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The Prospect of Whitby sits on a quiet stretch of the Thames in Wapping, and it's one of my favourite pubs in London! Few places capture the city's darker riverside history quite like it. For centuries, this part of London was frequented by sailors, dockworkers, merchants and smugglers.
Originally known as The Devil's Tavern, the pub gained a notorious reputation during the 16th and 17th centuries. Wapping was then a rough waterfront district, crowded with shipyards, warehouses, lodging houses and taverns, sitting only a short walk from the infamous Execution Dock, where pirates, mutineers and those convicted of crimes on the Thames were publicly hanged.
Although the original building dates back to the early 16th century, much of what stands today was rebuilt after a fire in the 18th century. Even so, the pub still retains much of its historic character, with uneven timber floors, low-beamed ceilings and narrow staircases that feel largely untouched by time. Its riverside terrace is one of the most atmospheric spots in London. At low tide, the exposed foreshore reveals a landscape that has changed remarkably little, evoking the days when merchant vessels lined the river and contraband was quietly unloaded beneath the cover of darkness.
Standing on the shore is a replica gallows, a reminder of the nearby Execution Dock and the grim history of the river. The pub is also closely associated with Judge George Jeffreys, the notorious "Hanging Judge", who is traditionally said to have frequented the tavern. While there is little historical evidence that he actually drank here, the story has endured for centuries and remains part of the Prospect of Whitby's enduring folklore.
Top 5 Interesting Facts:
London’s oldest riverside pub. Dating back to the early 1500s, it has served sailors, dockworkers and travellers for over 500 years.
Originally called The Devil’s Tavern. A fitting name for a haunt of smugglers, pirates and criminals.
The noose on the shore. A replica gallows commemorates the executions that once took place along this stretch of river.
Judge Jeffreys’ connection. The “Hanging Judge” is said to have been a regular, though the story may be more folklore than fact.
A survivor of centuries. Fires, floods and wartime damage have left it with a blend of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian features.
