Hex and the City Walking Tour

London’s witches were real people, not myths.

This Hex and the City walking tour takes you through the darker side of London, with stories focused on women who were branded and persecuted, from medieval healers to Elizabethan social climbers. I like that it’s delivered through theatre and comedy by costumed actors, so the facts land without turning into a spooky gimmick. I also like the feminist perspective approach, which keeps the subject serious while still allowing for a bit of black humor.

One thing to consider: it’s not for kids under 16, and the content may feel unsettling if you prefer lighter sightseeing.

You meet your guide, The High Priestess, outside Farringdon station, and the tour starts fast with a welcome that sets the tone. From there, you walk through locations tied to witchcraft accusations and occult activity, ending with a visit to a pagan temple right in the city center. With a small group of up to 10, it stays personal enough for the stories to feel pointed, not rushed.

Hex and the City is a great fit for adults who want more than legends, but it’s also a firm “no” for wheelchair users, and you’ll want solid shoes because it is a walking tour for a full 2 hours.

Key things I loved about Hex and the City

• The High Priestess meets you in Farringdon, dressed for the role, and the story starts right away
• Costumed actors bring the tales to life with comedy and theatre, not just speeches
• A feminist lens keeps the focus on how women were targeted and punished
• You hear a range of voices, including medieval healers, Elizabethan social climbers, pagan priestesses, and wartime mediums
• A pagan temple visit happens within the city, so it feels less like a lecture and more like an experience
• Small group size (limited to 10) helps the tone stay sharp and the pacing feel right

Starting outside Farringdon with The High Priestess

The tour begins outside the station entrance in Farringdon. Look for your guide in a blue dress and black furry cape, the kind of outfit that instantly tells you this is performance-led, not just a standard historical walk. Even before you move, The High Priestess sets expectations, welcoming you into her coven and framing what the tour will do with the material.

That opening matters. Witchcraft stories in London can easily become campy, or they can get so grim they feel cold. Here, the guide’s approach aims for something in between: dark, but with intention. Based on the best moments people highlight, the guide also comes across as both passionate and clear, with theatrics that stay connected to the theme rather than replacing it.

You’ll want to be ready to walk soon. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, since you’re outdoors for the full 2 hours.

A 2-hour walking route through persecution, labels, and occult activity

The core of the tour is a guided walk through places tied to witchcraft history and persecution in London. It’s structured like a story, with the guide linking scenes and locations to the women at the center of the narratives. The tour’s own summary gives you a good sense of scope: you’ll move from medieval healers to Elizabethan social climbers, then through stories that touch pagan priestesses and wartime mediums.

What makes this format work is how it turns abstract ideas into street-level encounters. Instead of only hearing about “witches,” you connect the labels to specific kinds of people that the tour highlights: women who were blamed, women whose roles in society were misunderstood or weaponized, and women whose reputations could be flipped into something dangerous.

Along the way, you’ll also encounter locations linked to occult activity, which helps explain why these stories weren’t just folklore. The tour doesn’t treat it like a purely imaginary theme. It positions London as a place where claims, fears, and performances could take on real-life consequences.

The places you’ll see (and why they matter)

You don’t just stop at random points for photos. The tour focuses on “places that these witches were associated with,” plus “locations that were host to occult activity.” That means you’re meant to look at the city through a different lens, noticing how stories can cling to real neighborhoods and real buildings even after centuries pass.

One helpful takeaway for you: if you’ve ever tried to learn witchcraft history online and found it messy, this tour gives you a shaped narrative. You’re guided from theme to theme, with the guide steering you toward the feminist point of view that the tour emphasizes.

The feminist perspective that shapes the whole tone

The tour explicitly focuses on witchcraft history from a feminist perspective. That isn’t an add-on. It changes how each story is told, especially when the subject turns into accusations, branding, and persecution.

In practical terms, you’ll notice the tour is not trying to make witchcraft sound cute or trivial. The tour information also stresses that it does not use stereotypical trivialisation of history. So even when comedy shows up, it doesn’t erase the harm. You’re meant to recognize what happened to women and why those stories were used against them.

I think this is one of the tour’s strongest selling points, because it keeps the experience honest while still moving at a lively pace. People who enjoy history walks often want two things at once: accuracy and engagement. This tour tries to give you both by pairing the seriousness of the topic with performance.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes your city walks with a viewpoint, you’ll probably appreciate this. It’s not “witch stories as entertainment.” It’s closer to, “witch stories as a way to talk about how women get punished when society decides a label fits.”

