JACK THE RIPPER MUSEUM ULTIMATE GUIDE
Open: Everyday 9:30AM to 6:30PM
Time Needed: 2 hours
Price: £8 - £12
In the early morning hours of August 31st, 1888, a man named Charles Cross was on his way to work when he stumbled across a woman’s body on Durward Street in London’s East End. Not much was known about the woman at first, but today she is famous all around the world as being the first Jack The Ripper victim.
Mary Nichols was the first of not one, but eleven different women believed to have been murdered by Jack The Ripper, the world’s most infamous serial killer whose identity is still a mystery to this day. Between 1888 and 1891, Jack The Ripper terrorized the streets of Whitechapel, and the bodies of eleven women (who also happened to be prostitutes) were discovered throughout various areas of East London.
Over the past 100 years not much has been known about the identity of Jack The Ripper, not to mention the lives of his many victims; but thanks to the Jack The Ripper Museum, visitors can now learn more about the grisly Whitechapel Murders as seen through the eyes of Ripper’s victims.
The Jack The Ripper Museum was founded by Mark Palmer-Edgecumbe (who is the former head of diversity for Google’s EMEA operations as well as the governor of the Museum of London Docklands), and was designed to educate visitors on the history of women in London’s East End during Victorian times. The museum spans over six different floors and is packed full of countless artefacts, items and exhibits that have never before been shown to the public…until now. Although the museum focuses specifically on the history of women in London’s East during the late 1880s, there are also detailed exhibits and information regarding the many Ripper-related crime scenes which have caused quite a controversy since the museum first opened its doors.
The museum also hosts its own daily Jack The Ripper Museum Walk so visitors can visit the many key locations connected to the Whitechapel Murders which are recreated in the museum’s many exhibits.
Highlights The Jack The Ripper Museum
Thanks to the Jack the Ripper Museum, visitors can feel as if they are strolling around London’s East End during the Victorian times… without worrying about whether Jack The Ripper is lurking nearby in a dark alley or corner. As a matter of fact, as you stroll around from room to room, you will be bombarded with all sorts of sounds, smells and sights of what it would have felt like being a witness to any of Jack The Ripper’s many crimes
Some of the many artefacts, items and exhibits you can expect to see during your visit to the Jack The Ripper Museum include:
- The same whistle officer PC Watkins used to call for help after discovering the body of Catherine Eddowes (Jack The Ripper’s second victim), along with his notebook, handcuffs and truncheon
- Original newspaper clippings covering the Jack The Ripper crimes and Whitechapel Murders
- The original “From Hell” and “Dear Boss” letters which were believed to have been penned by Jack The Ripper
- A recreation of Mary Kelly’s bedroom, just as it would have looked the night before she died
- A re-creation of a Victorian-era morgue with an authentic autopsy table
- Original autopsy photos, illustrations and medical reports of Ripper’s many victims
- An original drawing of a woman’s body on a metal bed which was drawn by artist Walter Sickert (one of the many Jack The Ripper suspects)
- Victorian-style costume props
- A re-creation of Jack The Ripper’s “sitting room” containing various books, maps, letters, medical instruments and other Ripper-related memorabilia
- A life-like waxwork of PC Watkins discovering the body of Catherine Eddowes on Mitre Square
- Personal and authentic photographs of Jack The Ripper’s victims and their families
- A re-creation of the Whitechapel Police Station on Leman Street, just as it would have looked during the late 1800s
- More details on each of the Jack The Ripper victims including their names, ages and murder locations
Special Tips
If you want to visit The Tower of London as well as the Jack The Ripper Museum, you can easily fit in both in one day. (The Tower of London is only a 13-minute walk away from the museum)
If you want to save some money, you can combine your visit to the museum with their daily tour and save 20% on overall entry costs.
If you want to enjoy a full themed day, consider booking the Free Jack the Ripper Tour with a professional guide who will share all kinds of new and shocking information.
Getting There
Address: 12 Cable St, Whitechapel, London E1 8JG, United Kingdom.
By Tube: If you are travelling by tube, the nearest station is Tower Hill (which is a seven-minute walk away). Once you arrive at the station take the main exit and turn left, then walk past the Roman Wall. Once you reach the traffic lights, continue walking down Shorter Street until you cross over onto Royal Mint Street. From here, continue walking on the right side of Royal Mint Street until it crosses Dock Street and turns into Cable Street. The Jack The Ripper Museum will be on the right-hand side (after the junction).
By Bus: If you are travelling by bus, you can reach the museum via routes 15, 42 ,78, 100, RV1 or any bus heading to Whitechapel.
By Overground: If you are travelling by overground or DLR, the nearest station is Shadwell, which is a ten-minute walk away from the museum. Once leaving the station follow the signs to Cable Street and turn right (walking towards the city). Continue walking along Cable Street for about ten minutes until Ensign Street. You will see the museum on the left-hand side (after the junction).
By Car: If you are travelling by car, please note that there is very limited parking in the streets surrounding the museum, but there is a public car park located on Mansell Street and Shorter Street
Visiting The Jack The Ripper Museum
Recommended visiting time for the Jack The Ripper Museum is between one to two hours. If you plan on going on one of the museum’s daily tours, it is highly recommended that you visit the museum before going on the tour.
Try to wear comfortable walking shoes when visiting the museum, as you will need to climb up several sets of stairs during your visit.
Please note that some of the items, photographs and artefacts in the museum may be disturbing to some visitors, and is perhaps not suitable for young children or those who may be offended by sensitive and gruesome photographs.
Prices and Opening Hours
The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. seven days a week.
Tickets cost £12 (at the door), or £10 when booked in advance.
If you want to visit the Jack the Ripper Museum, you might want to consider joining some of the free tours in London departing daily.
