London Bridge Experience Vs The London Dungeon

History, horror and jump scares galore are the order of the day at two of London’s most frightening attractions.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2024By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
London Bridge Experience

We’re talking about the spine-tingling London Bridge Experience and bone-chilling London Dungeon, where the city’s troubled history is brought to life via immersive stagecraft, scarily OTT acting, and even the occasional thrill ride. Step into London’s dark underbelly as we take a closer look at what to expect from these two popular attractions…

London Bridge Experience vs The London Dungeon: The Lowdown

Gruesome goings on at the London Bridge Experience
Image credit: The London Bridge Experience

The London Bridge Experience

Hidden away beneath the bustling streets of London Bridge and Borough, The London Bridge Experience is a rollicking sensory fiesta that transports you through London’s bloody history via a truly motley cast of villains. Your immersive journey will bring you face-to-face with notorious characters (both real and fictional), including Jack the Ripper, Mrs Lovett, William Wallace, and even the invading Romans. You’ll witness the Great Fire of London, Guy Fawkes’s Gunpowder Plot, and other key events from London’s past all, of course, accompanied by the disembodied cries of lost souls emanating from the attraction’s darkest corners.

A haunted house-style maze follows these initial theatrics, complete with evil clowns, giant spiders, chainsaw-wielding maniacs and other creepy characters. To make matters even more terrifying, the maze is located deep in the London Tombs, a former medieval plague pit. Lovely.

So: clearly not an attraction for the faint of heart. If you’re claustrophobic or easily frightened, this may not be for you. Unsurprisingly, it’s not recommended for very young kids, and children aged 5-15 must be accompanied by an adult. The scary maze section has a ‘guardian angel’ option for kids (and scaredy cats), allowing the little ‘uns to scare off the monsters (rather than be scared by them).

Jack the Ripper at London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin

The London Dungeon

While lacking some of the bigger jump scares of its rival, London Dungeon is no shrinking violet in the horror stakes. You’ll be welcomed by a famously ‘cursed’ painting before a creepy court jester guides you on your descent beneath London’s South Bank, aboard a medieval elevator complete with grinding mechanisms and screaming chains. So far so terrifying. What follows is a similarly immersive experience, complete with set pieces featuring the good, bad and ugly from London’s bloody past. We’re talking all the usual suspects: Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett, Jack the Ripper, Guy Fawkes, plus torturers, witches, plague victims and other gruesome characters of yore.

What sets the London Dungeon apart from its rival is the inclusion of a thrill ride, which goes by the enticing name of the Drop Dead: Drop Ride. Leave your stomach at the door as you board this underground shocker, which is designed to simulate the sensation of… being hung for your crimes on the gallows of London’s notorious Newgate Prison. Yikes. Every wanted to know what happens to the human body during a hanging, or the sound a neck makes when it cracks? Then you’ve come to the right place!

Check out our ultimate guide to London Dungeon here.

London Bridge Experience vs The London Dungeon: Best Bits

The Drop Dead: Drop Ride at London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin
  • There’s little to choose between the immersive theatrical sections of these horror attractions: both lean heavily on dark and macabre historical events, with set pieces that include Guy Fawkes, Jack the Ripper, Boudicca, the plague and the Great Fire of London. The London Bridge Experience probably just about edges it on fright factor though – there’s a reason they’ve won the Screamie award for London’s scariest attraction several years on the trot, you know!
  • The Tombs section of the London Bridge Experience is a highlight unique to this attraction: a terrifying haunted house-style fear-fest, in which various grim characters – medieval dentists and butchers, evil giggling clowns, zombies and more – emerge suddenly from the shadows and chase you along the corridors. An absolute joy for scare-seekers.
  • Meanwhile over at the London Dungeon, it’s the aforementioned Drop Dead: Drop Ride, based on the Newgate Prison gallows, that really sets the whole attraction apart. It’s a proper stomach-churner, so perhaps don’t pitch up straight after a big lunch. 

London Dungeon vs London Bridge Experience: Which is Better?

Creepy court jester at London Dungeon
Image credit: Merlin

These attractions are alike in many ways, not least their big-budget theatrical handling of events from London’s darker past. But here’s a quick guide to help you decide…

  • Best for scares. A close run thing, but the London Bridge Experience’s jump scares are more effective and its Tombs maze is utterly terrifying.
  • Best for families with kids. We advise caution when taking children to these attractions. Both are frightening so very young kids and those of a nervous disposition should swerve them. Though the London Bridge Experience is arguably the more frightening of the two, we’re voting this one best for families thanks to its ‘guardian angel’ option.
  • Best for adrenalin seekers. Easy: the Drop Dead ride at London Dungeon wins this round hands down.
  • Best for proximity to other attractions. The London Bridge Experience is conveniently located for The View from The Shard and bustling Borough Market. But the London Dungeon is housed in the same building as SEA LIFE London Aquarium, right next to the London Eye and opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Chalk up another win for London Dungeon.

