London’s Spymasters
St James's Park Underground Station (Broadway/Petty France exit)
Guided by Dan Parry
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 May 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | |
| 21 June 2026 | Special | 11 am | 1 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 18 July 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
N.B. Location, location, location. The meeting point for London’s Spymasters is St. James’s Park Underground Station, (Broadway/Petty France exit) – just along from that mother lode of history, the five-star Conrad Hotel (here’s Conrad Confidential, a tasty podcast about the Conrad – yet another reason for going on this walk).
There was a guy with a gun – aka get to know your guide
And this podcast makes three. It’s a sneak preview of this Walk. Picture Dan in Horse Guards Parade, spinning the yarn of Operation Mincemeat, weaving in the James Bond connection, and – for good measure – getting tantalisingly close to unmasking the real 007.
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.
A murky world of treason, treachery, betrayal and murder. London’s hidden espionage landscape reimagined as a bold, deliberately stylised spy-thriller illustration.
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
Classified Security File, Secret Intelligence Service. Artificially-created spy-thriller illustration evoking the covert world of London’s intelligence services.
Phil –
I’ve done quite a few London Walks now and this is one of the best. Really interesting delve into London’s spy past. Highly recommended.
Phillip –
There are walks and there are walks, today’s London Spymasters with Dan Parry is right up there with the nest. Knowledgable, entertaining and the information added at a pace for most to understand. London Walks have several spy walks and this was excellent. More pieces of information all fitting that puzzle of the secret services and the spies themselves. What happened to them and how the ‘old boy’s’ network played such a part in recruitment and ultimate betrayals. If you want to know more go and walk. I am following up with a Vesper Martini and Little White Mouse – if you do the walk you will find out more.
Robert Livingstone-Ward –
So I knew a little about spies – fact and fiction – but what I really wanted when I came to London from Brisbane as an Aussie tourist was to hear from someone who really knew about the spyworld. Someone with credentials. You know – like an author, doco-maker and BBC jounro. I could have walked past numerous non-descript buildings, but Dan stopped at same and explained that, behind the facade, was some deep dark secret. It was grea. For an ameteur like me, Dan mentioned varoius touchstones, but then embellished them with real characters. Fascinating. That aside – professionally run. Email communication. Contactless/card payment. Easy to locate ( for an incompetent sleuth like me). Loved it – thanks Dan!
Chris B –
Great walk! Dan’s energy, subject knowledge and first hand accounts of meeting some of the characters involved in these escapades really brought the walk to life. You can feel the history! Lovely part of London to explore as well.
Iris –
An amazing tour through the London neighbourhoods which are filled with WWII and Cold War spy stories. Mr Parry is a very pleasant guide with lots of detailed information on the stories we all want to learn about!
Catherine N. –
Would very much recommend this tour. Dan is an excellent storyteller and knows his stuff. He weaves through the decades and includes some lesser known facts. Two hours very well spent with a very engaging guide, with some jokes and witty asides.
Mick Oldham –
So much information from start to finish, and Dan delivers with a wonderfully dry wit!
Covers all the famous names from the Cold War, as well as many more that I wasn’t even vaguely aware of.
Lots of buildings whose usage you would never guess.
Highly recommended
Deborah Hillman –
Really recommend this – such an interesting walk; Dan has an incredible depth of knowledge and passion for his subject! Fantastic day out.
Julie Maybrick –
Great tour – Dan was very knowledgeable and interesting. We had a big group but Dan could be heard and ensured none of the group missed anything. Fascinating subject and made us think about historic and current day espionage. Highly recommended.
GP –
A fascinating walk full of well-researched insights about London’s role in history of espionage told by a very knowledgeable guide that provides a new perspective on Westminster’s key places