Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel Tour (Small group tour)
Whitechapel Underground Station (Whitechapel Road exit)
Guided by Richard Walker
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Weekly | 7 pm | 9.15 pm | Winter Summer | Book Now |
| Thursday | Weekly | 7 pm | 9.15 pm | Winter Summer | Book Now |
| 23 September 2023 | Special | 7 pm | 9.15 pm | Summer | |
| 7 October 2023 | Special | 7 pm | 9.15 pm | Summer | Book Now |
There are plenty of Ripper walks and you will probably only go on one.
London Walks guide Richard Walker will lead you through the murder sites starting right where Jack began . . .in the infamous Buck’s Row, Whitechapel.
Practicals:
The small group Ripper walk takes place at 7 pm every Thursday, every Friday and every Saturday evening. But do check the calendar because there are a few exceptions that prove the rule.
Meeting point: The starting point of this walk is Whitechapel Tube Station and the tour ends near Liverpool Street station.
Price: £25 per person
Maximum of 12 per tour so you must buy your ticket online. To ensure group size only ticket holders can join this tour.
Whitechapel in the ancient parish of Stepney.
Stepney* olde English – ‘the landing place’.
For centuries the world supplied the City of London with all it required and it all passed through the Whitechapel docks in the parish of Stepney.
And it wasn’t just goods that arrived.
Refugees from the Huguenots of France, to the starving masses of Ireland, to the persecuted Jews of Europe all made their way to the lanes and alleys of Whitechapel and Spitalfields.
And so did . . .
The monster we call – Jack the Ripper
And the Whitechapel of the 1880s was made for Jack the Ripper.
It was a world of foul tenements, starving children and bottomless despair.
This is Whitechapel and this is the world of Jack the Ripper. It is one heck of a story and I want to tell it to you.
Click here to listen to The World of Jack the Ripper, another short scene-setter podcast by Richard.
Itinerary
I have been guiding for London Walks for 15 years and Jack the Ripper walking tour was my first.
This is a new twist. I’m starting at Whitechapel Underground Station because this is where Jack the Ripper murders began. Right behind Whitechapel Underground Station in Buck’s Row – now called Durward Street. This is the only London tour to visit 4 of the 5 crime scenes.
Charles Cross and Robert Paul discovered the body of a 43 year-old mother of five children. Mary Ann Nichols known as Polly Nichols ended up walking the mean streets of Whitechapel in the early hours of the 31st of August 1888. A woman whose life was ended by a serial killer who killed at least 4 other vulnerable women on the streets of Victorian London.
Polly Nichols: a victim of a divided society; one of many who suffered in a black hole that festered in the richest city in the world.
We will head to 29 Hanbury Street where Annie Chapman became the second victim. We will get to Spitalfields Market and the Ten Bells Pub by way Brick Lane, Princelet Street and Puma Court. Back streets that still capture the feel of 18th and 19th century Whitechapel. We will see where the worst street in London once stood – Dorset Street. Miller’s Court where the brutal murder of Mary Kelly took place on November the 9th 1888. Goulston Street and the doorway where the cryptic message was chalked – “The Juwes are the men that will not be blamed for nothing”.
And this guided tour will end at Mitre Square where Catherine Eddowes was put to death. Murdered less than an hour after Liz Stride had her throat cut in Dutfield’s Yard, Berner Street. Two women who go down in history as ’the double event’. Just two of a teaming multitude that deserved a better life and a better end.
Christ Church Spitalfields
Nicholas Hawksmoor’s magnificent church built between 1714 and 1729. An impressive landmark for the 5 ripper victims and still impressing.
The Ten Bells Pub
The Ten Bells pub that stands across the road from Christ Church Spitalfields. And it is from the ten bells that hang in the church steeple that the pub gets its name. It’s believed that at least some of the victims would have drowned their sorrows there. And almost certainly ‘Jack’ would have been seen propping up the bar there.
Image caption: Yes we can still see the Whitechapel and Spitalfields of bygone days. Dark streets light by gaslight.
Bucks Row & The Board School
Buck’s Row has changed since 1888 it’s now called Durward Street. But the board school building where Polly’s body was found is still there.
This is the board school as it was when Polly was found against the gates where the arrow points. And it’s the first location that we will visit.
