Stages & Cells: Crime and Theatre in Covent Garden
STAGES & CELLS: Crime and Theatre in Covent Garden
Join our walking tour through the historic streets of Covent Garden and uncover the stories of crime and theatre that made the area what it is today.
In the 17th century, Bow Street was a quiet, residential area for the well-to-do. However, the arrival of the theatres ushered in a new era of bustling crowds, pickpockets, highwaymen, murderers, sex workers, gin palaces and unbridled decadence, leading to the necessity of London’s first police force – the notorious Bow Street Runners.
Some of the stories you’ll discover on this tour include the tale of the infamous Charles Macklin, who used his acting skills to literally get away with murder, and the bizarre instance when Bow Street Police Officers tried to blend in with the chorus on the Royal Opera House stage to foil a diamond heist.
Hear these stories and more on this co-production tour between Bow Street Police Museum and the Royal Opera House.
Please note: This tour does not enter the Royal Opera House or the Bow Street Police Museum. The tour takes place outside in Covent Garden in all weathers. The meeting point for this tour is outside the Bow Street Police Museum in Martlett Court, down the side of 28 Bow Street.
Your ticket also includes a 50% discount on Standard Admission to Bow Street Police Museum and 10% off in the Royal Opera House Cafe or Bow Street Tavern.
Duration: approximately 75 minutes.
Conditions of entry: you must be 18 years or over to attend this tour. If you would like to book a ticket for anyone aged 16 – 17 years, you must contact the Museum in advance info@bowstreetpolicemuseum.org.uk
Prices: £15 / £14 concession / £12.00 Friends of Bow Street Police Museum (Your ticket also includes a 50% discount on future admission to Bow Street Police Museum which can be booked and paid for on the day)
Please Note
This tour is an outside walking tour.
Light rain or a moderate breeze will not cancel the tour.
There will be no access to public toilets once the tour begins.
There is no seating available along the tour route.
The tour follows a set route around the Covent Garden area along public pavements, via road crossings and through some pedestrianised spaces.
We aim to avoid steps and large curbs, however due to the ever-changing nature of London’s streets we cannot guarantee that the route will always remain entirely step-free.
Ticket options
STAGES & CELLS: Crime and Theatre in Covent Garden
Join our walking tour through the historic streets of Covent Garden and uncover the stories of crime and theatre that made the area what it is today.
In the 17th century, Bow Street was a quiet, residential area for the well-to-do. However, the arrival of the theatres ushered in a new era of bustling crowds, pickpockets, highwaymen, murderers, sex workers, gin palaces and unbridled decadence, leading to the necessity of London’s first police force – the notorious Bow Street Runners.
Some of the stories you’ll discover on this tour include the tale of the infamous Charles Macklin, who used his acting skills to literally get away with murder, and the bizarre instance when Bow Street Police Officers tried to blend in with the chorus on the Royal Opera House stage to foil a diamond heist.
Hear these stories and more on this co-production tour between Bow Street Police Museum and the Royal Opera House.
Please note: This tour does not enter the Royal Opera House or the Bow Street Police Museum. The tour takes place outside in Covent Garden in all weathers. The meeting point for this tour is outside the Bow Street Police Museum in Martlett Court, down the side of 28 Bow Street.
Your ticket also includes a 50% discount on Standard Admission to Bow Street Police Museum and 10% off in the Royal Opera House Cafe or Bow Street Tavern.
Duration: approximately 75 minutes.
Conditions of entry: you must be 18 years or over to attend this tour. If you would like to book a ticket for anyone aged 16 – 17 years, you must contact the Museum in advance info@bowstreetpolicemuseum.org.uk
Prices: £15 / £14 concession / £12.00 Friends of Bow Street Police Museum (Your ticket also includes a 50% discount on future admission to Bow Street Police Museum which can be booked and paid for on the day)
Please Note
This tour is an outside walking tour.
Light rain or a moderate breeze will not cancel the tour.
There will be no access to public toilets once the tour begins.
There is no seating available along the tour route.
The tour follows a set route around the Covent Garden area along public pavements, via road crossings and through some pedestrianised spaces.
We aim to avoid steps and large curbs, however due to the ever-changing nature of London’s streets we cannot guarantee that the route will always remain entirely step-free.
Our payments are processed using : Barclays
