Ultimate Guide to London Dungeon

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Mrs Lovett's pie shop at London Dungeon. Image credit: Merlin.

Prepare to have your nerves well and truly shredded at London Dungeon, where a gruesome cast of characters from London’s dark and deadly past lie in wait for you. Not for the faint of heart, this popular South Bank attraction provides a fun and frightening grown-up alternative to its County Hall co-tenant, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and the nearby London Eye. Join us on a journey into London’s darkest, dankest corners as we explore what to expect, when to visit and where to get tickets in our ultimate London Dungeon guide!

London Dungeon: The Lowdown

Creepy court jester at London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin

Formerly located at London Bridge and relocated to the South Bank in 2013, London Dungeon has been attracting and terrifying punters since way back in 1974, when it opened as a macabre exhibition of wax figures representing some of London’s most notorious former residents. It’s come a long way since then. Today’s London Dungeon is a fully immersive experience, designed to entertain, educate and frankly frighten the pants off anyone who dares to enter.

Inside, 13 interactive shows and a whole host of actors tell tales from 1,000 years of London history, complete with dazzling special effects, blood-curdling screams, plenty of laughs and, yep, the occasional jump scare. In other words, this experience is not for those of a nervous disposition. There’s even a thrill ride, enticingly named Drop Dead. You might want to leave younger kids outside for this bit…

You’ll meet grim characters galore in this dark, disgusting, noisy and noisome dungeon, among them knife-wielding villains like Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper, as well as getting swept up in gunpowder plots, witch trials and plagues. Creepy doesn’t even begin to cover it. Here, then, are the bits not to miss.

London Dungeon Highlights

Curse of the Witch at London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin
  • The Descent. The fun (and fear) begins as soon as you step into the rusting old medieval life that’s about to deliver you (hopefully unscathed) to the Thames docks. Your host? A cheerful court jester with a sideline in horrible history lessons. This impish character will keep you company and regale you with bloodthirsty tales of yore as you descend into the bowels of the building, cogs grinding and chains screaming overhead. It’s quite the intro, but do try to conceal your fear: the last thing you need is for your new ‘friends’ to mark you out as the weak one…
  • Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot. The year is 1605 and you find yourself in filthy rat-infested tunnels beneath the streets of London. What’s that over there then? That’d be a great big pile of explosives and a fuse just waiting to be lit. Discover how the Gunpowder Plot was foiled and what became of poor Guy Fawkes afterwards (spoiler: it ain’t pretty, folks).
  • Curse of the Witch. The 17th Century was brutal. If you weren’t dying from the plague you were probably being accused of witchcraft and hung/burned/drowned for your troubles. Meet Elizabeth Sawyer as she awaits her own cursed fate at the notorious Newgate Prison. But is she really as evil as they all say? You’ll find out soon enough…
Drop Dead: Drop Ride at the London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin
  • Mrs Lovett’s Pie Shop and Sweeney Todd. These two make a lovely couple. Really they do! Though admittedly you might not wish to sample Mrs Lovett’s wares, or indeed sit for a shave in her paramour’s barber shop. You’ll kill yourself laughing at the bawdy jokes, pie-related puns, and cutting quips. But, whatever you do, don’t flirt with Mr Todd, or you might find yourself eating humble pie. Or worse.
  • The Torture Chamber. Are you brave enough to be the torturer’s next ‘volunteer’? No? Well, saddle up, because he’s going to show you how the rack, the pear of anguish, the – um – chappy chopper, and other medieval instruments of torture work whether you like it or not. Try not to gag.
  • Drop Dead: Drop Ride. No ordinary thrill ride (this is the notorious London Dungeon, after all), Drop Dead recreates the sensation of… Newgate Prison’s long drop. That’s right: the gallows. As well as (hopefully) surviving this experience, you’ll discover what happens to the human body during a hanging and find out exactly what a neck sounds like when it cracks. Nice. 

