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5 of the best Jack the Ripper Tours in London

Variously used as a warning to naughty children, by writers tapping into the fear of death, or as a symbol of faceless tyranny, Jack the Ripper has also inspired many London tours.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

Jack the Ripper terrorised women across London after a series of horrendously mutilated bodies were discovered between 1888-1891. The assailant, responsible for at least five killings during that time, was never caught by the police, and so the nickname lives on. Most Jack the Ripper tours explore the streets and buildings in East London where the menace accosted and murdered his victims. These five tours shed some light on the lives of those he murdered and, despite a little light walking through the streets of London, ensure the general health and safety of those taking part.

Jack the Ripper Interactive Guided Tour

What makes this excellent interactive walking tour so popular is the true crime facet to the evening. Guests are invited to follow the trail, see the locations where Jack the Ripper committed his crimes, as well as seeing photographic evidence from the real crime scenes themselves. In so doing you are invited to try and crack the case, which includes being handed ‘suspect cards’ to look into the potential villains. This tour is so in-depth that the guide has assumed the title of ‘Ripperologist’, so you know you’ll be in expert hands over the two-hour walking excursion. From £16 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Another innovative way of delving into Victorian Britain is provided in the form of handheld projectors, known as Ripper-Vision, on this long-standing and ever-popular tour. Donning period attire, your guides will display photographs from the era of Jack the Ripper on the walls of old buildings. This gives you a great sense of what the slums of East London once looked like, bringing Jack the Ripper’s world into clearer focus. It provides a chilling way to learn about both the horrendous crimes and the ensuing web of investigation and conspiracy that ultimately failed in apprehending anybody. From £18 per person.

Jack the Ripper 2-Hour Evening Walking Tour

Leaning more towards the salacious grit and dark deeds that swirled around the impoverished streets of East London, this popular night tour is as much about your guide as the subject matter. Peel away the layers of fiction to look at the known facts surrounding who Jack may really have been and who his victims most assuredly were in life. This two-hour tour is a great way to discover Victorian-era London. It usually runs from Wed-Sun. From £20 per person.

Haunted Jack the Ripper Tour with Fish and Chips

Now, we know what you’re probably thinking, and yes, you’re right, one does not ordinarily associate food, let alone fish and chips, with grisly murders. But then again, a walking tour can be very hungry work. Over three hours you’ll come to learn about the Whitechapel haunts not only of Jack the Ripper, but also the hauntings around London’s East End, including the legend of Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The tour concludes with a portion of fish and chips at a traditional chippie. From £28 per person.

Solve the Crime Jack the Ripper Tour

It’s London’s greatest whodunnit. The Jack the Ripper murders have mystified and chilled generations of sleuths and this tour gives you a chance to crack the case. This tour pulls no punches either, diving headlong into the gruesome reality of these murders most foul (NB: the clue is in the ‘Ripper’ part of the nickname). See the places where the victims breathed their last; discover the evidence at the spot where it was found (only a single clue was found at the time, but it could still prove illuminating). This tour lasts two hours. From £30 per person.

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Booking the Ripper-Vision™ Tour

Booking your place on out award-winning tour couldn’t be easier. Simply fill out the form below!

Need to know

• Tours every weekday at 7.30pm
• Tours every weekend at 4:30pm & 7.30pm
• Tour starts at Whitechapel Art Gallery
• Only £15.00 per person
• Phone: +44(0)78 0306 7544

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Jack the Ripper Tour: A Guide For First Timers

• The Jack The Ripper Tour

People who tour London for the first time usually set aside two or three weeks to properly see everything on offer in this beautiful city which is so rich in culture, history and, of course, entertainment.

There is no shortage of tourist attractions in London and the surrounding areas. Today though, we will focus on one very unique form of entertainment; namely, a guided tour. However, this is no ordinary guided tour.

This is one of the most popular guided tours in the UK, mainly due to the dark history associated with it. People from all over the world come to London to take this tour and experience all that it has to offer. We’re talking about the Jack the Ripper tour.

Below, we will mention some of the highlights of a Jack the Ripper Tour. It is not our intention to give too much away with regards to the exciting entertainment that awaits you, but rather to give you a taste of what is in store – and to compel you to take the tour yourself. Click here to book tickets today!

Walking the Streets Frequented by the Ripper

The tour takes you to the East End, specifically Whitechapel, where most of the Ripper’s crimes were committed. Those who take this tour essentially walk the same streets that were once frequented by the Ripper. There have been a few modifications over the years, but most of it is still there, untouched by the modern world. Whitechapel has managed to retain most of its late 19th-century look, even to this day. Walking these streets is not an experience for the faint of heart.

Lead the Investigation

Tourists will be given a detailed account of how the investigation progressed, and some frequently asked questions will be answered. Were there any leads? Did the Ripper act alone? How much evidence was collected? What about the suspects?

These are all valid questions, which the tour guide will answer on the way as they discuss the victims and suspects thought to be involved in the murders. During the tour, with the help of the experts, you will feel like you are leading your own investigation.

