REVIEW · LONDON
London: Ghost Walk and River Thames Boat Ride
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by See Your City · Bookable on GetYourGuide
If you like your London with a chill in the air, this walk fits. You’ll start in Green Park, hear haunting stories tied to major landmarks, and finish at the Tower of London with the lights on. I especially like the way the guide mixes ghost talk with real historical detail, and the option to break up the walking with a Thames boat ride. One thing to consider: the route involves stairs, so it may be tough if you have mobility limits.
This is a compact way to see a lot of central sights after dark without doing it on your own. And if you pick the boat option, you get a cruise experience on the Thames plus an onboard bar, so the pacing feels more relaxed than a straight walking tour.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Setting off from Green Park: finding the right group fast
- The haunted route through Central London’s biggest landmarks
- Green Park: the spooky opener
- St James’s Palace: royalty and unease in the same frame
- Houses of Parliament: the shadows get political
- London Eye: the quick photo moment
- The Thames boat ride option (Catamaran): a real break in the pacing
- What makes the boat time worth it
- One note on how much you’ll hear on the boat
- Continuing the story to the end: Tower of London as the big finish
- Why that finish works
- Walking & Tube alternative: same route, different transfer
- Your guide makes or breaks the mood
- Walking comfort and safety: what to expect on the ground
- Price and value: $26 for a tightly packed evening plan
- Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)
- Should you book the London Ghost Walk and Thames Boat Ride?
- FAQ
- Where does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- Is the Thames boat ride included?
- What do I need for the Underground option?
- What languages are the guides?
- Is it suitable for kids?
Key things to know before you go

- Green Park start at the Goddess Diana statue: meeting is right by the Green Park Station exit.
- Two transport options, same spooky route: Thames boat or a short Tube transfer to the finish.
- Tower of London is your finale: a royal castle and former prison, lit up for the evening.
- Stories come with laughs: multiple guides use humor to keep the mood fun, not just frightening.
- Stairs are part of the plan: expect uneven old-city walking at times.
Setting off from Green Park: finding the right group fast

The whole night runs on a simple meeting point: by the Statue of Goddess Diana, at the Green Park exit to Green Park Station. Your guide will be holding a blue flag, which makes it easier to link up, even if the area feels busy.
Arriving a few minutes early helps you settle in. London streets can be noisy, and you’ll want to hear the guide clearly once you start moving. Also, if you’re doing this in colder months, wear something you can walk in comfortably—your first chunk is all about getting into the mood and keeping your footing.
You can also read our reviews of more walking tours in London
The haunted route through Central London’s biggest landmarks

This tour is built around a tight, high-impact stretch of central London. The idea is to use famous sights as anchors, then layer the darker stories on top—so you aren’t just seeing landmarks, you’re seeing them with context.
You’ll hit a sequence of photo stops and short sightseeing moments that keep things moving. Each stop is brief, but that’s part of the value: you cover a lot in about two hours without feeling stuck at one spot too long.
Green Park: the spooky opener
Green Park is where the tour’s tone starts. You’ll get a photo stop and a quick look around, and it’s a good early moment to mentally switch from daytime London mode to night-time ghost mode.
I like that the tour starts here because it’s central but not as cramped as some other areas. That makes it easier to hear the guide and keep the group together before the walking ramps up.
St James’s Palace: royalty and unease in the same frame
Next up is St James’s Palace, another quick stop for photos and sightseeing. Even without getting technical about it, the location alone adds atmosphere—this is a part of London where history feels close to the ground.
The guide uses the contrast well: you’re looking at something official and iconic, then hearing stories that turn the mood darker. If you like your ghosts tied to place, this kind of stop does the job.
Houses of Parliament: the shadows get political
You’ll pass the Houses of Parliament for a photo stop and sightseeing. It’s a landmark everyone recognizes, so it’s an easy way to orient yourself while the guide shifts into darker material.
If you’re a fan of historical storytelling, this is one of those stops that works because it’s instantly legible. You don’t need extra context before the guide starts connecting events and legends to what you see outside.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in London
London Eye: the quick photo moment
The London Eye is included as a photo stop. It’s short, but it’s useful—this is one of those big sights that helps you map where you are as the night progresses.
If you’re doing the boat option later, the Eye also sets up the visual transition to the Thames area.
The Thames boat ride option (Catamaran): a real break in the pacing

If you choose the boat, you’ll get a catamaran ride for about 30 minutes. The boat experience is described as luxury, and there’s an onboard bar, which is a simple bonus when you want to warm up, sip something, and watch London slide by.
You’ll also see the legendary attractions illuminated against the night sky—this is where the tour feels like it changes gears from street-level drama to city-at-scale views.
What makes the boat time worth it
I like the boat segment because it gives your legs a break. You’re still part of the same experience, but you can reset between spooky storytelling chunks. Some people also find it convenient for quick needs during the evening, since a boat ride naturally pauses the nonstop walking rhythm.
One note on how much you’ll hear on the boat
On at least some departures, the boat portion may feel more like sightseeing time than a fully guided story segment. If you care a lot about hearing the narrative continuously, keep that in mind and enjoy the view anyway—because the lighting on the Thames is the star here.
Continuing the story to the end: Tower of London as the big finish

