Haunted London: Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes Bus Tour

Travel back in time on a vintage open top double-decker bus, and walk through an empty Smithfield market, home to the cock-lane Ghost. Then retrace the murder sites of Jack the Ripper, before heading to the safety of the Sherlock Holmes pub.

The start of this creepy tour will see you boarding the vintage open top bus with your enthusiastic guide, at London's Victoria Coach Station Gate 0. You'll pass by the banqueting house where Charles I lost his head (literally), and the Royal London Hospital, famed for being the Elephant Man's home. Try not to think about the public hangings as you pass Old Bailey - it used to be a hanging hot spot - or whether Mrs Lovett really does put human remains in her pies.

Next up, it's off the bus and time for your ghost walk through Smithfield Market. At night, the cobbled streets around it are dark and scary, and you'll see the William Wallace plaque, marking the place where Braveheart was tortured. You'll also learn a lot about Fanny Lynes, the Cock Lane ghost, and the 19th century body-snatchers who dug up the dead in the name of science (or so they said).

Time for London's East End, once a 19th century criminal center. This was Jack the Ripper's hunting ground and you'll inspect his murder sites on foot, discuss the suspects, and hear the theories about who Jack the Ripper really was. Shudder!

If you like things dark and deadly, this is the tour for you, and don't worry, the Sherlock Holmes pub at the end is light and bright and serves very good beer. That should help you recover.