But why choose just one when you can visit both with the Go City London Explorer Pass? You can save up to 50% with the pass, which gives you 60 days to experience up to seven London tours, activities and attractions. As well as the London Dungeon and London Bridge Experience, the pass includes many other London heavyweights, including the London Eye, London Zoo, The View from The Shard, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and many more.

Save on London Tours, Activities and Attractions

Save on admission to 100+ London attractions with an Explorer or All-Inclusive London pass from Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.

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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Things to do Alone in London

We humans are social creatures by nature, craving the contact of others for the most part. However, there are times when all we want is to be with ourselves. And why not? Spending some quality time alone can be liberating. No longer are you beholden to the wishes of others. You can go where you want, when you want, and do whatever your heart desires. So if you're alone and want to go adventuring in London, what's stopping you? There's so much to do and see in the city, so head out and see if for yourself! These are the best things to do alone in London. Featuring: Museums Art Galleries The cinema Plays and musicals Lounge in a park Walking tours and more! Head to a museum If your brain is thirsty for some of that sweet knowledge, why not head to one of London's many museums? You're spoilt for choice, as the city has some of the best in the world. You've got well-known greats like the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum right next door to one another. Or, try something a little unorthodox. The Museum of Brands gives you a great insight into how marketing and culture have evolved over the centuries. Be sure to check out the cringe-inducing videos of past television advertisements. Fantastic. Or, check out the London Transport Museum to see how London's iconic transport services have evolved over the years. Whichever you choose, visiting a museum is easily one of the best things to do alone in London. Go to an art gallery Feeling cultural? Stroll on down to one of the city's fantastic art galleries! You've got classics like The National Gallery and the Tate Britain, where you'll find famous paintings from periods past. Or, if you want something more modern, head to the Tate Modern or the National Portrait Gallery, where they have their yearly portrait contenders on display. And best of all, take as much time to look around as you like. Go see a flick We can spend so much time watching films at home when we're by ourselves. Why not take that solo experience to the big screen? And don't just go to any old cinema. Treat yourself to one of the many Curzon cinemas dotted about London. Whether you're close to Soho, Mayfair, or Bloomsbury, there's a Curzon just for you. And, with a perfect mix of arthouse films and big-budget blockbusters on show, you can pick the perfect flick for your mood. With no one there to criticise your movie choice, it's easily one of the best things to do alone in London. Catch a show Want to add a little razzle-dazzle to your day? Why not hit the West End and check out a play or musical? See the wizarding wonder all grown up in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Watch Hollywood scribe Aaron Sorkin's take on 20th century classic To Kill A Mockingbird. Or, put on your best inspector's hat at Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap. For you musical lovers out there, there are classics like The Phantom of the Opera, and modern marvels like Wicked, The Lion King, or the hilarious Book of Mormon. Parklife In the unlikely event that the weather is actually nice, why not take a stroll around one of London's many amazing parks? They're the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You've got the big ones like Hyde Park and Regents Park, where you'll be regularly joined by dog walkers, joggers, and people lounging on the grass. If you're looking for a bit of party in your park visit, head to London Fields in Hackney. During summer, the park is full of fiery barbeques, beverages, and banging tunes. Or try Clissold Park in Stoke Newington, which has a more middling vibe. Take a walking tour If your legs are getting a bit restless, why not mix exercise with a little information on a walking tour? There are loads of them taking place all around London. If the sun is out and shining at its best, try a movie, music, or icon tour. These will take you to movie sets, old gig haunts, and other iconic London locales. Or, spice up your walk with some culture at a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Learn about the history of the building, take a literal peek behind the curtain to see how the building accommodates modern performances, and much more. As you'll likely be in a group anyway, a walking tour is one of the best things to do alone in London. Sightsee London is one of the oldest cities on the planet. With thousands of years of history, why not just walk around and see it all? There's the mighty Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London...the list goes on and on! Chart a course on your phone and set off, music in-ear, and see as many as you like. Or, if you want to give your legs a rest, step aboard a bus tour of London's best sights. Check out a market and some delicious street food Feeling peckish? Don't worry; London's got you covered. Across the city, there are numerous markets with some delicious street food choices to tickle any fancy. Perhaps the most famous is Borough Market, a winding maze of shops and food stalls. There, you'll find thousands of food and drink options to hit the spot. In South, Brixton Village offers a wealth of food and shopping options for any savvy buyer. Or, if you're looking for something a little more cool and modern, hit Boxpark in Shoreditch. With shops down below and bars up above, you'll find burgers, pizza, hotdogs, and much more to chow down on. Head to Kew Gardens And finally, if you want to combine culture, nature, and fuel into one fantastic day out, head over to Kew Gardens. See the oldest pot plant on the planet, a Jurassic cycad palm planted in the 18th century. Explore the different Houses, all mimicking one of Earth's biomes, replete with indigenous plant life from across the globe. Climb the Treetop Walkway for the best views in London. It doesn't get much better than that—definitely one of the best things to do alone in London.
Dom Bewley
View of the Tower of London from across the Thames
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The Best Time to Visit the Tower of London

