London has a second, darker soundtrack. This tour threads ghost stories through real streets, old pubs, and landmark buildings, with a focus on places tied to famous films like Skyfall and Shakespeare in Love. You’ll explore with a small group (up to 14), so the vibe stays friendly instead of rushed.

Two things I’d put near the top: I love how the stories feel rooted in the actual neighborhoods you’re standing in, not just a spooky script. And you get a complimentary half-pint early on, which instantly puts you in pub-crawl mode. The tour also tends to be conversation-friendly, especially when the group is small.

One consideration: it’s more history-led than jump-scare horror. If you’re expecting nonstop fear and only pub stops, you may find the pace leans more educational than purely spooky.

Quick hits before you go

• Up to 14 people keeps it intimate and question-friendly
• 3 hours with short walks between stops, so you’re not marching all afternoon
• A half-pint included at the first pub to start you off right
• Churches, markets, and hospital courtyards show London at its oldest edges
• Sunday route changes swap in different places for drinks and outside viewing
• Beer purchase required at the main haunted pubs later on, so budget for drinks

Price and what you’ll really spend

At $102.83 per person for about 3 hours, you’re paying for a guided route that strings together multiple sites you might not easily find on your own—plus narration that connects the dark stuff to the physical places.

What helps the value: the tour includes a walking tour, and some stops have admission included or free. The first pub stop includes a half-pint of beer (or a soft drink equivalent). That’s a nice early “you’re in” moment.

What costs extra: you’ll be expected to buy a beverage at the later haunted pubs (Rising Sun and the Viaduct Tavern). Beverage prices are listed as roughly £2.50–£6.50, so I’d plan for at least two extra drinks during the tour.

Tip for value: if you drink beer, the included half-pint helps offset the two later purchases. If you don’t drink beer, pick a soft drink at the included stop so you still feel the benefit.

Starting at the Barbican: Roman echoes and a hidden secret

You begin at Underground Ltd, Aldersgate St, Barbican (EC1A 4JA) at 2:30 pm, and you’ll end in a different location. The first stretch sets the tone: you hear the story of the Barbican, traced from Roman times until today, including what lies deep beneath its walls.

Why this opener matters: it gives you a framework for what you’re doing for the next few hours. Instead of treating the haunting as random, the guide ties it to how London layers over itself—old foundations, changed streets, reused spaces.

Also, even though it’s a “haunted pub” tour, the pacing starts with context. That makes the later pub stories land harder, because you understand why these places feel like they remember things.

Sutton Arms and Charterhouse Square: your included half-pint + plague stories

Stop 1: The Sutton Arms (EC1) is your first proper pub moment, and this is where the tour includes a complimentary half-pint of your choice (beer or an equivalent soft drink). At this stage, the atmosphere is doing half the work—old pub layout, casual social feel, and the guide’s storytelling set up for the route ahead.

Then you move to Charterhouse Square, where you hear about the Black Death and how devastating it was for medieval London. This isn’t just grim for its own sake. It helps explain why so many London locations have layered folklore: disease, fear, punishment, and survival all shaped local memory.

Sun-day note: on Sundays, the tour won’t go inside the Sutton Arms. You’ll only visit from outside, then you’ll have a drink at the Fox & Anchor instead. That’s still enjoyable, but it does change the feel of that first pub stop—more street-facing, less inside-and-cozy.

Art Deco Poirot stop + the Charterhouse monastery ruins

Next you hit an Art Deco building tied to a very recognizable figure: it once served as the residence for the legendary detective Hercule Poirot. Even if you’re not a mystery fanatic, this stop works because it reminds you how London makes room for fiction—and how buildings can take on new identities over time.

Then comes the Charterhouse, described as the City of London’s last surviving monastic building. You’ll hear about the gruesome fate of its monks, which is exactly the sort of story London does best: the physical setting is real, and the darkness feels historically grounded.

If you like tours where the guide actually points out details (stonework, layouts, and the way buildings sit in the neighborhood), this is one of the stops that tends to feel most “worth the detour.”

Cloth Fair and St Bartholomew’s the Great: last pints and film appearances

From Cloth Fair, you learn how the street once hosted Bartholomew Fair, and how condemned criminals were given their last pints before execution. The tour also flags that this street is home to London’s oldest house—a reminder that your “haunted” walk is also a walk through long continuity.

Then you reach Church of St. Bartholomew the Great, London’s oldest surviving parish church. This one is haunted by the ghost of its founder, Rahere. It’s also a film regular. You may hear references to movies including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Other Boleyn Girl, Sherlock Holmes, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Transformers: The Last Knight.

What makes this stop special: you’re seeing a living church space while hearing stories that stretch into pop culture. That blend is exactly why these tours can beat a museum experience—you get the atmosphere plus the history.

A small practical point: churches can be cool and quiet. If you’re the type who likes to take photos, do it respectfully and keep your voice down.

Rising Sun: the Resurrection Men pub stop (and the drink you’ll need)

The tour then moves to Rising Sun, one of the most notorious haunted pubs on the route. The story centers on the Resurrection Men, who reportedly used to trade in human bodies. Whether you treat that as folklore, history, or something in-between, the pub setting makes the tale feel immediate.

