Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London

REVIEW · GHOST AND HAUNTED TOURS

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London

4.5 · 11 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $32 Operated by Lantern Ghost Tours · Bookable on Viator
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London clings to haunting stories. This 2-hour Old London paranormal walk runs in the open air, led by a local guide. You start in Farringdon and spend the evening chasing tales you can almost feel under your feet.

I really like the guided format and the pacing. You get a structured route with multiple stops, not just a single dark alley and a shrug.

My other favorite part is the hands-on paranormal approach. The guide attempts contact with spirits using Ouija boards and tools like K2 meters and dowsing roads at each stop.

One consideration: the experience is story-led. If you’re expecting constant high-tech evidence-making, you may want a more long-form paranormal setup than this tour offers.

Key things that make this Paranormal Activity tour worth your time

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - Key things that make this Paranormal Activity tour worth your time

  • Small group size (max 10) keeps the walk feeling personal and manageable at night
  • Farringdon meet-up at 40 Cowcross St means you’re in central London fast
  • Tools at each stop include Ouija boards, K2 meters, and dowsing roads
  • Newgate Prison and execution-site legends give the stories real London specificity
  • Gin palace stop adds a very different kind of “spirit” break (drinks are not included)

If the spooky ones are your thing, keep reading

Why this 2-hour Old London walk feels different at night

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - Why this 2-hour Old London walk feels different at night
There’s something about London after dark that turns history into a living, breathing mood. This tour leans hard into that idea, blending execution-site and prison folklore with guided paranormal attempts. You’re walking the city in the evening, so the setting does a lot of work for you.

What makes it more fun than a basic “ghost stories” stroll is the repeated structure. At each stop, the guide ties the location to grisly lore, then tries to make contact on the other side. So the evening doesn’t just move from one scary tale to the next.

You also get a built-in contrast. The night includes a traditional London gin palace, which shifts the vibe from chills to a proper pub-like atmosphere. It’s a nice way to stop the creepiness from going one note for two full hours.

Farringdon meet-up at 40 Cowcross St, then off into the dark

You meet at 40 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BY, in Farringdon, with an evening start time of 7:30 pm. The tour is about 2 hours, and it ends back at the meeting point. That round-trip setup is handy, because you’re not stuck navigating a route change at the end.

The address is central, and it’s described as near public transportation. That matters for your planning, because ghost tours often run late or draw a crowd, and you’ll want an easy exit plan.

One small practical note: the exact meeting point can be hard to spot if you arrive too close to departure. I’d treat the address as your primary clue and plan to arrive a few minutes early, then confirm you’re at the right doorway or frontage before the group settles.

The tour is also 18+ only, and the group cap is 10 people. If you like small-group attention and fewer bodies to weave around in dark streets, this size is a plus.

Execution-site tales and serial-killer legends: what you’re really walking through

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - Execution-site tales and serial-killer legends: what you’re really walking through
This is not a gentle stroll through famous landmarks. The core theme is London’s darker criminal history, told at specific stops as you move through the area.

Early on, you’ll hear stories about body mounds laid to rest below London streets. Whether you take it literally or as folklore, it sets a grim tone quickly, and it’s the kind of detail that makes the ground feel meaningful. Next, the tour focuses on what’s described as the city’s largest execution site, so you’re guided through the idea of public punishment as spectacle.

You’ll also get named stories, not just vague “someone suffered once” lore. Expect to hear about Scratching Fanny of Cock Lane and the grisly end of William Wallace. Those names help you keep the stories straight as the night gets spooky.

Later, the route includes an abandoned jail-cell type stop tied to the world’s worst serial killer. The key thing to know is that this is presented as a location-based legend. You’re not reading a museum placard for 30 minutes, you’re hearing a guided narrative meant to feel immediate and close.

Ouija boards, K2 meters, and dowsing roads: the paranormal part, explained plainly

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - Ouija boards, K2 meters, and dowsing roads: the paranormal part, explained plainly
The tour’s “paranormal activity” isn’t just a word used for marketing. The guide will attempt contact at each stop using Ouija boards, plus tools like K2 meters and dowsing roads. That repetition matters. You’re not just hearing about paranormal stuff, you’re watching the group go through the same general ritual format multiple times.

Here’s the practical reality to keep in mind. K2 meters and dowsing are presented as part of the attempt, not as guaranteed proof. So the value for you is less about walking away with scientific evidence and more about how the attempts heighten the atmosphere.

That also ties to the main feedback theme from experience reports: some people want more paranormal action or more instrumentation. If you love the tech side and want a stronger “evidence hunt” feel, you might find this tour slightly lighter than you hoped.

