Exploring Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition at The Vaults, London

Tucked away beneath Waterloo Station lies a new exhibition dedicated to the world of witchcraft, the occult, and all things unexplained. Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition is an immersive journey through 27 rooms of artefacts, folklore, and ritual magic – and I couldn’t wait to see it for myself.

I was incredibly lucky to be invited to the press launch, which meant I got to explore the exhibition before it opened to the public — and take part in a séance led by Dr. Matteo Borrini!

Please note: despite attending the press event, I’m under no obligation to post about my visit. I genuinely loved this exhibition and wanted to share my experience with you all! (Between us, I’d actually bought a ticket before my invite arrived — that’s how excited I was!)

What Is Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition?

Hidden beneath the streets of London lies a labyrinth of candlelit corridors, curious relics, and traces of long-forgotten rituals – welcome to Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition.

This immersive esoteric exhibition explores the hidden worlds of mysticism and belief. Set across 27 themed rooms and 1,200 square meters, it features over 1,000 original artefacts spanning the many branches of esotericism – from occult sciences and supernatural phenomena to witchcraft, alchemy, and spiritualism.

Blending science, folklore, and the occult, Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition is housed in the delightfully eccentric underground venue, The Vaults, in London, and runs until May 2026. It’s the latest creation from the team behind Serial Killer: The Exhibition, which drew over 120,000 curious visitors last year.

Opening just in time for spooky season, this is easily one of the eeriest day-outs London has to offer this autumn.

As I mentioned before, I was kindly invited to the press launch, which included a traditional Victorian Spirit Séance. While the séance isn’t officially part of the main exhibition (though it may be added later), it set the tone perfectly for what lay beyond the first candlelit corridor.

A Victorian Spirit Seance Led by Dr. Matteo Borrini

One of the exhibition’s many themes focuses on mediums and psychics. This dark, mysterious room was filled with tools of the trade – chalk slates, candles, and velvet-draped furniture – but during the press launch, it also hosted a live séance led by Dr. Matteo Borrini, an international expert on vampirism, exorcism, and paranormal phenomena.

The experience was absolutely fascinating – part performance, part experiment. In some ways, it felt like watching a Derren Brown show; Dr. Matteo’s skill and control were astonishing. He somehow identified personal items from audience members – even recounting stories attached to them – and demonstrated the art of pendulum swinging with eerie precision. The finale, in which he appeared to contact spirits from beyond, was extraordinary. Unless the entire audience had secretly conspired together, there’s simply no way to explain what we witnessed.

I walked away with goosebumps and even days later, I can’t work out how he did it.

What impressed me most, though, was Dr. Matteo’s honesty. He reminded us that some so-called mediums use deception and encouraged everyone to approach such experiences with open minds and healthy scepticism. Around the room, placards explained historical hoaxes and the clever tricks used to fake supernatural contact. He was also deeply respectful – before attempting to reach “the other side,” he asked guests not to call upon loved ones who had passed, ensuring the demonstration remained sensitive rather than sensational.

This room also recreated a traditional Victorian spirit cabinet setup, complete with red velvet seating, chalk slates scrawled with ghostly messages, and flickering candlelight that set the mood perfectly. Nearby, a clever photography installation demonstrated how early “spirit photographs” were created – you could sit at a piano while your faint reflection appeared ghost-like in the glass, just as 19th-century photographers once staged supposed evidence of the supernatural.

That sense of respect really summed up Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition for me. Everyone I spoke to shared a genuine curiosity about the paranormal – not for shock value, but from a place of fascination and exploration. It’s an exhibition that treats the unknown with both wonder and integrity.

After the séance, it was time to explore the rest of the exhibition. I actually made a beeline for the end and looped back to the start so I could wander through at my own pace. By this point, it had opened to the public, so it did get a little busy – but I still made sure to take my time and soak it all in.

Read more: The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities – London’s most unusual museum of oddities, taxidermy and the occult.

Exploring Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition

With 27 rooms and over 1,000 artefacts to explore, Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition is absolutely vast – and I loved every second of it. I toured it twice and still felt like I missed things. Only while writing this up have I realised I somehow skipped the Dybbuk Box and the shrunken heads! Each room is themed around a different area of esotericism, from cursed objects and voodoo artefacts to alchemy, witchcraft, folklore, and spiritualism.

For someone like me, obsessed with the darker and more mysterious side of life, it was heaven. Every room fascinated me to the point that I took nearly 300 photos and videos – I actually left with about 2% battery. I knew I should have brought a battery pack with me!

The team behind this exhibition are the same people who ran the fantastic (if sometimes gruesome) Serial Killer Exhibition last year. With the event once again taking place in The Vaults, there was no doubt it would be far more than just artefacts in glass cases. Instead, it’s an immersive walkthrough where every room is designed and styled to match its theme perfectly.

