Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

City Churches and the Ripper

I recently had my Spring Day in London, when I led two Guided Walks. I do this twice a year, in the Spring and in the Autumn.

As always, the walks were very well received by all who took part.

In the afternoon, it was "Churches of London", starting at Fenchurch Street Station. This is a stroll round parts of the City, looking at some of the many churches in this tightly packed district.

Some of them have amazing names, such as St. James Garlickhithe, St. Mary Aldermary and St. Margaret Pattens, and most were rebuilt in the 17th century by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London.

As well as pointing out many churches, I was also able to speak of some of the churches which have been long demolished.

Amazement was expressed that there are still so many churches in such a small area. What's even more amazing is that I only covered part of the City, and there are lots more. Some of them can be seen on another walk which I will be leading before long, entitled "Faith in London".

In the evening, it was on to Whitechapel Station, for "Jack the Ripper". This is always a popular one, appealing to people's fascination with the macabre.

We visited the sites of the five accepted murders, as well as some others that are sometimes claimed to be the work of the same person.

We discussed the possible reasons for the murders, the growing hysteria around London in 1888, and of course some of the people who have been linked with these ghastly deeds. The truth is, we shall probably never know the identity of the Ripper.

These walks in London attract participants from a wide area. This time, they came from Birstall, Brixton, Cambridge, Hockley, Hullbridge, Leigh, Oadby, Rayleigh, Rochford and Sevenoaks.

The next walks in London are on Saturday 3rd November. "Waterside London" will start from St. Pauls Cathedral at 1pm, and "Haunted Westminster" from the National Gallery at 5pm.

Book as early as you like.

Posted by colin on Tuesday 27th March, 2007 at 9:00am