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.
15 minutesAdmission free
Once the docks where ships from the Canary Islands plied their trade.
10 minutesAdmission freeSee on map
10 minutesAdmission not included
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 minutesAdmission freeSee on map
This old trading dock is now a luxury marina.
5 minutesAdmission freeSee on map
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 minutesAdmission freeSee on map
From the old stairs at the end of Narrow Street we can see where Martin Frobisher set off to discover The Northwest Passage.
10 minutesAdmission freeSee on map
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 minutesAdmission not included
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 minutesAdmission not includedSee on map
This famous old pub is the birthplace of perhaps our greatest painter. Before that it was the site of witchcraft!
5 minutesAdmission freeSee on map
Henry Raine
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 minutesAdmission not includedSee on map
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 minutesAdmission includedSee on map
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 minutesAdmission includedSee on map
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 minutesAdmission freeSee on map
Just outside the entrance/exit of Canary Wharf Underground Station.
The map shows London. The exact meeting point is the address above.Open larger map
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
| If you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| At least 1 days before | 100% |
| Between 0 and 1 days before | 0% |
Ratings from Viator 5.0 (2) · Tripadvisor 5.0 (8)
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$211$194per person