True Crime Housewives: THIS IS FOR YOU

The Serial Killer Exhibition in London Is a Must-Visit For All True Crime Afficionados

The Serial Killer Exhibition in a Nut Shell

• Great Venue – The Vaults, a short walk from Waterloo Station, with its atmospheric setting, amplifies the chills of the exhibition.
• Massive Exhibition – Well worth the ticket price, you can easily spend five hours walking through the eerie corridors, filled with the history of some of the world’s most infamous killers.
• Accessible – Written and audible information is available via QR codes for deaf or visually impaired visitors.
• Real-life Exhibits – Prepare to be stunned by items like Jeffrey Dahmer’s glasses, Ted Bundy’s car, and abduction kits, offering deep insights into the minds of serial killers.

As a true crime aficionado, I knew I had to pay a visit to The Serial Killer Exhibition in London when I saw a static ad pop up on my YouTube homepage—complete with a red-filtered mugshot of Jeffrey Dahmer. I immediately thought, “GOD DAMN, no one is going to want to go with me to this.” But then, I remembered Sophie, a friend of a friend from a recent hen do, who had a similar dark fascination with this macabre world. So, I reached out to her, we invited another mutual friend, and we were all set for a twisted afternoon in London’s Vaults.

Upon arriving, we were confronted by a really long queue. Let me tell you, it’s not just me, Sophie, and a handful of people who are fascinated by murder; a lot of people are clearly drawn to this murky subject. Once inside, we realized that the exhibition was huge—seriously, you could be there for five hours, wandering through what felt like miles of content. And while it was busy, the flow of people was managed well, so it never felt overly crowded. Big shoutout to the lovely staff for their patience—one of my friends had bought a ticket for the wrong time, but they let her in anyway.

First Impressions: A Venue With a Built-in Soundtrack

Let’s start with the venue—The Vaults is an underground space with a soundscape of rumbling trains above that adds a raw, gritty atmosphere. It felt like we were entering an underworld where the darkest minds in human history were brought to life. The venue’s shadowy halls are the perfect backdrop for this kind of exhibit, and from the moment we stepped inside, the mood was set.

A Walk Through History’s Most Infamous Killers

The exhibition starts with an overview of serial killers from the 1980s, leading you through the horrific stories of bodies buried, abductions, and unimaginable crimes. The information is a mixture of text panels and videos, and for those who are deaf or visually impaired, you can scan QR codes for written and audible information—something I thought was a really thoughtful touch. Also, I couldn’t help noticing lots of people there on their own – it was an exhibition you could attend by yourself without feeling a little awkward – I mean let’s face it, it’s an odd exhibition. Ok moving on:

As you move through the space, you’ll see real-life artefacts—the stuff that true crime lovers dream about. From Jeffrey Dahmer’s glasses to Ted Bundy’s car and even an abduction kit, it’s the kind of morbid memorabilia that brings the terror to life. One of the things that struck me was how normal many of the killers looked in their photos. You expect to see something monstrous in their faces, but instead, they look like anyone you might pass on the street.

And then, there are the letters—handwritten by the killers themselves. These give a chilling insight into their minds. You can read personal correspondence from monsters like Fred and Rose West, Myra Hindley, and Ian Brady. For those of us who grew up glued to true crime documentaries and dramas, seeing the handwriting of these people, the way they communicated, it’s haunting.

Iconic Killers and Their Artefacts

The exhibition doesn’t shy away from showcasing some of the most notorious criminals in history, both from the UK and abroad. You’ll find chilling reminders of crimes from infamous figures like:

• The Clown Killer: John Wayne Gacy
• Moses Sithole (also known as the South African Strangler)
• BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) Killer
• Charles Manson and his cult’s chilling crimes
• Ed Gein, the inspiration behind horror films like Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
• The Acid Bath Murders

There are also exhibits on lesser-known killers like Denis Nilsen, with artefacts that give a terrifying glimpse into their private lives and the atrocities they committed. One of the letters I read from Denis Nilsen was eerie in its casual tone, as if he was just a regular person. It’s this psychological insight that makes the exhibition so compelling—and disturbing.

A Glimpse Into the Dark Side of Beverly Hills

For those of you binge-watching The Menendez Series on Netflix, where the glamorous Beverly Hills backdrop is juxtaposed with the horror of what happened behind closed doors, this exhibition will give you that same disorienting feeling. These killers were living among us—normal on the surface, but hiding unspeakable secrets. Walking through the exhibition, you get that same jarring sensation: ordinary people doing extraordinary evil.

True Crime Community: You’re Not Alone

The long queue outside wasn’t just an indication of the exhibition’s popularity—it was a reminder that the fascination with true crime is universal. Whether you’ve been obsessed since childhood, like me, or you’re a Netflix-binge watcher, there’s something captivating about trying to understand the “why” behind these horrific acts. It’s as if we believe that by studying them, we can somehow protect ourselves, or at least, keep the darkness at bay.

Worth Every Penny

This exhibition is huge—not just in size, but in scope. There are so many artefacts, letters, and displays that you could easily spend an entire afternoon there. Whether you’re a casual observer or a die-hard true crime fan, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into.

At the end of it, I felt like my £27 ticket was well worth it for the experience.

If you’ve grown up with an odd interest in true crime or find yourself glued to every documentary Netflix pumps out, then this is the event for you. It’s a visceral reminder of the evil that lurks in the world, but also a chance to confront it, face to face. And remember, you’re not alone in your fascination—Sophie and I were just two among many who gathered to immerse ourselves in the macabre world of serial killers.

The exhibition runs until January 5th, 2025, so if you’re in or around London, get your tickets while you can. True crime housewives, unite and take over—this is one afternoon out that you won’t want to miss.