Spies & Special Forces
Knightsbridge Underground Station – exit 2 (by Harvey Nichols department store)
Guided by Dan Parry
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 April 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | |
| 10 May 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 7 June 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 12 July 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 2 August 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 13 September 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
Discover real-life James Bonds, with Dan Parry – “a world-class guide”
The glittering whirl of Knightsbridge conceals a shadowy world of modern-day assassins, spies, and special forces. From dead drops used by the KGB to the deadly SAS assault on the Iranian Embassy – via MI5 actions against the IRA and a daring rescue by MI6 – this unique walk is a spies tour with a twist.
Focusing on the sharp end of intelligence operations, we discover real-life James Bonds acting on guts, daring, and a wild stab in the dark.
Knightsbridge has long hosted the British intelligence community and their friends in special forces. Just a gunshot away from the nearby Russian embassy, this part of London is smart, fast, and conveniently crowded. But out of sight in its quiet back-streets are dead drops known to have been used by the KGB, the discreet apartments used by MI6 as a training school, and the home of diver Buster Crabb who vanished on a secret mission to investigate a Russian cruiser.
We encounter the hotel where MI6 met KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky – who they later rescued from Russia. Next door were the offices of the private military company run by the founder of the SAS.
We discover atom bomb spy Klaus Fuchs as he was being shadowed by MI5 watchers. We step into the world of secret agent Anna Wolkoff, we hear of the heroism of SOE’s Christine Granville – murdered in the area – and we meet Belgium’s Gabrielle Petit, who was shot at dawn in 1916 after spying for Britain.
A family-friendly stroll – guided by Dan Parry. A former BBC documentaries producer and author of D-Day (published by BBC Books), Dan also leads our ever popular London’s Spymasters tour.
David here, chiming in. Dan Parry comes trailing clouds of glory. He and his walks get rave reviews like sparks coming off a grindstone. No other ‘body of work’ attracts them the way Dan’s walks do.
Alex R –
My wife and I have been on three of Dan’s walks. Needless to say we’ve found them fantastic. For me living in London, Dan’s engaging and highly informative walks have opened my eyes to some of the incredible events which took place in the very neighbourhoods I’ve obliviously strolled through. I can’t recommend Dan’s tours enough.
Pete & Claire –
Excellent, interesting tour – Dan knew his subject very well and spoke enthusiastically about it – would recommend !
Sascha –
Great tour through Knightsbridge with a very knowledgeable guide, that was Dan. Great spy stories and after having read the book ‘The Siege’ recently, it was great to see the Embassy where it all happened, with my own eyes. Highly recommended tour for anyone interested in the subject!
Neil –
Took this tour with my brother, having done a few before.all I can say is Dan was brilliant. His knowledge is second to none and a natural story teller . Totally engrossed in what he had to say 2 hours flew by . Highly recommend , already looking at Dans other walks
Sue –
So enjoyed this recent walking tour relating to espionage around this fascinating and maybe a bit unknown part of London. Dan was a fantastic tour guide, having plenty of enthusiasm and knowledge. I found all the stories so interesting, especially as it covered various decades and not just one era. I would definitely recommend.
Andy –
Dan provided a most informative, interesting and entertaining walk thorough the streets of Knightsbridge highlighting the acts of espionage and special forces training and operations that had occurred here during the 20th century. Much focus was on activities before, during and after WWII and the Cold War before we finished at the scene of the Iranian Embassy siege. Dan was very knowledgeable and happily tackled our questions on these complex and sometimes classified topics. A great Sat afternoon walk – highly recommended.
Angelika –
Dan was an excellent guide.
We enjoyed his loud and clear voice and the many interesting spy stories.
Dan took also good care of the group and the well being.
Many thanks 🙏
Melissa Morton –
We and our Canadian family have been really wanting to take Dan’s Spies and Special Forces tour for a while now, but have never been able to make the dates work. Our family was over for Christmas and we contacted London Walks to see if it would be possible to organize a private tour with Dan during the holiday period. Dan was very happy to accommodate our schedule with a Dec 21st tour, and we are SO glad he was able to! The tour is incredible – Dan is a wealth of knowledge about all this spies, and he had some really fascinating stories to tell about all different timeframes. He also was able to answer all of our questions, which then led to even more interesting stories! He is super friendly and approachable and we all agreed that we would highly recommend this tour to anyone. Definitely go, you won’t regret it!
Paul Scott –
I went on Dan’s Spies & Special Forces walk recently and loved every minute of it. Dan is such a good storyteller and his knowledge is impressively broad and deep. It’s so interesting hearing details about events I thought I knew well, and learning about people and stories I had no idea about. I’d been on a couple of Dan’s other walks and I have to say they’re all thoroughly enjoyable. Getting to know London through a different lens is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Highly recommended.
JJ –
As someone formerly in the field, and inclined to be sceptical, I was impressed by Dan Parry’s excellent Spies and Special Forces Tour. He’s a skilled raconteur, and he deftly managed to keep a large group interested and moving through several fascinating sites in Knightsbridge. I believe that I have found a new hobby, and now need to book the other tours Dan gives. He is considerate and kind as well. Top marks. Thank you, Dan.