London Dungeon: When to Visit

Plague doctor at London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin

Opening hours vary throughout the year but are generally 11AM–4PM (10AM–5PM on Saturdays). Hours vary during school holidays, on bank holidays and during the peak summer season. Check the official London Dungeon website for opening times on the date you want to visit. In any case you’ll need to pre-book a time slot. Book a slot earlier or later in the day and avoid weekends if you want to avoid the worst of the tourist hordes. After all, it’s already crowded enough down there in those stinking tunnels deep beneath the city streets…

Closest Transport Links to London Dungeon

The London Dungeon is just over the bridge from both Charing Cross and Westminster Underground station, and a short walk from Waterloo station. Disembark and stroll towards the London Eye (the big round wheely thing on the South Bank – you can’t miss it) and you’ll find the London Dungeon right behind, in County Hall.

London Dungeon: Tickets

Jack the Ripper at London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin

You can book direct via the London Dungeon website, where options include anytime entry or a cocktail of your choice in the Tavern to conclude your experience.

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Kensington Palace on a Budget: 10 Free London Gems Nearby

When you picture Kensington Palace, visions of royal gardens and grand halls might fill your mind—but savvy London explorers know there’s a treasure trove of wallet-friendly adventures close by, too. The neighborhoods around Kensington Palace blend regal history, leafy green escapes, and quirky cultural stops that won’t cost you a single pound. Whether you’re a first-timer keen to maximize your London adventure, or a returning fan looking to find the best local haunts, we’ll guide you to ten top free experiences nearby. Expect hidden gardens, galleries, art, museum marvels, and more—each one helping you craft the perfect zero-cost London day.  Our favorite free things to do near Kensington Palace include:  Strolling through Kensington Gardens  Exploring Hyde Park  Visiting the Serpentine Galleries  Admiring historic statues and memorials  Wandering the Diana Memorial Playground  Appreciating street art in Notting Hill  Getting inspired at The Design Museum  Window shopping along Kensington High Street  Exploring Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden  Peeking into St Mary Abbots Church  Strolling through Kensington Gardens   Let’s start with one of London’s true gems—you absolutely can’t miss Kensington Gardens. Sprawling directly from the palace gates, this glorious green space feels simultaneously stately and welcoming, dotted with immaculate lawns, winding paths, ornamental flower beds, and ancient trees. The ambiance here is all about balance: you’ll spot both joggers in trainers and families in their Sunday best. Grab a bench beside the Italian Gardens’ elegant fountains and soak up the tranquil atmosphere, or enjoy people-watching around the Round Pond, where fancy waterfowl take center stage.  Playful squirrels scamper beneath your feet. Intricate statues, tucked-away alcoves, and unexpected art pop up at every turn. Depending on the season, you’ll spot bursts of daffodils, wild roses, or towering golden leaves. You can explore with nothing more than a sense of curiosity—just remember to bring your camera for those dreamy palace-and-pond views.  Visiting the Serpentine Galleries   Arts enthusiasts will want to pop into the Serpentine North and South galleries, stylish contemporary art spaces nestled within lush Hyde Park. Entry to both is completely free, and there’s always something new (and usually a bit thought-provoking) on display, from world-renowned artists to trendsetting young creators.  What makes the Serpentine Galleries extra appealing is the setting—nature, art, and architecture in one. Wander from an exhibition celebrating boundary-pushing British photography to a garden-inspired installation by international visionaries, all before heading into the park for a casual lakeside stroll. Don’t miss the bold annual Serpentine Pavilion each summer, where top architects design a playful new structure beside the main gallery.  Admiring Historic Statues and Memorials   History isn’t locked up inside museums in this part of town. The gardens and parks around Kensington Palace double as an open-air gallery of the capital’s past. Stand before the grand Albert Memorial (it’s got to be one of London’s most eye-catching monuments) or find Queen Victoria’s statue, looking over her birthplace. Spot the whimsical statue of Peter Pan hidden among the trees, which delights kids and grown-ups alike with its playful detail.  