Last night I went on the Jack the Ripper walking tour around Whitechapel - for those who have never done it, I strongly recommend it. Not only is it an hour and a half of brilliant story telling and great facts about the east end, but it costs just £7 a head - a bargain when you think of how London loves to rip off it's tourists and its own alike.
There are various tours you can do, but I was very fortunate to have chosen one that was led by not only a very entertaining, amusing and massively engaging tour guide but he also knew his onions. Seriously. This guy knew anything and everything there was to know about the local area, Jack the Ripper and serial killers in general.
The tour starts outside Aldgate East station and takes you to various spots where Jack the Ripper viciously murdered several prostitutes - and I had no idea just had viciously either. The tour guide had genuine photos taken from the time of the mutilated victims that will make you whince. He also had a collection of photos of the area showing you just what it looked like - and followed them up with engrossing tales that really gave you a feel of what it was like if you had the misfortune to live in the east end in Victorian times.
The tour ends up in the city at one of the murder spots and you are taken through the main suspects and also given a very compelling argument about who actually was Jack the Ripper - but I won't ruin it for you!
I highly recommend you go on the tour and that you chose this firm to take you - http://www.jack-the-ripper-walks.com
Also - go to Goulston Street before hand just round the corner to pick up some fish and chips for the walk, it's not only a very tasty chippy, but is also the last completely standing building left where we KNOW Jack the Ripper has stood.
Tonight: Spamalot
Labels: James G