Walking in the Footsteps of History's Most Notorious Killer

Few names in criminal history carry as much dark fascination as Jack the Ripper. In the autumn of 1888, a series of brutal murders terrorized the foggy streets of Whitechapel in London's East End, leaving investigators baffled and the public gripped by fear. More than 130 years later, the mystery remains unsolved, and the streets where these crimes unfolded have become one of the world's most visited true crime destinations.

The Jack the Ripper walk takes you through a neighborhood that, while now vibrant and gentrified, still holds whispers of its Victorian past. Cobblestone alleyways, gas-lamp-style streetlights, and centuries-old pub facades create an atmosphere that makes it surprisingly easy to imagine Whitechapel as it once was — a crowded, impoverished district where danger lurked after dark. This self-guided tour connects five key locations tied to the canonical Ripper murders.

Practical Information

- Duration: Approximately 2–3 hours at a leisurely pace

- Distance: Roughly 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles)

- Difficulty: Easy — entirely flat, suitable for all fitness levels

- Best Time: Evening walks offer the most atmospheric experience, though daytime is recommended for solo travellers unfamiliar with the area

- Starting Point: Whitechapel Underground Station (District and Hammersmith & City lines)

Stop 1: Buck's Row — Durward Street, E1

Now known as Durward Street, this was the site of the first canonical Ripper murder. In the early hours of 31 August 1888, the body of Mary Ann Nichols was discovered by a cart driver near a stable gateway. The street has changed considerably, but standing here at dusk, it is not difficult to feel the isolation that made it a perfect location for such a crime to go unwitnessed.

Stop 2: Hanbury Street — 29 Hanbury Street, E1

Just a short walk north lies Hanbury Street, where Annie Chapman was murdered on 8 September 1888. Her body was found in the backyard of number 29, a lodging house that no longer stands. The site is now occupied by a brewery building, but a small marker acknowledges its grim history. Chapman was the second canonical victim, and her murder intensified public panic throughout London.

Stop 3: Mitre Square — Mitre Square, EC3A

Crossing into the City of London, Mitre Square was the scene of one of the most shocking single nights in Ripper history. On 30 September 1888 — the so-called "Double Event" — Catherine Eddowes was murdered here just forty-five minutes after another victim was found across the city. The square is now a quiet, pleasant space surrounded by office buildings, making the contrast with its violent past all the more striking.

Stop 4: Goulston Street — Goulston Street, E1

Near here, police discovered a piece of Catherine Eddowes' apron and, chalked on a doorway above it, a cryptic message known as the Goulston Street graffito. The writing was controversially erased before dawn to prevent potential anti-Semitic riots. The exact wording and its significance are still debated by Ripper scholars, making this one of the walk's most compelling stops.

Stop 5: Miller's Court — Dorset Street, E1

The final and most haunting stop marks where Mary Jane Kelly, the last canonical victim, was murdered on 9 November 1888. Kelly's death was the most brutal of all five killings. Dorset Street no longer exists, but a passageway off Commercial Street marks the approximate location of Miller's Court, where her room once stood.

Guided Tours

For those who prefer expert commentary, two excellent options exist. London Walks ([londonwalks.com](https://www.londonwalks.com)) runs regular Ripper walks led by knowledgeable guides. Jack the Ripper Tour ([jacktherippertour.net](https://www.jacktherippertour.net)) offers smaller group experiences with specialist historians, ideal for true crime enthusiasts wanting deeper insight.