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Historic London pub on the Thames

April 10, 2014 by David Herd

Prospect of Whitby

Historic London pub on the Thames

Historic London pub on the Thames

Historic London pub on the Thames at Wapping is The Prospect of Whitby. It lays claim to being the site of the oldest riverside tavern, dating from 1520. It was formerly known as the Devil’s Tavern, on account of its dubious reputation. Before that it was officially called The Pelican. All that remains from the building’s earliest period is the 400 year old stone floor. In former times it was a meeting place for sailors, smugglers, cut-throats and footpads. A footpad is an archaic term for a robber or thief specializing in pedestrian victims. The term was used widely from the 16th century until the 19th century, but gradually fell out of common use. A footpad was considered a low criminal, as opposed to the mounted highwayman who in certain cases might gain fame as well as notoriety Why does this Historic London pub deserve it’s own post in my blog? Quite simple really, I have so many fond memories dating back 50 years when I was very young enjoying my first great overseas adventure.

The Prospect of Whitby in December 1964

Historic London pub on the Thames

Here is a classic photo of my friends at the Prospect of Whitby 50 years ago in 1964. There were Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, South Africans, English, and the very drunk lady in the bottom right hand corner was an opera singer from Yugoslavia.  😆

The guy with the pint & mouth open was my best friend & travelling companion, he went back to Oz before me & joined the army. Kieth Wagstaff with the beard was a kiwi who I travelled through Europe with. I have my arm around Shirley a cute pommie I was taking out occasionally. Simon in check jacket was Canadian.

Surely David Herd should be there.

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I’m very disappointed my name is not on the sign.  🙂

 
Fire place at the Prospect of Whitby.

Historic London pub on the Thames

I don’t think this Historic London pub has changed much in 50 years, however the times I was there it was always packed to the rafters.

Historic London pub, naturally I ordered a Fosters

Historic London pub on the Thames

In the 17th century, it became the hostelry of choice of “Hanging” Judge Jeffreys, scourge of the Monmouth Rebellion. He lived nearby and a noose hangs by a window, commemorating his custom. He was chased by anti-Royalists into the nearby Town of Ramsgate, captured and taken to the Tower for his own safety. According to legend, criminals would be tied up to the posts at low tide and left there to drown when the tide came in. Execution Dock was actually by Wapping Old Stairs and generally used for pirates.

Lots of timber walls & creaking floors

Historic London pub on the Thames

Following a fire in the early 19th century, the tavern was rebuilt and renamed The Prospect of Whitby, after a Tyne collier that used to berth next to the pub. The Prospect was listed Grade II in December 1950. If you want to visit an Historic London pub this is one of the best. On the opposite side of the road (Wapping Wall) is the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, now an arts centre and restaurant.

Nooks & crannies everywhere

Historic London pub on the Thames

The public house features briefly in an episode of Only Fools And Horses. When Uncle Albert goes missing in one episode, Del Boy and Rodney travel around London looking for him. Nicholas Lyndhurst is shown in one scene walking out of the pub. There is also a scene from the 1956 film D-Day the Sixth of June starring Robert Taylor and Richard Todd where Taylor’s character is seen with Dana Wynter’s character having drinks together during the Second World War in London.

Historic London pub on the Thames

Historic London pub on the Thames

 Sir Hugh Willoughby sailed from here in 1533 in a disastrous attempt to discover the North-East Passage to China.

100 meters from the Prospect of Whitby is Shadwell Basin

Historic London pub on the Thames

A lovely lake just up the road from the pub, you can see Westminster in the background. Shadwell Basin is the most significant body of water surviving from the historical London Docks. It is situated on the north side of the river Thames east (downstream) of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge and west (upstream) of Limehouse. Unlike the rest of the London Docks which has been landfilled, Shadwell Basin, the most easterly part of the complex, has been retained.

It is now a maritime square of 2.8 hectares used for recreational purposes (including sailing, canoeing and fishing) and is surrounded on three sides by a waterside housing development designed by British architects MacCormac, Jamieson, Prichard and Wright. The residential buildings are four and five storeys with façades of alternating open arches and enclosed structure, echoing the scale of traditional 19th century dockside warehouses, with a colonnade at quayside. Shadwell Basin is a popular public route for cyclists, joggers and pedestrians with a walkway alongside the water as part of the linked open spaces and canals between the river and Hermitage Basin near St Katharine Docks to the west.