The People Of The Walk
The People of the Abyss
Jack London spent seven weeks trying to survive the “Abyss”. He said he’d seen poverty in the USA but nothing like the poverty he saw in the East-end of London.
Courtesans of the 19th century
The Victims
Mary Ann Nichols (known as Polly Nichols), Annie Chapman, Liz Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly were dismissed as prostitutes by the police and journalists – though their judgement may have owed more to male attitudes to women than to hard evidence.
Four of them were over 40 and three of them had raised children before a combination of stress and alcohol left them sinking into the abyss.
Certainly Ripperologist Halle Rubenhold is reasonably certain that not all of these women sold sex. The Five is an excellent book which maybe should be compulsory reading for some tour guides who still like to dwell on the depths of depravity that they like to imagine these women sank.
It might be worth concentrating the spotlight onto what kind of society it was that left these women at the mercy of monsters.
From the Guide
I want to do justice to Jack the Ripper’s Whitechapel especially the victims.
And I want to share the diverse and vibrant world that Whitechapel is today and in order to do that I have decided to restrict numbers to just 10 on this special walk. Please book online to secure your place!
There is nothing better than sharing London with visitors from near and far. I hope that you will be one of them.
Reviews
Thanks Richard that was so interesting and what a great end to the week! You have a fabulous way of narrating and giving context to the mysteries that remain to this day about jack the Ripper. I really appreciated you bringing me back to remembering and bringing focus back to the women who were victims of his horrendous crimes. – Lucy
Really enjoyed it! Fascinating. Thank you from North Carolina,. USA. – Kendi
I will definitely join you again – very interesting thank you! – Claire
Hi Richard, Really enjoyed the virtual tour the other evening, especially the 10 minute chat post tour. Actually I remember you now. Years ago I did a tour about the history of the financial system in the City, you were my guide, it was from you that I learnt about the Remembrancer. I have ordered your book it is due to arrive on the 5th of October. I will look out for your virtual tours in the future hope to see you then. God bless and keep you during these difficult times – Michael
Dear Richard, Thank you very much for the Jack the Ripper tour this evening Milly and James said it was brilliant!! Milly said she learnt more tonight than she did in her history lessons. Please can you let me know your bank details as I only transferred funds for Milly and not James, which we’d like to do. I think they are going to join you on a Saturday at some point soon. Many thanks again. – Susie.
London Walks Private Tours
If you can’t make the regularly scheduled, Jack The Ripper Whitechapel tour why not think about booking it as a private walk? If you go private you can have this walk– or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Niamh or Peter on 020 7624 3978 or email us at [email protected] and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you.
Stephanie Arnzen –
Richard provided a unique Jack The Ripper tour, filled with loads of knowledge concerning the victims, circumstances surrounding the crimes, and the Whitechapel area in the late 1800s. I enjoyed the small group setting, as it was easy to hear and enjoy the stories.
Mary Glusak –
Richard was amazing! He knew the history of Victorian England, the sordid details of the poverta and horror behind the Ripper killings. You’ll be shocked, and you won’t believe how many mistakes were made in trying to find The Ripper!! Do not miss this tour!! Thank you Richard!!
Emilie –
Richard is a fantastic tour guide, passionate about the Jack the Ripper case.
He made us all feel part of the conversation around possible suspects but, what I really enjoyed was his up-to-date perspective and his compassion for the victims (who are sadly often forgotten!).
The 2,5 hours flew by and it was so fascinating to immerse yourself and imagine what Whitechapel and Spitalfields were like back in 1888. If you want an engaging, factual, compassionate, brain-rattling and non-biased walk to learn more about the Ripper, then this is definitely the one!
Ed –
You cannot go wrong with Richard’s tour! He is an absolute expert on the murders and is a wonderful communicator. He does not try to steer you one way or the other when it comes to suspects. He lays out the facts and gives you resources you can consult to make your own decision. Well worth the money spent!
Gillian Callahan Scott –
Simon was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly! We’d love to do more walks if we had more time!
