Wapping in East London: A Historic Riverside District with Plenty to Offer

Wapping is an East London district with a rich and fascinating history. From its origins as a marshy settlement to its role as an important port and maritime hub, Wapping has witnessed many events and changes over the centuries. Today, Wapping is a vibrant and diverse area that offers a mix of old and new, with historic pubs, warehouses, docks and parks alongside modern apartments, restaurants, cafes and galleries.

If you are looking for a unique and exciting place to explore in London, Wapping is an excellent choice. Here are some highlights and attractions in this historic riverside district.

Gun Wharf on Wapping High Street, London
Gun Wharf on Wapping High Street, London
JRennocks
CC BY 4.0 creativecommons.org

Although badly damaged by bombing raids in the Blitz and affected by the closure of its docks industry, the East End’s Wapping area still has some little historical gems worth visiting. Wapping has been inhabited since Saxon times and has played a part in some of London’s more exciting moments.

Places to Visit in the East End of London – Wapping.

Wapping’s name probably comes from the Saxons who first inhabited the area – it is thought they were led by someone called Waeppa. It runs along part of the embankment of the Thames, and much of its trade history is connected with the water. For many centuries, the locals who worked and lived here served sailors and sea travellers and were involved in mast making, boat building, instrument making and victualing. This was a prosperous area for many centuries.

The most famous part of Wapping is one that you may need to help locate precisely. For over 400 years, it was home to London’s infamous Execution Dock. This was a gibbet that hung over the Thames on a dock, and it was the place of execution for pirates and sea goers who had broken the law. They would be suspended at the dock, and their bodies traditionally stayed hanging until three tides had submerged them.

According to the law, the Admiralty only had jurisdiction over crimes at sea, so the dock and gibbet were located beyond the low tide mark. The most famous person to be executed here was the pirate Captain Kidd.

River Police History and Wapping

River Police in Wapping
River Police in Wapping

Wapping is also supposed to be the place that first invented a marine police force. A local magistrate established a group of police officers in the late 1700s tasked with stopping crime on ships moored in the area.

There was a lot of theft and damage to ships by London criminals, and this Marine Police Force evolved into today’s Marine Support Unit. This is still based in Wapping High Street – the building is also home to the Thames Police Museum.

Wapping saw some significant changes in the 19th century. It had previously been one of the docklands hubs of the area, but new docks were built in different locations, and the area became less pivotal to London’s sea trade. It is estimated that Wapping lost almost 60% of its population as the industry moved out of the area.

However, Wapping got a bit of a boost in the early 1800s when Marc Isambard Brunel constructed the Thames Tunnel. This ran from Wapping to Rotherhithe on the other side of the river and was the first tunnel running underwater in the world. It is now part of the London Overground network. Although beset by problems, there was a point when the tunnel was a great tourist attraction, which may have benefited some of the locals.

Although Wapping was now peripheral in docklands, it suffered severely from bombing raids during the Second World War. Like much of the East End, the area sustained again as London’s docks closed down after the war and moved away. For some time, the area was run-down and had few prospects for improvement. It took until the 1980s for regeneration to begin in earnest. Wapping is now coming alive again and home to some desirable, usually relatively expensive, waterside homes and businesses.

Battle of Wapping and News International

In recent years, Wapping has become synonymous with the media magnate Rupert Murdoch. In 1986, his company, News International, built a massive publishing factory in Wapping. The area became the scene of industrial protests, including the “Battle of Wapping” when Murdoch moved production to Wapping from its traditional base of Fleet Street and introduced new technologies that cost 5,000 workers their jobs. This move effectively ended Fleet Street’s traditional role as the base of British publishing.

The Battle of Wapping was a trade union dispute in 1986 between News International, a media company owned by Rupert Murdoch, and the print unions representing the workers in its newspapers. The dispute started when Murdoch moved his printing and publishing operations from Fleet Street to a new plant in Wapping, East London, where he planned to use new technology and non-union labour.

The move resulted in the dismissal of nearly 6,000 workers who went on strike and staged mass demonstrations outside the new plant. The police were deployed to protect the strike-breakers and ensure the delivery of the newspapers. The dispute lasted over a year and ended with a defeat for the unions, who failed to prevent Murdoch from implementing his changes. The Battle of Wapping was, along with the miners’ strike of 1984-85, a significant turning point in the trade union movement’s history and UK industrial relations.

