The London Dungeon
BEST FOR
Ages 5+
ENTRY
from £27
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
A 75-minute walkthrough of London's grislier history with live actors, jump scares and one drop ride, best saved for kids who like being spooked.
This is not a museum where you shuffle past glass cases. You walk through 13 shows with 20 live actors in character as Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd and Guy Fawkes, and they will talk to you and pull you into the story. Some shows go for full-on scary with darkness and jump scares, others are lighter, so the whole thing balances out rather than being 75 minutes of screaming.
The site recommends 12 and up, though under-5s aren't let in at all and 5 to 11-year-olds can go if a parent decides they can handle it. That's worth thinking about properly rather than just going by age on paper, because it is dark, smelly and noisy with enclosed spaces, and there's a drop ride called Drop Dead with a 1.4 metre height limit for anyone who fancies topping off the tour with an actual scream. It's optional if the height doesn't work out or nerves fail at the last minute.
You're on your feet for pretty much the whole visit with little chance to sit down, so comfy shoes matter more than you'd think for a tourist attraction. Booking ahead saves a decent chunk of money, an adult is £27 in advance against £35 on the door, and it's the same story for kids at £22 versus £29. Card only here, no cash, so don't bother digging round for change.
Budget on 75 minutes for the tour itself plus a queue that's usually 10 to 30 minutes but can stretch to an hour when it's busy. Your ticket time is when you join that queue, not when you walk into the show, which catches people out if they turn up expecting to walk straight in.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 12 and up; 5 to 11 is a parent's call given the scares
- Booking
- Book online in advance for best prices (save up to 23%)
- How long to allow
- Approximately 75 minutes
- No photography allowed on the main tour, so you won't get the obligatory Jack the Ripper selfie
- It's mostly standing and walking, so wear shoes you can be comfortable in for over an hour
- Your ticket time is when you start queuing, not when you get inside
- Card or contactless only, no cash accepted anywhere on site
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£27 for an adult and £22 for a child aged 5 to 15 if you book in advance. Turning up on the day costs more, £35 and £29.
Do we need to book ahead?
Booking in advance gets you a better price, up to 23% off, and walk-ups are only let in if there's space. Given the saving, it makes sense to sort tickets before you go.
How long does it take?
The tour itself runs about 75 minutes. On top of that, expect a queue of 10 to 30 minutes, sometimes up to an hour when it's busy.
Is it suitable for young children?
Under-5s aren't admitted at all. The site's own recommended age is 12 plus, though kids from 5 upwards can go in if a parent is happy with that.
Is it actually scary?
Some shows lean into darkness and jump scares, others are more light-hearted. It's a mix rather than constant frights.
What is the Drop Dead ride?
It's the one ride in the attraction, a drop ride with a 1.4 metre minimum height. You can skip it if you'd rather not.
Can you pay with cash?
No cash accepted anywhere, it's card or contactless only.
Do the actors touch you?
They won't touch you during the tour, and you're asked not to touch them either. They will talk to you and sometimes pull you into the story.
Is it okay if I'm pregnant?
You're welcome to visit, but it's mostly standing with little chance to sit down, and the Drop Dead ride isn't suitable. Staff can point out alternative routes if needed.
What if I get claustrophobic?
There are enclosed, dark spaces that can feel intense. Mention it to a member of staff beforehand, and if a panic attack happens during the tour, tell staff or an actor and they'll get you to a calmer area.
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