Halloween: The Ghost Bus Tours

I recently had the chance to go on the Ghost Bus Tour in London, UK. It was silly, spooky fun and so I thought I'd include it in our Halloween list of things to do!

The bus leaves from outside the Grand Hotel on Northumberland Avenue, which is just down the road from Charing Cross tube station, so it's quite a convenient location. You're supposed to arrive 10 minutes before the tour you're going on, and so the bus probably won't be there, but there's a sign for it, so it's pretty easy to find. There's also a lot of other buses passing by, but you'll easily recognise the Ghost Bus, because it's painted completely black.

"Tour Info

All aboard the ‘orrible omnibus for a ride around the dark side of London. The Ghost Bus Tours’ classic Routemaster has been redesigned to give passengers London’s first ‘Fright Bus’ service. On-board actors and technical trickery combine to create the scariest tour in town. A creepy conductor provides the commentary for this sinister sightseeing show, revealing haunted palaces, unmarked burial grounds and the skeletons in the capital’s cupboard.

1.The Ghost Bus Tour takes you around the City, West End and even goes south of the river.

2.Tours depart from Northumberland Avenue which is just off of Trafalgar Square. The Bus stop is outside the Grand Hotel, nearest tubes are Charing Cross and Embankment.

3.All tours are subject to availability please check the dates you wish to travel to make sure they are available.

4.Please arrive at least ten minutes before the start of the tour you wish to go on.

5.Advanced booking is recommended as there might not always be tickets available on the night.

6.The Bus can be hired with or without the tour for parties, weddings...and funerals. Please call us for a quote.

7.Please note, the bus cannot wait for latecomers and tickets are non refundable.

8.Please note, the consumption of alcohol on the bus is not permitted."

At first there weren't many people on board, but it was soon comfortably filled up and the atmosphere was better because of that. The tour lasts about an hour and an half and there are actors, stories, sound and visual effects, smoke and shaking to entertain you on your way, as well as London's sights of course! There's even a (pretend) seance to take part in! Also, although it's not something that bothered me, the descriptions of deaths and torture are quite graphic, just to warn you.

If you live in London, you might not enjoy it as much, but I go there quite often and still found it entertaining. However, it is an activity that's very geared towards tourist (though there were some people from South London on the bus I took). You can either book your tickets in advance, or buy them on the night (though you might not get a seat), or you could even book the whole bus for a private party or tour. Check the official website for details.

Website: http://theghostbustours.com/