Prospect of Whitby

Prospect of Whitby

The Prospect of Whitby is a historic public house on the banks of the River Thames in the Wapping area of London. It lays claim to being the site of the oldest riverside tavern, dating from around 1520.

History

The original name of the pub was the Pelican, later changed to the Devil's Tavern due to its dubious reputation. All that remains from the building's earliest period is the 400-year-old stone floor. The pub was a renowned meeting place for sailors, smugglers, cut-throats and footpads. Sir Hugh Willoughby ran his arctic expedition from this pub which was a favourite haunt of the explorer Captain James Cook, and the writers Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys.

Name

The pub was renamed the Prospect of Whitby in the late 18th century, after a then famous collier that used to dock regularly at Wapping. The Whitby in the pub's name refers to the fishing town in North Yorkshire.

Features

The pub features a replica of the old Execution Dock gallows, a reminder of its close association with piracy and the underworld. Inside, the Prospect of Whitby has a traditional long bar, smaller snug areas and an upstairs restaurant with views over the river. The pub also has a beer garden which is a popular spot in the summer months.

In Popular Culture

The Prospect of Whitby has appeared in many works of fiction. It features in the Dickens novel 'Our Mutual Friend' and is also the setting for the Judge John Deed episode titled 'Evidence of Harm'. The pub has also been used as a location for various films and television shows.

See Also

• List of pubs in London
• History of London
• River Thames
• Wapping

References

• The Prospect Of Whitby - Historic UK
• The Prospect of Whitby - Visit London

External Links

• Official Website of Prospect of Whitby