Stepping Into The Shadows On A Jack The Ripper Walking Tour In London

A reporter experiences the popular Jack the Ripper walking tour through East London, exploring the gruesome history and unsolved murders.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 31, 2026 · 6:00 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

The Jack the Ripper walking tour is operated by Empire Tours and lasts for two hours.

Tour groups are kept small, with seven people participating in this specific outing.

The notorious killer is believed to have struck five times in 1888.

The tour costs from £19pp and runs every day.

My guide gestured toward the upper level of the Ten Bells located in Whitechapel within East London, stating, "THIS pub is considered one of the most haunted in the UK."

This location served as just one stop during a specialized small group Jack the Ripper walking tour. Several individuals targeted by the murderer reportedly consumed drinks here prior to their violent deaths in 1888, and nearly 140 years later, the dark curiosity persists. Such intrigue exists because authorities never apprehended the culprit, establishing this case as a major historical mystery. Empire Tours, the company running the two-hour excursion, recently reported that this outing stands as their top attraction. Furthermore, it ranks as the second fastest-growing excursion for international travelers, trailing only the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Participants should expect intense subject matter, as the infamous murderer allegedly attacked five times, mutilating bodies during almost every incident while guides share graphic specifics. Our party consisted of seven participants, and members gasped when the guide displayed photographs showing the severe injuries. These moments highlighted the brutal reality behind the legend while our walk through Brick Lane, Spitalfields, and the Square Mile provided views of Victorian life. Women lacked equal rights during that era, and the victims were vulnerable female sex workers and alcoholics. The killer evaded capture by pulling victims into unlit alleys, leaving no witnesses behind.

Period newspapers printed suspected hoax letters signed by Jack the Ripper, which established the famous moniker that people still discuss today. Aanand Mohapatra representing Empire Tours stated, "It's a story that everyone has heard of and its sense of mystique makes people want to dive deeper."

Sunday visits allow travelers to view the Petticoat Lane market operating since the 1600s alongside a less commercial side of the city. Whitechapel transformed from an impoverished neighborhood into a modern, diverse district. Evening tours offer an eerie atmosphere, and Halloween provides a fitting period for exploring these haunted locations.