Lauren M –
Richard’s tour of Jack The Ripper’s Whitechapel is not to be missed! He is so friendly and outgoing and really gets you involved in the tour. His bright personality and vast knowledge on the subject leave you wanting to know more and wishing the tour could go on for longer. I don’t think it would make a difference if Richard had a group of 2 or 20 to take on the tour ; either way he is going to give it his all and you will have an incredible experience. The two others I was on the tour with stopped in at a pub after we were finished, where the conversation revolved around how much fun we had, how much we learned, and our theories on who the killer could have been. The murders may have taken place in 1888, but this tour and Richard’s expertise will make the stories and memories come alive again. A great experience and one I am glad I got to have. Thank you Richard!
Sarah B –
Richard was an excellent and entertaining guide. He really brought to life what it was like living in Whitechapel in the 1880s. His descriptions of the victims, the lives they led, the murders and the witnesses was terrific. There were 8 people on our tour and the small group setting meant everyone could see and hear him clearly. Highly recommended!
Mark W. Fowler –
Richard was very knowledgeable about the Ripper and we thoroughly enjoyed his tour. We went into streets that and lanes that took us back in time to 1870’s London. Highly recommend if your interested in Victorian London and “Jack the Ripper” you take this tour!
Karen –
Great guide and great tour. Saw parts of London we had not seen before, plus we’re entertained along the way. So much information. Highly recommend. Easy to get to and from via the tube.
Rachel –
We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, visiting the various sites whilst listening to relevant stories along the way. Richard presented many facts and theories without bias, leaving individuals to form their own opinions. Following the tour, he sent through links for listening and reading for those who wish to delve further into the mystery.
Allan –
Allan – 30th June 2023
Amazing walk! Richard brought to life those who departed from Jack’s hands. Richard described in great detail the circumstances of the murders and the squalid and wretched conditions of the Whitechapel area which bred the sordid women who fell victim to Jack.
Richard was quite the raconteur who injected both wit and wisdom in his storytelling. I had ample opportunity to ask questions as the walk was limited to a maximum of 12. This contributed to a greater intimacy and congeniality among those who went on this walk. Bravo Richard!!
Sheri Sparling –
Richard is a master storyteller who always weaves his story with great precision and care. He careful crafts his ideas in a way that makes it easy to picture and understand what he Maga. His use of visual aids was particularly exciting and made the stories come alive. You can’t get a better guide!
Renee B –
Highly recommend Richard’s small group tour!! Richard is a master storyteller while he weaves together the timeline of the murders, the personal lives of the victims, and the reality of life in 1888 Whitechapel. We were riveted! He is incredibly knowledgeable and his passion comes across and is infectious. My two teenagers also loved it!
James Carli –
Our family was in London for a week in June 2023 and we knew the regular Jack the Ripper tours are overcrowded, so we reserved our spot on this walking tour know that the group would be small and the story more intimate. Richard did not disappoint and our family would all HIGHLY RECOMMEND this dynamic experience. It was 2 to 2-1/2 hours and thrilling & suspenseful. I loved that we started in Whitechapel instead of Tower Hill like everyone else does. Richard’s tour is a winner!
Mary Nelson –
This was an excellent tour. Richard is not only knowledgable, but passionate about the information. Plus he has more information available he will email you after the tour if you want to read or learn more about Jack the Ripper. I highly highly recommend this tour if you’re in London. It was fantastic.
Marie Olsson –
I really enjoyed this tour! Richard’s knowledge and insights made the walk so interesting. He not only told us about the murders but also about the area , the people from that time. Very interesting! For me it also made a difference that it was a small tour, made it more enjoyable! Richard really got me interested in this piece of history and I will now read about this more. Thank you Richard😊
Siobhan –
I did this tour in 2001 and 2003 with Donald Rumbelow, and Richard has reworked the tour with new insight and new ideas, such that perhaps the student has exceeded the master. I look foreword to his book.
Bree Demchik –
Great walk!
Loved our Jack the Ripper walk (small group) with Richard! Interesting to hear the
different viewpoints and theories surrounding the infamous killer. Richard is clearly
passionate about the topic. Would recommend!
Rick –
Thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Richard. His insight into the life and times of the “Ripper Era” gives you such a feel for how life was back in 1888 London. I love his enthusiasm for the subject and the fact he is willing to form his own opinions and allow the individual to do the same. The one thing I took away from this tour is that even 140 years later Jack is just as elusive as ever.