Meet Other Ripperologists

There is no denying people are fascinated by the Ripper case. There have been many documentaries on the subject, and it has been depicted in the media, as well as various books. You will find that Ripperologists are very keen on every detail regarding Jack the Ripper, and Ripperologists lead all of our tours. As enthusiasts and experts with a vast knowledge of the entire saga, they are the ideal guides to help you unfold the events of 1888.

Hand Held Projectors

It is always pleasing to see technology making inroads in different forms of entertainment, especially to enhance it further and enrich the overall experience. Handheld projectors are an emerging trend, and they are used extensively on our Jack the Ripper tours. In fact, our Rippervision has received generous reviews, thanks to the valuable information it provides and the way in which it makes for a more vibrant and exciting tour experience.

Our Jack the Ripper tour should be on the must-see list of everyone who visits London for the first time. Even frequent visitors return to Whitechapel to relive the thrills and chills that once captivated the entire country. So put on your investigator’s hat and experience the tour for yourself.

Book Online

 7 Days a Week

AT 5:00PM & 7:30PM

Tour Duration

1 hr 45 mins

Announcements

The Jack the Ripper Casebook

Police Investigation

Jack the Ripper Suspects

Jack the Ripper Theories

Jack the Ripper Tour

Welcome, dear thrill-seekers, to the most spine-tingling journey through the dark alleys and cobblestone streets of historic London! Join us on the ultimate Jack the Ripper Tour, where we unravel the enigmatic tale of one of history’s most notorious serial killers.

What to Expect on Our Jack the Ripper Tour

Expert Guides: Our knowledgeable guides are seasoned experts on the gruesome history of Jack the Ripper. They'll lead you through the very streets where the infamous murders occurred, offering insights and intriguing theories that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Notable Neighborhoods & Landmarks:

Whitechapel: Begin your journey in the heart of Whitechapel, the epicenter of the Ripper’s reign of terror. Stroll along Whitechapel Road, where many of the victims met their gruesome fate.

Spitalfields: Immerse yourself in the rich history of Spitalfields, a district steeped in Victorian charm. Explore the bustling Spitalfields Market and discover its hidden secrets.

Ten Bells Pub: Visit the legendary Ten Bells Pub, where several of the Ripper’s victims were said to have frequented. It’s an eerie experience you won’t soon forget.

Brick Lane: Wander down Brick Lane, known for its vibrant street art and diverse culinary scene. Learn how this area has transformed over the years while staying true to its gritty past.

Aldgate East: Uncover the secrets of Aldgate East, another location with ties to the Ripper. Learn about the investigations and the mysteries that still linger to this day.

Why Choose Our Jack the Ripper Tour:

Unparalleled Historical Accuracy:

We've meticulously researched the facts, myths, and legends surrounding Jack the Ripper to provide you with the most accurate and spine-chilling experience.

Small Group Tours:

Enjoy an intimate tour experience with our small group sizes, ensuring you have the opportunity to engage with our expert guides and ask questions .

Interactive Experience:

Our tours are immersive and interactive, with captivating stories, evidence, and reenactments that transport you back to the eerie streets of Victorian London.

Pricing/Details

Adults  (Ages 13+)

Seniors  (Ages 65+)

Youth  (Ages 7 - 12)

Kids  (6 and under)

Duration - 2 hours

Running 7 days a week

Meeting location - 65a Whitechapel High street, London E1 7PL. Aldgate east station is directly next to the meeting point, look out for "Fashion Warehouse" and your tour guide will be waiting for you here.

Tour Gallery

Join us on the ultimate Jack the Ripper Tour, where we unravel the enigmatic tale of one of history's most notorious serial killers.

Quick Links

65a Whitechapel High street, London E1 7PL

Jack the Ripper Facts & Worksheets

Jack the ripper facts and information plus worksheet packs and fact file. includes 5 activities aimed at students 11-14 years old (ks3) & 5 activities aimed at students 14-16 years old (gcse). great for home study or to use within the classroom environment., jack the ripper worksheets.

Do you want to save dozens of hours in time ? Get your evenings and weekends back? Be able to teach about Jack the Ripper to your students?

Our worksheet bundle includes a fact file and printable worksheets and student activities. Perfect for both the classroom and homeschooling!

Download free samples

Resource Examples

Click any of the example images below to view a larger version.

Student Activities

The Canonical Five Victims

Other victims, police investigation, jack the ripper suspects, key facts and information, let’s find out more about jack the ripper.

In 1888, Jack the Ripper tormented the city of London, killing at least five women and mutilating their bodies in odd ways, implying that the killer was well-versed in human anatomy. The killer was never apprehended – or even identified — and Jack the Ripper is still remembered as one of England's and the world's most notorious criminals.

From 7 August to 10 September 1888, all five murders attributed to Jack the Ripper occurred within a mile of each other in or near the Whitechapel district of London's East End. Several additional murders that occurred around the same time period have also been linked to "Leather Apron" (another nickname given to the murderer).

• Eleven women were murdered in London's East End between April 1888 and February 1891, and their identities were entered into a police file dubbed "The Whitechapel Murders”.
• One person, known as Jack the Ripper after signing a taunting letter brought to the Central News Office on New Bridge Street in the City of London during the last week of September 1888, is likely to have killed five of those women.
• These five women, known as the "Canonical Five," were murdered by Jack the Ripper over a nine-week period in 1888, between Friday 31 August and Friday 9 November.