Here’s the practical part: you’ll be expected to purchase a beverage of your choice at this stop, and it’s not included. Expect the typical listed range (around £2.50–£6.50).

Sunday swap: on Sundays, the tour visits Rising Sun only from outside and instead has a drink at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street.

If you want the fullest effect, aim to order your drink, settle in, and let the guide’s story take its time. This is one of the emotional centers of the tour.

Smithfield Market and the city’s execution past

At Smithfield Market, you’ll visit outside of operating hours (so you’re not walking through normal daily shopping). The route frames it as one of the world’s oldest markets, with history stretching back over a millennium.

Then the tone shifts hard again: Smithfield was one of London’s popular execution sites, where traitors were hung, drawn and quartered, heretics were burnt at the stake, and poisoners were boiled alive.

I like this stop because it explains something that often feels vague in London ghost talk: why certain stories cluster around certain streets. When punishment is public, people remember it. When a market has been a gathering spot for centuries, it also becomes a stage for fear.

Even if you’re not into darker history, the location itself can be the takeaway: you stand in a place that has done the same job for generations.

St Bartholomew’s the Less, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and Cock Lane

After Smithfield, the tour starts switching between small, specific spaces—great if you like variety.

• St Bartholomew the Less: a small church stop that’s short but pretty, and often feels like a breather between heavier stories.
• St Bartholomew’s Hospital: you visit the Baroque courtyard of England’s oldest hospital. Here, you’ll hear about three different ghosts.
• Cock Lane: a fascinating historic lane where you’ll hear stories like that of Scratching Fanny.

These stops work for two reasons. First, they prevent the tour from becoming one long pub story. Second, they give you a stronger sense of what London looked like before modern planning smoothed everything out.

Comfort tip: this part of the walk is where your feet matter. Wear comfy walking shoes—the route is paced well, but you’re still on your feet.

Old Bailey, the Black Dog, and ending at the Viaduct Tavern

Near the end, the guide connects the dots from Newgate Prison ruins to the Old Bailey, along with the story of the Black Dog of Newgate. It’s one of those “London’s geography is also its history” moments.

Then you finish at the Viaduct Tavern, built on the ruins of Newgate Prison—often described as one of London’s most haunted pubs. Like Rising Sun, you’ll need to buy a beverage here (also not included). On Sundays, the route shifts again: the pub part is adjusted to fit the outside-only viewing rule, with the alternative drink stop earlier in the day.

Why this ending is effective: it’s not just a final stop for a photo. You’re leaving after hearing how punishment sites, prison ruins, and street-level pubs became linked in London storytelling.

The guide factor: stories that feel like local conversation

A big reason this tour gets such strong ratings is the guide’s delivery. In recent tours, the guiding name Arthur comes up again and again—people describe him as warm, energetic, and ready to answer questions. The effect is that the walk feels less like being processed and more like learning from someone who actually loves the city.

I also like that the tour tends to keep the walking manageable. Several comments highlight that the route doesn’t feel like you’re covering huge distances between stops. So you can enjoy the sites instead of spending the whole afternoon checking your watch.

One more practical perk that shows up in feedback: Arthur often shares restaurant recommendations and extra local context during or after the tour. That’s useful if you’re trying to plan dinner without relying only on the most obvious tourist blocks.

Who this tour suits best (and who should consider a different option)

This is a great match if you:

• Like ghost stories that tie to real buildings, churches, markets, and streets
• Want authentic pubs and not just a theme-park version of London
• Enjoy small-group tours where you can ask questions
• Care about film connections and local landmarks, not just scares

It may not be the best match if you:

• Want nonstop horror and fear over facts
• Are very strict about timing and need zero story detours
• Don’t want to spend extra money on later pub drinks

There’s also one heads-up worth taking seriously: the pace is story-driven, and some groups may feel it runs long. I’d keep your evening flexible and avoid booking another tight commitment right after the tour ends.

Should you book this Haunted Pubs of Old London tour?

If you want London that feels older, weirder, and more human, I think it’s a strong choice. The combination of small-group energy, an included half-pint, and a route that mixes pubs with churches, market history, and prison-adjacent storytelling is a smart way to see parts of the city most visitors miss.

Book it if you like walking with a guide who can connect the dots between superstition, social life, and real places. Skip it only if you’re chasing pure fear thrills or you can’t handle the expectation that you’ll buy drinks at key haunted pub stops.

FAQ

How long is the Haunted Pubs of Old London tour?

It runs for approximately 3 hours.

What’s the group size?

The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers, which keeps it intimate.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Underground Ltd, Aldersgate St, Barbican, London EC1A 4JA.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Are any drinks included?

Yes. At the first pub stop, you get a complimentary half-pint of beer (or an equivalent soft drink). At later haunted pub stops, you’ll need to purchase drinks (not included).

Do I need to pay admission at the stops?

Some stops include admission, while others are free. For example, the first pub stop includes admission ticket, and several churches/locations are free; donations may be welcome at St. Bartholomew the Great.

Does the route change on Sundays?

Yes. On Sundays, the tour visits some pubs only from outside and uses different nearby drink stops instead (like Fox & Anchor and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese).

Can I get a refund if plans change?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time, and cancellation is not refunded if made within 24 hours.