The Prospect Of Whitby is a historic public house on the banks of the Thames at Wapping in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It lays claims to being the site of the oldest riverside tavern, dating from around 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. Sir Hugh Willoughby sailed from here in 1533 in a disastrous attempt to discover the North-East Passage To China.
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.
Views from the pub were sketched by both Turner and Whistler, Writers Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys are known to have paused to sup here.
The public house features briefly in an episode of 'Only Fools And Horses'. When Uncle Albert goes missing in one episode , Del Boy travels round London looking for him. David Jason is shown in one scene walking out of the pub.
In the comic book 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen', Mina Harker pauses in front of the public house and says it brings back memories. She is referring to the beaching of the 'Demeter' at Whitby in the novel Dracula.
