Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs

5.0 (10 reviews) 3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

10 reviews

5.0

Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

The old meets the new. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

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At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Ye Olde England Tours

Ages: Children (5–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private Guided Tour

Not included

Not included: Tube tickets to and from your hotel.

Itinerary

Docklands

15 min

We start off in the futuristic Docklands
Canary Wharf

10 min

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

10 min Admission not included

We will pass by the Museum of London Docklands and learn of the history of these old buildings and wharves.
Stop 4

10 min

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.
Stop 5

5 min

This old trading dock is now a luxury marina.
Stop 6

10 min

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.
Stop 7

10 min

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

5 min Admission not included

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.
Stop 9

10 min Admission 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.
Stop 10

5 min

This famous old pub is the birthplace of perhaps our greatest painter. Before that it was the site of witchcraft!
Stop 11

10 min

A beautiful old Roman Catholic Church
Stop 12

5 min Admission not included

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.
Stop 13

10 min Admission included

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
Stop 14

10 min Admission included

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.
St. Katharine Docks

10 min

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.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

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

End point

Just a few minutes away from Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the London Underground.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We have earmarked this tour as especially safe during the Coronavirus outbreak due to generally quiet places that we visit where social distancing is generally not a problem. All of our tours are private so it is just you/your family and your guide. To make it easier and safer for all concerned we would suggest starting this tour a little later than the usual time, perhaps around 10.30-11am which allows us all to miss rush-hour. We are happy to still come to your hotel to meet you but for the moment we would suggest meeting us at the tour starting point. This allows you to arrive by a taxi or uber rather than public transport. Please feel free to wear masks throughout or at times during the tour. Your guide will also have a mask with them.