Aside from the séance (which I really hope they bring in daily), my favourite areas were those focused on ghosts (no surprise there!), witchcraft, folklore, British occultists, and ritual crimes. I also loved learning more about Freemasonry and seeing the recreation of a Masonic temple – such an unexpected addition.

Some areas were a little gory – I’m about 99% sure the mutilated corpse model near the end is the same one used in their previous Jack the Ripper display – but overall, it’s much less shocking than the Serial Killer Exhibition. This time, the focus is on authentic, eerie artefacts and cursed objects rather than sensationalist horror.

One of the most memorable rooms featured a cursed doll displayed all on its own. The doll was discovered sitting upright on a chair during the restoration of an abandoned noble residence in Italy in 2018. With no eyes and only a slit for a mouth, it looks unsettling enough – but it’s said to be genuinely haunted, too. Visitors have reported hearing faint cries, disembodied voices, and an overwhelming sense of unease around it.

I hadn’t read any of that before walking in, but I definitely felt off in that room. I started to feel lightheaded and uneasy – though to be fair, it was nearly 2pm and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast! Still, it was clear this was one of the exhibition’s more intense spaces.

The exhibition follows a semi one-way, maze-like layout that gently guides you through the themes – beginning with folklore and druidism before delving deeper into the darker realms of cursed dolls, ritual crimes, and finally, esoteric death. At the end, you can try a few VR experiences or head through to the bar and small gift shop. There’s also a shortcut midway for anyone who needs a bathroom or refreshment break.

If you’re into anything spooky, mysterious, or esoteric, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s running until May 2026, so there’s plenty of time to visit. I’d suggest waiting a few weeks, though, as it was incredibly busy once it opened to the public – perhaps give it a month or two for the initial excitement to settle.

I’ve intentionally only shared highlights here, because with 27 rooms to explore, it’s impossible to cover everything – and honestly, I wouldn’t want to. Half the fun is discovering the strange, beautiful, and unsettling things for yourself.

How to Visit Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition in London

If you’re ready to step into the world of the occult for yourself, Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition is based at The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, London (SE1 7NN). The exhibition is open now and runs until May 2026, so there’s plenty of time to explore – though I’d recommend booking in advance, especially around weekends or Halloween season when it’s likely to get busy.

Getting There

The Vaults are located directly underneath Waterloo Station, with the entrance found through the Leake Street graffiti tunnel. Nearby stations include Waterloo (Underground and National Rail) and Lambeth North, both only a short stroll away.

Tickets and Opening Hours

Tickets can be booked through The Vaults’ official website or via Fever. Tickets are £23.00 and the exhibition is generally open Wednesday to Sunday, from around midday until 9pm (check the website for the latest times).

What’s Included

The exhibition spans 27 themed rooms filled with artefacts from across the world of esotericism – think witchcraft, alchemy, cursed objects, voodoo, ritual magic, folklore, and spiritualism. Each space has been designed to immerse you fully in its theme, blending history, science, and the supernatural.

How Long to Spend There

I’d recommend allowing at least 90 minutes to two hours to take everything in. I spent nearly three hours exploring (and still didn’t see it all!), but this was partly because it was busy at the time too. If you can, go during quieter weekday slots to get the full atmospheric experience without too many crowds.

Facilities and Accessibility

The Vaults are fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and lifts where needed, though some rooms are quite narrow when it’s busy. There’s also a bar and small gift shop at the end of the exhibition if you want to linger afterwards. A mid-way point offers a shortcut to the toilets and bar if you need a quick break before continuing. 

Photography is allowed, though tripods, flashes, and large bags aren’t permitted. The lighting is intentionally dim, so if you’re planning to take photos, make sure your phone or camera can handle low light.

When to Go

While the exhibition runs until May 2026, it’s the perfect experience for autumn and winter when the darker nights make it even more atmospheric. If you want to avoid the rush, I’d suggest visiting in early 2026 once the initial hype has settled – or lean into the chaos and go around Halloween for the full spooky season effect.

Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition is exactly the kind of experience I love – a fascinating mix of history, mystery, and the macabre. It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into the curation, and while some displays are unsettling, it never feels over the top or done just for shock value. Instead, it’s respectful, informative, and surprisingly immersive.

If you’re into folklore, witchcraft, or anything even slightly spooky, I’d definitely recommend going. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon in London if you’re drawn to the stranger side of history.

For me, it struck the perfect balance between eerie and enlightening. I left feeling both fascinated and oddly inspired, already planning when to return.

From witchcraft museums and folklore-filled villages to curious occult collections, dive deeper into the mystical side of travel. Explore more magical and occult places around the UK here.

Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition
www.darksecretsexhibition.com
The Vaults, Leake Street, London, SE1 7NN
£23.00 per person

There are toilets and a bar on site, along with a small gift shop. The exhibition is located beneath Waterloo Station and can be easily reached via the underground or mainline services. Allow around 1.5–2 hours to explore, or longer if you want to take your time soaking it all in.