Have a hauntingly good time in London

The city of London conjures up majestic images: Buckingham Palace, with its gleaming white walls leading back to the lush and wildlife-packed St James' Park; Westminster resplendent with the Houses of Parliament, the mighty Big Ben and beautiful Abbey; the Thames river which scores through the city, dividing it into north and south with stunning sights and attractions on either side - but none so spine-tinglingly exciting as some of London's darker locations.

As much as London is a sunshine city, it certainly has a darker side where mystery and horror reigns. Perhaps not many people know about it, though the Tower of London stretching up over the city skyline is hard to ignore. This attraction makes an excellent first port of call for those brave-hearted tourists looking to learn a little more about London's more grisly past.

For example, you'll discover old-fashioned torture techniques, like squealing thumbscrews and the notorious rack, where prisoners were lashed down and their bodies physically stretched until bones popped out of joint and the truth - or often lies as the innocent victim hoped to stop the torture with a confession of guilt - came screaming out.

If the Tower of London doesn't put you off searching for London's hidden truths, perhaps a trip to the London Dungeon will. This attraction takes you on a tour through London's gruesome history, where you'll learn about Jack the Ripper and other hideous monsters from the past, as well as, yes, more torture techniques. Look out for tour guides pulling audience members up as victims in their demonstrations as it could be you the next time!

London also has a wealth of ghost walks, which are outdoor tours that take you through famous streets and are hosted by storytelling guides, brimming with the knowledge of a hundred grisly tales to set your skin crawling. What's more, you'll hear about the ghosts that are said to haunt the city today, meaning you could find yourself closer than ever to a spooky encounter.

After all that ghost hunting and past-seeking, you might be ready for a stiff drink in one of London's many bars. And, continuing the theme of haunted London, why not go for one of the city's many reputedly haunted bars?

Much of the accommodation in the capital is housed in old buildings but if you're worried about things going bump in the night, you'll be relieved to hear that many London hotels are in new buildings without a dark past.