Every statue reveals a snippet of London’s story. Find a free moment to wander and soak in both the artistry and the history behind each piece—you may leave with a whole new appreciation for royal tales, Victorian drama, and literary legends.  Wandering the Diana Memorial Playground   If you’re traveling with kids (or just have a spark of youthful curiosity), don’t skip the Diana Memorial Playground. This play wonderland was built as a tribute to Princess Diana’s love of childhood joy. The highlight: a life-sized wooden pirate ship surrounded by sand you can dig your toes into. Plenty of secret hideaways, a sensory trail, and whimsical sculptures encourage creative play at every turn.  The design celebrates wild, imaginative fun—think lush landscaping, teepees, and stepping stones instead of plastic slides. There are benches for grown-ups (with lovely shady views), water features for splashy hands, and heaps of giggling children. Entry is free, but bring your inner kid along to fully appreciate it.  Getting Inspired at The Design Museum   The Design Museum is a Tottenham Court Road must-visit for creative minds. It makes design accessible to everyone, with its impactful, changing exhibitions and a regularly-updated permanent display—Designer Maker User—that’s completely free to enjoy.  You’ll find everything from famous chairs to early iPhones, all woven into a story about how design shapes our lives. The space itself is a beauty, combining sleek modernism and Insta-worthy lines with a friendly, conversational atmosphere. Free walking tours and creative workshops sometimes appear on their calendar—check ahead or pop in on a whim.  Window Shopping along Kensington High Street   Want to sample London style with none of the spending guilt? Kensington High Street lets you live out your shop-in-the-city dreams—no purchase necessary. The area’s mix of glamorous retailers, independent boutiques, and gleaming department stores invites plenty of window shopping, people-watching, and trend-spotting.  Keep your eyes peeled for creatively styled window displays and designer goods galore. Duck into arcades simply to admire the architecture or nab a free sample in the beauty halls. The buzz is palpable; it’s where locals pick up their groceries, students grab coffee, and the odd celebrity browses for vintage denim.  Exploring Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden   Few places in central London feel as serenely magical as Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden. Tucked away in lush Holland Park, this tranquil Japanese-style oasis is free to enter and a must-see if you fancy a change of pace. Wander winding paths past tiered rock waterfalls, winding streams, and colorful koi carp swimming beneath cherry blossoms.  Peacocks strut through the greenery, adding a regal flourish to the peaceful atmosphere. The garden’s carefully landscaped design invites quiet reflection and a deep inhale of calm. It’s the perfect antidote to city rushing, and absolutely worth seeking out for a moment of zen in your London day.  Peeking into St Mary Abbots Church   For a final low-key gem, head to St Mary Abbots Church, just steps from Kensington’s shops. The soaring spire of this Victorian Gothic landmark is a local beacon, but inside hides a world of art, history, and peaceful sanctuary. Entry is always free, and visitors are welcome to admire the richly decorated stained glass, intricate woodwork, and hushed, serene atmosphere.  You might catch the gentle sounds of choir practice drifting through the nave, discover a centuries-old memorial, or see neighbors lighting candles in quiet reflection. Whether you step inside for architecture, music, or a moment of calm, St Mary Abbots feels timeless—a spiritual oasis in the heart of bustling Kensington.    London’s Kensington neighborhood delivers loads of free fun, great for history buffs, families, and casual explorers alike. Lace up your trainers, bring along your curiosity, and discover the royal side of the city—without spending a thing.     Enjoyed this? Check out London’s best walks, and see the quirkier side of the city.   Step up your sightseeing with Go City®   We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.   See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® – just choose a pass to get started! 
St Paul's Cathedral looking resplendent from Fleet Street
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Why you should visit London in July

