6 Exciting Things To Do In London for Halloween
Halloween! The spookiest event of the year and one that the whole family can enjoy. No matter what your age, London offers some of the best Halloween experiences you can think of. And with the city’s long, dark and bloodthirsty history, there’s no better place in the world in which to celebrate.
Below are 7 of the most exiting things you, your friends and family might like to try this year.
1. The London Dungeons
Billing itself as ‘the home of Halloween’ The London Dungeons offers spooktastic celebrations for all the family. The star of the show is The Master of Tricks, who will dish out dares, forfeits, trickery and other spooky surprises.
Expect to come across such infamous ghouls of London’s dark past as you stumble through the darkness, such as Sweeny Todd, Jack The Ripper, Henry VIII and Guy Fawkes. Not only that, but the newly revamped dungeons now offer two thrilling rides along the way.
Be sure to book your tickets early, as they can only take a finite number of people and they will sell out. It’s easy to find, located on The South Bank with easy connections via The Tube and London Buses. Just be aware that this attraction might be a little too scary for the under fives…
2. Ghost Bus Tours
Jump aboard a classic 1960s Routemaster bus and head into the dark side of London if you dare… The Ghost Bus Tour is a theatrical sightseeing tour that’ll show you all the sights of the city in a way that you’ve never seen before.
Learn about the black dog of Newgate Prison, the tombs of Westminster Abbey and the grisly past of The Tower of London, to name but a few of the highlights.
The ghost bus runs daily at 19:30 and 21:00 from Northumberland Avenue, just off Trafalgar Square. Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone, or you can take your chance and simply turn up and purchase tickets on the bus itself (limited availability).
3. Tower of London
The Tower is one of London’s top places to see – and has a gruesome history to boot! Be sure to visit the tortuous White Tower, The Traitor’s Gate, Scaffold Site and the Bloody Tower to learn all about the grisly tales!
The Tower of London is open daily, and easily accessible from Tower Hill Tube station.
4. Jack The Ripper Tour
Jack The Ripper! Perhaps the most infamous criminal in UK history – even more so because his identity was never discovered, although rumours abound to this day.
The Jack The Ripper Tour takes you on an evening meander around the very streets in which the murders occurred.
You’ll join an expert ‘Ripperologist’ who’ll make you privy to insider information about who the Ripper might well have been. In addition, these guys bring the tour to life using theatrical skills and ‘Ripper Vision’ hand held-projectors to make the tour even more life-like.
The Ripper Tours run seven days a week at 19:30 from exit 3 of Aldgate East Station. If you plan to go on the night of Halloween itself, be sure to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
5. The Woman in Black
The Woman In Black is a malevolent ghost story of murder and revenge. And you can see this in all it’s gripping glory live in the West End, where the show is celebrating 25 years of scaring people stupid…
Using illusion, controlled horror and atmosphere, you’re pulled into the world of a lawyer who believes he and his family are the subject of a curse by a Woman in Black.
Playing at The Fortune Theatre in Covent Garden, there could be no better way to enjoy the scariness of Halloween than to visit the show. Just be sure to take your braveness with you – it truly is a terrifying experience.
6. Thorpe Park at Halloween
Thorpe Park Halloween Fright Night is when this superb theme park turns into the spookiest attraction around. Located just on the outskirts of London, in Chertsey, it’s easy to get there by train from Waterloo Station. Enjoy the white knuckle rides as the sun goes down, scare yourself silly on the ghostly attractions specially ‘spooked up’ for the occasion and enjoy an adrenaline fueled day and evening that’s suitable for all ages.
Fright night is very popular, so be sure to book your tickets in advance as the ‘purchase tickets at gate’ queues will be long.
It’s also far cheaper to book online than purchase on the day. If there’s more than 10 of you going, be sure to purchase a group ticket, as it gives a substantial discount for each of you.