Logan –
Richard is an incredible storyteller and is truly passionate about sharing the history of Jack the Ripper. He seamlessly painted the story of Jack the Ripper’s 5 victims. He incorporated humor and current events into the tour, while also providing alternative theories and suspects that may have been responsible for the infamous murders. I would highly recommend this tour.
Justin –
Richard was very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning more.
Ruth Marshall –
We thoroughly enjoyed Richard’s tour. His level of knowledge is extraordinary and his passion for the subject is clearly demonstrated. The walk was incredibly interesting, and we learnt some things about the subject which we certainly did not know before. Highly recommended. Scott and Ruth
John R –
Richard was an excellent guide and this tour really exceeded my expectations of what there is to learn about Jack The Ripper. I really appreciate how much research has gone into curating the tour and offering guests a different vantage from which to view the JTR story and theories. It is a very manageable walk about town. I think the smaller group setting is definitely the way to go. You can really appreciate Richard’s passion for the subject and he is often times quite funny too.
Anne Friedman –
Richard Walker – the best guide for Jack the Ripper!
Richard is the best! Don’t do another Jack the Ripper tour. He makes the history come alive – I knew the basics, but I was riveted by his historical knowledge and his storytelling skills! Doing it with a small group is essential – we saw huge groups around us and were so glad we chose Richard.
David and Shirley DiBattista –
Richard was a great tour guide. The tour was interesting and informative, and Richard’s presentation style is excellent. We loved being in such a small group and really felt immersed in the experience. We learned not only about the story of the Jack the Ripper murders, but also about how awful life was for so many of the people of London during the Victorian era. Overall, a fascinating evening.
Sherri Donnelly –
We really enjoyed Richard’s Jack the Ripper tour. He has thoroughly researched the lives of the victims, witnesses, investigators and suspects and provides rich historical context for the crimes. Walking at night to see a variety of key locations added atmosphere to the story and we saw some parts of London that we wouldn’t have otherwise experienced on our visit. Richard, thank you for a memorable experience!
Jon –
Great tour! Can’t recommend enough! Richard is extremely knowledgeable on all that is Jack the Ripper. Where others may be happy rehashing what others say, Richard has done the research himself, gives historical and geographical contexts, and shares his thoughts while allowing you to come to your own conclusions. You don’t know Jack the Rippers story until you’ve been on this tour.
Ribert –
Top line. Richard’s knowledge is encyclopedic, his style of delivery entertaining and his incredible interaction with the group was outstanding. An outstanding experience.
Kyle –
Great tour! Richard’s passion and knowledge is fantastic. Highly recommended.
Molly S –
The Jack the Ripper Tour with Richard Walker was definitely a highlight of our trip to London! Richard was awesome! It was pouring rain for our tour, but I think that added to the story and Richard didn’t miss a beat. He went into so much detail about London in 1888 and we found it really interesting. We didn’t know a lot about Jack the Ripper or London of that time, and Richard really made it come to life. Highly recommend!
Ben –
Richard’s expert knowledge of the subject matter, coupled with his ability to bring the
stories to life (as it were) made for a very interesting experience. Highly recommended.
Don’t expect to find out Jack’s identity though;)
Markus –
This was a great tour. Richard is a perfect guide. He‘s a gentleman and in every word he explains about Jack the Ripper and the victims one feels the passion and engagement he has for this historical crime story. It’s quite a bit of a walk but easily manageable. We really enjoyed it very much!
Randall Pirlot –
Richard’s small-group Jack the Ripper walk is excellent. He’s very knowledgeable and does a great job outlining the setting and the conditions when and where these murders took place. He’s clearly has done a lot of research and does a great job positing questions and alternative theories of why and how these murders took place. Highly recommended. You won’t be disappointed!
Paul Kozik –
This was a fabulous tour. Richard really does capture the time period of Jack the Ripper. He discusses not only the murders but the time period. His discussion of poverty of the time gives you a much better understanding of London at the turn of the century. His enthusiasm makes the tour. You really get the feel of the time. This is a must tour if you are visiting London.
Toi –
Richard is very passionate and detailed in this tour. I highly enjoyed this tour and will continue to recommend it to friends and family who visit London. Very engaging tour. Thank you Richard.
