LONDON DUNGEON HISTORY
History of The London Dungeon
The London Dungeon, located on the South Bank near London Bridge, is a thrilling attraction that offers visitors a journey through the darkest times of London’s past. It blends history and horror to create a truly unique experience.
Visitors are taken on an adventure exploring the city’s most sinister historical events, brought to life by live actors, engaging storytelling, and chilling rides. This combination of history and horror has made it a favourite for tourists and locals seeking a memorable and engaging experience in London.
Museum of macabre history
The original London Dungeon was first opened in 1974 on Tooley Street in London.
Created by Annabel Geddes, this museum of macabre history was initially designed as a wax horror exhibition presenting Britain’s dark and gruesome historical moments through wax figures and static displays.
It began as a walk-through exhibit museum focused on themes of torture. Early displays included figures such as Mary Tudor, warrior queen Boudica, and Thomas Becket, as well as scenes from the Black Death plague and Norman Conquest.
From facts to frights
Over the years, The London Dungeon transformed into an interactive and animated theatrical experience, including shows like Jack the Ripper and the Great Fire of London. Originally owned by Kunick Leisure Group, it changed hands in 1992 to Vardon Attractions, later Merlin Entertainments, led by Nick Varney. Merlin later rebranded to focus more on an engaging horror attraction, a walkthrough experience, humor, and scares, and less on a static exhibition with strict historical accuracy.
One of the standout additions was Judgment Day, a water-based tyrant boat ride that began with a mock trial where visitors were sentenced to death. The experience included a journey through the Traitor’s Gate toward their execution. The ride was cleverly built in a small space, starting with a ransacked village scene and ending with a dramatic finale: a lift into darkness, a turntable, and a backward drop. Initially, the story featured an executioner with an axe but later changed to a firing squad that “shot” guests just before the drop.
Revamping horror
In 2000, The London Dungeon brought back the Fire of London show, recreating the burning streets of 17th-century London with smoke effects and a spinning screen. It expanded its shows by reintroducing popular attractions and adding more actor-led shows, including the Labyrinth of the Lost Mirror Maze and The Great Plague. In 2004, the Judgment Day boat ride was revamped and renamed Traitor – Boat Ride to Hell, simplifying it to a dark boat ride with most of the original effects removed. In 2006, a Sweeney Todd experience was introduced, featuring sound and sensory effects to create a chilling encounter with the character. The experience ended with a startling surprise as visitors’ chairs suddenly tilted backward. The following year, the attraction added Extremis – Drop Ride to Doom, inspired by the hangings at Newgate Gallows. Guests were lifted 20 feet to face animatronic characters, a judge, a priest, and a hangman before plunging into a free fall into darkness.
New thrills and chills
In 2008, the Jack the Ripper experience was updated with a new ending set in the Ten Bells pub. In 2009, the attraction introduced Surgery – Blood and Guts, focusing on gruesome anatomy with interactive elements involving the audience. In 2010, Bloody Mary: Killer Queen replaced the Fire of London show. It featured a dramatic scene where a randomly chosen audience member was “burned” as a heretic, complete with smoke effects. The following year, the Dungeon introduced Vengeance 5D, an interactive seated ride where visitors participated in a séance – themed shooting game. The new ride took over parts of the original Jack the Ripper show, which was significantly shortened. However, Vengeance 5D was short-lived, operating for just one season.
The final journey at Tooley Street
The final show at the Tooley Street location took place on January 31, 2013. It included experiences like the Labyrinth of the Lost, The Great Plague, Surgery: Blood and Guts, The Torture Chamber, The Courtroom, Bedlam, Traitor: Boat Ride to Hell, Sweeney Todd, Vengeance 5D, Jack the Ripper, Bloody Mary: Killer Queen, and Extremis: Drop Ride to Doom.
Book your London Dungeon ticket now & visit the dark side of history!
Interactive shows & a thrilling ride
London Dungeon Online Discount Ticket
Enjoy 14 interactive shows and a fun ride, meet scary historical figures full of witty jokes, and learn about 1,000 years of London's history. Visit Sweeney Todd's barber shop, look out for Jack the Ripper, and see what happened with Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder Plot. Add a cocktail in a tavern to complete the experience!
The £20 million transformation
After 39 years on Tooley Street, The London Dungeon relocated to County Hall on the South Bank in 2013, joining other Merlin attractions like the London Eye. The new venue, designed by architect Ralph Knott in a Baroque-inspired style, is located directly across from the Houses of Parliament, famously linked to Guy Fawkes’ 1605 gunpowder plot. The Dungeon underwent a £20 million renovation that lasted an entire year, transforming the attraction with a new design while keeping its eerie charm.
A new stage for London’s horrors
The new County Hall London Dungeon kept several attractions from the Tooley Street location, excluding Bloody Mary and Vengeance 5D. When the Dungeon moved from its original site, many props were sold at a car boot sale in Pimlico. The new venue brought to life notorious events and figures from London’s past, such as The Great Fire of London, the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, King Henry VIII, and Anne Boleyn’s tragic story at the Tower of London, the plague-ridden streets of 17th-century London, torture chambers, and medieval law and justice.
The London Dungeon today
The London Dungeon is one of the popular attractions in London, offering a spine-chilling journey into the city’s dark past. With live shows, special effects, and exciting rides, costumed actors guide visitors through haunting scenes, combining elements of historical stories with drama and humor. Standout attractions include the adrenaline-pumping Drop Dead Ride, recreating the terror of a public execution, and the Tyrant Boat Ride, a spooky journey through dark waters. The experience is improved with realistic props, dim lighting, sound effects, and even smells to create a chilling atmosphere.
While filled with scares, the Dungeon balances them with humor, making it a fun and spooky experience for families with older kids and anyone curious about London’s darker past.
Ready to experience more than The London Dungeon?
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Visit locations from Harry Potter movies
London Dungeon Ticket & Harry Potter Tour
Discover London's dark history at The London Dungeon and explore iconic locations from the Harry Potter movies with an expert guide. Beware of Jack the Ripper and scream on a thrilling ride. See Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station, the Leaky Cauldron, the House of Spells, and more! This is a small-group tour, so you can avoid a large crowd and have more time to ask your guide any questions you may have. This ticket also includes discount codes that you can use in 2 Potter stores!
Explore Westminster with a local guide
London Dungeon Ticket & Westminster Walking Tour
Explore the dark and thrilling world of The London Dungeon, where London’s notorious past comes alive. Meet infamous historical characters, listen to their chilling tales, and experience spine-tingling scenes filled with twists, surprises, and a touch of humor. Join a small group Westminster tour to visit 20 famous locations like Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and more. You can also see the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. This tour offers a private option for a personalized experience.