will tell you isn't in those books and documentaries. How do I know the information? Because it was told to me by the Head of Forensics involved in the case of this serial killer. He came on my Tour! After this final story, Declan will sell copies of his best-selling book 'Bloody London' for £10 cash or Paypal. Declan signs each book with a personal message.
What a great tour! Declan was brilliant, informative and animated which made for a great experience. We got to see some beautiful parts of London that you wouldn't normally see or even know were there. Couldn't recommend more.
Extremely immersive experience! The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and experienced. Guide also included some interesting parts of London history and recommendations. highly recommend!
Me and my partner found ourselves being bought this tour by a friend for my birthday. We were interested in the tour and thought we'd book it for a Friday night, thinking it would be very busy. When we got there, we met Declan, and he informed us it would be just us on the tour tonight, we were slightly wary of doing what was essentially a private tour for two hours, but pressed on. How wrong we were!! Declan provides a fabulous service combining audience participation opportunities, areas to ask questions and fun London facts on the way. He is a real subject matter expert and his passion for the subject really comes out on the tour. I wish he did a history of London tour as I would be booking it straight away. 10/10 I recommend to anyone wanting a nice walk through the city and to learn about some of the cities worst criminals. Although we were lucky to get a private tour and I do think that made the experience much more interactive (which we loved) I would recommend this to anyone, even with bigger numbers!
Wow! This was honestly such a fantastic walk. Declan is very knowledgeable and funny. He is a wonderful story teller and everything discussed is very fascinating. The sites that you walk around are superb to see and it is well worth the money! I've even bought Declan's book since and learnt a lot more about London! It was approximately 2 hours but would gladly spend longer walking and talking. There were only 9 of us in a group and we all made friends so it felt more enjoyable and Declan talks to/includes everyone so you're not just a number following a guide. It feels very engaging and friendly. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
What a fabulous way to spend an evening exploring London. Declan was very knowledgable and engaging with myself and my daughter. We’ve learnt some new history and have already purchased some of his book recommendations! Want to go back and explore the area again as some beautiful buildings and pubs along the way!
As a true crime lover, I enjoyed the tour so much! Declan is so knowledgeable and one of the best most passionate story tellers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. He was excellent at engaging the group and as a foreigner I felt like he did an excellent job at setting every scene throughout the tour. A further thing that I was very impressed by, was his ability to recall all the details of each case, including victims names, setting, and the small details that added so much vividness to the experience.
Declan was a spirited storyteller and very knowledgeable. The small group was perfect for keeping us engaged and wandering the streets of London together. The only thing we wished was that the tour could be longer because it was so enjoyable!
Declan was outstanding. His knowledge and story telling abilities were fantastic! I would want to do this tour again the next time that I am in London.
A huge thank you to Declan for his incredible storytelling and insights. He helped us gain a much deeper understanding of the horrifying events that once took place in the hidden corners, streets, and alleyways of this city. As we followed in Declan's footsteps, listening to the stories of both the victims and the perpetrators, we were able to uncover parts of history that are often forgotten or unknown. At one point, Declan asked us why we had joined this tour. My answer would be this: the darkness and cruelty of human nature are not unique to the modern world. They have been etched into the places and memories left behind by victims over hundreds of years. By remembering what happened, we learn to respect history, honour those who suffered, and remain grateful for the lessons it teaches us. I also hope that by understanding the patterns and warning signs of serial killers, people can better recognise dangerous behaviour and protect themselves and those around them. As Declan said, this is more than just a walking tour—it's a lesson in self-defense and awareness, one that will stay with you for the rest of your life. I highly recommend it!
This tour was a wedding gift, and we'd been looking forward to it for ages. It certainly lived up to our expectations! Our guide was fantastic—friendly, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. It was obvious how much research had gone into the stories, and he presented the history of the infamous serial killers in a respectful, fascinating, and often surprisingly entertaining way. Guide told us that around 80% of people who book this tour are women, and looking around our group, that definitely seemed to be the case! It gave us a little laugh before we set off. The evening was a perfect mix of true crime, history, and storytelling, with a walk through some beautiful historic streets that really added to the atmosphere. Time flew by, and we came away having learned so much. If you're interested in true crime, history, or just fancy a different kind of evening out, I'd highly recommend this tour. It was an unforgettable experience and a brilliant wedding gift!
He was knowledgeable of the serial killers, but it was not a step-by-step history saying this is what happened on the street I’m taking you to that street. Also, he was anti-photo and persuaded you from taking them, which I feel as part of the Tour, so you can remember things and show your friends. I would not do this tour again
Declan provided a fantastic insight and such a clear in depth knowledge it really made for a fantastic evening. We saw parts of London we haven't seen before and learned so much from the past and more recent histories. Highly recommended.
It was amazing, great engagement and amazing voice.
