Guests become detectives in London’s most notorious unsolved murder mystery
LONDON – For over a century, the fog-drenched alleys of Whitechapel have echoed with the grim tales of 1888. However, the days of standing in a shivering circle while a guide simply points at a brick wall are over. Side Routes, a pioneer in immersive small-group travel, has officially announced the launch of its Jack the Ripper Walking Tour, featuring a proprietary Digital Case File technology that turns every guest into a primary investigator.
From Spectator to Sleuth
The “Autumn of Terror” remains history’s most haunting “cold case.” While traditional tours rely heavily on oral storytelling, Side Routes is bridging the gap between history and interactive gaming. Upon arrival, participants are granted access to a synchronized digital platform on their smartphones. This isn’t just a PDF of facts; it is a dynamic, interactive evidence locker.
As the group moves through the atmospheric streets of London’s East End, the digital file unlocks location-specific data. Guests can swipe through high-resolution autopsy reports, analyze digitized police hand-written notes, and compare witness statements that were often contradictory and confusing even to the Scotland Yard of the 19th century.
A Personalized Investigation
”The goal wasn’t just to talk about the murders, but to let people feel the weight of the investigation,” explains Oliver Maybank, founder of Side Routes. “By providing the raw evidence via our digital platform, we allow guests to filter out the myths and focus on the facts. They aren’t just following a guide; they are tracing the footsteps of the killer.”
The experience is designed to be highly responsive. As guests examine the clues at specific murder sites, they can submit their theories and deductions through the interface. The system provides real-time feedback, challenging their logic or providing context that might have been missed, ensuring that no two tours feel exactly the same.
The Dark Allure of Whitechapel
The tour covers the core geography of the Jack the Ripper mystery, including:
- The Ten Bells Pub: A site frequented by many of the victims.
- Mitre Square: The location of one of the most gruesome “Double Event” murders.
- The Goulston Street Graffiti: Where a mysterious clue was left behind and subsequently washed away by police.
By combining the physical grit of these locations with the digital clarity of the case file, Side Routes creates a “dual-reality” experience. You aren’t just looking at a modern-day parking lot; you are looking through a digital window into the Victorian slums.
Redefining the “Walking Tour”
Side Routes has built its reputation on avoiding the “umbrella-following” crowds. With operations in London, Barcelona, and Rome, their philosophy centers on intimacy and depth. The Jack the Ripper tour is the crown jewel of this approach, limiting group sizes to ensure every “detective” has the space to explore the evidence.
This tech-forward approach also addresses a common criticism of true-crime tourism: sensationalism. By focusing on the forensic and investigative aspects, the tour pays a certain level of respect to the victims, treating their stories as a puzzle to be solved with modern analytical tools rather than a ghost story told for cheap thrills.
How to Join the Investigation
The Jack the Ripper Interactive Tour is now open for bookings. Participants are encouraged to bring a fully charged smartphone and a keen eye for detail.
Booking Information:
- Website: sideroutes.com
- Location: Whitechapel, London
- Experience Level: Suitable for history buffs and true-crime enthusiasts alike.
Media Contact:
Jen | jen@sideroutes.com