The Tour
In 1909 British espionage entered a new era with the creation of the Secret Service Bureau. The world of secrets and spies now had a face, even if it was a secret one. But the Bureau divided quickly into two sections, each under a remarkable leader.
Mansfield Smith-Cumming
Guy Burgess
Captain Vernon Kell (known as ‘K’) shaped one branch to meet the challenge of espionage threatening this country’s interests. It does so still as the Security Service, known more familiarly as MI5.
Commander Mansfield Smith-Cumming (‘C’) had a more difficult task. He had to create a network of spies to probe the secrets of other nations, while defending its own secret existence. Nowadays we know this body as the Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6.
This tour penetrates the world of secrets and spies. We’ll experience covert currents of activity and learn of patriots and traitors.
This is a world of MI5 and MI6, of Special Branch and the Special Operations Executive.
Details – Secrets and Spies
Please go to Whats On? to see whether this tour is currently on offer, and for booking details.
MEET: In front of New Scotland Yard, Victoria Embankment SW1A 2JL (meet by the Revolving Sign) – the nearest station is Westminster Underground Station.
Duration: Two hours (approximately).
Finish: Millbank, by Vauxhall Bridge; near Pimlico and Vauxhall Stations.
If you have any questions about this walk, please contact me
Pictures sourced from Wikimedia Commons
