Town of Ramsgate, Wapping, E1

Randomness Guide to London - Town Of Ramsgate entry

Randomness Guide to London - Town Of Ramsgate entry

Long and narrow pub in an historic part of town. Leaded windows to the front and side alley, the rear has a superb river aspect over the Thames. Cream coloured bar midway along, various seating types at square and round tables. Lots of historic information is displayed, for the benefit of all visitors, many tourists find their way here. Towards the rear you will find a few artifacts, such as an old cash register, Singer sowing machine and so forth, which to be honest appear to be token forays into recent history, I'd say to interest the tourists. Perhap's that's unfair, beer selection was Pride, Youngs Ordinary Bitter, Sharp's Doom Bar and Jenning's Cumberland Ale. A decent spot, and our first stop on our Wapping stroll.

This is a traditional pub that still retains two separate bar areas and there is also some more seating in a room towards the rear that leads to a half paved/half grassed beer garden that has a few large picnic tables. If memory serves me correctly there are usually four ales on and the Scottish governor seems to like bringing in Caledonian and Welsh ales which makes a change from the Fullers beers found in most surrounding pubs. Service can be a little slow at times and the pub opens for lunch and then closes for the afternoon, so be warned! Well worth missing a train for a couple of well kept pints.

In the way of ales, they had some of the usual suspects on – Pride, Young's Bitter, Doom Bar – but the guest ale was the excellent Jenning's Cumberland Ale, and very good it tasted too. This is a long thin pub leading down to the river at Wapping Old Stairs. It has a long history – Judge Jeffries etc – and it claims to be the oldest pub on the river. But I believe that the Prospect of Whitby just down the road also makes that claim. It's an improvable claim I suspect, like so many such claims involving London pubs. Nevertheless, this is a real pub although it inevitably gets a number of tourists in. No problem with that, as it seems to have retained its essential character. It's comfortably furnished with normal tables and chairs; no one-armed bandits; and no overly loud music. There is also an attractive large mirror featuring (an etched I believe) representation of Ramsgate Harbour. I quite like this pub; I've been several times before, and no doubt will visit again.

This is a Gem.Long narrow bar which extends to the Thames next to old Wapping steps. Outside drinking area on two levels overlooking the river ideal for whiling away the long summer days. On the walls are photographs of old Wapping. Sunday roasts and quiz nights. beers on tap on our visit were Adnams and Pride. 10 minutes from Wapping Station