Witchcraft, Ancient Cults & MI15 Spy Secrets

London has secret basements and spy whispers. This time-travelling history tour strings together Roman mysteries and later London layers you might otherwise skip, with undivided attention from your private guide. I also like that it’s on foot, so the stories connect to what you see on the street, not just from a distance.

One thing to plan for: two of the stops have admission not included, and the total visit is tight, about 10 minutes per stop.

Key things to know before you go

• Mithras underground temple setting: You’ll visit a Roman cult site tied to the Mithras story, including the infamous bull-killing myth.
• St Mary Woolnoth’s long religious timeline: You get a look at a worship site with traces of Roman and pagan religious buildings under the current church.
• Cornhill House terracotta devils: Three devilish terracotta figures add a sharp, street-level twist to the religious rivalry next door.
• A rare survivor from 1666: St. Bartholomew the Great is one of the few medieval churches to survive the Great Fire of 1666.
• Smithfield Market includes execution history: You’ll see locations tied to executions and hear a Bloody Mary story, with admission included there.

How the 3-hour time machine moves (and why that matters)

This is a 3-hour walking tour with a private setup, meaning your group is the only group participating. The day starts at 12:00 pm and ends next to Monument station, so you can plan lunch or your next stop without backtracking.

The pacing is brisk by design. Each listed stop is about 10 minutes, which is great if you want variety and fast context, but it can feel quick if you’re the type who likes to linger.

You also get a mobile ticket. That’s a small thing, but it makes the day smoother because you do not have to juggle paper.

Meeting points and route logic, from Bleeding Heart Yard to Monument

You start at Bleeding Heart Yard, London EC1N and finish by Monument station on King William Street, EC4R 9AA. That end point matters because Monument is a major Underground node, so leaving is simple once the tour wraps.

Since you’re walking through central London, the route is built for spotting details at street level. You get more out of it if you arrive a few minutes early and are ready to move when your guide calls the next spot.

This tour is also described as easy for most travelers to participate. If you can handle short walks between stops and a fast-moving schedule, you’ll likely find the structure friendly rather than frustrating.

London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE: Roman cults in a hidden-feeling space

Your first major stop is London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE. The location is tied to the idea of London’s center shifting over long spans of time, and it connects you to a Roman temple set within the modern city.

This is where the tour’s occult-leaning theme earns its keep. You’ll hear about the cult of Mithras, which first appeared in Rome in the 1st century AD and spread across the Empire over the next 300 years. The cult’s membership is described as focused on merchants, soldiers, and imperial administrators, which gives you a useful angle: this was not only religion, it was also social and professional life for certain groups.

One of the most striking details you’ll learn is the setting. Mithras temples were often constructed below ground, described as private, dark, and windowless. That matters because it explains the atmosphere of these spaces, and why story elements feel so secretive and dramatic.

The centerpiece myth is the tauroctony, the scene of Mithras killing a bull within a cave. You are also told the full meaning is subject to much speculation, which is a great way for your guide to keep the focus on what we know, and what we honestly do not.

Practical note: admission is not included at this stop. If you want to avoid any last-minute surprises, budget extra for tickets here and at the next non-included site.

St. Mary Woolnoth Church: 2,000 years of worship layers

Next you go to St. Mary Woolnoth Church, where the story shifts from Roman cult spaces to a longer continuity of worship. You’ll get a clear sense that the site has been used for religious purposes for at least 2,000 years.

What makes this stop interesting is the layered evidence. You will learn that traces of Roman and pagan religious buildings were discovered under the foundations of the current church. That detail is a reminder that London’s religious map did not reset neatly, it overlapped.

This stop is also free, so you can spend your time thinking instead of budgeting. With the tour’s tight schedule, take a quick moment to look for any visual cues your guide points out, rather than trying to read every plaque on your own.

Cornhill House and the terracotta devils: revenge in clay

At Cornhill House, the tone turns darker and a little theatrical. You’ll see three devilish terracotta figures, and the story behind them is the kind of detail that makes a walking tour pay off.

The figures are described as an unusual example of long-lasting revenge. They were intended to mock worshippers next door at St Peter upon Cornhill, an old city church now virtually submerged at street level by office blocks.

That contrast is the point. You get a snapshot of how belief, rivalry, and power played out right next to everyday city life. It also makes a good reminder for what to watch on city walls and facades: sometimes the most meaningful messages are small, sculpted, and easy to miss when you rush.

Admission at this stop is not included, so again, plan for a bit of extra spend. It’s also a short stop, around 10 minutes, so if you want a photo, do it early rather than at the end of the stop.

