Spies’ & Spycatchers’ London
Piccadilly Circus Exit 3, The Piccadilly South Exit on the corner of Regent Street St James in front of No. 33
Guided by Richard IV or Sue
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May 2026 | Special | 11 am | 1 pm | Summer | |
| 30 May 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | |
| 20 June 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 27 June 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 11 July 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 25 July 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 8 August 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 22 August 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 5 September 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 19 September 2026 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
Short read: On the Spy Trail
Long read: “Espionage was the hot end of the cold war…” Spies’ London is Ian Fleming’s James Bond and John Le Carre’s George Smiley. But it’s also the London of the genuine article, where for over 40 years Burgess, Maclean, Philby, Blunt and the mysterious fifth man infiltrated the British and American security services and spied for the Soviet Union. This walk takes us into that hole and corner, cloak and dagger London – into the secret places of that murky nether-world. Here we venture into the covert London of MI5, MI6, and the American O.S.S., the progenitor of the CIA. Here we close in on the American Soviet agent who finally confessed and unveiled the “Cambridge Ring”. Here we pinpoint the “dead letter box” and unmask the fifth man. Here, in Spies’ London, fact really is stranger than fiction. Guided by Richard IV or Sue or Richard Walker.
SPIES & SPYCATCHERS’ LONDON – THE PRACTICALS
Meet guides Richard IV or Richard Walker or Sue just outside Piccadilly Circus Underground Station, exit 3 (the Piccadilly South exit). On the corner of Regent Street, St James’s and Piccadilly, directly opposite Lillywhites, in front of number 33
The walk ends in Mayfair near Green ParkTube Stop.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
LONDON WALKS REVIEWS
“There are 20 of us listening, rapt, as we stand outside The Economist building in London’s West End, one of the stops on London Walks’ Spies & Spycatchers tour – a great way to see some of the real locations from Britain’s cloak-and-dagger past. We’d already heard from our guide how to evade surveillance when eating at a restaurant, seen where Ian Fleming was arrested on suspicion of being a German spy during the Second World War; and learnt, outside Eisenhower’s wartime headquarters, about the founding of the US secret intelligence service, the OSS. In leafy squares and quiet mews, we’d been regaled with the near-fictional but real-life adventures of one of history’s master-spies, Sidney Reilly, and had heard about the early days of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, headed by Sir Mansfield Cumming: “eccentric even by Royal Navy standards”. The two-hour walk, which leaves from Piccadilly tube station at 2.30pm prompt every Saturday afternoon, incorporates an entertaining blend of espionage fact and fiction. Bond, of course, is firmly in the latter category.” On the Spy Trail by David Hughes, The Telegraph
“The original and best – there are several companies offering walking tours of London but London Walks (London’s oldest) is easily the pick of the bunch” London, Cadogan Guide
LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS
If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Spies’ & Spycatchers’ London walk do think about booking one as a private tour. If you go private you can have the Spies’ & Spycatchers’ London walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. And – always with private London Walks and tours – we go to great lengths to make sure the guide-walker(s) “fit” is well-nigh perfect. Ring Fiona or Niamh or Peter or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing. Or indeed a fab present – be it a birthday or anniversary or get-to-know-your-new neighbourhood gift or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.
LONDON WALKS SOUPÇON
“Captain Sir Mansfield Cumming, who founded what became MI6 in 1909 and ran it until his death in 1923, was the stuff of which fictional spymasters are made. He carried a swordstick, wore a gold-rimmed monocle and possessed a “chin like the cut-water of a battleship”. He had an “eye for the ladies” and took children for rides in his personal tank. He enjoyed gadgets, codes, practical jokes and tall tales. Cumming was so pleased to discover that semen made a good invisible ink that his agents adopted the motto: ‘Every man his own style.’ When his Rolls-Royce crashed in France in 1914 and his leg was nearly severed, he allegedly completed the amputation with a pocket-knife so that he could crawl over to aid his dying son. Afterwards, Cumming propelled himself round Whitehall on a child’s scooter. And he tested potential recruits by stabbing his wooden leg through his trousers with a paper- knife. If the applicant winced, C said: ‘I’m afraid you won’t do.’ Cumming attracted myths as a statue attracts bird-droppings (another useful source of invisible ink).” Piers Brendon
Mari Lewis –
We joined Sue’s Spy tour on a hot May Saturday and enjoyed every minute. She was so knowledgable and got us caught up in the excitement of all the stories she told. She also recommended some great books which we are enjoying. My brother and I visit our uncle annually and always like to find different things to do. We will definitely book another of these tours via this website on our next stay.
Sam and Adrian –
We didn’t know what to expect when we joined this tour but we absolutely loved it. Sue is so knowledgeable and clearly passionate about sharing her knowledge with her group. Her stories were fascinating and the material she covered was wide ranging. We loved listening to her and I could have stayed for hours more. We got excellent recommendations of books to read about the spies we had just learnt about. Thank you for a fascinating afternoon.
VSG –
Sue is an exceptionally knowledgeable guide.
A fascinating walk through a West End labyrinth of espionage
Rita Ledesma –
Our tour w Sue was simply terrific. Her knowledge was impressive; each “discussion” was engaging and thoughtful. Her “story” of the spies was comprehensive & well organized. She was professional, responsive, & enthusiastic. It’s super fun to see the actual places where history happened. This was a great walk about an important historical era & I highly recommend!
Rachel Barkes –
Fascinating tour through the history of the Cambridge 5, gentlemen’s clubs and the hidden world of Bond Street. The stories have the hallmarks of fiction but are absolutely true!
Stephen H –
Fascinating tour. Sue really knew her spy history and made it so interesting. The rain only added to the atmosphere and intrigue!
John –
I learned so much about London spies but also about London. Even people who’ve lived in this city forever can learn something about it and the remarkable hidden espionage that occurred on both sides. Doesn’t inspire you with any faith in MI6 (!) but gives you lots of fascination and pride in London. Well done, Sue!
Nick –
Had a great time, Sue is a great guide – very Knowledgable.
Imelda Shanahan –
20 walkers And all of us engrossed in the illuminating, informative and captivating tale Sue was spinning. From the start in Piccadilly to the end at The Farm (aka the JesuitChurch of the Immaculate Conception) we were caught up in the tales of real life Sue was telling and a little smattering of Bond, James Bond. And I finally learned from the horses mouth so to speak where the M in James Bond came from!! And so much more that was not fiction. Thanks Sue a truly entertaining walk and Will definitely do it again
Jason pereira –
Great.