London: Jack The Ripper Walking Tour & Crime Sites

Summary

Walk Whitechapel’s alleys, trace Jack the Ripper’s footsteps, and feel London’s East End history come alive

You’ll follow your local guide through Whitechapel’s shadowy streets, stand at real Jack The Ripper crime scenes like Goulston Street and The Ten Bells pub, and learn about Victorian London’s harsh realities. Expect sensory details — cold air against your skin, city smells mixing with history — and stories that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how the streetlights in Whitechapel throw these long, uneven shadows across the old brick walls. Our guide, Mark (he wore this battered tweed cap — very East End), started us off near Spitalfields Market. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries; he just launched into the story, almost like he couldn’t help himself. There was this moment when we paused outside a doorway on Goulston Street — he pointed at the spot where they found part of Catherine Eddowes’ apron. It felt weirdly quiet there, even though you could hear traffic from Commercial Road not far off. I swear you could almost smell damp stone and fried onions from a nearby kebab shop mixing together.

We wound through narrow lanes that barely fit two people side by side. At one point, someone in our group asked if locals ever get tired of all these Jack the Ripper tours — Mark just grinned and said, “It keeps us honest.” He told us about the women who lived here, not just their deaths but their lives — small details like what they did for work or where they’d go for cheap gin. The Ten Bells pub looked ordinary enough from outside, but knowing some of the victims sat inside there hours before… it made me uneasy in a way I didn’t expect. Someone joked about getting a pint after; nobody laughed much.

I kept thinking about how close everything is: Brick Lane with its bright Bengali sweet shops right next to alleys that haven’t changed much since 1888. There’s this odd mix of curry smells and cold air as you walk past. Christ Church loomed over us at one stop — Mark said it watched over both saints and sinners back then (I liked that). By St. Botolph’s Aldgate, he explained why women gathered near the church for safety at night. You could see how desperate things must’ve been here — it wasn’t just horror stories but real people trying to survive.

Honestly, I thought it would all feel more theatrical or touristy, but it got under my skin instead. Maybe it was Mark’s way of talking or just being out there in the dark with strangers listening to old secrets. Either way, if you’re looking for a Jack The Ripper walking tour that actually makes you feel something about London’s East End — well… this did it for me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Jack the Ripper sites in Whitechapel

• Explore Whitechapel area
• Visit Goulston Street evidence site
• Visit The Ten Bells pub
• Walk along Brick Lane
• Visit Spitalfields Market area
• See Christ Church nearby
• Visit St. Botolph's Aldgate church

Top questions

How long is the Jack The Ripper walking tour in London?

The tour typically lasts around 2 hours as you walk through Whitechapel and nearby areas.

Does the tour include visiting actual crime scenes?

Yes, you visit real locations tied to Jack The Ripper cases including Goulston Street and The Ten Bells pub.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The tour covers mature themes; children can join only at parent or guardian discretion.

Are there any accessibility restrictions?

This tour isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or strollers due to narrow streets and uneven surfaces.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transport options are close to the meeting points in East London.

Will we have a local guide?

Your group is led by a knowledgeable local guide from an award-winning company.

What areas do we explore during the tour?

You’ll walk through Whitechapel, Spitalfields Market area, Brick Lane, and sites near Christ Church and St. Botolph's Aldgate.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided walks through Whitechapel’s historic lanes with stops at Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane; you’ll hear detailed stories about each victim from your local expert guide and stand at several authentic Jack The Ripper crime scenes before finishing near some of London’s most storied pubs.