Mary Williams –
You’ll see a lot of other Ripper tours, but don’t bother. Richard’s small group tour is the one you want for myriad reasons. You won’t be one of 60 people toddling along, clambering for a spot in the front. Not only does Richard tell the story of the murders, but he gives respectful attention to the victims and their stories. He also talks about the area and the living conditions in Whitechapel, which all play a part in what was happening at the time. In fact, Richard spent the time during Covid lockdown further reading and studying to add pertinent points to his arsenal of information. I highly recommend this tour. Absolutely fascinating.
Michelle Thompson –
All 4 of us had a wonderful time with Richard and his Ripper walk. Very well researched, interesting, fluent presentation. It was quite cold out, but the 2 hours in the elements flew by because we were so engrossed. Thank you, Richard.
Bob Couch –
Have been on several London Walks and this one is absolutely fantastic. The limit of 12 people makes it worth the higher cost, as does Richard’s depth of information on not only the details of the murders, victims and possible “Jacks”, but also life in the Whitechapel area in 1888. Richard’s presentation which included photos of the people and places helped all of us remain totally engaged despite the torrential rain that persisted for most of the tour.
Heather Jones –
Our guide, Richard, was so informative. He probably know more about Jack the Ripper than anyone else alive at this time. I also enjoyed the London history that he shared. Great way to spend a couple of hours in London!
Frances Nash –
Unlike other tours where you are herded around and given the “story” of the murders, Richard’s tour was set firmly in the political and social background of the 1880s. He totally blew apart many of my own ideas about the identity of the Ripper, leaving me with more reading to do! his engaging and friendly manner meant that the 2 1/4 hours fled by! Thank you!
Cliff Moore –
Excellent walk … Richard is a mine of information, more than one could ever take in during a single walk. He covers the patch comprehensively, pays particular respect to the victims and describes eloquently the absolute horror of the abject misery felt by the poor and disenfranchised in London in the 1880s.
The small group, pre-booked format is perfect for this walk and makes the event that much more personal.
Richard is obsessed with Ripperology and yet still willing to learn more – even devoting time to some of the attendees’ more outlandish theories.
Hugely recommended – I would do this one again.
Sabine Schulz Svensson –
Highly recommended!! Not only did we learn all about Jack the Ripper we also got to know a lot about the area.
Elizabeth –
Richard was very informative and thorough. We appreciated small group size and highly recommend this tour.
BRITTA –
Highly recommended!!
Sean –
Richard knowledge and enthusiasm makes the tour something not be missed, great incite into period that still asks plenty of questions.
Danny –
Intimate, small group tour with Richard, who seems to know EVERYTHING about Jack the Ripper. Recommended!
Margaret Critz –
Fabulous from start to finish! Richard’s tour was a beautiful lesson in Jack the Ripper history with wonderful context regarding the area of Whitechapel and the conditions of the time. Richard provided an obvious and contagious enthusiasm for his subject matter. I’ve found myself re-visiting the tour in my head over and over and mulling on some very interesting facts and hypotheses he shared! The small group setting meant we never missed a word and were highly immersed from the start! You couldn’t choose a better guide! Just wonderful!
Alyssa –
Going on a Jack the Ripper walking tour was something I have been wanting to do for a while, and I’m so glad I ended up on Richard’s tour! It was better than I could have hoped and I loved every minute! The small group was perfect, I could make sure I didn’t miss a single word. Richard has so much knowledge and also has some good book and author recommendations. I would definitely go on more of his walking tours. Maybe someday a part 2?!
Karan –
Fantastic tour. Highly recommend this walk. Richard was friendly, informed, enthusiastic and engaging, Much better experience than a big group tour. Thank you Richard
Ulrike and Dirk –
We took Richard‘s tour on a freezing evening and it was worth every minute (and every pound)! Richard is enthusiastic, entertaining, eloquent and his view on the history of the events is thought provoking in the best sense. He conveyed a vivid picture of life in East London at the time and is one of the few people who apparently have turned the Covid lockdown into learning even more about their favourite suspect/subject! Thank you for great experience which made me even read some of your book recommendations
Martin Badham –
This was a fantastic tour.
