Pirates, Press-Gangs and Execution Dock
Tower Hill underground station, London (meet by the Tower Hill Tram coffee stand)
Guided by Dan Parry
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 June 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | |
| 19 July 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 16 August 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 20 September 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
Here’s ace guide Dan Parry – he of Spies’ Walks fame – talking about this walk.
Discover the dark side of the empire
Better still, discover it with a world-class guide…
This walk has stairs and cobbles.
Find your sea-legs and sail into the past! Beneath the eerie cry of the gulls, we walk along the river from Dead Man’s Hole to Execution Dock, via ancient smugglers’ taverns where press-gangs dragged men off to sea.
Exploring a salt-encrusted, maritime world that was the making of Britain’s empire, we step off the beaten track to discover a long-forgotten way of life – a time when rum-soaked buccaneers chased Spanish treasure ships, and Royal Navy crews fought criminal captains in the Golden Age of Piracy.
Venturing through streets they knew and perhaps glimpsing the ghosts that still linger to this day, we walk from Tower Hill to St Katherine’s Dock. Then following the Thames, we eventually finish at London’s oldest riverside pub, where you’ll be able to enjoy a drink in wonderfully atmospheric surroundings.
A family-friendly stroll – guided by Dan Parry, former BBC documentaries producer and author of the National Maritime Museum’s biography of Blackbeard – this is the most authentic pirates walk in London!
In the beginning, there were stories of gold. Daring men, who lived, drank and fought beside London’s crowded wharves, sailed to the Caribbean in search of treasure. For some of them, we know their names, where they lived and what they seized along the way.
Sailing as buccaneers, they had royal approval for their attacks on ships and towns. They included men like John Limbrey, who inspired the likes of Captain Morgan and later Blackbeard, and who commanded the Merchant Royal, laden with gold and silver that today would be worth $1.5 billion…if it were ever rediscovered.
Later, such men were outlawed by the state and regarded as pirates. Captain Kidd, seized in Boston, was dragged back to London to be hanged at low tide on the banks of the river. We’ll take a look at Execution Dock, where Kidd met his end, as did many others, and where his body was swamped by three high tides before it was cut down.
Other thieves stole riches closer to home. Before secure docks were built, ships lined up on the Thames waiting to unload. By 1800, thousands of river pirates, night plunderers, light horsemen, scuffle-hunters and mud larks were routinely raiding whatever they could find.
We’ll take a spy-glass glance at all these renegades. We’ll discover how they became pirates, we’ll look at the risks they took, and encounter the people who pursued them. Along the way, we’ll meet the only man who stole the crown jewels, and maybe witness the ghost of the sinister Hanging Judge Jeffreys. Join us, and discover the dark side of the empire…!
This walk will be taken by Ffion on 19th July
Ileana Faedi –
On a lightning trip to London, I chose Dan’s walk from the many available that day, going down memory lane as I used to frequent the London Walks tours a fair bit when I worked and lived in the capital city. As usual, it did not disappoint! Dan is theatrically fascinating at describing scenes from times bygone in such clarity that you can actually picture them and shiver with fear as ghosts of famous renegades are brought back to life. The tour brims with historical facts that Dan conveys to his audience with passion and commitment. You can only be enraptured by the wealth of stories kept hidden away and unveiled at every street corner by Dan. I truly enjoyed that capsule of time with my fellow walkers, as well as the drinks afterwards at the Prospect of Whitby. To top it all, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for everything!
ALAN HEBENTON –
Another Great Walk from Dan, I can’t wait for the next one!
Alexander Ellis –
Fantastic walk with Dan whose knowledge of the subject and his superb ability to tell the stories with authority and great humour made it an unforgettable experience. Thanks Dan and will look to walk with you again. Alex
Bea –
Dan is a fantastic guide. He is knowledgeable, approachable and great at storytelling. This walk is my absolute favour, it takes you for a stroll along the river to little-known but incredible interesting areas of the city. Dan explained everything clearly and passionately, and even replied to a question I had the day after! I highly recommend it!
Vibeke Arentz –
A beautiful walk along the Thames and Dan brought it to life with centuries of history of sublime and sordid past. As a reporter, historian, writer, he knows this history impeccably well and tells her stories superbly. You’ll see places in London that you won’t see otherwise. Dan will captivate you with his stories and his personality – an excellent walk!
Scott –
Fantastic, entertaining an informative walk. We have done most of them and this is definitely one of the best! Thank you Dan
Dave –
This was a great walk. Dan was a wealth of knowledge, great stories, and very entertaining. Walk pace was perfect. Got to see and hear about parts of London we had never been to. Would highly recommend this walk, and any walk that Dan does. Thanks for an enjoyable and informative afternoon Dan.
Brian A. –
Highly recommended. Dan is a well organised guide. He is welcoming. He has a clear voice. He has clearly thought out the walk and he shares bits of his story at each stop in a logical progression. His stories of pirates and those associated with them are very interesting. He points out places of interest along the way. He also brings light hearted moments to the tour, which helps to keep everyone engaged. He invites questions and has time to answer them. Whilst I am not especially keen on his other walks, I am sure that he would make them interesting.
Shelley Lane –
Ahoy, matey! Be prepared to “sail” into a part of London that isn’t well-known. Dan Parry’s Pirates, Press-Gangs and Execution Dock tour includes the interesting history of pirates, colorful stories about pirating, and pubs where pirates drank and men were pressed into service whether they liked it or not. Dan’s incredible knowledge of pirates and his enthusiastic presentation made a two-hour walking tour end too quickly. So grab your eye-patch and parrot and “sail” along on this wonderful tour!
Ruth Wilkinson –
Thoroughly recommend this tour. Dan is so knowledgeable and engaging, and gives colour and humour as well as a wealth of historical facts. The tour takes in parts of London that have huge historical significance, but without Dan you would just walk on by – missing out on so much. We loved it all .. helped by stunning spring weather.