Hidden Historical Gems in Wapping

Visitors to Wapping today can still find some little historical gems not found anywhere else in the capital. The area still has some ancient stairs that give access to the Thames shore. If you dig around in the banks of the river at low tide, you stand a chance of unearthing something pretty old. Wapping Old Stairs and Pelican Stairs by The Prospect of Whitby pub are the best stairs for this.

St Katharine Docks: A Beautiful Marina with Waterside Restaurants and Cafes

Another attraction you should take advantage of in Wapping is St. Katharine Docks, a beautiful marina once one of London’s busiest commercial docks. It was opened in 1828 by Queen Victoria and named after a medieval hospital on the site. Today, St Katharine Docks has luxury yachts, waterside restaurants, cafes and shops, and cultural attractions such as the Dickens Inn, the Medieval Banquet and the Tower Bridge Exhibition. You can stroll around the docks and admire the views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, or take a boat tour or cruise from the pier.

This pub is a must-see for visitors to London. It is supposed to be the oldest pub in London that stands by the side of the Thames. This may or may not be accurate, but there has been a pub on the site since Henry VIII, so there is some history there. There is a replica of the Execution Dock gibbet close to the pub, although this probably was a different location.

Wapping High Street: A Historic Street with Warehouses, Pubs and Museums

East London Gun Wharves
Wapping East London

Wapping High Street is the main street along the riverfront in Wapping. It is lined with historic buildings, many of which were former warehouses that stored goods worldwide. Some warehouses have been converted into stylish apartments, offices and galleries, while others have been preserved as heritage sites. You can see examples of both at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, now an arts venue, and Wapping Wall, now a museum. You can also find some of London’s oldest and most charming pubs on Wapping High Street, such as the Town of Ramsgate, The Captain Kidd and the Wapping Project.

King Edward Memorial Park: A Lovely Green Space with a Scenic Thames Path

If you are looking for a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, you should head to King Edward Memorial Park, a lovely green space with various facilities and features. The park was opened in 1922 by King George V in memory of his father, King Edward VII. It has sports courts, playgrounds, gardens, fountains and statues. You can also enjoy a scenic walk, cycle along the Thames Path that runs through the park, or relax on the benches and watch the boats go by.

Tobacco Dock: A Stunning Venue that Hosts Events such as Concerts, Festivals and Markets

Tobacco Dock is a Grade I listed warehouse built in 1811 to store tobacco imported from America. It was one of London’s largest and most secure warehouses at the time, with vaults, moats and cannons to protect it from thieves. Today, Tobacco Dock is a stunning venue that hosts events such as concerts, festivals, exhibitions and markets. You can explore the impressive architecture and history of Tobacco Dock or join one of the many exciting events throughout the year.

Places to Eat and Drink in 2023 in Wapping

Wapping is a historic area on the north bank of the River Thames, known for its warehouses, docks and maritime heritage. It has rapidly developed recently, attracting city professionals, especially those working in Canary Wharf. Wapping offers a variety of places to eat and drink, from traditional pubs and cafes to modern restaurants and bars. Here are some of the best places to check out in 2023 in Wapping.

Dockers Inn

Dockers Inn is a contemporary pub and restaurant that serves British cuisine with a twist. The menu features fish and chips, steak and ale pie, lamb shank and mushroom risotto, burgers, salads and sandwiches. The pub also has a selection of craft beers, wines and cocktails to enjoy in a cosy and stylish setting. Dockers Inn is located at 97 Wapping Lane, just a minute’s walk from Wapping Station.

River View Chinese Restaurant

River View Chinese Restaurant is a hidden gem that offers authentic Chinese food with a stunning view of the Thames. The restaurant has a spacious and elegant dining room and a terrace overlooking the river. The menu includes classics such as dim sum, crispy duck, sweet and sour chicken, beef in black bean sauce and a sizzling seafood platter. River View Chinese Restaurant is located at 16 New Crane Place, Wapping.