Mary Ann Nichols

• The horribly mutilated body of a woman was discovered in a gateway in Buck's Row in Whitechapel on 31 August 1888. Later that day, she was recognised as Mary Ann Nichols, also known as "Polly" Nichols by her family, friends, and acquaintances.
• Mary Nichols was referred to as an "unfortunate" at the time, a woman who, in the absence of a welfare system to assist individuals who had fallen on hard times, may turn to prostitution to generate money for a bed, a bite to eat, and alcohol to feed her addiction.
• Mary was wearing a bonnet that none of the other residents of the lodging house had seen her in before, and since she was clearly intending to rely on prostitution in order to raise enough money for her bed, she felt that this would be an attraction to entice potential clients. As she was escorted from the premises by the deputy lodging-house housekeeper, Polly poked fun at him, "See what a jolly bonnet I have now".
• At 3.45 a.m., a woman's body was discovered close to a gateway at Buck's Row, just off Whitechapel Road, on 31 August. The woman's throat had been slashed all the way down to her spine, and the wound was so serious that it had practically severed her head from her body, according to some press accounts.
• She was loaded into a police ambulance and sent to the nearby Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary mortuary within 45 minutes. Inspector Spratling of the Metropolitan Police's J Division came to take down a report of the, at the time, unidentified victim, and he discovered the woman had been disembowelled, in addition to the awful throat wound.

Annie Chapman

• Annie supported her meagre income of crocheting and creating and selling artificial flowers with prostitution, as did many other women in the neighbourhood.
• She had two frequent clients, one known as Harry the Hawker and the other a man named Ted Stanley, a reputable retired soldier dubbed "the Pensioner" by her fellow lodgers.
• Stanley would frequently spend Saturdays through Mondays at Crossingham's, according to a witness, Timothy Donovan.
• There had been an argument between Annie and fellow lodger Eliza Cooper sometime in the month before her death (various witnesses reported different dates). The circumstances of the argument as reported by the many witnesses are confusing and conflicting, with some even alleging that Harry the Hawker was to blame.
• Annie Chapman's health was deteriorating, and she spent her final days injured and in pain. The bruising to her right temple was visible when she met her friend Amelia Palmer on Dorset Street on Monday,  3 September.

Elizabeth Stride

• The last day of Elizabeth or "Long Liz" Stride's life was spent tidying rooms in the lodging house at 32 Flower and Dean Street, where she had stayed on and off for the past six years. Elizabeth Tanner, the deputy keeper, paid her sixpence for the duties, and by 6.30 p.m, she was quenching her thirst at the Queen's Head tavern on the corner of Fashion and Commercial Streets.
• By 7 p.m., she had returned to the lodging house and was dressed "ready to go out", and departed the lodging house at 7.30 p.m. according to fellow resident Charles Preston.
• William Marshall, a labourer who resided at number 64 Berner Street, was standing outside his home around 11.45 p.m. when he observed a man and woman outside number 63. They appeared to be pretty sober, and as he stood there watching, they began to kiss. "You would utter anything but your prayers," the man said to the woman, according to Marshall, as the couple walked away toward Dutfield's Yard. The individual was described by Marshall as being middle-aged, heavy, and having the appearance of a clerk. He was around 5 feet 6 inches tall, shaved, and dressed properly.
• PC William Smith was on his route at 12.30 a.m. when he observed a man and a woman on the opposite side of Berner Street from Dutfield's Yard, where Elizabeth Stride's body was later recovered. The woman Smith later identified as Elizabeth Stride, had a flower pinned to her jacket.
• A Hungarian Jew named Israel Schwartz was the most important witness to have seen Elizabeth Stride in the 30 minutes before her body was recovered in Dutfield's Yard.
• Around 12.45 a.m., he drove into Berner Street and observed a man walking in front of him. According to Schwarz, the man attempted to drag the woman into the street, but instead twisted her around and flung her down the sidewalk, where she shouted three times but not loudly. Israel Schwartz appears to have thought he was seeing a domestic attack and crossed the street to avoid becoming involved.

Catherine Eddowes

• In September 1888, Eddowes and John Kelly returned to Hunton, Kent, for their yearly practice of hop-picking. On 27 September, the two arrived in London and stayed overnight in the casual ward at Shoe Lane in the City of London. The following night, the two slept in separate lodging houses: 
• Eddowes told Kelly of her plans to visit Bermondsey in the early afternoon on 29 September. At around 2 p.m., the two parted ways in Houndsditch.
• Prior to her death, Eddowes was reportedly seen by three men on the evening of 29 September. Only 10 minutes before her body was discovered, she was spotted conversing with a man at one of the entrances at Mitre Square.
• PC Edward Watkins of the City Police discovered Catherine Eddowes' mutilated body at 1.44 a.m. Her body was discovered in the darkest area of Mitre Square, which at the time was an isolated, poorly lit space dominated by tall warehouses.
• Her throat had been severed to the spine, her abdomen opened, and bits of her intestines were discovered all over her body. Her uterus and left kidney had been removed and taken from the scene of the murder, and her face had been carefully sliced with several seemingly purposeful wounds.
• Jack the Ripper had about ten minutes between seeing Catherine Eddowes chatting to the man and PC Watkins discovering her body. He'd have had to catch Eddowes, inflict the vast and difficult injuries, then flee without being seen or overheard in under ten minutes. The murder was swift and quiet, causing no disruption to those in the surrounding buildings.
• The gruesome yet precise injuries inflicted on Eddowes have been used as indicators in later years to demonstrate Jack the Ripper's alleged anatomical competence. This was not proven, and the matter is still debated today.
• The post-mortem investigation of the body of Catherine Eddowes included a variety of medical professionals. Unfortunately, the physicians' perspectives on the amount of medical and anatomical expertise revealed by the injuries were all different, leading detectives to a dead-end once again.

