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 |
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.
David Gollancz –
A fascinating and revealing insight into the secret world, leavened with Dan Parry’s humour and charm.
Chris Riley –
What a spellbinding tour of Britain’s clandestine world of espionage, from a guide who has lived and breathed these stories. Dan’s first-hand accounts of his own brushes with some of the spies, whose footsteps we were walking in, adds an extra frisson to this thrilling walk. It felt at times like we were all part of these spy plots too.
Jessica Sallabank –
Great walk jammed full of historical facts, colourful stories and evocative locations. Even as a Londoner this walk introduced me to places I had never seen or noticed before and is brilliantly brings London’s spy history to life. Dan is clearly passionate about his subject and has cleverly put together a tour that transports you back in time to the height of the Cold War and other key periods in British history. Walking through St James’s park will never be the same again! Recommended!
Jackie –
Fascinating walk. Highly recommended for anyone. The guide Dan is so interesting and knowledgeable. It was a shame when the tour ended as l could have listened for 2 more hours.
Simon Bishop –
Really interesting walk, full of facts. Dan(the guide) really knew his stuff! Will definitely be recommending.
Jacq –
We booked this last minute and were so pleased we had. Having been on many London walks Dan’s was certainly up there with the best. His depth of knowledge was excellent and his delivery was great. Lots of information but not over dramatic. Despite this being one of the first he’s done we couldn’t fault him. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in espionage.
Sean M –
Fascinating stories of London’s active spy community and how they have emerged in popular culture. Dan is enormously well informed and highly entertaining. Put this walk at the top of your list.
Tom –
Dan was excellent. Really knowledgable on the subject and took us to some places that I have never seen. Being walked through an area of London I thought I was familiar with was absolutely brilliant, to look at details and know the history and epic events that took place behind these grand and beautiful buildings was really eye-opening. Spanned across time and Dan really brought it to life. Excellent tour and would highly recommend it to anyone.
John A –
My son and I went on the 29th Spy Walk with Dan and had an excellent time. The two hours sped by and Dan led the group superbly with his real life experience as well as his storytelling skills. All the content was fascinating and showed us a different world that we would never have realised was going on around us. Really recommended and suitable for my 15 year old. I’m definitely following up with a visit to sample a proper James Bond martini in one of the hotels that Dan showed us.
Julie England –
Some people just have a knack to tell a story, when that person is so knowledgeable and passionate about his subject it makes for a very interesting walk. Great route around St. James’s in Westminster, you see all the sights, but hear about buildings you would have just walked right past, you never know what goes on behind the scenes, Dan reveals some hidden secrets of the past few decades, shocking, funny and fascinating, suits all ages, 2 hours very well spent, thanks Dan