St. Bartholomew the Great: a medieval survivor after 1666

The tour then heads to Church of St. Bartholomew the Great. This stop has a built-in hook for anyone who likes turning points in London’s story.

The key fact here is that it is one of the few medieval churches to survive the Great Fire of 1666. That survival detail helps you understand why guides treat certain structures like more than buildings. They become physical evidence that events happened, and that some parts of the past survived long enough to reach you.

It’s also free. That makes it an easier stop to fit into your day without worrying about tickets. Because your time is limited, I’d treat this one as a quick orientation stop: let your guide explain what matters, then look at the building with that context in mind.

Smithfield Market: executions and a Bloody Mary story

Smithfield Market is where the tour turns from cult spaces and church endurance to harsher civic history. You’ll see places associated with execution, and you’ll hear a story about Bloody Mary.

Admission is listed as included at this stop, so this is one of the simplest ways to get your money’s worth inside the price. It also serves as a thematic anchor: London’s history is not only temples and churches, it’s also public punishment, state power, and mythologized figures.

Because this is a short stop, you won’t get a full museum-style explanation. Instead, you’ll get a focused narrative tied to specific spots, which is exactly why short guided walks can be such a good add-on after you’ve seen the big-name landmarks already.

If you know you are sensitive to darker historical material, it can still be worth going. Just go in with your expectations set: this portion is designed to be direct.

The guide factor: why private attention changes everything

A major selling point here is the professional guide and the fact it’s private. That means you do not share your attention with strangers, and questions stay relevant to your exact route and pace.

From the way the tour is framed, your guide’s job is not to recite dates. It’s to translate symbols and site clues into stories you can actually connect to place. That’s especially helpful at stops like the Mithraeum, where the myth details, tauroctony discussion, and setting all matter for understanding why the cult operated the way it did.

There’s also a strong sign of guest satisfaction with the guide’s style and expertise, and the name Elvira appears in guest notes associated with being friendly and very well informed. If you meet someone with that approach, you’ll likely find the walk feels like a conversation, not a lecture.

Price and value: what $371.59 per person buys you

At $371.59 per person, this is not a casual bargain walk. But it does include some value levers that matter.

First, you get a professional guide for about 3 hours, and the experience is private to your group. In London, that alone is often where the cost comes from.

Second, admission is included at Smithfield Market. Two other stops are explicitly not included, while two stops are free. So the price is partially offset by what’s covered inside the itinerary, rather than requiring you to buy admission at every single stop.

Third, the tour seems built for people who already saw the big sights. It positions itself as a way to see London’s other face, especially through smaller religious and historical sites that tourists often miss.

The math works best if:

• you want a guided, story-driven route rather than self-guided wandering
• you value one-on-one attention more than squeezing in more sights on your own
• you budget for extra admissions at the two non-included stops

Who this tour suits best (and who might want to pass)

This works especially well for you if you’re the type who enjoys hidden layers. The route connects Roman cult culture, church continuity, religious rivalry in public art, and London’s survival through 1666, then lands on execution history.

It’s also a good fit if you like learning through short, place-based stops. Since each part is around 10 minutes, you get variety without needing half a day in one museum.

I’d be more cautious if you hate timed schedules. The stops are brief, and two of them require ticket purchases. If you prefer slow exploration and deep museum time, you might find it moves too fast.

Should you book Witchcraft, Ancient Cults & MI15 Spy Secrets?

I’d book it if you want London that feels slightly underground, slightly old, and very specific to the street. The mix of Mithras, long-running worship sites like St. Mary Woolnoth, the devilish terracotta revenge at Cornhill, and the hard civic memory at Smithfield gives you a day that feels more like story mapping than sightseeing.

I would not book it if you’re trying to keep costs low or you need long stops. Between non-included admissions and short time at each location, it’s built for momentum.

If you’re curious about how secretive-sounding stories connect to real buildings and real streets, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

What is the duration of this tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 12:00 pm.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Bleeding Heart Yard, London EC1N, and ends next to Monument station (King William St, London EC4R 9AA).

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s described as a private tour/activity, with only your group participating.

Are admission tickets included?

Admission is not included at London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE and Cornhill House. St. Mary Woolnoth Church and Church of St. Bartholomew the Great are free. Admission at Smithfield Market is included.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, the meeting and tour area are near public transportation.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.

What if the tour is canceled due to minimum travelers?

If it’s canceled because the minimum number of travelers is not met, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.