The London Dungeon was founded in 1976 by Annabel Geddes. The attraction was originally a wax exhibition of gory and macabre history, comprising themed tableaux under the Tooley Street arches. Early characters included Boudica, Mary Tudor and Thomas Becket and had scenes from the Norman Conquest.
From the late 1980s to mid 90s, it evolved to feature walkthrough theatrical shows, such as the Great Fire of London and Jack The Ripper, during which time it was owned by the Kunick Leisure Group. It was acquired by Vardon Attractions in 1992, which later became Merlin Entertainments through a management buy out, led by Nick Varney. Merlin rebranded the Dungeon more as an interactive horror attraction, less historically-accurate and based around bad taste humour.
In 2013, the London Dungeon moved from its premises of 39 years in Tooley Street, to County Hall, South Bank, to be grouped with other Merlin-owned attractions such as the London Eye.
The London Dungeon is one of the capitals must-see signature attractions – delighting audiences for almost 40 years. Its an 110 minute journey through 1000 years of Londons darkest past. You and your companions walk through the Dungeon, moving from show to show, guided by our professional actors.
The shows are based on real London history and legends. Youll get up close and personal with sinister characters including Jack the Ripper and infamous barber of Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd.
Its a fully themed experience. That means 360° sets, full on authenticity and theatrical storytelling. On your journey youll pass through the Whitechapel Labyrinth of misty East London streets, plague-ravaged houses, the fearsome torture chamber. Believe me, its better than a sightseeing or boring museum tour of London.
The London Dungeon is a uniquely thrilling attraction that’ll take you back to the past’s most horrible bits. See, hear, smell and feel Londons darkest stories as they come to life before your eyes.
As you are taken back in time, you will come face-to-face with frighteningly funny characters, from torturers and judges to local legends. As you listen to their stories, you’ll feel yourself drawn into another world, where the boundaries between reality and the past blur.
Be warned: as you make your way through the London Dungeon, surprises are lurking in the darkness and will keep your senses on high alert as you anticipate what’s waiting around the next corner.