Ghost Bus Tours

London sightseeing bus tours are always popular and so are the scare attractions in town so why not combine the two and try a spooky sightseeing London bus tour at night!

The all black London double decker Routemaster buses are, apparently, from a fleet that was used to transport mourners and corpses to funerals outside of London. This story has some basis on the truth as there was a Necropolis Railway to transport bodies out of London when the graveyards filled up in the city following the cholera epidemic of 1848-49.

But, don't worry, you are not really traveling in a hearse but on the 'Fright Bus'; a renovated old London bus that's now painted black instead of the traditional bright red. And the seating has been altered to 'railway style' with seats facing each other plus small tables with lamps. The windows have curtains too so you can hide from the spooky sights.

As well as the unusual style of the bus, it has been fitted with screens at the front and back so all passengers can see the variety of camera angles on-board and the technical trickery installed for entertainment.

Expect spooky music and creepy sounds to accompany your tour as well as the on-board commentary from the Bus Conductor and his fellow actors.

As you would hope, The Ghost Bus Tour is a theatrical production as well as a sightseeing tour and the on-board team play their roles well.

The Bus Conductor knows about London locations as well as the gruesome tales and was able to cope well with questions from nervous passengers and soon got us all laughing. As he introduced the tour and got us ready for what to expect he told us we'd hear about murders, deaths, ghosts and ghouls but "most terrifying are the comedy moments." We were soon all giggling especially when he warned us excitedly to, "Watch out for the.... dramatic pauses."

The commentary is entertaining and the route included a trip to Cock Lane in the City where the Conductor got off the bus to entertain us with tales of the local ghost from the roadside. The off bus entertainment amused a group of local policeman who were in the area and came over to have a laugh. The double entendres and jokes flowed especially when it was suggested we all try searching online for Scratching Fanny which could certainly get you in trouble!

You board the bus near Trafalgar Square and go down Whitehall towards the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey before heading into the City of London.

You'll see St. Paul's Cathedral and The Monument, then the Tower of London before going over Tower Bridge.

The bus continues along Tooley Street where you'll pass Britain at War Experience, London Dungeon and London Bridge Experience & London Tombs and the commentary made us all laugh out loud when we heard, "It's a shame when companies have to make up stories about a fake morbid past just for entertainment, isn't it?" And are the stories all true that you'll hear on this tour? Well, they are all based on truth but rest assured, the Ghost Bus Tour likes to entertain you.

The tour continues near Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market before a stop off at an unusual central London graveyard.

The journey back from here consists of a seance on the bus so be prepared for all the wailing and howling that entails. All the curtains were drawn so we were in darkness which was a bit of a shame as the route back goes along the north side of the River Thames which would offer great views at night.

Tours run during the evenings as darkness is best for a spooky tour, of course.

Tours do not run every day of the week so check the official website for details.

Tours last around 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

The tour is not suitable for young children and under 15 year olds must be accompanied by a paying adult.

The bus can take up to 52 passengers and can be privately hired.

You can take photos but no videos.

Ticket information: 0844 5678 666 or the official website.

Disclosure: The company provided free access to this service for review purposes. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.