London: Haunted Walking Tour with Ghost Stories

Meet your guide by the William Wallace plaque at St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield. Stand before a stretch of wall that does more work historically than almost anywhere else in London. For centuries, the city’s principal gallows were on ‘smooth field’ (now called Smithfield).

Find three separate memorials to three very different deaths that happened close to this spot: the oldest, William Wallace; the second memorial is to the Marian Martyrs burnt alive there; and the third to the rebels of the peasants revolt including Wat Tyler, murdered on this very spot by the Lord Mayor of London.

Visit St Bartholomew-the-Great, where you will be introduced to the founder of this extraordinary church dating back to 1123. Learn about a courtier of Henry II called Rahere, who might be the principal ghost of this church, but he has company.

Next, head to Charterhouse Square, one of the largest plague pits of London. Hear how archaeologists working on this area in 2013 discovered 25 burials right here, part of a wider figure of perhaps 5,000 across the West Smithfield area of plague victims.

Move onto Cock Lane and the golden boy statue of Pye Corner. This narrow lane hosts one of the most famous ghost stories of London. In the winter of 1762, the 12-year-old daughter of one of the houses heard scratching and knocking sounds around her bed.

Continue to Newgate and St Sepulchre-without-Newgate. Learn about one of London’s principal prisons and the point of departure for condemned souls on their final journey. Hear how the church has been bound up with the prison’s business for most of that time.

Return to Smithfield where this tour ends. Hear the final story about the Grey Lady who supposedly haunts the hospital’s lifts at St Bartholomew.

Not suitable for

• Children under 18 years

What to bring

• Comfortable clothes
• Comfortable shoes
• Warm clothing

Know before you go

• The tour includes stories of death and ghosts, which might not be suitable for young children or those easily frightened.
• The tour involves walking, so wear comfortable shoes.