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Offered languages
- English
Take a self-guided GPS audio tour through Wapping and the London Docks. The most famous building in Wapping is a pub, The Prospect of Whitby, which was a favourite with pirates and smugglers as well as with Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys. This ancient village which stretches between the Tower of London and Limehouse has always been associated with seafarers. They tended to live a life apart from the rest of London, although in the eighteenth century the 36 pubs along the riverfront attracted many visitors including Dr Samuel Johnson. Three of these pubs survive.
The London Docks were built in the early nineteenth century and were famous for the import of rum, wine and tobacco. The docks were closed in 1969, but many of the former wharves and warehouses have been preserved and converted into modern apartments. This retains the atmosphere of the past although the sense of danger evoked by Charles Dickens's novels has vanished.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Itinerary
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Tower of London (Pass by)
William the Conqueror built the original 'White Tower' in the 11th Century. Many famous people were imprisoned and executed here, including Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas Moore and Lady Jane Grey.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
St John's church itself was built in 1756 in red brick with white stone dressings, so that it would stand out amidst the dark and murky atmosphere of the area.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll through this beautifully converted historic dock filled with luxury yachts and surrounded by restored 19th-century warehouses. Enjoy the peaceful waterside atmosphere where working docks have been transformed into a vibrant marina with cafes and shops.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass this traditional riverside pub tucked beneath historic wharves along the Thames foreshore. Discover one of Wapping's oldest taverns, dating back to 1545, where smugglers and sailors once gathered by the water's edge.
Admission ticket free -
Execution Dock - actual location (Pass by)
Walk along the Thames foreshore where pirates and mutineers once faced their grim fate at the water's edge. Learn about this notorious site where maritime criminals were hanged at low tide for over 400 years.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Marvel at this characterful riverside pub named after the infamous Scottish pirate who was executed nearby. Enjoy views over the Thames from the same spot where 18th-century sailors and smugglers once drank.
Admission ticket free -
Shadwell Basin (Pass by)
Stroll around this peaceful former dock basin, now transformed into a watersports center and nature reserve. Experience the tranquil contrast to Wapping's seafaring past as you walk beside the calm waters surrounded by converted warehouses.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass these striking converted warehouses that once stored precious cargoes from around the world. Admire how the historic riverside buildings have been transformed into modern waterfront apartments while preserving their original character.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Conclude your tour outside London's oldest riverside pub, dating from 1520, with its iconic flagstone floor and pewter-topped bar. Discover the favorite haunt of Charles Dickens, Samuel Pepys, and notorious smugglers who frequented this historic tavern.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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