The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping, E1

RR pretty much covers everything below. The beer selection was Doom Bar, Adnams Broadside, GK IPA and Suffolk Swift(3%) with Spitfire and Pride clips reversed. The pewter topped bar with barrel inserts is worthy of note and a framed information board makes the claim it is the longest of such type surviving in London. Various marine/riverine paraphernalia, including model ships and a suspended ship's wheel. An old pillar has a winch attached. Good river views especially from the balconies at the upper level.

I’ve visited this pub a number of times over recent years, and have generally enjoyed the experience. It was refurbished a few years ago, and although some changes were made, primarily to the furnishings as I recall, the main features of the pub, such as the ancient flagstones and the pewter bar counter top, have remained in place. It claims to be oldest riverside pub in London, but although it’s not the only pub to make that claim it’s certainly a contender for the title and is definitely one of the oldest. It was originally named “The Devil’s Tavern”, but was given its current name in 1777 after the name of one of colliers’ boats that brought coal down from Newcastle. The interior is decorated with all manner of maritime artefacts and memorabilia, including several model ships, some in glass cases. Other features include the many painted boards scattered around the place with snippets of the pub’s history, and a large stone fireplace that had a gas wood effect fire on the go. The latter was clearly welcome by the couple who were sitting on top of it on my visit, as there was clearly something wrong with the heating on that day. There is also an upstairs room that can effectively be used as a restaurant. A somewhat macabre feature of the exterior is the noose that hangs out over the river, as a reference to Execution Dock that used to be a few hundred yards to the West, and where those found guilty of piracy – most notably Captain Kidd – were hanged. I believe that it is still a Spirit Group pub – at least the lack of ale selection would suggest that it still is. They had on two or three mainstream ales (my chums and I went for the Sharp’s Doom Bar), plus something called “Swift” which turned out to be another weak 3% ale from the Greene King stable. We spotted that in time, and thus managed to avoid it. There is some seating outside, from which one can enjoy some superb views of the river. I don’t think that I would recommend a visit to this pub just for the ales, but it is worth a visit for the history, attractive interior, and the excellent river views best enjoyed on a nice day.

London's oldest riverside pub, the site dating back to 1520. Large narrow bar overlooking the Thames. selection of real ales on sale. this is a must for those drinkers who like to read about history whilst supping. 15 minutes from Wapping Station