If there’s a month to see London at its best, it has to be July. This is the month when Londoners let their hair down and bask in mid-summer temperatures that stay pleasantly warm until dusk settles at around 10PM. The promise of great weather sees everyone who’s anyone relax in London’s multitude of outdoor spaces, be that a Royal Park or a rooftop bar for a glass of rosé. There’s also a myriad of festivals throughout London in July, as well as once-a-year opportunities including the summer opening of Buckingham Palace. Discover royal London It’s in July that Buckingham Palace – the monarch’s official London residence – opens its doors to the public. Entering via the building’s ceremonial entrance and grand gilt staircase, visits take in 19 state rooms. Used for official functions, such as investitures and the welcoming of foreign heads of government, they include the Throne Room, White Drawing Room and Ballroom. If that isn’t enough, each year a different exhibition is staged using artefacts from the royal collection – providing further insight into the many roles played by British royals. The objects on display at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival are no less impressive for their shorter lifespans. The largest horticultural event in the capital’s calendar, attractions range from a festival of roses to celebrity workshops, all amid the Tudor palace’s spectacular grounds. Dating back hundreds of years, Swan Upping takes place on the Thames over several days in July. Starting at Eton Bridge beside Windsor Castle, Swan Uppers in traditional Thames skiffs count the year’s cygnets to ensure the river’s swan population remains healthy. Make the most of the long July evenings The royal connections continue at Kensington Palace, which is the location of one of the open-air pop-up giant cinema screens that appear throughout London from July. Other locations include Clapham Common, Somerset House and Trafalgar Square, with screenings varying between Hollywood classics, family favorites and the latest blockbusters. For a very different kind of performance head to the Royal Albert Hall, where eight weeks of classical music concerts, together known as the Proms, kick off in July. A firm fixture since 1895, the series culminates in the Last Night of the Proms – one of the more patriotic nights in London life. Life in all its forms can be enjoyed with adults-only Twilight Tickets to ZSL London Zoo. Besides seeing the zoo’s wild animals at one of the calmer times of day, these special nights also host a chill out zone and street food vans should you get hungry. Go sports mad in London in July The world’s oldest tennis competition, the Wimbledon Championships, take place on the verdant green lawns of southwest London in an annual parade of the very best sporting talent, some two million strawberries and 54,000 tennis balls. Even if you can’t nab a much sought after ticket for the show courts, ground passes are a great way to soak up the atmosphere. And whilst 2012 may be long gone, the spirit of the London Olympics lives on in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Occupying a swath of the capital’s east, free trails connect up some of the park’s most important structures. Tour the London Stadium, grab a selfie with the Olympic rings or get the adrenaline flowing with a ride down the world’s longest slide from the top of the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower. Revel in summer festivals Just one demonstration of London’s diversity is the array of festivals which take place in London in July. Open to LGBT+ allies from all walks of life, Pride is the only event in the year to close Oxford Street to traffic. In place of the black taxis and red double-decker buses, you’ll see eclectic floats making their way to the main stage on Trafalgar Square. Take in the riverside between London Bridge and Tower Bridge and you’re sure to be sucked into the festival-like atmosphere created from outdoor eating and an event’s list covering everything from karaoke to open-air fitness classes. Then there’s the capital’s music festivals. British Summer Time brings some of the world’s biggest stars to Hyde Park, having welcomed Celine Dion, Bruno Mars and Green Day to previous editions. Elsewhere, fans of urban music won’t want to miss Wireless, whose acts have included the home-grown talents of Stormzy among its A-list setlists. Stroll in the city’s parks and gardens A hop, skip and a jump away from where Stormzy grew up in south London is Dulwich Park. Edged by Dulwich Picture Gallery – England’s oldest purpose-built art space – and close to Brockwell Lido, the park has recently been returned to the glory of its late-Victorian heyday. Kensington’s Holland Park spreads out around the remains of the Jacobean era Holland House. Sub-divided into several sections, its northern extent is dominated by woodland, whilst its inner core contains a formal garden and the Kyoto Japanese garden. St Dunstan-in-the-East also makes use of London’s historic architecture, in this case an 11th-Century parish church. Rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, it was unfortunately damaged beyond repair during the Blitz in the Second World War. Today, it forms a hidden oasis among the hustle and bustle of the ancient city. London weather in July Neither too hot nor too cold, London in July has some of the best weather of the year. Daily temperatures hover around 19°C, hardly ever dropping below 14°C or rising above 23°C. Rain is light, and rarely affects anyone’s plans. Sunshine is abundant, and daylight stretches for a staggering 16 hours per day, making T-shirts and vest-tops the best items to pack. It’s unlikely you’ll need anything thicker than a light sweater, although you’ll probably still want an umbrella just in case. Save on July London attraction admission Keen to experience all London has to offer in July? Admission to a whole host of London’s top attractions can be had with Go City, providing flexibility and great savings. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest hints and tips.
Ian Packham
The Houses of Parliament sits beside Westminster Bridge
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Top places to visit in London in April