Mary Jane Kelly

• Mary Jane Kelly was born in Limerick, Ireland, and married at the age of 16 to a man called Davies after her family migrated to Wales. Her husband was killed in a mine explosion just a few years later, leaving her widowed.
• Mary Jane Kelly then relocated to Cardiff, where she allegedly became involved in prostitution and is said to have spent time with a wealthy Londoner. She followed the man to Paris at this time, despite her dislike for the city. According to reports, she also went under the name 'Marie Jeanette' and lived a lady's life.
• In 1887, Mary met Joseph Barnett, a costermonger. When Barnett lost his job, the couple's relatively stable life was disrupted. As a result, Mary had to return to the streets to make a living, something Barnett, predictably, disapproved of. Living for the couple became increasingly difficult, from this point forward, with disagreements becoming more regular and violent, especially when Mary had been drinking.
• Barnett moved out and found new lodgings. Despite their split, the couple remained friendly, and Barnett would assist Mary financially whenever he could. This, however, was insufficient to keep her off the streets and ensure she could pay her rent on time. On the evening of 8 November 1888, Joseph would pay his final visit to Mary.
• On 9 November 1888, at 11.45 a.m., landlord John McCarthy dispatched his helper, Thomas Bowyer, to Room 13 to collect Mary's outstanding rent arrears.
• Bowyer knocked on Mary's room door but received no response, so he went around to the windows. He reached inside to pull the curtain aside after noticing the broken pane of glass. Bowyer peered into the dim light of the room and saw Mary Jane Kelly's body on the bed, ripped and cut to shreds.
• "The entire portion of the abdomen and thighs were taken, as well as the viscera from the abdominal cavity. The breasts were removed, the limbs were mutilated by several jagged incisions, and the face was slashed beyond recognition. The neck tissues were cut all the way down to the bone. The uterus and kidneys were discovered with one breast under the head, the other breast by the right foot, the liver between the feet, the intestines by the right side of the body, and the spleen by the left side. The belly and thigh flaps were on a table...The pericardium was exposed below and the heart was missing."

The Final Jack the Ripper Victim?

• Because crime scenes were photographed, Mary Jane Kelly's murder stands out as the only one by Jack the Ripper when the long process of photography – as it was practised at the time – was feasible.
• Mary's funeral service was held at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Leytonstone on 19 November.
• The idea of Mary Jane Kelly as a young life tragically cut short — she was the youngest victim of the Yorkshire Ripper at only 25 – has contributed to sustaining popular interest in the case even today.
• Many people seem to believe that Mary Jane Kelly's horrific murder on 9 November 1888 was the end of Jack the Ripper's terror, but we must remember that as the weeks, months, and even years went by with the Ripper still uncaught, the very real possibility of another homicide hung over the city at all times.

Martha Tabram

• Martha Tabram was assumed to be associated with the Jack the Ripper murders for a long time before her identity and the nature of her death even though she is not one of the Canonical Five. Martha Tabram was discovered on a landing in George Yard on 7 August 1888, with 39 individual knife wounds from two different weapons. Her status as a prostitute in Whitechapel and the treatment she received were factors that initially made her death appear to be related to the Jack the Ripper killings. However, a later finding in the mid-20th century resulted in a universal opinion that she was unlikely to be the first Jack the Ripper victim. 
• Emma Smith, who passed away on 4 April 1888 in a London hospital, was the first victim listed in the Whitechapel murder files. She was a recognized prostitute who lived in Spitalfields on George Street, but there was much mystery surrounding her life. On the evening of Easter Monday 2 April, a vicious assault, followed by the rupture and inflammation of abdominal tissue, peritonitis set in and caused her death, beginning the Whitechapel Murders, which took place from 1888 until 1891.

Catherine Mylett

• Due to her notorious drinking habits, Catherine "Rose" Mylett, who was 29 when she passed away, earned the moniker "Drunk Lizzie Davis " . She was last seen drinking with two men the night before she passed away in December 1888, and she was discovered at 4:15 in the morning in Clarke's Yard. However, there was no evidence to support that she had been killed by Jack the Ripper, but her death and the subsequent inquest highlighted the police force's general lack of communication — a problem that would persist during the time of the Whitechapel Murders.

How did the Police Try to Catch Jack the Ripper?