Where the theatre and comedy fit in (and when it turns dark)

Hex and the City uses costumed actors to bring stories to life, with comedy and theatre woven into the walk. Based on the single confirmed review, Monica called out brilliant theatrical moments and praised the guide as informative and passionate about women and witches. That matches what the tour promises in its format.

The mix of humor and horror is tricky. Too much comedy can feel disrespectful. Too little can make you feel like you’re trapped in a lecture. Here, the tour includes a bit of black humor, which usually lands best when the guide uses it to highlight injustice rather than to make light of it.

So here’s what you should consider before you go: if you want your history sanitized and tidy, this might feel too edgy. If you’re okay with the subject matter being serious, but you also like your tour guides to have timing and character, you’ll likely enjoy the performances.

And because it’s only 2 hours, the pacing stays tight. You get enough story to feel the theme, but not so much that the tone becomes exhausting.

The pagan temple stop in the heart of the city

One of the biggest “wait, that’s in London?” moments is that you visit a pagan temple as part of the tour. This is described as happening right in the heart of the city, which matters because it keeps the tour grounded in modern geography, not just imagined or distant sites.

From your perspective, the value of this stop is simple: it breaks the pattern of “history talk, then back to the sidewalk.” Instead, you get a place-based moment where you can see how the theme connects to real spaces.

I’d also keep an open mind. Some people expect a witchcraft walk to be entirely about accusation stories and trials. This tour balances that with occult activity and places linked to spiritual practice. That mix makes the tour feel less one-note.

Price and value for a 2-hour small-group tour

At $45 per person for a 2-hour guided walking tour, Hex and the City sits in a middle band for London experiences. The question isn’t just cost. It’s what you get for your time.

Here’s the value equation that works for me:

• You get a live guide, not an audio tour.
• You get stories brought to life with comedy and theatre by costumed actors, which is usually where a tour either wins or loses.
• You get a visit to a pagan temple and stops tied to witch history across different types of women, so it isn’t only one era.

Also, the group is limited to 10 participants. That size usually improves the feel of the tour. It’s easier for the guide to manage pacing, easier for the performances to land, and you’re less likely to get swallowed by a crowd.

If you like entertainment, narrative history, and a clear viewpoint, the price starts to look reasonable. If you prefer purely academic history with no acting, you may not feel the same pull. This is storytelling with a point of view, not a museum lecture.

Who should book Hex and the City

This tour is clearly built for adults and older teens. It is not suitable for children under 16, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users. If you fall into those categories, you’ll want to skip it.

For the rest of you, here’s who it tends to fit best:

• You want London history with a strong feminist framing
• You like tours that use characters, comedy, and staged moments
• You want a short walking format that still covers a range of themes
• You enjoy tours that are spooky and moving, with some black humor, not just mild “spooky facts”

It’s also a good choice for a rainy day. Since it’s mostly walking plus theatre moments, you still get the experience even if the weather turns.

Practical tips so you enjoy every minute

Because it’s a walking tour, your comfort matters. The tour advises comfortable shoes and water, so I’d treat that as a real checklist, not a formality.

A few other tips based on the rules given:

• No smoking during the tour.
• Plan around the tour being 2 hours long, so avoid stacking another long activity right after.
• Dress for the weather and keep your hands free, since you’ll likely be moving through the city and listening closely.

If you get camera-happy, pause. The tour’s focus is on story and performance. The best way to enjoy it is to watch, listen, and let the guide steer your attention.

Should you book Hex and the City walking tour?

I’d book Hex and the City if you want a short London walk that treats witchcraft history as real lives and real injustice, with a feminist lens and theatrical storytelling. The combination of The High Priestess opening in Farringdon, costumed performances, and a stop at a pagan temple gives you variety in just 2 hours.

But skip it if you want a kid-friendly walk, wheelchair access, or a purely academic history format. Also, if dark themes and persecution stories usually hit too hard, the tour’s blend of serious material and black humor may not match your vibe.

If your idea of a great city tour is a guided storyline you can walk alongside, this one is worth your time.

FAQ

How long is the Hex and the City Walking Tour?

It lasts 2 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet outside the station entrance, where you will see your guide in a blue dress and black furry cape.

What does it cost?

The price is $45 per person.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it is guided in English.

How large is the group?

The group is small, limited to 10 participants.

What is included in the tour?

You get a two hour guided walking tour, stories brought to life with comedy and theatre by costumed actors, and visits to places of witch history in London.

Do you visit a pagan temple?

Yes, the tour includes a visit to a pagan temple in the heart of the city.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and water.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for children under 16, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel, and are there any rules during the tour?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can also reserve and pay later. Smoking is not allowed.