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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 April 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | |
| 25 May 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 29 June 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 13 July 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 31 August 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 28 September 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 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 |
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.
James –
Dan is a terrific guide. As he presents, his deep expertise and enthusiasm for the material is on full display. His Spy Masters tour will leave you wanting more!
Madison Littlepage –
Fantastic storyteller! Enjoyed how he weaves the very real stories of the spies operating in/around London with the stories they inspired. You can tell he is very passionate about his research and this subject.
Sarah V –
Outstanding tour by Dan!! He is incredibly experienced, knowledgeable and a wonderful story teller -our family loved every minute of the tour along with all of the tips at end. My husband and son didn’t want it to end. Thank you for a terrific afternoon.
Martin Durkan –
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon thanks to Dan’s entertaining and informative storytelling. He successfully managed to evoke the intrigue and atmosphere of the world of spying centred in London during the war, post-war and 1960s Cold War periods. As a Londoner, I was also surprised to discover delightful parts of the area around St James’s that I had never been to before. An added bonus for anyone like me with impaired hearing was Dan’s beautifully clear and robust voice that sounded as though it belonged to an experienced stage actor!
Julie C –
A very interesting walk on spies, not a subject I knew a lot about. Dan is a great guide, clearly very knowledgeable and able to engage the audience with very interesting stories. It was good to discover areas around St. James’s Park that I had not explored. There were a lot of people on the walk but Dan patiently waited for everyone to get to the next stop and gather round. Heard a lot about the Cambridge spies, and also Ian Fleming’s contribution to the war. Thoroughly enjoyed it and I will definitely look out for other walks that Dan does.
Leigh –
A ‘must do’ walk that revolves around the secret world of Spies. Dan has a fantastic knowledge of his subject. An entertaining afternoon.
Julie Gray –
Thanks Dan Parry for a wonderful insight into the spy world in and around WWII and beyond. You really feel like you are drawn into the lives of these men and women. Loved it! I didn’t know much about this topic prior to booking but am now looking at a documentary on British spys! I’ve lived in London for many years and love its history – this is a great walking tour!
Steve –
Dan Parry made my day with his encyclopedic knowledge of cloak and dagger intricacies of the spy world of London and of the world during the 20-th century. A lot of information and sightseeing spots revolved around the Cambridge 5 group. And Kim Philby in particular. Many previously unknown details cerfaced during Dan’s narration. I was so intrigued that upon returning home I started watching the show “Spy Among Friends” that covered Philby’s betrayal and defection to the USSR.
I highly recommend Dan’s Spymasters walk for anyone interested in modern history of spy game.
Jenny Backus –
I’ve been doing London Waks for decades and Dan Parry is one of the best guides I have ever had. Deeply knowledge, well-researched and a great storyteller, Dan took us to parts of London I had never seen before and had a wealth of wonderful stories. I especially liked how he wove together his narrative across multiple stops on the tour. Can’t wait to try out his new walk the best time I am here.
Rob –
Dan knows his topic well, and manages to pull together multiple espionage threads into an exciting tapestry neatly linked to many of the key buildings and locations involved. It’s remarkable how much history is densely packed into a small section of the City, and Dan knows — sometimes literally — where all the bodies are buried. A great London Walk and highly recommended for history buffs, thriller and mystery readers, or anyone interested in the secret goings-on right under your nose (many of which still continue today in various guises). Bravo.