• Additionally, there were many more dark alleys for criminals to operate in because lighting was scarce and didn't shine as brightly as it does now. Today, searching for DNA evidence is the initial step in practically any criminal investigation. In the 1980s, 100 years after the horrifying Jack the Ripper killings, DNA technology began to be used. With fingerprint profiling at best little understood and no ability to objectively demonstrate someone's presence at the crime scene through DNA, indicates that police tactics at the time were rudimentary. Instead, to create a criminal profile, eyewitness accounts and observations about the killings were mainly used.

Police Force Politics

• The cops and inspectors engaged in the Jack the Ripper case received harsh criticism at the time of the murders and continue to be scrutinized for their actions to this day. Some people think the Jack the Ripper inquiry would have been more cohesive if police politics had been handled differently.
• Numerous police chiefs and inspectors fought over jurisdiction when The Ripper's victims were discovered in various London police districts. Add to this the disgruntlement seen between Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Charles Warren, and the Home Secretary, Henry Matthews, and it’s easy to see how things got nasty when pursuing the serial murders.
• Jack the Ripper's police records were at best disorganised due to the large number of cops involved. Numerous original Jack the Ripper police files have vanished since the murders, which seems unbelievable given that a serial killer was at large.
• The identity of Jack the Ripper is still a mystery more than 130 years after the horrific Whitechapel Murders. While some Jack the Ripper candidates have compelling biographies that seem to suit the killings committed during those terrible three years, some are less well-known, and some are just plain bizarre.

Carl Feigenbaum

• It's doubtful that anyone is aware of who Carl Feigenbaum really is. He reportedly underwent multiple name changes. After carrying out the terrible murder of Mrs Juliana Hoffman, his landlady, in 1894, Carl was executed by electric chair. Carl was discovered early one morning standing over her body while carrying a sizable carving knife. 
• Carl allegedly had a desire to mutilate women, just like Jack the Ripper. He also knew more about human anatomy than most people. The fact that Catherine Eddowes, the fourth victim of Jack the Ripper, was murdered close to St Katherine and the London docks is another reason Carl Feigenbaum is suspected.

Joseph Barnett

• Mary Jane Kelly, a victim of the Ripper, once dated Joseph Barnett. He is the only known suspect with a direct connection to one of the victims.
• Some of the standards put forward by criminal profilers are met by Barnett. John E. Douglas, a profiler for the National Centre for the Analysis of Violent Crime, created an FBI profile on Jack the Ripper in 1988.

Prince Albert Victor

• Second in line to the British throne was Prince Albert Victor, the Queen's grandson. Though the Prince had a glorious future ahead of him, things rapidly turned sour.
• He was mainly regarded as a disappointment to the Royal Family before his untimely death in 1892 at the age of only 28 due to a stagnating military career, lethargic disposition, and rumours of homosexuality.
• Prince Albert Victor's later years and life are the subject of great suspicion, not the least because of his alleged involvement with Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel Murders.

Montague John Druitt

• At first glance, this wealthy man with a passion for law and athletics would appear to have little to do with the horrific story of Jack the Ripper. However, Druitt's untimely passing brought his name into the public eye.
• Rumours that Jack the Ripper had drowned in the River Thames started to spread after the murder of Mary Jane Kelly, the last of the Canonical Five Ripper victims. 
• Later, in 1891, West Dorset's MP Henry Richard Farquharson made it known that the Ripper was the son of a surgeon who had killed himself after Kelly was brutally murdered. He didn't say his name, but the circumstances and the description made Druitt the obvious choice.

Image Sources

• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/JacktheRipper1888.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Annie_Chapman_1869.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/The_Penny_Illustrated_Paper_-_October_13%2C_1888_-_Kate_Eddowes.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Illustrated_Police_News_-_Jack_the_Ripper_2.png

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Free Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

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The year is 1888. A serial killer, known to the media as Jack the Ripper is terrorizing London’s desperately poor East End.

His target? The so-called ‘unfortunates’ – women working on the streets and alleyways of London slums to earn money for life’s basics.

These brutal murders, set against the chaotic filth and poverty of the Victorian London district of Whitechapel, also known as the Whitechapel Murders, will change the world forever.

The conspiracy theories of the Jack the Ripper case continue to fascinate millions of people around the world.

And millions continue to guess the true identity of the killer.

No trip to London is complete without taking part in a free Jack the Ripper tour, a real murder mystery.

FREE TOURS BY FOOT

We here at Free Tours By Foot are proud to offer the best alternative Jack the Ripper tour in London.

We were the first company to offer free Jack the Ripper tours, and we like to provide our guests with an in-depth look at the case.

This is a tour for the true-crime buff and the history junkie alike (watch our video above, which might as well be a television documentary or drama)

So, come out with our guides ( or walk with our GPS audio tour app ) as we wind you through small lanes, crooked back streets, and Jack the Ripper murder locations, all guaranteed to send shivers down your spine.

Our tour gives you insight into the real Jack the Ripper history – you’ll leave with an understanding of the crimes that no other tour can provide.

Written by a dark history and true crime expert, Free Tours By Foot is proud to offer the best London Jack the Ripper tour. Book now – if you dare.

Here's a sample from our audio tour to get a taste of what you might hear.

Jack the Ripper Tour information

Reservations:  Required.  Click here to reserve . Walk-ups will be permitted only if space is available.

When:  Saturdays at 18:00 (6 pm), or take this tour anytime on your own with our  GPS-led audio tour .

