Gangster Tour of London’s East End Led by Actor Vas Blackwood

Overview

Available languages

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Learn about the godfathers of British crime on a 2-hour walking tour of London’s East End, led by ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ actor Vas Blackwood! Vas is instantly recognizable as on-screen gangster Rory Breaker, having a wealth of knowledge about the villains (both on-screen and real) involved in London’s murky underworld. Hear tales of the notorious Kray twins while visiting sites around Whitechapel and the East End that are linked to them, and see iconic film locations from ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.’

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Professional guide

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Food and drinks

What To Expect

East End

Meet your guide – Vas Blackwood (famous for playing Rory Breaker in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as well as Only Fools and Horses in which he played the robber Lennox 'Shadow' Gilbey) - in Whitechapel, the gritty heart of London’s East End. Then set off on your 2-hour walking tour of the area, visiting film and TV program locations as well as real-life places associated with London’s criminal underworld. Famously the stomping ground of the Kray twins (Ronnie and Reggie) who terrorized the East End during the 1950s and 60s, the area is rich with sites linked to them. Pay a visit to Repton Boys’ Club, where the twins learned to box, and see the Blind Beggar pub, where Ronnie killed an arch rival – one of the ruthless acts that propelled him from mere gangster into an East End celebrity icon (albeit a feared one).

2 hours • Admission Included

The Blind Beggar Public House Whitechapel

Having rubbed shoulders with many of London’s ex-gangsters to prepare for his role in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Vas Blackwood has countless tales to tell, and you’ll hear the best as you walk from site to site. Learn about ‘The Guv’nor,’ Lenny McLean, a gangster-turned-good guy who started his criminal resume as a bareknuckle fighter before going on to act in popular UK TV programs, like Eastenders and The Bill. You'll also hear tales of Barbara Windsor – a much-loved London actress who married one of the Krays' feared associates Ronnie Knight -- as well as discovering the dastardly doings of Brown Bread Fred, a chap nicknamed after the cockney rhyming slang in which ‘brown bread’ means 'dead' in reference to the murders he committed. See the pub used as Samoan Jo’s in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, as well as Hatchet Harry’s office, where ‘Porn King’ Harry Lonsdale worked in the film.

15 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Gangster Tour of London’s East End Led by Actor Vas Blackwood

Reviews

4.86

381 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

354

Gangs of London Tour - Nov 25
Z2572GDkeithd,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Vas was a good tour guide giving us plenty of stories and information on the day , really enjoyed. Great atmosphere in the Blind Beggar pub .
Vas is the real Don
Z6389PVchrisn,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Vas gave an Oscar performance he’s a proper Geezer and made the tour great fun and informative so much so we didn’t even notice the rain
Not brilliant.
Elizabeth C,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
Unfortunately, we did not enjoy this tour . Did not get off to a great start as we were told to meet in the wrong place and so missed the beginning of the tour in the Blind Beggar pub . The person who took the tour was a great orator , but we found the amount of swearing unnecessary, and we are by no means prudes, but it did get a bit embarrassing at times. Therefore , we could not carry on with the tour.
Fantastic tour
FarAway52927008782,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic time. Very informative. Very funny. We learnt a lot. Great tour guide. Vas had done his homework. He made it a great afternoon.
Good Tour for Kray's rather than Gangster.
lisaoP8541NP,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
We overall enjoyed the tour, but it was too long and was not a circular tour, it was very Kray based so if like us you were hoping to hear about other gangsters post and prior to the Kray's it does not cover if not linked to the Krays. Also some parts we went to the link was very tenuis, these need to be reviewed as quite a few people were not interested in those including us. Vas was very entertaining, but the chat about filming and taking pictures could have been a quick 2 mins not a 10 minute lecture and it also made us think before taking pictures as if he was busy you could not interrupt him to keep getting permission.
Gangster Tour from The Blind Beggar!
Leaddata20,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
First Class! Vas Blackwood was superb, informative, funny and a great host! The tour was very interesting walking around the east end of London! Got a surprise tour around Repton Boxing Club as a bonus!
Gangster Tour
S251XHjulieg,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Thoroughly enjoyed The Gangster Tour with Vas. Highly entertaining as well as learning a lot about The Krays and others. Would definitely recommend and definitely go again.
Amazing tour
dannysP4187HP,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We’ve done a few tours in London but this was honestly the best one we’ve ever done! Couldn’t recommend it enough any one into the Kray twins would love this and it’s definitely a must do seen so much and learned so much!
Gangster Tour
S251XHjulieg,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Thoroughly enjoyed The Gangster Tour. Vas was very knowledgeable friendly and entertaining. Will definitely recommend.
Deeper insight into the Kray twins
Andy D,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Vas gives a deeper level of insight into life For the Kray twins, and he does it in his own distinct style. It’s a fun experience, though not for you if you get offended by swearing. Really interesting places and information. The guy’s obviously done his research and has a passion for the topic.