Historic London pub

Historic London pub on the Thames

  To receive my latest posts please follow me on Twitter  Finally back to the 60s, the first photo is travelling to our favorite Historic London pub in Wapping on the tube, everybody is well dressed and in good shape. The 2nd photo is at the pub getting stuck into it. Finally we are all heading home to Earle’s court totally flyblown.  😆

Historic London pub

Historic London pub

The pub  has had many a TV or film appearances, even a feature in Only Fools and Horses. It is voted as one of the best Historic pubs in London, so a must visit.

On the way to Wapping

  Historic London pub on the Thames

Everybody is quiet and well behaved.

At the pub

Historic London pub on the Thames

    Things get messy very quickly.

Heading home

Historic London pub on the Thames

    Totally flyblown.

Use THIS LINK for a very good hotel discount in London.

Thanks for visiting my Historic London pub photo blog.

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London pubs people food

December 3, 2013 by David Herd

The Colbert in Sloane Square

London pubs people food 

London pubs people food atmosphere

London pubs people food are  favorite pastimes of mine, even though London is not famous for great cuisine you can find hundreds of terrific places to eat.

London pubs people food

London pubs people food atmosphere

This is the same restaurant as the Colbert, in 2009 it was called Grande Brasserie.

The Colbert

London pubs people food atmosphere

Like most of the restaurants in Sloane Square this is a great “people watching” place, one tends to go there for that reason more than the food. The food however is fine and the place is always busy.

London pubs people food, The Botanist

London pubs people food atmosphere

 The Botanist is definitely one of the good London pubs,  a great place to watch the super trendy crowd go through their mating rituals. It gets so busy the crowd spills out onto the footpath, sometimes it’s a struggle to get to the bar for a refill.


Did I mention the super trendy crowd?

London pubs people food atmosphere

Well here are three people that don’t fit that description, I am enjoying drinks at the Botanist with friends Teresa & Debbie.

Da Scalzo restaurant.

London pubs people food atmosphere

Good food, nice atmosphere and great music.

Great Jazz trio at Da Scalzo.

London pubs people food atmosphere

I went back just to hear the band again.

15 minutes walk from Sloane Square

London pubs people food atmosphere

Da Scalzo is a nice little restaurant about 15 minutes walk from Sloane Square at 2 Elizabeth St, London SW1W 9RB, Phone:+44 20 7730 5498. The food is good without being great, so don’t expect too much, however at weekends they have a very good jazz band playing all the old fashioned songs which really adds to the atmosphere. Have a look at them on the video below.

Aint misbehaving at Da Scalzo

 OK, lets go upmarket

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

68 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HP

London pubs people food atmosphere

Fabulous food as you would expect at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay with a price to match. However lets face it, you need to spoil yourself every now & then and the food is great. Check out the menu for this rather special restaurant. I will be back in London in March 2014 and another visit is certainly on my agenda.  😎

London pubs people food atmosphere

Gordon Ramsay’s wine list 2009.

London pubs people food atmosphere

As you would expect it is rather expensive.

Cafe Rouge.

London pubs people food atmosphere

There is a chain of these excellent restaurants all over London, very good French food at a reasonable price.

Cafe Rouge French Bistro.

London pubs people food atmosphere

Definitely no complaints with the food. I also enjoyed their branch at Brighton.

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Courtfield London pubs Earls Court

London pubs people food atmosphere

Situated at 187 Earl’s Court Rd the Courtfield’s is one of the good London pubs, not very flash but the upstairs restaurant serves very good pub food at reasonable prices, worth a visit if you are in the area.


London pubs people food Mozzarella and More

London pubs people food atmosphere

Mozzarella and More Italian Kings Rd Chelsea good food & nice atmosphere, certainly worth a visit.

Jump on a London bus

London pubs Harrods Thames

A very good way to see this fabulous city.

Super travel tips. Great Britain has an excellent rail service, save up to 80% by booking your ticket before you arrive, just click here. London Underground’s Piccadilly Line provides the most cost-effective rail route between Heathrow Airport and the capital, so look for accommodation around Earl’s CourtGloucester Rd or Knightsbridge. For more information click here.

Jump on a train and visit Bath

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