London After Dark: Plague, Prisons & Ghostly Tales

“In the interests of health and safety, this walk is being undertaken in the afternoon. We cannot be held responsible for any ghosts, restless spirits or unexplained noises encountered after dusk. Participants are advised to remain together at all times. Should anyone disappear into a plague pit, former prison cell or medieval alleyway, please inform the walk organiser immediately.”
You have been warned!
Join me for a Halloween walk through some of the City of London’s most unsettling places, where the line between history and horror can sometimes seem rather thin.
We’ll begin at Farringdon Station and make our way towards Charterhouse Square, where the ground conceals a grim reminder of the Black Death. From there, we’ll explore the atmospheric medieval church of St Bartholomew the Great and the historic St Bartholomew’s Hospital, with its centuries of medical history, suffering and survival.
Next comes the Viaduct Tavern, a wonderfully atmospheric Victorian pub with a particularly sinister connection to London’s criminal past. Its basement contains former prison cells associated with Newgate Prison. Please note that access to the cells is subject to the pub’s arrangements, and everyone wishing to see them will need to buy a drink.
Finally, we’ll continue towards St Paul’s Cathedral and follow the City of London’s official Spooky Self-Guided Walk map Spooky Self-Guided Walk - City of London , discovering more tales of mysterious apparitions, gruesome crimes and unsettling episodes from the Square Mile’s past.
Expect plague stories, medieval mysteries, dark corners and a little Halloween shiver — all mixed with London history, good company and, hopefully, a few laughs.
Come along if you dare! 🎃
After the walk we will visit a pub.
Note: The walk is undertaken at your own responsibility
It is about 6km long