The tour ends at the Tower of London, and it’s a strong ending choice. The Tower isn’t just an attraction—it’s a royal castle and former prison, which means the building’s history fits the “ghost walk” theme without needing extra explanation.
You’ll have a photo stop and sightseeing moment there, and the finish location is Tower Hill Terrace, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4EE.
Why that finish works
This is the kind of finale that makes the earlier stops feel connected. The tour doesn’t just throw you into a spooky story and then drop you off randomly; it funnels you toward a place that can actually hold the darker tone.
Also, the Tower illuminated at night looks great on camera, but the bigger win is mental: after hearing stories around Parliament, palaces, and parks, you’re ending at a site that’s naturally built for both drama and truth.
Walking & Tube alternative: same route, different transfer

If you prefer not to do the Thames boat option, there’s a Walking & Tube option. You’ll follow the exact same haunted route and storytelling and finish at the Tower of London. The only difference is the final transfer, which is by Underground rather than river.
This matters for planning: London Underground tickets are required if you pick the Underground option. You’ll need to use your own Oyster, contactless payment card, or Travelcard for the short Tube journey.
In plain terms: choose the Tube option if you’d rather control the time and don’t want to wait for boarding. Choose the boat option if you want the view and the onboard bar as part of your night.
Your guide makes or breaks the mood

This tour is heavily guide-driven, and the strongest pattern across recent experiences is storytelling that’s both fun and detailed. Guides like Marvin, Julia, and Luke are frequently praised for mixing humor with historical facts, so the ghost element stays entertaining rather than turning into pure shock.
A few guide-related details that matter in real life:
- Clear speaking in London noise: guides like Zachary/Zac are noted for being loud and easy to follow over street sound.
- Fun tone without losing the facts: guides such as John and Francis are often described as pairing spooky tales with real historical grounding.
- Energy matters after dark: guides like Anna are described as keeping things lively, even with larger groups.
If your goal is an evening that feels like a guided story rather than a checklist of stops, pick a departure that matches your comfort level with walking and night atmosphere.
Walking comfort and safety: what to expect on the ground

This is an outdoor tour that includes stairs. It may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues, and you should assume there will be uneven old-stone walking in places.
A practical approach:
- Wear shoes with grip and plan for uneven surfaces at night.
- If you’re with a stroller, you might want to think about stair-heavy moments ahead of time. In at least one real case, the guide offered help to avoid stairs where possible, but the tour still involves steps.
- If you’re doing this at a time when it’s not fully dark, the atmosphere may feel less intense. Night lighting matters for the mood.
Price and value: $26 for a tightly packed evening plan

At around $26 per person for a 2-hour tour, the value mostly comes from what’s included versus what you’d otherwise pay for separately.
Here’s the practical way to think about it:
- You’re paying for a guided walk that covers multiple major sights in central London.
- You’re getting a guide throughout.
- If you choose the boat option, you’re also getting a Thames cruise plus an onboard bar, and you’re seeing illuminated landmarks from the water.
Even if you’ve been to London before, this setup can still feel worth it because it gives you a guided storytelling thread from Green Park to the Tower. You’re not just paying for spooky entertainment; you’re paying for time-saving direction and a structured night.
Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is best for you if you:
- Like London landmarks, but want a different angle than the usual museum-and-palace rhythm.
- Enjoy ghost stories that stay grounded in real events and places.
- Want an evening activity that’s short enough to fit into a tight schedule.
It’s not a good match if:
- You’re traveling with children under 12.
- You have mobility limitations and can’t manage stairs and uneven walking.
One more honest note: if you’re hoping for a fully guided experience where every second is spooky narration, the boat portion might not feel equally story-led. Think of it as a viewpoint break that still belongs to the same overall evening.
Should you book the London Ghost Walk and Thames Boat Ride?
Book it if you want a fun, structured night with real London landmarks and a clear ending at the Tower of London. It’s also a smart pick if you’re trying to do something memorable without spending half a day on logistics.
Skip it if stairs and uneven ground are a deal-breaker, or if you’re only interested in constant narration with no scenic breaks. If you choose the boat option, go in expecting great views and atmosphere—and take the bar break as part of the point.
If you like your history with a little danger and a lot of personality, this is one of those London evenings that leaves you with stories you can actually place on a map.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
It starts by the Statue of Goddess Diana, at the Green Park exit to Green Park Station. Your guide will be holding a blue flag.
How long is the tour?
The tour runs for about 2 hours.
Is the Thames boat ride included?
The Thames boat ride is included if you select the boat option. If you choose the Walking & Tube option, the final transfer is by Underground instead.
What do I need for the Underground option?
If you select the Underground option, you’ll need your own London Underground tickets. You can use an Oyster, contactless payment card, or Travelcard for the short Tube journey.
What languages are the guides?
The tour is offered with a live guide in French, German, or English.
Is it suitable for kids?
Children under 12 are not suitable. Children aged 0–3 go free.