Where:  The tour meets outside the Saint Botolph Without Aldgate. Use our Google Maps  for directions to the tour starting point .

*NOTE: Please ensure you are headed to the correct St. Botolph! There is another  Saint Botolph Church with Aldersgate   about 20 minutes away. Note the difference between Aldgate and Aldersgate.

This is the starting point for FREE TOURS BY FOOT's Tour. If you booked with a different company, be sure to check the starting point information on the confirmation email that was sent as not all Jack the Ripper tours start here!

The tour endpoint is within walking distance of Liverpool Street and Aldgate Stations.

Duration:  Approximately 2 hours.

Cost:  This tour is free to join, and you get to decide what, if anything, the tour was worth when it's done. A  name-your-own-price tour  is a tour for anyone's budget.

Jack the Ripper private tours are also offered by our excellent team!

MAP AND SELF-GUIDED TOUR OF JACK THE RIPPER LOCATIONS

This is a free Jack the Ripper Tour and map of important locations in these unsolved murders.

We recommend taking our more in-depth  GPS-led audio tour  (£1.99).

The audio tour has more detailed descriptions of crime scenes and horrific slayings by an unidentified assailant, known as Jack the Ripper. 

Here's a sample.

We also offer a guided  Jack the Ripper Tour  in person.

Throughout this walk, we will discuss the unsolved, brutal murders, of five London's East End prostitutes.

Tour Length : 

• 3 miles - just under 5 km
• Approximately 2.5 hours, depending on your walking pace
• 14 stops, with a discussion of the aftermath

NOTE : For guests with mobility issues, or those with prams or buggies, there are no steps on the route, but there are cobbled streets to take into consideration.

This self-guided Jack the Ripper Walking Tour begins near Whitechapel Underground Station. 

Click the map to enlarge or to use on a smartphone.

A - Victim #1 - Mary Ann Nicholls

Exit Whitechapel Station and turn LEFT. The road dead-ends on Durward Street where you should take a RIGHT.

Walk to the old school building - the large brick building - ahead, if possible. If construction prevents you from getting there, simply stand as close as you can. 

Our story begins on the 31st of August 1888. The ‘Autumn of Terror’ is about to begin when the first victim of the canonical five is murdered right here: Mary Ann Nicholls.

Mary left the Frying Pan Pub around half past midnight. She was found at 3:40 am.

The Police Constable sees that her throat has been violently slit - from left to right, twice over, with the incision going all the way through to her vertebrae. 

Detective Chief Inspector Frederick Aberline is called to work on the case and he is determined to bring Mary’s killer to justice.

( Learn more about the suspects )

But Frederick finds there is nobody with a bad word to say against Mary Nichols. With no idea of a perpetrator or motive, an entire week passes with no progress on finding her killer. 

Seven nights after the murder of Mary Ann Nicholls, Jack the Ripper would strike again.

B - Victim #2 - Annie Chapman

Backtrack along Durward Street until you get to Vallance Road and turn RIGHT. Take the first LEFT onto Old Montague Street and an immediate RIGHT onto Hanbury Street. Continue on Hanbury Street.

As you walk you will pass Deal Street and Spital Street, and you will cross Brick Lane until you reach a car park on the RIGHT-hand side - opposite 28 or 32 Hanbury Street.

The house where Jack the Ripper’s second victim, Annie Chapman, was murdered, no longer stands. But it would have looked similar to the houses you see across the street, such as Numbers 28 and 32. 

A small space off the street, that offered a little privacy made the back gardens of Hanbury Street a popular location for prostitutes to take their clients.

At 5:40 am, a man living above 29 Hanbury St came downstairs and into the back courtyard where he discovered the body of Annie Chapman.

She was slumped against the fence with her throat slashed and her body cut open from her groin to her chest, nearly cut into two. 

C - Frying Pan Public House - Where Mary Nicholls Last Seen Alive

Continue down Hanbury Street and turn LEFT onto Wilkes St.

Take the second LEFT onto Fournier Street, lined with original 18th-century homes, giving you an idea of how the buildings in this neighbourhood appeared in the 1880s.

Take a RIGHT onto Brick Lane and walk down. Stop when you get to the decorative archway that spans the road. When under the arch, turn around to face where you just walked from and take a look at the Shaad Restaurant. 

The Shaad Restaurant is the site of the former Frying Pan Pub. The two crossed frying pans carved into the stone are the original decoration of this 19th-century pub.

This is the pub where Mary Nicholls drank away her money on the 30th of August, 1888.

She is reported to have stumbled out of the pub around half past midnight and was seen by her friend just around the corner a few minutes later.

Somewhere between where you stand now and where our tour began, Mary would run into Jack the Ripper and her life would come to an end.

D - Early Suspects - Kosminski and John Pizer -  Mulberry Street / Zion Square 

Continue down Brick Lane. When you get to Whitechapel Road, cross the street and enter Altab Ali Park. Walk diagonally to your LEFT, through the park, and exit the park onto Alder Street. Go RIGHT and immediately turn LEFT onto Mulberry Street. Stop in the middle of the buildings on the right.

