Whitechapel

The Basics

History and true crime buffs can see Whitechapel on a Kray Twin or Jack the Ripper-themed walking tour, visiting the sites of their violent acts and learning about the social circumstances that led to their reigns of terror. Visitors will also enjoy exploring Whitechapel’s vibrant culture by dropping into one of the district’s popular curry houses, and checking out local galleries, street art, markets, coffee shops, and pubs.

Things to Know Before You Go

A historical walking tour is a must for anyone interested in the district’s criminal past.
The area’s restaurants, bars, and cafés are popular with local creatives, workers, and visitors.
Remember your umbrella and raincoat, especially in winter, as London’s streets can be wet and windy.
The public paths are mostly accessible to wheelchair users, though it’s recommended to check access arrangements with specific tours and attractions ahead of time.

Trip ideas

Virtual 360° Experience of London's Twickenham Stadium

Get a virtual look inside Twickenham Stadium, the home of rugby union, during a England v Wales Six Nations game. A series of 360-degree panoramas show off the views from the best seats in the house.

Virtual 360° Experience of London's Royal Albert Hall

Most famous for the BBC Proms classical music festival, the Royal Albert Hall is one of London’s most iconic venues. Now, with this interactive, 360-degree panorama, you can explore its opulent auditorium without stepping foot outside of your home.

ZSL London Zoo Livestreams and Keeper Diaries

ZSL brings the #ZooToYou with livestreams of its residents—including the beloved meerkats and newly born dwarf mongoose pups—as well as a ton of behind-the-scenes videos, from zookeeper diaries to animal close-ups.

Royal Museums Greenwich in London: Online Stories and Collections

This robust selection of online offerings from four top Greenwich museums lets you explore world history from home. Discover epic stories of sea and space exploration, get behind-the-scenes insight from museum curators and specialists, and even explore the globe in 3D.

8 West End Performances to Stream Right Now

The lights may technically be out at London theaters, but the district has turned to the small screen, allowing you to stream musicals, plays, and cabarets from home. Stay entertained—and keep local performers in business—with recommendations from an actor and tour guide who knows the West End best.

British Museum Virtual Tour

The British Museum’s collection is yours to explore with just a few clicks. Navigate continents and cultures—from prehistoric to present—with this interactive experience. Access renowned artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone, and hear directly from museum curators.

Pubs with History: London's Most Unusual Drinking Dens

Narrow down your options for a pint to these storied watering holes near St. Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe, and more.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Virtual Tour in London

Imagine what it's like to stand on the stage at one of London's most iconic attractions on this 360-degree virtual tour of Shakespeare’s Globe. Helpful instructions teach you to get the most of videos, photos, and sounds on your experience. Bonus: More features abound if you download a free app.

London Rock Music Tour: A Virtual Audio Experience

London’s rock 'n' roll spirit endures even when the shows are called off. Channel the spirit of the city’s hippest musical neighborhoods and venues with a virtual itinerary—and accompanying song recommendations—from London Rock Music Tour founder Bruce Cherry.

Inside the Historic Royal Palaces of England and Ireland

Royal life is at your fingertips with these virtual guides. See the kokoshnik tiara transform into a necklace, hear about herbs in the palace gardens, and learn the Tudor way to cook a mince pie. Tours and activities explore Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, Hillsborough Castle, and more.

When to Get There

Crime tours are particularly atmospheric after sunset, with winter’s early dusk providing a perfect backdrop for spine-chilling tales. The district’s multicultural heritage also provides a year-round program of local festivities to enjoy, including Eid al-Fitr celebrations led by the East London Mosque in June, as well as Christmas merrymaking in December.

Immigration in Whitechapel

During the 19th century, many Irish and Jewish families moved to London, fleeing persecution or famine and seeking work. Most of those people settled in the traditionally working-class areas of the East End. During the mid-20th century, many poor immigrants from Bangladesh moved to the area. Several social-history tours provide further insight into these population shifts, as well as their political, cultural, and economic influence on the city.

Recent reviews from experiences in London

Great Tour!

Shannen_S, Nov 2021

2-Hour Jack the Ripper Guided Walking Tour in Whitechapel, London

Our tour guide was Angie and she was amazing! She really did a wonderful job of explaining the living conditions and created a vivid picture of the times. She provided lots of information and was a delight!! Highly recommend!

Really good date night!!

Takeru_K, Nov 2021

We thought jerrys enthusiasm and knowledge of London as a whole was the highlight of the evening. He had great strories and the way he interacted with us all was great. Highly recommend this tour!

A fun evening!

Kathy_H, Sep 2021

Had a great time! Our guide Angie was fabulous! Loved this! She was entertaining and knowledgeable and funny too!

Absolutely brilliant

Jillian_W, Aug 2021

Absolutely fantastic, really enjoyed, our guilde Angie was fantastic very knowledgeable, would definitely recommend 😀

Informative and entertaining

Barbara_F, Aug 2021

The whole tour was brilliant, very informative and Jeremy made it entertaining. Thanks especially to him we all thoroughly enjoyed the tour, if that’s the right word for a serial killer tour!

Wow…. Whitechapel

Katie_B, Aug 2021

Jeremy was great!! Made it fun and very informative. Learnt lots of new facts. Which I looked at deeper once I got back to the hotel. Highly recommended. Just such a shame the heavens opened in the last 15/20 mins. Definitely will be looking in to the other tours on our next visit to London.

Very interesting and Educational

Emma_D, Jul 2021

Very interesting and informative, Angie was good at bringing the history to life through pictorial language and it was obvious she had a passion for the tour that made the experience more enjoyable.

Angie, super guide!

Darren_W, Jul 2021

Angie was a fantastic guide. She gave us a really interesting insight into the Jack the Ripper case. She had lots of photos and fascinating facts with all the gory details, not for the fainthearted but brilliant for the morbidly interested ;)

Enjoyable and informative

Stewart_M, Oct 2020

Highly recommended, we throughly enjoyed it, from start to finish the guide had us encapsulated with her words, thank you

A complete timemachine

DanielaAndrea_V, Feb 2020

Annie was such an amazing storyteller, the way she managed to suck you into the time of Jack the ripper was just amazing. She walked you through the victims and trajectory witch such an enthusiasm that was just wonderful

Walking along the Ripper’s footsyepd

Florence_A, Nov 2019

Enjoyed the Jack the Ripper walking tour on a cool, drizzly September eve with tour guide Angie. Her theatrics set the mood.