Gunthorpe Street (Martha Tabram's Murder Site), London

51

Gunthorpe Street (Martha Tabram's Murder Site), London

Gunthorpe Street (Martha Tabram's Murder Site), London

Gunthorpe Street, once called Georges Yard, is a narrow passage in the historic East End of London that captures the essence of the area's dark and historic past. Nestled next to the White Hart pub on Whitechapel High Street, it's a concealed treasure, maintaining much of its atmospheric charm. Accessed through an archway and adorned with cobblestones, it carries whispers of a bygone time.

In their heyday, both the pub and the alley were prominent landmarks at the heart of Whitechapel. This area was notorious, and Gunthorpe Street, together with its adjacent counterpart, Angel Alley, were well-known locations for secret rendezvous. When individuals sought a sheltered spot for their meetings, these alleys became favored hideaways for clandestine encounters.

George's Yard Buildings, a corridor within Gunthorpe Street, gained infamy as the location where Martha Tabram's body was discovered on the morning of August 7, 1888. Although her murder is not officially attributed to Jack the Ripper, it holds a place of significance. Unlike the Ripper's other victims, Martha was stabbed multiple times rather than having her throat slit. Some argue that this difference in 'modus operandi' sets her apart. However, with 39 stab wounds, the timing of the crime, and the brutality of the attack, many firmly believe Martha's murder should be considered the first at the hands of the Ripper.

On that ill-fated day, Martha and her companion, May Ann 'Pearly Poll' Connelly, had a chance encounter with two men at a nearby pub. Opting for different alleyways, Martha chose one path while Pearly ventured down another. Tragically, Martha never reappeared from the alley, forever intertwining her destiny with the eerie legacy of Gunthorpe Street.

Today, as you gaze down Gunthorpe Street towards the entrance of Whitechapel High Road, you can imagine the chilling scene that unfolded at George's Yard Buildings, serving as a reminder of the dark secrets that once permeated this historic alleyway.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51 App

Gunthorpe Street (Martha Tabram's Murder Site) on Map

Sight Name: Gunthorpe Street (Martha Tabram's Murder Site)
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in London, England

Create Your Own Walk in London

Create Your Own Walk in London

Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bridges of London

Bridges of London

Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.

The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour II

Harry Potter Walking Tour II

The arrival of Harry Potter books, followed by tremendously successful Hollywood adaptation, has made London an even more popular destination now with the Harry Potter fans all over the world. The list of attractions in the city associated with Potter’s journeys includes both, newly-invented as well as some long-standing locations.

On Part II of the self-guided Happy Potter Walking Tour, you...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper Walking Tour

Jack the Ripper, an unidentified serial killer who terrorized the British capital in 1888, became notorious for the series of brutal and gruesome murders that he carried out in the East End of London. The primary setting for the Jack the Ripper attacks was Whitechapel, at the time a poverty-stricken and crime-ridden district, known for its dark alleys and narrow streets.

The name "Jack the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
London's Historic Pubs Walk

London's Historic Pubs Walk

If there’s any more iconic symbol for London than Big Ben or the London Eye, then it must be the traditional English pub. And London sure is full of them, dating from pre-Victorian times to just about five minutes ago.

With so much history surrounding London there is no shortage of historic pubs to choose from. Whether you fancy half-timbered, rambling watering holes or small but perfectly...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.6 Km or 3.5 Miles
Charles Dickens Tour

Charles Dickens Tour

Today's world's literature and mass culture are hardly imaginable without the works of Charles Dickens, recognized as the greatest British novelist of the Victorian era. A pioneer of “cliffhanger” endings, Dickens remains one of the most-read English authors whose writings never go out of print and have been repeatedly adapted to stage, screen and TV.

Dickens was born in...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
South Bank Walking Tour

South Bank Walking Tour

The South Bank is a stretch of the Thames in London that is beautiful to walk through because there are so many iconic and magnificent things to see along the way. A lively and ever-changing area at the heart of London’s cultural scene, it also has the advantage of offering views across the Thames to some of the most famous buildings anywhere. The Palace of Westminster is the major feature in...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

London Souvenirs: 20 Distinctively British Products for Travelers

Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...