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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 June 2026 | Special | 11 am | 1 pm | Summer | |
| 18 July 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | |
| 29 August 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 12 September 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 24 October 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 21 November 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 12 December 2026 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | 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) – opposite The Old Star pub (…down the road 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.
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
Robin –
This is an excellent walk for anyone interested in the murky world of espionage, whether you know loads or just have a passing interest. Dan brings history to life by showing us where WW2 or Cold War spy plans were hatched and even uncovered. Two hours really well spent with a very well informed guide.
Monica –
Dan’s knowledge is amazing and he is an awesome storyteller. Though I worked in the area that was covered in the walk, I learnt so much new stuff about the places I walked past daily. Dan is passionate about the subject matter, researches thoroughly and makes the walk so interesting that it leaves you wanting more. Very enjoyable indeed. Thank you, Dan.
I highly recommend this walk.
Chris –
Two hours breezed by in a minute. A great walk full of fascinating historical detail and profiles of the personalities involved. As a writer and film maker on the topic, Dan was exceptionally knowledgeable. He was also welcoming, likeable, considerate of his tour group and of others. Someone he also managed to have great weather. Highly recommended.
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!