With the prospect of going door-to-door this year off the cards, take to the river for a spooky day in London. Enjoy a Halloween-themed day out with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers and seek out spooky, quirky and frightful adventures along the way.
Start your day at the London Dungeon, which is hosting The Final Straw from 3-31 October. Delve into the dark history of why scarecrows were first invented – but keep your wits about you, as not every scarecrow is as they may appear. Actors will take you through the macabre history of London, from the plague to Jack the Ripper, just prepare yourself for the jump scares.
From here, board at London Eye (Waterloo) Pier. Sail along the river with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers grabbing a hot chocolate en route, and disembark at Tower Pier. Next, walk to Tower of London and see terrifying instruments of pain, part of the Torture at the Tower exhibition. In the 1500s and 1600s, during a period of extreme political and religious upheaval, torture was used at the Tower. Packed with iconic exhibits, you can’t miss the Crown Jewels, the ravens, Bloody Tower, Medieval Palace, the public outside areas of the Tower of London and magnificent armour displays in the White Tower, including Line of Kings.
Sailing with shadows, spooks and scares. Hop onboard again at Tower Pier and head east to Greenwich Pier. Try to capture a selfie with one of the resident ghosts at Queen’s House, who are used to being caught on camera. In 1966 Rev and Mrs R W Hardy noticed, to their horror, a ghost on the pretty Tulip Stairs once they’d developed a photograph they’d taken on their visit. Alternatively in Greenwich, the Old Royal Naval College is hosting an evening of Ghost Stories on 30 and 31 October, with live music, food and drinks in the Painted Hall Café and the Old Brewery.
Heading back toward the centre of the capital, disembark at London Bridge City Pier for the Old Operating Theatre, Museum and Herb Garret. Housed in the attic of the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital, this atmospheric museum offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery. Predating anaesthetics and antiseptics, it is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe.
Hop on and off with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ services all day when you buy a River Roamer. A Family River Roamer costs £35.60 for two adults and up to three children (aged 5-15; 4s and under travel for free as standard) when booked online. River Roamers can also be bought on the Thames Clippers Tickets or Uber apps, at ticket machines at piers, and ticket offices, but are 10% cheaper when bought online or via the apps.
For full details of the enhanced onboard safety measures in response to Covid-19 check thamesclippers.com/safety-measures