Was an excellent tour with Declan! Loved it
I had a fantastic time tonight with Declan. The walking path was interesting, his enthusiasm was genuine, and the storytelling was awesome (unsurprisingly, from an author!) I had such a fun time and would recommend it to anybody interested in the macabre
Fantastic tour! Declan had us gripped for the entire 2 hours. You can tell he has clearly thoroughly researched the subjects of the tour and the chat between stops was just as entertaining!
It was fun and informative. The route was great too! It's both interesting and entertaining. An enjoyable tour.
The Blood and Tears Walk was an unforgettable and deeply moving experience. The tour brought history to life through engaging storytelling, fascinating details, and a genuine passion for the subject matter. The guide (Declan) was knowledgeable, entertaining, and able to balance historical facts with compelling personal stories that kept everyone interested throughout the walk. What impressed me most was how immersive the experience felt. The locations visited added real depth and context to the stories being told, making the history both meaningful and memorable. The walk was well-paced, informative, and thought-provoking, offering insights that I would never have gained from reading alone. I would highly recommend The Blood and Tears Walk to anyone interested in history or simply looking for a unique and enriching experience. It was educational, engaging, and one of the highlights of my visit.
Amazing and informative. Highly recommend
He’s amazing such a great tour, super interesting and engaging highly recommendddd
Great knowledge and interesting history. Definitely worth joining the tour.
We were given this tour as a gift through Buyagift.com. first off chippy tea at Poppies in Spitalfields. Amazing food! However. The main event! Met tour guide Declan Mchugh right outside Barbican tube station to start the tour. He obviously enjoys telling the facts and stories. Very good and lots of interesting, dark tales. He is engaging and the tour becomes immersive. Thoroughly enjoyable and when we go to London again would consider booking another tour. Long walk in the recent heatwave but we thought worth it!
Wonderful, immersive experience. Declan was knowledgable, enthusiastic and engaging. Highly recommend for a fascinating experience
Interesting. Tour guide was a little over the top. Not really interested in groups opinions. But very enthusiastic.
Great walking tour, Declan was enthusiastic and passionate about the subject. Enjoyed the stories and the questions to make you think. Would recommend!
Great walking tour, Declan was enthusiastic and passionate about the subject. Enjoyed the stories and the questions to make you think. Would recommend!
We met Declan at Barbican tube and to our surprise it was just the two of us on this excellent 2 hours walk exploring the serial killers of London. Declan was an entertaining guide with an exhaustive knowledge on the subject of the most foul murderers who practised their craft in London and other areas of the UK. He also touched on serial killers in the USA and took us on a journey through the alleyways and streets in the most atmospheric/historic parts of the city. We thoroughly recommend Declan’s tour which was enjoyable, slightly scary and very informative. Definitely not to be missed.
Wonderful time! Declan has not only extensive knowledge but an engaging style. Have done The Ripper tour as well this visit and this was at least 10x superiorr. Better information, narative and sights.
An informative, interesting tour of the dark side of London. Declan is a great storyteller and guide.
My Dad and I both really enjoyed the tour. There were only eight of us, which made it feel more intimate and conversational. Declan is very knowledgeable (with 20+ years of experience), and told the information in a way that was both accessible and engaging. I also liked that it covers 10 serial killers (including Jack the Ripper), while many others focus only on Jack. Would recommend for anyone wanting to learn more about true crime in London!
Knowledgeable and fully committed. A fascinating tour. The 2 hours just flew by. The walk through the streets and laneways was immersive.
It was so much fun, Declan knows so much and he has some interesting facts that are not very well known. Also he knows how to get everyone engaged in the whole experience until the very end of the tour, it’s so entertaining that one can barely notice that one has been walking for 2 hours!
Fantastic and really interesting tour, learned a lot and saw some new bits of London we'd never seen before. Declan certainly knew his stuff and was really engaging, such a great story teller. Very impressed. Will be buying his book! Thank you!
Declan is a great storyteller who knows how to keep people engaged and entertained. I learnt something new at each location, even though I thought I already knew quite a lot about the subject. His hypothesis on Jack the Ripper was very convincing, and I would have loved to discuss it further, but due to the nature of the event and its fast pace, this wasn’t really possible. I wish Declan all the best and look forward to his next book!
Declan was an interesting and knowledgeable host, clearly enthusiastic and passionate about his subject. Admittedly we were part of a small group, but Declan did his upmost to keep us entertained, making the tour as interactive as possible. The detective scenarios were fun, much better than just being talked at. Two hours on a cold March evening went quickly. Each of the stops were framed with a reason and relevance to his tour, e.g., Ripper locations, Denis Neilsen's pickup pub, Thomas Cream's locale. To aid conversation he asked questions on the groups knowledge of killers in general and their interest in the subject. Both myself and my Girlfriend thoroughly enjoyed the tour and wish Declan all the best in his future endeavours to inform and entertain the night crowds of London.