None of the original buildings from the Victorian era still stand here, but in the 1880s there was a square of houses here, which housed mostly Jewish immigrants.

This densely populated area was home to two suspects in the Jack the Ripper murder investigations: Aaron Kosminski and John Pizer.

John Pizer had a prior conviction for a stabbing offense and was suspected of a string of assaults on local prostitutes.

He was arrested after the Ripper’s first two murders but was cleared as there was no concrete evidence against him, and he had strong alibis for the nights the murders were committed.

Kosminski was known to be mentally unstable, having previously threatened multiple women with knives.

In memoirs published in 1910, Assistant Commissioner Sir Robert Anderson also names Kosminski as his prime suspect.

His reasoning is that he believed Jack the Ripper was a local Jewish man of low class and Kosminski was known to be mentally unstable, having previously threatened multiple women with knives.

Anderson also claimed that the identity of the Ripper was known by one person who wasn’t willing to testify as they were also Jewish and didn’t wish to turn over a fellow Jew to the police.

E - Victim #3 - Elizabeth Stride -  Henriques Street 

Continue down Mulberry Street and take a RIGHT onto Plumber’s Row. And the end of the road, turn RIGHT onto Coke Street and take the first LEFT onto Weyhill Road.

When that road ends, turn LEFT onto Commerical Road and take the first RIGHT onto Henriques Street, formerly known as Berner Street. Walk along until you come to the Bernhard Baron Building on your LEFT.

You are standing now where Jack the Ripper’s third victim would meet her untimely end.

Elizabeth Stride was the Ripper’s only non-English victim.

She had moved to London at the age of 22 and married a local man. It appears that she took up prostitution again, part-time, after the collapse of her marriage.

In the early hours of the 30th of September, a man's horse shied away from the movement in the dark streets. After the man returned to the scene with his lantern, he found the body of Elizabeth Stride.

It is believed that the Ripper was interrupted, and the man's retreat to the pub to pick up his lantern gave the culprit enough time to flee the area. 

But Jack the Ripper was not yet done for the night.

F - St. Botolph-Without-Aldgate

Retrace your steps to Commercial Street and take a LEFT. Follow the road until it dead-ends then take a LEFT onto busy Whitechapel Street.

Pass Aldgate Station, then Aldgate East Station, until you get to the church of St. Botolph-Without-Aldgate Church. This is your next stop.

Prostitution was illegal. However, since the police understood prostitution was the women's only means of survival, there were two rules for area prostitutes: 

• Prostitutes could not loiter or stay in a single place for a long time - they had to always keep moving. 
• The women were not allowed to approach customers, the customers had to approach them. 

Providing the women followed these rules, the police would turn a blind eye. For this reason, up to 200 prostitutes a night continuously walked in circles around this church, waiting for clients.

Jack the Ripper’s fourth victim was last seen alive circling this building.

G - Victim #4 - Catherine Eddowes

On your RIGHT are some interesting pictures and information about the history of the Whitechapel area, which may help give you a visual reference to how this area looked during the time these murders took place.

After viewing those, turn LEFT and walk between the buildings until the space opens into Mitre Square.

The proximity of this location to St. Botolph’s Church leads us to believe that after being interrupted during his slaying of Elizabeth Stride, Jack the Ripper headed straight to the prostitutes' church to pick up his next victim, Catherine Eddowes.

An eye-witness report puts Catherine at the entrance of this alleyway at 1:35 am, in conversation with a man. The PC on duty the night of Catherine’s murder passed by at 1:45 am, finding her mutilated body at the bottom of this passage in the darkest corner of Mitre Square. 

The state of her body and a missing organ after less than 15 minutes suggested a rage and fury that had not yet been seen in the Ripper case. 

Walk to the end of Mitre Square and pause when you get to the gates on your LEFT. Just through the gates is a tree - this is the approximate location of where Catherine Eddowe’s body was found.

H - Evidence- Graffiti and Apron Found

Now, turn RIGHT onto Mitre Street. Take the first RIGHT onto Creechurch Lane which you should then follow along until it turns into Stoney Lane as you walk across Houndsditch Road.

Walk ahead until you come to White Kennett Street where you will make a RIGHT. Take the first LEFT onto Gravel Lane and walk until the lane stops at Middlesex Street.

Take a LEFT then an immediate RIGHT onto New Goulston Street. Walk until the Street Ends at Goulston Street.

Across the street stands the Wentworth Model Dwellings. Take a look at the doorway between numbers 40/41.

An hour after Catherine Eddowe’s body was found in Mitre Square, PC Alfred Long stumbled across a bloody piece of cloth taken from Catherine’s apron, stuck to the doorway.

And written in red chalk: ‘ The Juwes [original spelling] are the Men that will not be blamed for nothing. ’ This is one of the only clues discovered during the period Jack the Ripper was active.

The bloody pattern of the knife blade on the apron appeared to belong to a type of knife used in surgical amputations. So at the very least, this suggested to the police that Jack the Ripper had access to surgical weapons. 

I - The Workhouse

With New Goulston Street at your back, turn LEFT onto Goulston Street. Keep walking and Goulston Street turns into Bell Lane.

Keep following until you see Frying Pan Alley on your LEFT. Just past this, still on Bell Street is the old workhouse. 

