Wapping Historical Pub and River Tour

Wapping has a long history that goes all the way back to Anglo Saxon times, before it was even part of London and it takes its name from the old word Wapol, meaning ‘Marsh’.  
This whole area has been shaped by the river whether it is the great voyages of exploration, Victorian heavy industry and the docks, terrible Dickensian slums that hugged the river, the dreadful destruction of the Blitz or its modern day resurgence with big business and leisure.

We will visit famous old pubs, places of execution and great philanthropy as well as visiting locations relating to some of the most famous names in history such as Captain Cook, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Frobisher, Sir Walter Raleigh, Charles Dickens, Hanging Judge Jeffers and Captain Bligh.

See a part of real London that tourists could never find, well away from the bright lights of the West End, theatres, museums and palaces.

Meeting Point

Canary Wharf

Underground Ltd, Heron Quays Rd, London E14 4HJ, UK

Just outside the entrance/exit of Canary Wharf Underground Station.

What's included:

• Private Guided Tour

Not included:

• Tube tickets to and from your hotel.

What to expect:

Duration: 3 hours

Docklands

London

We start off in the futuristic Docklands

15 minutes

Canary Wharf

London

Once the docks where ships from the Canary Islands plied their trade.

10 minutes

London Museum Docklands

No. 1 Warehouse, Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, London, E14 4AL

We will pass by the Museum of London Docklands and learn of the history of these old buildings and wharves.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Wapping

Wapping, London, UK

Before we get here, we will visit the famous Grapes Pub from where Sir Walter Raleigh set sail and with links to Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Sherlock Holmes and many others.

10 minutes

Limehouse Waterside & Marina

The Harbourmasters Office, 46 Goodhart Pl, London E14 8EG, UK

This old trading dock is now a luxury marina.

5 minutes

The Prospect of Whitby

57 Wapping Wall, , London, E1W 3SH

This old pub has strong links with famous painters, writers and even royalty. Sat right by the river, we can go down onto the shore if the tide is out.

10 minutes

Wapping

Wapping, London, UK

From the old stairs at the end of Narrow Street we can see where Martin Frobisher set off to discover The Northwest Passage.

10 minutes

Thames River Police Museum

Wapping Police Station 98 Wapping High Street, Wapping Police Station, London, E1W 2NE

The Thames River Police are the oldest police force in the world. They still patrol the rivers keeping an eye out for crimes such as murder and suicide.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit

98-102 Wapping High St, London E1W 2NE, UK

On the corner of Dundee Street we will see the old court for murders and suicides before hearing about William Peckover who perhaps performed the most incredible piece of maritime navigation in history.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Turner's Old Star

14 Watts St, London E1W 2QG, UK

This famous old pub is the birthplace of perhaps our greatest painter. Before that it was the site of witchcraft!

5 minutes

St Peter's Church, London Docks

Wapping Ln, London E1W 2RW, UK

A beautiful old Roman Catholic Church

10 minutes

Raine's House

Raine St, London E1W 3RL, UK

Henry Raine was a wealthy brewer and owned a family business and a generous philanthropist who set up a school for the poor girls and boys in Wapping which is now one of the finest in the country.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Bistro Bardot (The Turk's Head)

1 Green Bank, London E1W 2PA, UK

It is here the convicted pirates had there last drink before being hanged on the river Thames down the steps that we will be visiting shortly. Then on to St Johns Church with connections to Captain Cook and President Jefferson

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Town of Ramsgate

62 Wapping High St, London E1W 2PN, UK

Dating from 1460, this old pub and the nearby stairs has seen more history than some cities. Captain Bligh (whose house site we visit) boarded HMS Bounty here. A crook who stole the Crown Jewels was caught here along with the hated Hanging Judge Jeffers. Many a pirate and criminal met their grisly end here too.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

St Katharine Docks

50 St Katharine's Way, London, E1W 1LA

The tour finishes in the shadow of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in an old docks which is now the home to luxury yachts and boats belonging to the rich and famous.

10 minutes