
Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
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Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 284 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past worth booking?
Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past is a 2-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $20 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 284 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (284)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $20 per person
Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting medieval knights, body snatchers, Charles Dickens, an eighteenth century ghost, and William Wallace - aka Braveheart (and learn how he was in no fit state to shout "Fre
What you get
About this experience
Travel through a thousand years of history, meeting medieval knights, body snatchers, Charles Dickens, an eighteenth century ghost, and William Wallace - aka Braveheart (and learn how he was in no fit state to shout "Freeeedoooommmm!" whilst being executed!) On our walking tour we'll visit the areas around Smithfield, for centuries London's site of both animal and human slaughter. We'll learn about how the city disposed of the tens of thousands of Black Death corpses in the fourteenth century, the execution methods used in the Middle Ages, and how the area became a notorious slum which Dickens used as the setting for Oliver Twist. The walking tour begins outside Barbican Station, ends near to Farringdon Station, and will take around two hours. Total distance is about two miles. Ticket sales will be limited to fifteen attendees, to ensure maximum enjoyment for everybody on the tour.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 284 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
284 verified traveler reviews for Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Such a fun and informative tour
What a wonderful tour. I and my three children wanted to learn about the darker side of London history. We live in London and walk these streets without knowing the rich history behind it and this tour did not disappoint. So informative and captivating. My 26 year old, 14 year old and 10 year old thoroughly loved it, especially the gruesome parts. I highly recommend this to everyone
via Viator
Bloody lovely London
Wonderful guide with a lot of knowledge about London history. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and learned a lot of new things about the Smithfield area of London. Great experience, would definitely recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Historic story telling at its best
A very informative tour with lots of literal quotes and poems read out along the way. Historic story telling at its best. Enjoyed the walk and the beautiful landmarks.
via Tripadvisor
A marvellous way to learn about some of the more sinister and brutal aspects of London's past.
Such an excellent tour, with so many fascinating points of interest in areas of London a little off the traditional tourist path. Our guide Tom was very knowledgeable and at the same time entertaining, and delivered lots of great anecdotes to embellish the tour. The length and pace of the tour was just right. It was very reasonably priced.
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful historical tour. Great tour guide!
We had such a wonderful time today on our tour of Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past. Tom was an exceptional guide who had a good rhythm of walking, not too fast and stopped at great spots to give us some great knowledge. There are some points which I will remember wherever I am. It was a good mixture of funny, history and London current events linked to the past. I would strongly suggest this tour. Great fun!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 99
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past cost?
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Prices start at $20 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 284 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past?
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Around 99 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Burnings, Butchery & Black Death: A Walking Tour of London's Bloody Past start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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