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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 January 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 8 February 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 8 March 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
| 19 April 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | 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…!
Judith P –
This is about the fifth walk that I have taken with Dan [sometimes taking a walk again as it was so enjoyable the first time.] Dan is an excellent and extremely engaging presenter; for this walk he knows just about everything there is to know about the adventures of these buccaneers/pirates including Blackbeard, how they met their end, and the treasures they made off with. He is also knowledgeable of Spanish Galleons as we happened across one on the walk. This walk also goes through a part of London I had not been to before and Dan described its history and fun facts. I highly recommend Dan’s pirate walking tour!
Goretti Considine –
It is very hard to fault Dan’s knowledge, friendliness and enthusiasm during this walk. It covered an area of London I had never visited before. It was very interesting and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Jenny Etheredge –
Absolutely brilliant tour with Dan. A great way to see and learn about the history and stories of London and visit areas off the beaten track. Dan is hugely knowledgeable and an entertaining storyteller and this walk is jam packed with interesting information. An added treat to see the Spanish Galleon on this particular visit. A fun way to spend an afternoon. Highly recommended.
Barry Emms –
This was our second walk with Dan and won’t be our last! Once again an interesting facts packed afternoon discovering the history behind parts of London that wouldn’t normally be visited. Highly recommended.
Warren Russell –
First rate tour led by a very, very knowledgeable bloke who brings history to life in a way that captures your attention and leaves you wanting for more. He shows how the events, language and personalities of the past are deeply entwined with who we are as an island nation in the 21st century. He makes sure everyone is able to hear him, loves taking questions and is great with kids, trying to capture their imagination too by involving them as much as possible. A brilliant afternoon….educational, fun and deeply informative, Dan’s walks are a MUST! I can’t recommend him enough!
Katie –
Dan was extremely knowledgeable and passionate. It was a fun and enjoyable afternoon with a great guide!
Julie Grant –
As other reviewers have applauded, Dan is a great storyteller with a niche knowledge – a great addition to the excellent London Walks repertoire.
Barbara Ivanko –
We had only one day in London, and chose to spend it with Dan on the Pirate’s walk. He is a cheerful, entertaining expert, with great enthusiasm for his subject matter. Dan welcomed questions and had a great sense of humor. What a great day in one of the most scenic parts of London!
Ana Maria –
Excellent storytelling of pitates time in the past denturies. Dan made it very entertaining and looking forward to hear more stories from jim
Margaret Storr/Higginson –
I found the press gang/execution dock walk by Dan Perry very interesting since I live in the area.
Dan brought to life the mood of the day, he was very entheusiastic and informative.
I look forward to doing another walk with Dan