The London Dungeon is not a museum; it is a theatrical experience that plunges you into the murky, dangerous, and often hilarious history of London. Located on the South Bank, next to the London Eye, it recreates 1,000 years of the capital's darkest moments. Using professional actors, live shows, special effects, and underground rides, it delivers a unique blend of scares and storytelling.
What to Expect
The experience is a guided walkthrough tour that lasts approximately 90 minutes. You move from room to room, each representing a different location and era. The sets are meticulously designed to be smelly, dark, and atmospheric. The actors are the heart of the experience—they will pick on you, sentence you for crimes you didn't commit, and make you jump out of your skin.
It takes you through a "greatest hits" of horror, featuring the city's most notorious characters and disasters.
Key Shows and Characters
The Descent
Your journey begins with a descent into the bowels of the dungeon via a medieval lift. As the chains rattle and the floor shakes, the lift operator sets the scene for the terrors that await below.
The Tyrant Boat Ride
The year is 1536. You and your fellow traitors have been condemned to death by King Henry VIII for conspiring with Anne Boleyn. You board a boat for your final journey towards the Tower of London. It is a turbulent ride through the dark, damp tunnels, complete with water sprays and sensory effects.
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
Travel back to 1605. You are in the tunnels underneath Parliament. The air is thick with the smell of gunpowder. You'll meet the conspirators and learn about the plot to blow up the King, ending in an explosive finale.
The Plague Doctor
It is 1665, and the Great Plague is ravaging London. Wander through the rot-filled streets (yes, they pump in smells) and enter the surgery of the Plague Doctor. Watch as he graphically demonstrates the "cures" and effects of the Black Death. It is gross, educational, and very funny.
Sweeney Todd
Step into Fleet Street and enter the barber shop of Sweeney Todd. You are seated in his barber chairs for a "close shave." Using binaural audio technology and mechanical effects in the chairs, this show creates a terrifyingly 3D audio hallucination where you feel the Demon Barber breathing down your neck.
Whitechapel Labyrinth and Jack the Ripper
Navigate your way through a confusing mirror maze set in the foggy, gas-lit streets of Victorian Whitechapel. Jack the Ripper is on the loose. The tension builds as you enter the Ten Bells Pub, where the Ripper's victims drank, and hear the story of his gruesome murders told by the landlady.
Drop Dead: Drop Ride
The final experience is your execution at Newgate Prison. You are strapped into the "Drop Dead" ride. It simulates the long drop of the hangman's noose. It is a sudden, fast free-fall drop in the dark that leaves your stomach in your throat. (Note: You can skip the ride if you prefer).
The Tavern
If you survive the tour, you emerge into a Victorian pub, The Tavern. Here, you can calm your nerves with a drink (alcoholic or soft). The actors continue to roam the area, playing piano and interacting with guests, keeping the atmosphere alive even as you relax.
Is It Suitable for Children?
The London Dungeon is recommended for ages 12 and above. It is dark, loud, and designed to scare. There are jump scares, themes of torture, death, and murder. Younger children may find it too intense. However, many brave 10-year-olds enjoy it. It depends entirely on the child.
Visitor Information
Booking: It is highly recommended to book online in advance. This guarantees your entry time and is usually cheaper than buying on the door.
Combi-Tickets: The Dungeon is part of the Merlin Entertainments group (which also owns the London Eye, Sea Life, and Madame Tussauds). Buying a "Big City Saver" multi-attraction ticket is the smartest way to save money if you plan to visit more than one of these.
Location: It is located inside County Hall on the South Bank, right next to the London Eye and Sea Life London Aquarium. The nearest tube stations represent Waterloo and Westminster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the actors allowed to touch you?
Generally, no. They will get very close to invade your personal space to intimidate you, but they will not grab you. Conversely, you are not allowed to touch them.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the majority of the attraction is accessible. There is a lift. However, for safety reasons, wheelchair users may not be able to ride the boat ride or the drop ride, but alternative routes are provided.
Can I take photos?
Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the attraction. It ruins the dark atmosphere and distracts the actors. You can take photos in The Tavern at the end.