Although still firmly within the city’s shoulder period, with lower visitor numbers than at other times of year, many don’t realize what an attractive proposition London in April is. Fourteen hours of daylight combine with a busy diary of events to make it one of the most underrated times of year to discover London, regardless of if it’s your first or thirty-first time to the British capital. Enjoy London’s outdoor spaces in a way not possible during the long winter months, whether that’s through joining the St George’s Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, or wondering at the sunsets which dazzle the city at this time of year. April weather in London Temperatures can be sluggish to get going at the start of April, with early mornings particularly bracing. Lows of 6°C aren’t uncommon overnight. However, mid to late afternoons can see temperatures of 13 – 15°C on the sunniest of days thanks to winds normally no stronger than a light breeze. Roughly a third of April enjoys clear blue skies and bright sunshine. This averages out as 8 hours of sun per day, a full three hours more than in March. At the same time, daylight hours now extend from 6AM – 8PM. During the remaining two thirds of the month, visitors should expect a mix of light cloud and short bouts of rain – April showers are very much a London thing. That said, April is officially the driest month of the year, with just 20 – 40 mm of rain recorded. Packing layers is the key to remaining comfortable in London in April since weather conditions can change so quickly. Odd though it may sound, shorts, sweaters, umbrellas and sunglasses all make great additions to anyone’s luggage. Tick off April’s cultural events When it comes to outdoor spaces, London’s include some of the most famous landmarks in the world. The River Thames is blessed by footpaths extending largely uninterrupted along both banks through London’s central neighborhoods, whilst the Statue of Eros at Piccadilly Circus has been a meeting point for decades. Festivities, meanwhile, have traditionally focused around Trafalgar Square, built to mark Britain’s naval victory over Napoleon’s France and also the place where crowds gathered to celebrate the end of the Second World War. In more recent years, it has come to host a variety of events, including April’s St George’s Day and Vaisakhi. It’s not a public holiday, but the nearest weekend to St George’s Day on April 23 sees the square taken over by performers, food stalls and children’s entertainment keen on celebrating the nation’s patron saint. Just a few days before, the square echoes to the drumming and traditional music of the Punjab in honor of Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year and spring harvest festival. Around 30,000 revelers head to the square’s a range of related events, making it one of the largest festivals of its kind outside of Asia. Churches and chocolate eggs April is – usually – also the month of the movable feast that is Easter. Attending a church service at one of the capital’s historic churches – Southwark Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral among them – shows the city and its people in a new light. Many of London’s top attractions get in the spirit with special easter eggs hunts for children, including the likes of Chiswick House and Kitchen Garden and Kensington Palace. Both children and adults can also treat themselves with seasonal delights at one of London’s boutique chocolatiers. If you ‘accidentally’ overindulge, there’s always the London Marathon – the UK’s largest mass participation sporting event. Even those without their running shoes can get involved – watch from the sidelines as around 40,000 runners battle their way to the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace after over 26 miles pounding the city’s sidewalks. Scrutinize the stalls of London’s markets The combination of sunnier skies and longer hours of daylight brings our next suggestion of things to do in April in London right to the top of the bucket list for many. London’s plethora of indoor markets largely operate throughout the year, but April’s ever-improving weather makes their outdoor brethren all the more tempting. The permanent porticoed stores of Covent Garden Market together form one of the more stylish places to shop, and has plenty of places to stop for a drink or a bite to eat in pleasant surroundings too. You certainly won’t go hungry at either the Southbank Centre’s weekend market of food pop-ups, nor at the dedicated stalls open daily at Borough Market just a short walk from London Bridge. Antiques and Portobello Road have gone hand in hand since the late 1940s, with vintage and retro items joining the true antiques (items over 100 years old). Alfie’s Antiques Market in Marylebone is a good alternative if April’s showers take hold. It’s fourth floor café is one of the more unusual places to get a glimpse of the capital from on high. Marvel at the summer sky The top spot for experiencing London’s spring sunsets has to be The View from The Shard, rising above the hotch-potch of London’s old and new. If time allows, you should also consider a sundowner at a rooftop bar. Pergola Paddington Central has a fantastic ambience that only builds with the end of the working day. Exuding cool alongside its fair share of eccentricity is east London’s LGBT+ friendly Queen of Hoxton. Its roof space is open during summer and winter, changing its wild persona with the seasons. One month you’ll be in turn-of-the-century Paris and another in the lair of a Mexican wrestling team. Save on attraction admission in London in April Make the most of London’s April weather by exploring the city from high and low, near and far. But before you do, make sure you’ve downloaded the Go City app and taken advantage of the savings on attraction admission available with the Explorer Pass. See the attractions you’ve always wanted to see, do away with those dreaded foreign credit card charges and save on admission. An A-list sighting aside, nothing could be more London.
Ian Packham

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