Halt! Who comes there? Another intrepid explorer?
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Colorful shopfronts of Neal's Yard Covent Garden
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Things to do in Covent Garden London

Part of London’s West End leisure district, Covent Garden is a lively mix of museums, performance spaces, independent traders and traditional British boozers (pubs). Seemingly a contraction of ‘convent garden’, the area comprised orchards and farmland owned by the church until Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, after which a fruit and vegetable market flourished until the 1970s. It is also a part of London’s ‘theatreland’, second only to Broadway in scope and talent. Although best-known for the street performers that occupy its pedestrianized piazza each day bar December 25, there are many more things to do in Covent Garden London and ways to spend your time. These are some of our favorites. Take in the market stalls The era of fruit and vegetable sales may be well and truly in the past – with New Covent Garden Market in Nine Elms fulfilling this function – but that doesn’t mean the neighborhood has said goodbye to its traders completely. Almost all the images you’ll see of Covent Garden are of the green-painted ironwork and glazing of the Apple Market, dating to its reconstruction in the 19th Century. Along its flanks are stores recognizable from any British high street, with its center given over to stall holders selling a range of gifts, clothes and antiques. The Jubilee Hall Market, completed in 1904, sits on the south side of the piazza with another pick of stalls. Their goods range from the so-bad-they’re-good souvenirs to genuine antiques. Open daily, Mondays are dedicated to the antiques trade whilst Saturdays and Sundays are given over to London’s artists and craftspeople. The rest of the week you can expect an assortment of stalls. Towards the neighborhood’s northern reaches lies Seven Dials, incorporating Neal’s Yard. This area’s stores can come as something of a shock to those used to the grand stone facades of much of London. That’s because their mishmash of brickwork and colorful exteriors are an indication of their independent ownership and style. Delve into the museums On the east side of the piazza you’ll find the flower market turned London Transport Museum. Packed with old buses, trams (streetcars) and trains, as well as era-defining imagery and early versions of the London Underground map, this child-friendly celebration of transportation isn’t just for nerds. One of the newest things to do in Covent Garden is visit the London Film Museum, first opened in 2008. Dedicated to the movie industry, its collection includes a variety of costumes and props you’ll recognize from the big screen, with the James Bond franchise one of dozens of movies represented. But for the lowdown on London’s top cameo appearances, you’ll want to join a Brit Movie Tour. With 10 different tours to pick from, now’s the chance you’ve been waiting for to enter the world of movies such as Harry Potter or James Bond and television hits including Downton Abbey and Killing Eve. Straddling the southwest corner of the neighborhood is Trafalgar Square. Constructed to commemorate the victory over Napoleon in 1805, Nelson’s Column was erected by public subscription in the 1860s. It stands in pride of place outside of the National Gallery and connected National Portrait Gallery. Together they form one of the world’s most important art collections. Paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and Johannes Vermeer are joined by the many greats of British painting, from John Constable to J M W Turner. Enjoy a night at the theater Back in the heart of Covent Garden, the Royal Opera House began life in the 1730s as one of just two spaces in London permitted by the king to put on plays. Several rebirths later, it was chosen by Germano-British composer – and favorite of George III – George Frideric Handel as the auditorium to debut many of his works and has also been the home of the Royal Ballet since 1946. To take a peek inside when there’s no performance scheduled opt for a guided tour instead. Another big name in the neighborhood linked to the arts is the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane – the oldest theater in London to be in continuous use as a playhouse. It has a history that dates back to 1663 and includes performances by Nell Gwyn – the actress mistress of Charles II – and comedy troupe Monty Python. The latest big name in comedy might well be discovered on the cobblestones of the piazza, since its street performers have to audition in front of Covent Garden’s management before being given a location and time slot in which to hit the heady heights of stardom or flop into oblivion. Admire Covent Garden’s architecture Not to be confused with the nearby cathedral, St Paul’s Church is literally unmissable since it stands immediately opposite the Apple Market. Also known as the actors’ church because of its close association with the neighborhood’s theaters – it hosts its very own acting company. Originally designed by Inigo Jones alongside the piazza, its small churchyard provides a much-needed area of greenery too. In an area so rich in architecture it can be difficult to see the wood for the trees – or the sculpture for the stone – but somewhere you’re not going to want to miss Somerset House. Its central courtyard has been widely-adopted by the public, with fountains and movie screenings in the summer and an ice rink during the Christmas period. Inside, the main exhibition space to look out for belongs to the Courtauld Institute. Spanning several centuries of European art, its bright galleries contain works by Botticelli and Bruegel. Uncover Covent Garden with Go City If you’ve been wondering about the things to do in Covent Garden London, here’s you answer. Still home to market stalls as it has been for centuries, there’s also historic performance spaces like the Royal Opera House and museums including those dedicated to art, transportation and the movie industry. That’s a lot to add to your London itinerary! Travel with Go City for substantial savings on admission to many of the top attractions. It not only covers Covent Garden but the entire British capital from Hampton Court Palace in the west to the Tower of London in the east to ensure you don’t face any nasty credit card bills when your return home!
Ian Packham

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