Il Bordello

Il Bordello is a popular Italian restaurant that serves pizza, pasta, seafood and meat dishes in a lively and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant has a rustic and cosy decor, with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and candles. The pizza is cooked in a wood-fired oven, giving it a crispy and flavourful crust. The pasta is homemade and fresh, with sauces such as carbonara, Bolognese and pesto. Il Bordello also has a range of desserts, such as tiramisu, cheesecake and gelato. Il Bordello is located at 70 Wapping Wall, Metropolitan Wharf.

The Captain Kidd

The Captain Kidd is a historic pub from the 18th century. It is named after the notorious pirate who was hanged nearby in 1701. The pub has a charming and traditional interior, with wooden beams, fireplaces and nautical memorabilia. It also has a large beer garden that overlooks the Thames. The pub serves real ales, wines, spirits, and pub food such as pies, burgers, fish and chips, and roast dinners. The Captain Kidd is located at 108 Wapping High Street.

Gastronomica

Gastronomica is an Italian deli and café that offers a range of products from Italy, such as cheese, salami, pasta, olive oil and wine. It also serves coffee, sandwiches, salads and pizza by the slice. The cafe has a cosy and colourful decor, with shelves full of Italian goodies. Gastronomica is a great place to grab a quick bite or stock up on Italian treats. Gastronomica is located at 75 Garnet Street.

Town of Ramsgate Pub Wapping

The Town of Ramsgate public house is located at the centre of the ancient hamlet of Wapping in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It features in several books about London inns where it is rated as “a notable specimen of a waterman’s tavern.”

The building dates back to 1758, but the National Monuments Record stated that it was constructed on earlier foundations. Today it benefits from a Grade II listing, awarded primarily for the pub’s interior; the “beamed ceilings, benches, plank panelling and engraved glass screen” but also for its “group value and historical associations.” Despite later changes, the pub has a distinctive atmosphere. Crammed into a small rectangular area between Wapping Old Stairs and Oliver’s Wharf, its fight for space is reflected in the long narrow shapes of the pub’s main bar. Walking out onto the pub’s riverside terrace, the visitor is confronted by the dramatic sight of little steps leading up to the mock gallows that loom against the skyline.

The pub was initially called the “Ramsgate Arms” and was owned by the East India Company. It was a popular meeting place for sailors and merchants, and it is said that the famous pirate Captain Kidd once drank here.

In the 18th century, the pub was renamed the “Town of Ramsgate”, and it became a popular haunt for writers and artists. Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, and George Cruikshank were all regulars at the pub.

The Town of Ramsgate has continued to be a popular pub for over 250 years. It is a Grade II listed building and is a popular tourist destination.

Wapping Maps

8 thoughts on “Wapping in East London: A Historic Riverside District with Plenty to Offer”

  1. My first visit to wapping was mid 1970s, by then the high st, wapping wall was a wonderful ghost town, which intrigued me during my teens on my bike, back then I lived in norbury, I recall the smell of spices peppers ozing out from the closed wharves, the same at shad thames across the river, lovely memories, tom

    Reply
    • I lived in chancellor house from about 1949 with my parents and brothers Errol and Ashley. I remember it well. Went to st Peters primary school. Remember loads names, Renee Leonard. Gwen and Micheal Raycroft. Ver a Forder. Christine Perry. Mills family. Bertie Tarrs shop. Nora Leek, she run a club , selling new clothes 2/6a week!Frances (was Lassman)👍👍👍.

  2. Hi Malcolm

    I’m compiling a tour guide of London’s most hidden gems, (not the usual tourist sights) and I am currently working on London Bridge to Wapping. Bearing in mind that readers would ideally be walking, do you have any offbeat items that still exist in this area that I could possibly include?

    Kind regards

    Reply
  3. Do you know if there was a Venetian-style building right on the Thames? Or was it trick photography used in the P.D. James TV Dalgliesh mystery, “Original Sin”, with the building called Innocent House? I can’t find any reference to it, except Foscari in Venice, or find any such building ever existing in Wapping. It certainly doesn’t seem to be there now. Thanks for any help.

    Reply
  4. Please let me have details of your tours of Wapping. Shall be in London mid April 2015 for a nurses’ AGM at the Royal London Hospital. Thank you.

    Reply

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