Richard has the ability to not only put over the “Ripper” story but to put everything into context. Who the victims were, what their lives would have been like, the conditions they had to live in. Richard also has the ability to delivery the tour in a compelling way and theories about the Ripper are explored but no single theory is pushed as the correct one.
Couple this with walking the streets where the events unfolded made the tour about the correct length (2 hours) and made for a great evening. Would thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone interested in Jack the Ripper.
Mark –
Woohoo! what a wonderful interesting & entertaining evening we spent with Richard! We loved it. The first important thing for us, non English mother tongue, was his way of speaking very clearly. I suspect that he must also do some acting, because he has a very entertaining way of guiding you through the streets and telling stories! Richard not only talked about Jack the Ripper but also about the historical context, the way people were living at that time in Whitechapel, how the surroundings were etc. He has a way of transmitting all his huge research on the subject that is both clear and entertaining.
Raquel casswell –
Great tour from Simon. Loved it
Catherine Price –
A highlight of the tour was seeing the old architecture which helped to bring the ripper story to life. Richard was very
knowledgeable and a fantastic storyteller who is passionate about the area and the story of
the Whitechapel murders throughout the tour. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this tour
Francesca –
The tour was exceptional. The small group meant that we heard everything and he was able to answer any questions we had. It was incredibly well put together and he was an engaging story teller. The use of the images helped to paint a picture of the time and show the victims. He was very knowledgeable on the subject. It was an excellent tour, one that we will definitely be recommending to people.
Adrian –
What a terrific walk on a cold February evening. I have done the other Jack the Ripper tour offered by London Walks, but this offers quite a different perspective and it’s definitely worth doing both walks. Really terrific insights into the murder, but even more interesting were the descriptions of life in Whitechapel in the late 19th century. Richard is an exceptional guide. You won’t do any better!!!
Jurgen Muck –
Again due to misspellings:
Richard is an exceptional guide who creates an immersive experience in this small group tour and points out new views on the topic of the Whitechapel Murders and the political and social concomitants. There’s a lot to reflect about for me. Many thanks to Richard therefor!
High recommendation!
Jurgen Muck –
Richard is an exceptional guide who creates an immersive experience in this smalltalk group tour and points out new views on the topic of the Whitechapel Murders and the political and social concomitants. There’s a lot to reflect about for me. Many thanks to Richard therfore!
High recommendation!
Carole and Harry –
Do the small group tour it’s so much better. We could hear everything Richard said and felt more involved. Richard is extremely knowledgable and interesting and did an excellent job of telling us the story of Jack the Ripper and what it was like to live back in the day. We loved it!!!
Juha Lindström –
A magnificent tour! Loads of interesting facts and stories. Richard is a excellent, passionate guide and really knows his stuff. We also loved a small group size.
Mauro Cristoforetti –
Richard is a fantastic tour guide!
We had an amazing couple of hours with him: he’s wit, funny, intelligent and has a knack for storytelling.
Also, he knows how to navigate between the facts and fiction that surrounds Jack and his legend.
Hugely recommended.
Robert Kiely –
Richard provided a very informative and fun tour. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Ripper murders and possible suspects.
Joanne –
Group of 4, mum and 3 twenty somethings girls. Richard was really engaging and we thought he gave a balanced and carefully constructed insight. Thank you
Charlie Panton –
Thanks Richard for a brilliant Jack the Ripper tour.
The small group format worked brilliantly and Richard brought the both the story and the fascinating area of London to life. So much information and thought provoking ideas. It worked really well for both Londoners and an Aussie contingent of all ages!
Would highly recommend doing it.
Leslie Amos –
We had done a large group rippper tour before, but found that this smaller tour made it much more enjoyable and interesting. Richard was knowledgeable, informative and a very good story teller, who took time to describe the lives and deaths of the five in a sympathetic way. He also imparted a lot of other historical information as the tour progressed, using good images from the time to set the scene. This is the tour I would recommend rather than the large tours that begin at Tower Hill. Thank you so much Richard
Joyce –
I’m really glad I booked the smaller Jack the Ripper tour. Richard was definitely knowledgeable and his background information of the time period was really interesting. His slides were great quality. I liked that the tour focused a lot on the victims and facts and less on the wild theories out there. There were three of us and it was more like a conversation where we could ask as many questions as we wanted.
