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Offered languages
- English
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.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Just outside the entrance/exit of Canary Wharf Underground Station.
Just a few minutes away from Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the London Underground.
Itinerary
-
1Docklands
We start off in the futuristic Docklands
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Canary Wharf
Once the docks where ships from the Canary Islands plied their trade.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3London Museum Docklands
We will pass by the Museum of London Docklands and learn of the history of these old buildings and wharves.
10 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
4
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 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
This old trading dock is now a luxury marina.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6The Prospect of Whitby
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 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
From the old stairs at the end of Narrow Street we can see where Martin Frobisher set off to discover The Northwest Passage.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Thames River Police Museum
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 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
9
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 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
10
This famous old pub is the birthplace of perhaps our greatest painter. Before that it was the site of witchcraft!
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11
A beautiful old Roman Catholic Church
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12
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 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
13
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 minutes • Admission ticket included -
14
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 minutes • Admission ticket included -
15St Katharine Docks
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 minutes • 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
- 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.
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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.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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