Jack the Ripper - What About the Women?
Description
When you mention Whitechapel, it’s all about Jack the Ripper. And no wonder, we are talking about one of the most infamous serial killers of all time. But there’s so much more to the story! Join us on this walking tour of London’s East End, where we hear from the voices that were silenced by the Ripper and by history: his victims. We’ll meet these incredibly resilient women and their neighbours as we discover the district that created a monster.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Hear the stories of Martha Tabram and Polly Nichols whilst understanding what life was like for working class residents of the Victorian East End. Learn about the harsh living conditions for the poor including dosshouses, workhouses, spikes and other types of accommodation, all experienced by the women in our story. We will also show you some of the charities still carrying out work in the area today.
We'll stop at the site of the pub where Polly Nichols was on her final night as we delve deeper into her life and the problem of alcoholism and addiction in the Victorian era. Stop at the Brick Lane Mosque to understand the story of immigration into the East End and the cultural diversity of the area.
We'll visit the site of the old Truman Brewery, once the largest in the world. Next doors is 29 Hanbury Street, where Annie Chapman was found the morning of September 8. Around the corner at the famous Ten Bells Pub, we'll hear more about Annie's life and the heartbreak she suffered. We'll also hear about how the movement Reclaim the Night had a hand in forcing the pub to change its name back to the Ten Bells from the Jack the Ripper pub.
A market opened in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee and the year before the Whitechapel Murders began. Here, we'll briefly dwell on the great contrasts of the Victorian era. Then, we'll head to Crispin Street to see the site of a refuge for working class people that actually worked! Across the street is the former site of Mary Jane Kelly's residence, the last victim in the murders and by far the most mysterious.
The former heart of the textile industry in the East End.
At the church of St Botolph's without Aldgate, we'll introduce you to Elizabeth Stride, originally from Sweden and tell you about her traumatic beginnings in Gothenburg and her later adventures in London. We will finish close by in Mitre Square, where Catherine Eddowes' body was discovered and we'll hear about the exploits of this feisty Wolverhampton lass.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(41)
We are so happy that we found Rebel Tours as we planned our trip to London. Cecily was a wonderful guide who took great care to shine a light on the human side of the Jack the Ripper story, and the deep dive into social and political factors that made Whitechapel the infamous neighborhood it was at the time was fascinating. This tour is a must for anyone who enjoys exploring dark and lesser known history.
What a superb tour by Ellie. The story of Whitechapel is often dominated from the perspective of the murderer. Rebel tours offer something quite different - the story of the victims - the women. Tracing their last moments, this walk offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the 5 or perhaps 6 ladies who met their untimely end. Extremely informative, this walk is highly recommended. Not only does Ellie know her subject, she knows London. Setting the scene and offering some real nuggets of wisdom, she really gives you an insight into the year 1888. Not to be missed.
Wonderful and excellent communication in advance.
Charlotte was an amazing tourguide and provided an exceptionaly engaging and interesting tour that I wholehertedly recommend to anyone who is interested in hearing about the victims's stories as real women with real lives and not displayed as objects of ridicule or voyerism as sometimes portrayed in Jack the Ripper tours. Charlotte's knowledge and professionalism deserve to be especially praised
This is one of the best tours ever!! Cecily was so informative so friendly so kind and so well-versed. Absolutely would do it again. And would absolutely recommend it for anyone in the city.
Was amazing changed my whole perspective and will be writing my play about the women and not a serial killer.
Our tour guide Cecily was wonderful and informative! Our group was nice and small (5 people total). The stories were all a refreshing take on what we have all heard.
Can't recommend this tour enough. Love that Rebel Tours takes the perspective of the victims, giving them a voice. While on the tour, Cecily painted a vivid picture of the life of these women, what lead to their living in Whitechapel, and what became of them as a result. While on the tour, I passed other Ripper tour groups, one whose leader was sensationalizing the Ripper. It upset me. I wished those tour members could have heard the story I did. They may not have thought the same afterward. I know I didn't. Thank you, Cecily and Rebel Tours.
Thank you so much Ellie, for bringing the lives of the women to daylight and trying to change how history decided to remember them - and sadly how they are still being remembered today in other tours. The picture of the daily lives and struggles of the working class (women) came to life with a ton of historic knowledge and a sensible telling of their stories. Looking forward to your other tours!
Charlotte gave such an informative and intriguing tour focused on the women and how they lived around 150 years ago. Made us see all of them as people rather than characters in the story most of us have heard over the years. Thank you Charlotte! I highly recommend booking this tour.
