Cursed dolls, relics of Aleister Crowley, shrunken heads and sundry occult objects spread over 27 subterranean rooms. This sounds like an exhibition worth dying for (metaphorically).
Dark Secrets – The Esoteric Exhibition will take over The Vaults space beneath Waterloo station from October, bringing together over 1,000 objects of dark renown.
Items on show include a 19th century Tibetan ritual mask, a rare book containing the "imprint of a soul from Purgatory" and a "witch-hunting manual" from 1620.
Such a show could be played for cheap, creepy thrills, but the organisers assure us that's not the case: "Far from sensationalism, Dark Secrets combines rigorous historical and anthropological research with a critical approach, exposing fraudulent practices while shedding light on ancient symbols, hidden rituals and cultural myths".
Find out for yourself by visiting The Vaults from 11 October. With all the cursed material down there, let's hope they don't accidentally put a hex on the trains above.
Dark Secrets – The Esoteric Exhibition is at The Vaults from 11 October 2025-31 May 2026. Nearest station, Waterloo.