Yevgeny –
Richard’s knowledge of the subject as well as his amazing ability to present history and tie it to real locations make this walk a very unique experience.
The iPad with the historic photographs and drawings of the people involved add something that’s often missing.
I’ve done other Jack the Ripper walks, this one is definitely the best.
Rolland Basant –
I honestly can’t rave about this tour enough. Richard offers so much new information that I’ve never heard, and does so with a great level of enthusiasm. This was exactly what I was hoping for with this tour. The smaller sized group is well worth the extra money. We saw some other groups on our walk and there were easily 40 people or so in those groups. It was certainly a highlight of my trip to the UK. You will not be disappointed!
Jeffrey Hardin –
Knowledge, passion and gentility; Richard has it all! This is the best of the Ripper walking tours. What a treat!
Patricia McConville –
The tour was fantastic Richard is a great guide. Very informative, interesting and engaging not to mention funny. He brought to life. The sad and poor lives of the people of that time.The great knowledge of their background.
Nigel Gibson –
Knowledgeable, friendly and entertaining. Thoroughly recommended.
Samantha Laing –
A truly fascinating tour. Richard was certainly knowledgeable and he gave us food for thought! Would certainly recommend his small group tour… might be a bit more expensive than the other tours but with no more than 12 this was just the perfect size for this type of walk.
Lou and Herta Yonke –
Richard’s knowledge of the facts was incredible and that, together with his passion, made it an excellent experience. Felt like we were there in 1880.
John Zittel –
We did a tour with Richard on the evening of October 28. It was very interesting and Richard did an excellent job of telling the story of Jack The Ripper. We highly recommend this tour!
John
Michigan, U.S.
Rotem Yanai –
Richard is a great story-teller. The amount of research and information he had to share with us was brilliant! We live in the neighbourhood so it was lovely to learn some of the history of the area
Søren B. Andersen –
Highly recommended. Richard’s Jack the Ripper tour has an original take on the story, also for those who already know a lot about Jack Ripper, is most informative putting the whole legend into a historical perspective.
and well planned. Join it if you are visiting London.
Emily Kraus –
This was a fantastic and easily accessible tour. Richard is very knowledgeable and transported us back with his narrative to a very different whitechapel of the 1880s. He was informative but yet low key and had a wealth of intelligence about both the Jack the Ripper murders as well as the history of the area. I would really recommend this tour for anyone with a spare few hours in an evening in London – you will learn a lot. As a logistics point, I very much appreciated that the tour started and ended at tube stops which made for easy integration with the rest of my evening.
G Patton –
Richard does a fantastic job, he adds a little humor, a great deal of passion, and an intimate knowledge
of the subject to his sympathetic, victim based narrative that is nothing short of compelling.
Jo Follows –
Take this tour – you will NOT be disappointed.
We attended Richard’s tour in Oct ’22. His insightful knowledge, storytelling abilities, facts, and pictures build a compelling tour that transports you back to Victorian London.
You don’t just learn about the Ripper, but the lives of his victims and the era itself, all whilst delving down the dimly-lit alleys that can tell a story or two. He presents it all in the streets where the murders took place but also shows you places where the East Enders lived, and describes their daily lives in detail.
Richard’s manner, enthusiasm and humour make this tour one of the best tours we’ve ever been on. We prefer small group numbers so you can hear what is being said. It also means that you can ask questions and debate. So spend that extra couple of quid – it is very much an investment in your experience.
We went in October so it was dark, adding to the enchanting atmosphere of days gone by.
Richard weaves a fantastic story. His unparalleled knowledge means that he will take all you think that you know about the Ripper and present a clear argument for several more suspects that will keep you thinking for days afterwards.
Tips: Take a coat/hat/wrap up warm. Get your listening ears on, throw out all ideas/prejudices you might have around whodunnit – and get ready to return to Victorian London.
Gilad Yarnitzky –
Our tour was wonderful. We highly recommend this tour over the large group tour. The personal touch adds a lot and the ability to talk with the guide makes the tour a lot more enjoyable. Richard was very knowledgable and the emphasize was not just about Jack the Ripper but also the victims and the era that led to this event.