Excellent stories, excellent walk around London, excellent tour guide. Thank you, Declan!
Coming to the UK for a few weeks, I was advised to take Jack the Ripper tours or do the prison tour while in London. I'm generally hesitant on tours because I live near Salem, Massachusetts and know tours can be pretty bad with disengaged tour guides whipping you along from spot to spot. The London Serial Killers "Blood and Tears" Walk did look especially interesting because it was more than just Jack, and I thought at the very least I would learn facts I might explore more on my own later. It wasn't exactly peak tourism time when I signed up, and with touch and go rainy weather in the cold of a February night it ended up myself and only one other taking the tour. Two or ten or twenty - I have no doubt Declan would be exactly the same: exceptional. Masterfully engaging and well-paced, he was able to have fun with us while also holding great respect and care for the victims of the crimes. The story-telling was rich with factual knowledge and included personal insight from his years of studying and teaching about the subject matter. Never glorifying of the crimes, Declan would note different ways the impact would have been experienced by victims, the community, those who were part of the justice system - but all through story and not as lecture. I genuinely felt he enjoyed giving the tour and as a tourist it really does matter. Honestly, it was so good I forgot to take pictures. And honestly - it was *so* good that I wanted to go back through again on my own time to take pictures after the tour was done. When I am back in the UK I will absolutely retrace steps - though I'll also put in my vote for offering a Blood and Tears Walk: Part 2!
Very enjoyable, Declan is a very good guide with lots of knowledge on each of the stops we made about the murders that took place there. Would definitely recommend
Couldn’t recommend this tour more! We have done these types of tours in many cities, and this was one of the best we’ve been on! Declan was a fabulous guide! He kept it interesting, fun, interactive, thought provoking, & super informative. Do it! Do t miss out!
Different from what we expected but exceeding our expectations! Very interactive. Declan has a mountain of knowledge and really expands your thinking on the subject. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
Declan’s tour was amazing. So much history and fact all rolled into a 2hr session! Lots of surprises around every dark corner and alleyway. If you’re a fan of dark history, this is the tour for you.
We booked the tour quite last minute on a cold January evening and it was just the two of us joining. Declan did not disappoint and we felt like we had a personal tour. Full of interesting information, including some local history, we really enjoyed the tour. Now looking forward to reading Bloody London!
It was freezing, it was dark, but it was alive and very, very bloody. Snaking us through the alleyways and footprint of the Old City, Declan brought to life some of the most sordid, dangerous, and wicked people to ever step foot into London. With fantastic interaction, a real passion for engagement, and a deep interest in what we wanted to know (as well as what Declan wanted to share with us), it was a wonderful 2 hours knee-deep not just in historical facts, but in the guts, removed organs, and wicked appetites of the serial killers that had stood and walked exactly where we had that very evening. Footnote: reader, it was so good, that we bought the book too.
A great tour with Declan that would appeal to both locals and tourists. He is clearly passionate about the subject and took real care to ensure everyone had a great evening. As an aside, I am currently reading his book, which is excellent. Many thanks.
Really entertaining walking tour from Barbican to Holborn. Declan is really enthusiastic and knowledgeable and has obviously created a thoroughly researched tour of serial killers in London. I can’t believe that after doing this for 24 years he still comes over as interested in the subjects, which just shows his passion for this. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend. I even found a few streets/alleyways l didn’t know about.
Declan gave a deep dive into murderous London's past. He takes his group to major murder sites accompanied with his expansive knowledge of the crimes! Spine tingling!!
It is definitely worth doing this tour. The tour was extremely knowledgeable and informative. It was one of the most interesting tours I have seen. I would highly recommend
Excellent tour highly recommend. Declan was very entertaining and extremely knowledgeable. Book now! Declan has a book Bloody London a must read!
I would highly recommend this tour. From the moment of booking we were given clear and easy to follow instructions as to where to meet and what time. Our guide Declan was fantastic. Immediately made the whole group feel welcome, Extremely knowledgable and passionate about what he does. I would recommend this tour to anybody with an interest in true crime and serial killers. The tour explores some of London’s most famous killers along with a couple of its lesser known ones, but it also goes into those who may of been on trial in London and their stories. Declan is also knowledgable in local history and it was very interesting to learn a few facts about London I didn’t know before. We not only covered no less than 10 killers on the tour but in the walks between we spoke about other more obscure serial killers like Richard Chase and Peter Kürten. No spoilers but if the movie about one of the lesser known killers on the tour ever gets made, Declan needs to involved in it! I’ll absolutely be buying his book too.
As a person that finds serial killers fascinating this was right up my street! My partner and I really enjoyed the tour! Declan’s knowledge and experience was fascinating and had such good fun whilst talking about such gruesome topics. It covered a range of serial killers. He was very open to question and discussions, would highly recommend as a different view of London!!
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