The 8 Dark History Tours in the UK Worth a Late Night

1.Dark Secrets of the Old Town Ghost Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,671 reviews · 2 hours · from $24Our pick

Follow a local English, German, or French-speaking guide through Edinburgh’s old lanes, Canongate Kirkyard, and Old Calton Cemetery. Hear the grim story of Burke and Hare, learn how witch trials shaped Scotland, and pick up myths, plague tales, and local jokes along the way. Guides such as Jen, Sonia, Gavin, Tommy, and Niamh bring plenty of personality.

“it was amazing, really interesting our tour guide was called Ignas, he was brilliant, full of some amazing history and facts, and was very funny too! Overall a brilliant experience”

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2.Dark History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 814 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $22Top rated

Follow an English-speaking guide from Parliament Square to Canongate Kirk for a two-hour walk through Edinburgh’s darker past. Hear about executions, plague, notorious criminals, body snatchers, and the city’s strange old customs. Guides including Robert, Joe, James, Kieran, Lydia, and Chris bring a lively, often funny touch to the stories.

“Joe was a wonderful guide! He was knowledgeable, funny, and accommodating. Would definitely recommend.”

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3.Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 762 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Walk Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Old Calton Cemetery, and Canongate Kirkyard with guides such as Jen, Sonia, Gavin, or Joe. Expect stories of Burke and Hare, serial murder, witches, burial fears, and old city life. The tour costs $22.19, runs in English for about 1 hour 45 minutes, and finishes on the Royal Mile.

“Excellent, informative and passionate tour guide Sonia, whose love for the subject and Edinburgh too was clear for all to see! Keep us intrigued and interested on what was a bitterly cold evening. I’d highly recommend both the tour and tour guide. Just to prove it, I’m currently on the train home reading ‘How to kill a witch’ following the tour guides recommendation 😉”

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4.Dark History Royal Mile Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 271 reviews · 2 hours · from $20Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide under the white All-Star Guides umbrella by St. Giles Cathedral. Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town and Canongate for two hours, hearing factual stories of murder, witch trials, plague, executions, cannibalism, and the city’s notorious characters. Guides including James, Robert, Lydia, Joe, and Kieran bring the past alive without costumes or cheap ghost-tour theatrics.

“Learnt lots on tour and were made aware of things that you would otherwise walk past and take for granted . Great factual content delivered in a way that kept us engaged.”

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5.Interactive Jack the Ripper Night Walk: London’s Murder Mystery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Follow guides such as Tyson, Lisa, Sadie, and Jess through Whitechapel and Spitalfields on a 2.5-hour evening walk. Study crime clues, Victorian poverty, and the stories of the women connected to the case, from Brick Lane to Mitre Square. Groups reach 25 people, with private upgrades available.

“Jess was funny and smart , she was patient, and talk about all scene. It was a great tour. My husband enjoyed and also learn”

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6.Jack the Ripper: Night Murder Mystery Walking Tour in London

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Walk through Whitechapel with guides such as Tyson, Kory, Dougal, and Hadi, tracing the murders in chronological order. You’ll visit Brick Lane, Gunthorpe Street, Goulston Street, and the Ten Bells, hear competing theories, and finish near Mitre Square. Expect serious history, dark atmosphere, and about 2.5 hours on foot.

“The tour guide was very knowledgeable and it was interesting. The only thing I would say negatively was that it was sometimes very hard to hear him. He looked away a lot while talking and at those times we missed the commentary.”

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7.Jack the Ripper Tour: Murder, Mystery, & the Women of Whitechapel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $27

Join a small-group walking tour from Shoreditch High Street through Whitechapel and Brick Lane. Your guide covers the five women linked to the 1888 murders, major suspects, possible official concealment, and surviving buildings. The walk ends at Mitre Square, five minutes from Aldgate station. Guide Matt is praised for using photos and local details.

“It was a very nice walk in the neighborhood where Jack the Ripper ran rampant. Our guide Matt was excellent and knows his subject. They gave us a host of interesting details he also had pictures and anecdotes about the surroundings. I recommend this tour to anyone who loves history and truecrime.Auto-translated”

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8.Jack the Ripper: Solve the Crime Walking Tour (Kids Free!)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 36 reviews · 2 - 2.5 hours · from $29

Meet your English-speaking guide at Whitechapel Gallery for a 2 to 2.5-hour evening walk through East London. You will follow the 1888 murder sequence, view police photographs and evidence, see the letter that created Jack the Ripper’s name, and examine the doorway linked to his only clue. Children join free.

“De tour was echt heel vet, de gids bracht Jack weer tot leven, terug in de tijd van 1888 in Whitechapel. Echt een aanrader!”

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