Still, the approach is consistent. You’ll get repeated chances to do the Ouija board moment and to see the tools brought out at each location. Even if you’re skeptical, it turns the walk into an interactive, shared activity rather than a one-way lecture.

Tip for your mindset: go in expecting an evening of guided lore plus paranormal attempts, not a full séance marathon. That will keep you from feeling let down if the results stay ambiguous.

Newgate Prison and the gin palace stop: two different moods in one route

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - Newgate Prison and the gin palace stop: two different moods in one route
The tour includes Newgate Prison, and it’s placed in the lineup of stops that deal with executions and confinement. That matters for your experience because it shifts the story from public punishment to the machinery behind it. Even if you’re not focused on exact historical facts, the prison setting adds weight to the narration.

Then comes one of the more memorable contrasts: a traditional London gin palace. Drinks aren’t included, so you’ll be paying if you want something. But the atmosphere change is the point. You’re moving from grim, street-level “what happened here” storytelling to a more social, warm environment.

I like this structure because it helps you process the heavier content. A lot of ghost walks keep piling on the dark themes until the end. Here, the gin palace acts like a pressure release valve.

If you plan to order a drink, keep it practical. With a guided walk, you’ll still need to stay with the group and follow the schedule. So choose something that won’t slow you down, and leave space for a proper night’s pacing.

Price and value: is $32.91 fair for a 2-hour guided experience?

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - Price and value: is $32.91 fair for a 2-hour guided experience?
At $32.91 per person for about 2 hours, this is priced in the “single evening activity” range. The main value is that you’re buying three things at once: a local guide, a multiple-stop route, and structured paranormal attempts.

Because the group cap is 10, you’re not paying for a huge crowd experience. Small groups often feel easier to manage and more engaging when the guide is working through multiple locations.

Another value factor is the combination of themes. You’re getting execution and serial-killer themed lore, plus Newgate Prison, plus the gin palace stop. That mix keeps the night from becoming one long, monotonous “scary story” loop.

Would I call it cheap? No. But I think it’s fair if you want an organized, guided evening with clear structure and real London stop names. If you’re only interested in one category, like pure history or pure stagey spooky effects, you might decide this isn’t the best match. If you want both story and paranormal play, it’s a solid buy.

What to wear and how to plan your evening walk

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - What to wear and how to plan your evening walk
This tour is a walking experience, and the recommendation is simple: wear comfortable walking shoes. That matters more than people expect, because an evening stroll turns into a longer time on your feet once you account for pauses between stops.

You’ll also be outside in the evening. Dress for it like a normal night walk in central London, meaning layers you can adjust. Even if the tour is only about two hours, you’ll feel the time more if you’re uncomfortable early on.

The tour is English language and uses a mobile ticket. So have your phone ready and make sure the ticket is accessible offline or at least easy to pull up quickly.

Lastly, you’re required to be 18 or older. If you’re traveling with friends, this is worth confirming early so no one gets stuck on the wrong side of the age rule.

Who this Paranormal Activity tour suits best

Paranormal ActivityTour in Old London - Who this Paranormal Activity tour suits best
I think this tour is a great fit for people who like guided, story-forward experiences. You’ll enjoy it most if you like local flavor, named legends, and the feeling of being led from one atmospheric spot to the next.

It also fits well if you’re curious about paranormal tools but not expecting scientific certainty. The Ouija board attempts and K2 meter use make the night playful and participatory, even if you’re skeptical.

Where it may not land as well is if you want a heavy paranormal “evidence” focus. The tour does include instrumentation, but it’s still guided storytelling with attempts layered in, not a long, full-throttle investigation.

Should you book this Paranormal Activity tour in Old London?

Book it if you want an evening that mixes execution-site folklore, Newgate Prison atmosphere, and repeated paranormal attempts in a small group. The gin palace stop also gives you a useful break in tone, and the start time and central meet-up make it easier to fit into a London itinerary.

Pass or rethink if your main goal is strict proof, or if you hate walking for the whole two hours without long indoor pauses. In that case, you might feel this is more performance and mood than hardcore paranormal testing.

If you do book, I’d go in with a flexible mindset and a practical plan: comfortable shoes, arrive a few minutes early at 40 Cowcross St, and expect an entertaining guided walk where the paranormal is part of the ritual, not a guaranteed outcome.

FAQ

How long is the Paranormal Activity Tour in Old London?

The tour lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start, and what time does it begin?

It starts at 40 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BY, at 7:30 pm.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What age do I need to participate?

You must be 18 years old or above to participate.

What is included in the ticket price?

A guide is included.

Are drinks included at the gin palace?

No, drinks are not included.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 10 people.