London’s Spymasters
St James's Park Underground Station (Broadway/Petty France exit)
Guided by Dan Parry
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 October 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 30 November 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 18 January 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 15 February 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 15 March 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 26 April 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
Step into the shadows of Westminster and discover covert locations where spies, assassins and duplicitous double agents plied their trade. Visiting the smartest corners of London, we peer into a murky world marked by treason and treachery, betrayal and murder.
From the wartime HQ of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) to the exceptionally discreet apartment of C, (‘M ‘in the Bond films), we walk in the footsteps of officers and agents who shaped history. Some of them managed Enigma – WWII’s greatest secret; others deviously created the biggest deception operation of the war.
AND WHILE WE’RE AT IT, MEET YOUR GUIDE
MORE ON THE WALK…
Some planned covert Cold War actions, a few gave away information on all of the above and one or two recently revealed GCHQ’s modern-day London secrets.
Visiting shadowy locations that are rarely seen, we pass Ian Fleming’s wartime office, the glamorous house once used by SIS as a recruitment centre and the beautiful garden that witnessed an ugly assassination. Guided by Dan Parry
“For decades to come the spy world will continue to be the collective couch where the subconscious of each nation is confessed.” – John le Carre
Want to find out more about wonderful Westminster? Check out our other Westminster tours.
Tony –
Great guided walk. Dan was audible and well informed, with plenty of interesting stories about the mostly anonymous buildings which you wouldn’t look twice at, normally, but which featured in important world events.
Yvonne Mckenzie –
Interesting tour, Dan is an excellent guide.We found the tour to be knowledgeable and engaging start to finish.Dan was Passionate, enjoyable and informative.
Diane –
Interesting tour with lots of unknown to me information about the spy world! Dan has a wealth of knowledge & is eager to share it. As a bonus, the tour goes through some beautiful areas of London. Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy a few hours of fascinating history.
Andrew Oliver –
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Dan is a tremendous guide who through his stories and genuine interest and knowledge on the subject brings it all to life for you. Excellent !
Hans Obma –
Hands down, this is the best tour I have ever been on. Dan Perry–a respected BBC journalist and author–guides this tour. His insight meant the thread of the tour never broke–intrigue persisted and surprise abounded. He depicted the spies to us, and we walked the literal steps they walked. If MI6, the Cambridge 5, or John Le Carre are of interest to you, then mark your calendar for this once-a-month walk. If you need to take the day of work, do so. This is what I wanted to know about the history of spies.
Jane S –
Loved this tour! Dan has the journalist’s instinct for a good story, and he tells these fascinating tales very well indeed. We get the scoop on colourful characters from the Cambridge Five to the White Mouse (yes!), with plenty of stops around St James’s at the very places where so much was hidden in plain sight not very long ago (and perhaps still is). Packed with interesting details, and highly recommended.
Jeannie Gordon –
Very informative spymasters talk and walk on 31/8. Unfortunately too many people in the group to make the tour excellent.
Michele D. –
Dan was an excellent guide on this tour. He is a wonderful storyteller and he highlighted places that the casual person would just pass by without knowing the history. I really enjoyed the tour.
Miriam –
Really enjoyed Dan’s ‘spymasters’ tour around St James. Dan is incredibly knowledgeable and makes the tour great fun too. Highly recommend.
Brendan Quinn –
Love listening to Dan, a real expert in military history to the present date, I just wish he had more walks to go on, I’ve done two walks with Dan, I will soon have to become a pirate, the only walk I haven’t done yet with Dan. Now reading Dan’s book. Two and a half hours breezed past, his walk from St.James Park Station is amazing, so much I learnt.