London Dungeon

London Dungeon Review

Here's the goriest, grisliest, most gruesome attraction in town, where unfortunate prisoners (or at least realistic waxworks) are subjected in graphic detail to all the historical horrors that the Tower of London merely describes. Perhaps most shocking are the crowds of children roaring to get in—kids absolutely adore this place, although those with more a sensitive disposition may find it too frightening (that goes for adults as well). Since moving to new quarters next to the London Aquarium in March 2013, this attraction has eschewed its former penny-dreadful aesthetic in favor of a more "theatrical, history-based" approach. But rest assured; there are still plenty of tableaux depicting the bloody demise of famous figures alongside the torture, murder, and ritual slaughter of lesser-known victims, all to a soundtrack of screaming, wailing, and agonized moaning. There are displays on the Great Plague, Henry VIII, and Jack the Ripper, and, to add to the fear and fun, costumed characters leap out of the gloom to bring the exhibits to life. If you ever wondered what a disembowelment looked like, here's your chance to find out. Be sure to get the souvenir booklet to impress all your friends back home. Expect long lines on weekends and during school holidays. Savings are available for online booking.