Spies & Special Forces
Knightsbridge Underground Station – exit 2 (by Harvey Nichols department store)
Guided by Dan Parry
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 April 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | |
| 11 May 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | |
| 15 June 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 10 August 2024 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 14 September 2024 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 19 October 2024 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 9 November 2024 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | Reserve Online |
Discover real-life James Bonds, with Dan Parry – “a world-class guide”
The glittering whirl of Knightsbridge conceals a shadowy world of modern-day assassins, spies, and special forces. From dead drops used by the KGB to the deadly SAS assault on the Iranian Embassy – via MI5 actions against the IRA and a daring rescue by MI6 – this unique walk is a spies tour with a twist.
Focusing on the sharp end of intelligence operations, we discover real-life James Bonds acting on guts, daring, and a wild stab in the dark.
Knightsbridge has long hosted the British intelligence community and their friends in special forces. Just a gunshot away from the nearby Russian embassy, this part of London is smart, fast, and conveniently crowded. But out of sight in its quiet back-streets are dead drops known to have been used by the KGB, the discreet apartments used by MI6 as a training school, and the home of diver Buster Crabb who vanished on a secret mission to investigate a Russian cruiser.
We encounter the hotel where MI6 met KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky – who they later rescued from Russia. Next door were the offices of the private military company run by the founder of the SAS.
We discover atom bomb spy Klaus Fuchs as he was being shadowed by MI5 watchers. We step into the world of secret agent Anna Wolkoff, we hear of the heroism of SOE’s Christine Granville – murdered in the area – and we meet Belgium’s Gabrielle Petit, who was shot at dawn in 1916 after spying for Britain.
A family-friendly stroll – guided by Dan Parry. A former BBC documentaries producer and author of D-Day (published by BBC Books), Dan also leads our ever popular London’s Spymasters tour.
David here, chiming in. Dan Parry comes trailing clouds of glory. He and his walks get rave reviews like sparks coming off a grindstone. No other ‘body of work’ attracts them the way Dan’s walks do.
Judith Phillips –
This is a most interesting walk with Dan’s superb storytelling style keeping us entertained the entire walk. I learned so much about past ‘spy and special forces’ events in this area. I highly recommend this tour!
Simon & Alexandra –
Hugely entertaining tales of clandestine and top-secret goings-on in one of London’s most up-market neighbourhoods. Dan really knows his stuff and is a witty and amusing storyteller. Highly recommended!
Richard –
Superb: Dan is witty, lucid, and full of gossipy asides. What are you waiting for?
Mihaly –
Very informative and fun tour, Dan is excellent. We had a great time!