You’ll notice two entrances here, separate doorways for men and women. On a typical day, you would have around 200 women and children queuing up for a place in the house, and a similar number of men on their side.

The dormitories themselves only slept 200 in coffin-shaped boxes. If a person arrived when all the beds had been allocated, they would be given a rope attached to the wall and would have to sleep upright against the rope.

These workhouses were horrendous places to be. And the price for all of this? A 16-hour shift of manual labour.

Today this building serves a student accommodation for the London School of Economics - and are hopefully a bit more comfortable today than they were just over a century ago.

J - Victim #5 - Mary Jane Kelly

With the Workhouse to your back, look across the street to the modern building directly opposite you.

This building sits on the site of what used to be Dorset Street, and the location of Jack the Ripper’s final slaying.

In the 19th century, Dorset Street was considered to be the most dangerous Street in London - and some said even the entire country.

A person walking down that street in the 1880s would be unlikely to make it all the way down retaining all their possessions.

This is the murder site of the Ripper’s final victim: Mary Kelly, who lived at 13 Millers Court here on Dorset Street.

A 24-year-old Irish girl, Kelly was to be the last known Jack the Ripper’s victims.

Her murder was so brutal and the desecration of her corpse so barbaric that the only way she could be identified was by the clothing she had been wearing the night before.

Why? Hers was the first of the Ripper’s murders to take place indoors.

Without having to constantly look over his shoulder to avoid detection, the murderer had all the time in the world.

And this horrific scene provided the imagery of the first-ever crime scene photograph.

14 - End of The Line

From here, we will walk to the location where Jack the Ripper would have emerged from Dorset Street all those years ago.

Still with the workhouse behind you, take the street that is slightly to the right and ahead of you, White’s Row.

Walk until you get to the corner of Toynbee Street and then turn LEFT. Walk until you get to the corner of Brushfield Street.

Jack the Ripper would have walked out of Mary Jane Kelly’s room, headed down Dorset Street, and onto the road we are standing on here.

And what would he have seen? Nearly exactly what you are seeing right now: St. Christ’s Church Spitalfields, Spitalfields Market, and the Ten Bells Pub. 

All five of his victims were known drinkers at the Ten Bells.

It is the belief of investigators both at the time and now that whoever Jack the Ripper was, it’s incredibly likely he was a regular at the Ten Bells.

Now cross the street to Christ’s Church and stand nearby, surveying the buildings here and the unchanged streets surrounding you as we pause to consider who the Jack the Ripper may have been.

There have been over 300 suspects in the Jack the Ripper murder investigations. For brevity’s sake, we will take you down a few of the top suspects.

• Aaron Kominsky, a known misogynist previously mentioned
• Montague Druitt, a school teacher and banker who fit the physical description of Jack the Ripper
• Walter Sickertt, a well-known impressionist artist with an interest in Jack the Ripper
• Prince Albert Victor, Queen Victoria’s eldest son who has a rumored child with a Whitechapel prostitute
• Dr. Frances Tumbledy, an American quack-doctor from upstate New York and known misogynist 

There are dozens more, and even suggestions of a JANE the Ripper, rather than a Jack.

But each theory has its supporters and detractors and the reality of the situation is that it’s highly unlikely the killer’s identity will ever be positively known.

16 - Aftermath and Conclusion

It is worth mentioning that the Ripper killings had long-lasting and far-reaching positive ramifications for the people of the East End. 

This now-legendary story was the first tabloid murder sensation!

With all this attention on Whitechapel, people all over the world were wondering why, in the richest and largest city on earth, were their own people living in these conditions.

Massive social reform came about as a result of the murders with new charities and actions by The Good Samaritans and the Church of England to end child homelessness and help the poor.

Even American millionaires got involved.

If you’ve enjoyed your Jack the Ripper Tour with us, take a look at our other self-guided tours :

• City of London
• Royal London
• Harry Potter 

We also offer pay-what-you-like  walking tours on a daily basis here in London and we’d love to have you join us - simply make a reservation online.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Was Jack the Ripper ever found?

No, Jack the Ripper was never found. The identity of the notorious serial killer remains a mystery to this day.

As per the latest news reports, Mr Hyam Hyams, a cigar maker who lived in the area, has been identified by some as Jack the Ripper.

Every few years, new details of the infamous killer are revealed, but so far confirmation of the identity of the killer has not been established.

How long does a free Jack the Ripper tour take?

A free tour typically takes around 2 to 3 hours. Tour durations may vary depending on the guide and group size.

Is the free Jack the Ripper tour suitable for children?

Most tour operators state that the tours are not suitable for children under 12.

However, exact suitability differs from tour to tour, and there's a strong likelihood that some children will be more than comfortable. Ultimately, the decision about whether or not to bring your kids along is up to your own discretion, but do keep in mind that most tours include brutal details about the murders which may disturb younger guests.

Is the free Jack the Ripper tour scary?

Yes, the free tour of Jack the Ripper can be scary for some people, especially those who are easily frightened or sensitive to gruesome and dark historical content.

The tour typically delves into London's dark history and details the brutal murders committed by Jack the Ripper.

Guides may use dramatic storytelling to create a spooky and atmospheric experience.

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