Ann Meyer –
I’m a closet Ripperologist, and think I can judge Richard as a superior tour guide on the subject. He knows all the facts, the numbers and the biographies. He seemed to have read every book on the subject, starting with publication in the 1890s, and knows which ones to recommend. His voice is understandable without the use of a loudspeaker. Richard brings along a tablet with relevant, useful photos.
Our group lucked out in a way because the evening was dark, cold and very rainy for our tour. It really added to the 1888 atmosphere as we walked between the dark Victorian streetscape.
I recommend paying a little more for the small group. That guarantees that the attendees are interested enough to pay a bit more to get a more personal experience with a guide who will have time to answer questions and interact with the group.
Sarah –
Thoroughly enjoyable tour – even with the cold London wind blowing through our coats! I am sure that many of these tours can be salacious, but Richard avoids dwelling on the gruesome details more than is necessary, and instead paints a thorough picture of life in this area in the late 1800s, and how the conditions contributed to the deaths of these women. It was a grim place to be for many, and hard to reconcile with the trendy eateries that now line the streets, but Richard’s deep knowledge makes the Whitechapel of old seem not so far away.
He also took us on a fascinating tour of Ripperology itself – a very contentious landscape – and gives some insight into how the “legend” of the Ripper grew from the tragedies that unfolded in Whitechapel over that Autumn in 1888.
PS the small group is worth the extra five pounds!
Thanks Richard!
Elliott Crosland –
The tour was just great! Richard is an exceptional tour guide who has the courage to bring a very unique focus to this Ripper story. Instead of going into all the theories about who this Jack might have been, Richard gave us a sensitive picture of the lives of London’s poorest residents in the 19th century, especially women. He challenged many narratives about the Ripper’s victims by recounting their biographies in detail. Overall it was a great experience and highly recommended!
Margo –
“5⭐️+++ – Excellent Guide – Interesting, Knowledgeable, and Thought-Provoking Tour – Highly Recommended!”
Richard is an excellent guide. His tour of the streets of Whitechapel follows the path of Jack the Ripper’s crimes, recreating each scene drawing on eye-witness accounts, police reports, historical research, sensationalist headlines of the times, and photos on his laptop, which he shares with the group.
He paints a picture of the terrible conditions in Whitechapel at the time – the abject poverty in which so many lived, and the impact that had on women, especially. Richard brings each of the women murdered into focus, restoring their identity, and telling their story. He shares many theories of how they met their fate, and shares lists of titles for those who would like to pursue the story further.
Richard is charming, knows his subject inside and out, and skilfully weaves a story that keeps one riveted to his tale for hours.
I learned a lot, had a thought-provoking and thoroughly interesting walk through the streets of Whitechapel, and enjoyed Richard’s tour immensely.
I would highly recommend Richard and his Jack the Ripper small group tour!
Ash & Josh –
We just did a tour tonight with Richard!!! It was so well done. We were engaged and he left us on the “edge of our seats” with anticipation of what was next! His story telling was amazing and very animated. He should do his own podcast for sure! Highly recommend!! We also appreciated the book recommendations he gave us!
John –
This was an excellent walk. Richard was very engaging and brought out aspects of these tragic cases of which I was previously unaware.
Natalya –
Fascinating story, facts and places! Richard is very passionate and knowledgeable about the subject! His stories are sucking you in to the past and your brain starts working out your own version and investigation of the crime without you noticing that.
Robert –
Richard has a great command of all facets of Jack the Ripper. His excellent tour contextualised the world of late 19th century London. Highly recommended.
Sandra Hüwels –
The tour was just great! Richard is an exceptional tour guide who has the courage to bring a very unique focus to this Ripper story. Instead of going into all the theories about who this Jack might have been, Richard gave us a sensitive picture of the lives of London’s poorest residents in the 19th century, especially women. He challenged many narratives about the Ripper’s victims by recounting their biographies in detail. Overall it was a great experience and highly recommended!
Anne Heath –
I was very pleased to find an afternoon Jack the Ripper tour as the evening tours are rather inconvenient when only in London for a few hours. I really enjoyed Richard’s walking tour. He set the scene by talking about the history of Whitechapel giving an insight into the conditions people were living in at the time of the murders. We also learnt about the backgrounds of the victims which is often glossed over. All in all, an excellent tour which included some recommended book titles for further reading. Thoroughly recommended.