Haunted London
What better place to spend Halloween than the city that has more ghosts than any other? Of course, you have to overlook the little detail that the British don’t really have Halloween.
Some people do hold parties, but there’s no trick-or-treating and festivities are non-existent compared to those in North America. Nevertheless there is enough everyday spookiness to make your Halloween visit to London a scary one!
If you are invited to a costume party (locally known as a “fancy dress” party) the best place to get your outfit is a wonderful costume shop in Spitalfields Market (Liverpool Street tube). Otherwise, markets are a great place to find used clothes that can be made into costumes.
If you don’t have a reason to dress up yourself but still fancy some Hallowe’en fun, why not go in search of the real thing…
Where to find London’s Monsters and Ghouls
Ghosts
Follow the trail of London’s most infamous ghosts on a walking tour. There are several companies that offer walking tours with a haunted theme.
The Original London Ghost Walk – also featuring special Hallowe’en walks!!
Stepping Out “Apparitions, Graveyards and Alleyways City Ghost Walk”
Mummies
The newly improved exhibit at the British Museum (Tottenham Court Road tube) tells and shows all you need to know about Egyptian Mummies and more. The exhibit is much more informative than it was before, and has so many Mummies in various stages of undress it will no doubt leave you with enough knowledge to make your very own.
Vampires
Considerably harder to find as they blend in nicely with the local population. I’d try the west section of Highgate cemetery (Highgate or Archway tube) as it was the setting which provided Bram Stoker with the inspiration for Dracula.
It was also the “home” of the Highgate Vampire, who was hunted in the early 1970′s by an Occult Society seeking to destroy him by digging up bodies and sticking them with crucifixes.
Witches
“The Blair Witch Project” is opening in movies theatres just in time for Hallowe’en. Visit the site at www.movie-page.com.
Murderers
The “London Dungeon” (London Bridge tube) is the place to go to see the horrific side of British History (those of you who struggled through A-level history probably think its all horrific!).
Featuring the “Jack the Ripper Experience” and many other crimes, you also see the punishment of the gallows and other, more painful forms of justice.
And if you just can’t get enough of Jack the Ripper don’t fret, you can take a Jack the Ripper walking tour.
Theme Dining
Although it may sound sacrilegious, lunching in the Crypt at St Martin’s in the Fields (Charing Cross tube) offers great mood dining for October. Alternatively, Beach Blanket Babylon has an eerie gothic feel for dinner or drinks (Notting Hill tube).
General Info on London
London’s huge. It’s also crowded and buzzing with an energy all
it’s own. With the exception of wildlife you can find everything
you’ve ever dreamt of – for a price.
When coming here the number one thing you can count on is that you’re not going to be bored. The number two thing is that you’re going to spend a lot more money than you planned (even considering most museums & galleries are free).
Guide Book Update
I know many guide books are highly recommending the Museum of
Mankind just off Bond Street, and I trudged 1/2 hour to see this
wondrous collection only to find out that it’s closed. It is currently
being relocated to the British Museum and will not be on display
for a few years – probably just in time for the next guidebook
update!
Recommended Readings
Edward Rutherford’s “London.” Okay okay, it’s a long book, but
if you have a long plane ride the payoff is excellent. There’s
so much more to be had from the city when you can walk around
and understand how the things you’re seeing got there.
Getting Around
I know all guidebooks will tell you to take black cabs, and they
are pretty cool but also pretty expensive. You can get much cheaper
travel by finding a minicab, with whom you can negotiate the price
upfront. They are really easy to find at night, they hang around
outside of night clubs and other attractions, and they’re listed
in the phone book if you want to get one from your hotel.
Click here for a map of the London Underground.
Where to Find Info
The what’s on bible for most Londoners is “Time Out” which is widely available and comes out weekly for 1.80.
Every Thursday the very similar (though not as comprehensive) guide “Hot Tickets” comes free with the 35p Evening Standard – which is sold on all street corners.
