Spies & Special Forces
Knightsbridge Underground Station – exit 2 (by Harvey Nichols department store)
Guided by Dan Parry
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 May 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 7 June 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 12 July 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 2 August 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 13 September 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | 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.
Richard O. –
Great tour… I enjoyed every minute!
Jo Topfer –
Lovely sunny afternoon following a fascinating and highly professional story teller around the lanes and back streets of Knightsbridge listening to a wide variety of tales about a different and shadowy world. I’m a fan of the “hidden world” and had not heard any of the stories before. I’ll definitely sign up for his other talks next time I’m in London. Lovely way to get to know London better!!!
Toni Smith –
On a beautiful early autumn afternoon, we had a wonderful tour with Dan today! I’ve lived in London all my life, but had no idea about many of the insights that were revealed today. Walking around one of the most exclusive postcodes in London, an area I knew very little about, who would have thought that behind those closed doors was a world of intrigue and espionage! Dan was very welcoming and engaging, and knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his subject. It’s clearly something close to his heart and that comes across. A most enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours and come away with a more enlightened mind! Already thinking of signing up for his Pirates tour 🏴☠️
Chantal Taylor –
This guided tour really stirs the imagination and brings to life the world of spies in London. Dan has a great wealth of knowledge and the tour was fascinating. Really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.
Barry Emms –
I arranged for 4 of us seasoned ‘walking tourers’ to join Dan on his Spies & Special Forces walk in Knightsbridge today (10/8/24). Dan is an excellent guide and painted pictures and stirred the imagination with his words. He’s a great speaker and conducted the walk at a lovely pace. Highly recommended. We will be back for more!
Kevin –
An excellent walk. Dan is extremely knowledgeable and provides great insight into this secret world.
David Coppin –
Unquestionably very good stuff. And the basics were all there. I’m a little bit deaf but I could still hear virtually every word thanks to Dan speaking in a clear concise fashion. Nice to be reminded of incidents I’d long forgotten about or knew little or nothing about, and was especially pleased that Dan squeezed in a bit of wartime nuclear espionage with Klaus Fuchs misdeeds spilling the secrets of the British Tube Alloys Project. Poignant stuff at Harrods. I didnt say to Dan but I had a sort of girlfriend at the time who was working there as a 16 year old Saturday girl and the bomb going off was needless to say the worst day of her life with someone she knew having his leg blown off……one wonders what happened to people after being victims of the Provisional IRA.
Helen Weiss –
I really enjoyed this walk with Dan – an excellent guide full of interesting stories and a passion for the subject. Highly recommended
Mark Silinsky –
Absolutely loved the trip. You can’t go wrong with Dan.
Tom Cassidy –
Dan led an exciting and well-informed walk through a part of London that many people know on the surface, but don’t realise the fascinating history lurking behind the building facades. Dan really brought it alive for us and it was well-paced and extremely enjoyable.