**** GHOST WALKS- which one best? ****
 

Want to take a ghost tour in London this late October and checked their website (www.walks.com)but do not know which tour is most interesting to take? <BR> <BR>Can anyone advise?

The site you refer is Original London Walks, which is well known and quite good. If in doubt, contact them directly. Call or e-mail. They're generally very responsive to questions about matters such as this.

While it's not exactly a ghost tour, my very favorite of the London walks (www.walks.com) is the Jack the Ripper tour led by Donald Rumbelow. Mr. Rumbelow is an expert on the subject and gives a great tour. Take it at night for the most chilling effect.

Of the two that I have taken, I preferred the Ghosts of the Old City to the Ghosts of the West End, largely because the City is less populated with other people walking about in the evening.

Thanks all! <BR> <BR>What is typical distance- about one mile or so? Takes about 1.5 hrs. to complete? Sent e-mail to London Walks with questions as website not that clear to me <BR> <BR>Any other suggestions welcome.

Donald's Jack the Ripper walk is great and easily the most popular given by London Walks. Unlike most walks where perhaps a dozen people might be attending, the Jack the Ripper led by Donald may attract several hundred. Donald often has his wife Molly nearby to handle the overflow once they split the group into more manageable sizes. Even if you take one of the ghost walks, try to fit Donald's walk in, too. My recollection is that the e-mail response to my questions came back reasonably quickly, but it may have taken a day or two. If you're in a hurry, call ahead or call upon arrival in London. There's no need to make reservations. All you have to do is show up.

Russell- As of today I have not had an e-mail reply but will wait a few more days. I truly appreciate sharing your experience with me and anyone else interested in this type of London walk. I am excited about it and cannot wait to take it. <BR> <BR>How long do you recall it being? About 1-1.5 hours? Cost p/p? Any chance when in London to call for that night they will say it is all filled up? Thanks again!

Debbie: <BR>I'm surprised you haven't heard back yet. Even so, don't worry since the walks don't fill. Whoever shows up goes, whether it's five people or many more. The cost of the walk is 5 pounds sterling, which is about $7.50. If you take multiple walks, there's a discount card available at 1.5 pounds, which cuts the cost of subsequent walks to 3.5 pounds. Most walks take about 2 hours. <BR>On Donald's walk, he moves from place to place in a relatively small area around Whitechapel describing much of what's known about Jack the Ripper. Donald is the leading authority on Old Jack and his presentation is superb. The other guides I've had on various London Walks have also been excellent. You can read the descriptions of all the walks at their site. Just remember to dresss appropriately for the weather, which can be cool and wet in the evening. The walks are one of the best ways to enjoy London.

Russell-- will give them until tomorrow and send e-mail again. I really appreciate all the information you have given. Sounds like you got to know Donald quite a bit and that you were fascinated by his presentation. That's great you really enjoyed it. I read somewhere else the poster took a couple of London Walks and said the leader of each was wonderful. They probably hire the most knowelable folks they can find. It would be an interesting side job!

Debbie, what are the questions that you have e-mailed to London Walks that haven't been answered yet on this forum? The walks last two hours. I have done 15 to 20 since I first "discovered" them in 1993 (Rumbelow's Jack the Ripper, which I thought great at the time but which has dropped in my estimation compared to a number of the others) and I have no idea the distance one walks. Certainly not enough to qualify as exercise, although Rumbelow hoofs it at a faster pace than any other.

Ron-- thank you as I just heard from them. With all posted here and all from website, all is answered. Your words and Russells too, are testimony to taking these walks when in London. THANKS to you both!