Britain · GHOST AND VAULT TOURS
Edinburgh has the underground rooms, York has the narrow streets and London has the alleys. The 15 below are compared on how much of it is genuine history, how much is theatre, and whether you go below street level at all.
Walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile through old closes to Greyfriars Kirkyard and the South Bridge vaults. Your costumed guide plays a historical character, mixing grim stories, local history, and theatrical scares. The 6:45pm departure suits families, while later tours may feel more atmospheric.
“We had a really good time! David was amazing, lots of information and fun! 100% recommend this to everybody :)”
Walk from Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket into the vaults beneath South Bridge on a one-hour English tour with Auld Reekie Tours. Guides such as Josh, Louisa, James, Kieran, and Aimee combine Edinburgh history with stories of crime, poverty, witchcraft, and ghosts. Expect uneven ground, tight passageways, steep steps, and no toilet stop.
“I loved the tour of the vaults! Guide did a great job explaining the history of the vaults and the city. The problem was the group was too large. We had 40 people in the tour. Made it difficult to get around in the vaults and even harder to hear the tour guide. People would talk constantly and the guide couldn’t control such a large group.”
Spend about 2.5 hours exploring London after dark with guides such as Marvin, Arne, Murray, and Eddie. Walk from Green Park through spooky royal sites, hear tales of Berkeley Square and St. James’s Palace, then take a 25-minute Thames boat ride past the Tower of London. Expect theatrical storytelling, historic murder tales, and an Uber Boat rather than a dedicated ghost vessel.
“A really interesting tour and Murray was a brilliant guide, very enthusiastic and animated. Great value with the river trip included.”
Ride through Edinburgh after dark on a vintage Routemaster while an in-character guide such as Tommy Terror or Sinead O’Horror tells stories of Burke and Hare, witch hunts, executions, and restless spirits. The 60 to 75 minute tour passes the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse, Greyfriars, and Grassmarket. Expect theatrical fun rather than a serious history lesson.
“The tour is brill and interesting. Enjoyed the tour. The tour guide and drive made the tour. Kept all the visitors going”
Join the Necrobus at York Station for a 75-minute English-language comedy horror tour. A creepy conductor, often performing as John Doe or Edgar Crank, and driver Bob guide you past Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave. Expect theatrical storytelling, ghost tales, jokes, and a classic 1960s Routemaster bus.
“Very funny, good for entertainment value fun for something off the cuff to do”
Ride a classic Routemaster through York after dark with a theatrical conductor, passing Clifford’s Tower, York Minster, and Dick Turpin’s grave. Expect ghost stories, local history, comedy, jump scares, and a short walk. The English-language tour lasts about an hour to 75 minutes and costs $27.56 per person.
“Fun and, history brought to life with humour. The tour was just the right duration. Highly recommended.”
Walk from the Royal Mile into Edinburgh’s underground vaults with guides such as James, Louisa, Dom, and Aimee. Expect dark history, torture exhibits, ghost stories, steep stairs, and a quick 40-minute look at the vaults. The tour is in English, capped at 36 people, and best for ages 12 and up.
“This tour was short at sweet, and while not terribly "haunted", was a great way to learn a bit more about the city and it's architecture. Our host, James, was informative and seemed like a perfect fit for the tour! Also, this is majority indoors, so it's a good tour while raining”
Ride London’s black Necrobus from Northumberland Avenue near Trafalgar Square. A creepy conductor such as Cedric, Stan, or Oliver combines dark city stories, comedy, actors, and technical effects while the bus passes Westminster Abbey, Fleet Street, the Tower of London, London Bridge, and more.
“I must say I did go in with low expectations. But i was stunned by this beautiful old bus, renovated with so much love. Ben, our guid, was so funny and made his job with all his heart. Thank you so much for this great experience.👻”
Walk Edinburgh after dark with guides such as James, Diva, Jordan, Darren, or Brendan, visiting Greyfriars Graveyard and the South Bridge Vaults. Expect a 90-minute blend of burial-ground stories, grim city history, and reported paranormal tales. It is atmospheric and funny rather than theatrical, with no planned jump scares.
“Jordan was our tour guide. It was a great experience. It was very interesting hearing all of the stories and entertaining! If you love a good scare, my wife had to leave because she got too scared in the underground vaults! I finished the our and loved it. Recommend to everyone!”
Follow a cloaked Mercat guide from Mercat Cross through Edinburgh’s Old Town, hearing stories of murder, torture, and body snatching before entering the Blair Street Underground Vaults. The 75-minute tour is limited to 18 people, uses English storytelling, and relies on atmosphere rather than jump scares.
“Half an hr walking tour and told about how criminals were tortured, and about ghosts.Half an hr in Blair underground vaults, being told about resident ghosts and how people lived down there.Nicola was our guide and she was great, very dramatic”
Meet a costumed storyteller at 9:15 pm for an 80-minute walk through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and South Bridge vaults. Guides such as David Rizzio, Lafayette, Dr Knox, and Raticus use dark history, ghost tales, humor, and theatrical character work. Expect cold air, narrow passages, uneven ground, and a lively group setting.
“Great fun. Really informative. You need comfy shoes as lots of walking. James Douglas you are a legend.”
Join Shadows of York at 6:30 pm outside the Guy Fawkes Inn for a 90-minute walk through York’s darker past. Guides including Dan, Josh, and Mackenzie use theatrical storytelling, grim facts, and local tales around the Minster before finishing near the Shambles. Expect cobbles, cold air, group participation, and entertainment rather than a formal history lecture.
“Dan was fantastic! The tour was fun and informative. He has a theatrical way of explaining the stories so they’re spooky but you learn a lot. If your debating on which tour to book, you won’t be disappointed with this one! Thanks Dan and team 😊”
Meet your guide at Mercat Cross for a short Old Town walk, then enter the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Expect 75 minutes of stories about workshops, taverns, poverty, medical crimes, and life beneath South Bridge. Guides such as Linda, Veni, Nicola, and Charles are known for lively delivery. Low light and uneven floors require care.
“What a fascinating piece of history. Really interesting and informative. Our guide was clear and enthusiastic and it was well paced and had loads of interesting facts which made the tour a really fascinating part of our trip to Edinburgh”
Follow a live guide through Green Park, St James’s, Westminster, and the Tower of London, hearing grim tales of plague, death, ghosts, and royal punishment. Choose a 30-minute Thames boat ride or take the Underground. Guides including Marvin, Julia, Luke, and Zachary bring humor and strong storytelling to this two-hour evening outing.
“I love all things spooky and gruesome, and this ghost tour provides the perfect opportunity to learn history and see some of London’s top landmarks through a spooky/gruesome lens. Our guide Julia was fantastic. Her enthusiasm was contagious and I felt immersed in the stories she told. My mom loved the tour too. I’m so happy we booked it. I can highly recommend it!”
Meet a costumed guide outside Bath Abbey for a two-hour walk through Bath’s darker past. Hear stories of monks, murders, witches, plague pits, poltergeists, and strange hauntings at sites including Queen Square, the Theatre Royal, Victoria Park, Pulteney Bridge, and hidden lanes. Guides such as John, Robert, and Mr Skinner add theatrical storytelling and group participation.
“We did this tour last night and it was fantastic! So fun, so informative and our tour guide Mr Skinner was absolutely brilliant. He really brought each story to life and made it a truly great experience. Highly recommend!!”
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