Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs worth booking?
Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs is a 3-hour experience in London, United Kingdom, from $65 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (10)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $65 per person
Wapping has a long history that goes all the way back to Anglo Saxon times, before it was even part of London and it takes its name from the old word Wapol, meaning ‘Marsh’. This whole area has been shaped by the riv
What you get
About this experience
Wapping has a long history that goes all the way back to Anglo Saxon times, before it was even part of London and it takes its name from the old word Wapol, meaning ‘Marsh’. This whole area has been shaped by the river whether it is the great voyages of exploration, Victorian heavy industry and the docks, terrible Dickensian slums that hugged the river, the dreadful destruction of the Blitz or its modern day resurgence with big business and leisure. We will visit famous old pubs, places of execution and great philanthropy as well as visiting locations relating to some of the most famous names in history such as Captain Cook, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Frobisher, Sir Walter Raleigh, Charles Dickens, Hanging Judge Jeffers and Captain Bligh. See a part of real London that tourists could never find, well away from the bright lights of the West End, theatres, museums and palaces.
What's included
Included
- Private Guided Tour
Not included
- Tube tickets to and from your hotel.
What you'll see and do
Docklands
We start off in the futuristic Docklands
15 minutes here
Canary Wharf
Once the docks where ships from the Canary Islands plied their trade.
10 minutes here
London Museum Docklands
We will pass by the Museum of London Docklands and learn of the history of these old buildings and wharves.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Before we get here, we will visit the famous Grapes Pub from where Sir Walter Raleigh set sail and with links to Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Sherlock Holmes and many others.
10 minutes here
This old trading dock is now a luxury marina.
5 minutes here
This old pub has strong links with famous painters, writers and even royalty. Sat right by the river, we can go down onto the shore if the tide is out.
10 minutes here
From the old stairs at the end of Narrow Street we can see where Martin Frobisher set off to discover The Northwest Passage.
10 minutes here
Thames River Police Museum
The Thames River Police are the oldest police force in the world. They still patrol the rivers keeping an eye out for crimes such as murder and suicide.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
On the corner of Dundee Street we will see the old court for murders and suicides before hearing about William Peckover who perhaps performed the most incredible piece of maritime navigation in history.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
This famous old pub is the birthplace of perhaps our greatest painter. Before that it was the site of witchcraft!
5 minutes here
A beautiful old Roman Catholic Church
10 minutes here
Henry Raine was a wealthy brewer and owned a family business and a generous philanthropist who set up a school for the poor girls and boys in Wapping which is now one of the finest in the country.
5 minutes here · Admission not included
It is here the convicted pirates had there last drink before being hanged on the river Thames down the steps that we will be visiting shortly. Then on to St Johns Church with connections to Captain Cook and President Jefferson
10 minutes here · Admission included
Dating from 1460, this old pub and the nearby stairs has seen more history than some cities. Captain Bligh (whose house site we visit) boarded HMS Bounty here. A crook who stole the Crown Jewels was caught here along with the hated Hanging Judge Jeffers. Many a pirate and criminal met their grisly end here too.
10 minutes here · Admission included
St. Katharine Docks
The tour finishes in the shadow of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in an old docks which is now the home to luxury yachts and boats belonging to the rich and famous.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
London
Just outside the entrance/exit of Canary Wharf Underground Station.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Just a few minutes away from Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the London Underground.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ye Olde England Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We have earmarked this tour as especially safe during the Coronavirus outbreak due to generally quiet places that we visit where social distancing is generally not a problem. All of our tours are private so it is just you/your family and your guide. To make it easier and safer for all concerned we would suggest starting this tour a little later than the usual time, perhaps around 10.30-11am which allows us all to miss rush-hour. We are happy to still come to your hotel to meet you but for the moment we would suggest meeting us at the tour starting point. This allows you to arrive by a taxi or uber rather than public transport. Please feel free to wear masks throughout or at times during the tour. Your guide will also have a mask with them.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour and guide
excellent tour, very informative, a part of London one usually does not know much about. Our guide Kevin was wonderful, vast knowledge, nice stories, great insights
Response from the operator: Thanks for taking the time to leave such a nice review. I'm really glad that you enjoyed your tour with Kevin so much.
via Viator
Fascinating historical tour
A very entertaining and educational experience. There is so much to learn about the wharf areas of london. Kevin, our guide, is exceptionally knowledgable. He added a rich layer of insight to the known history of the area and pointed out the non obvious. I highly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: I'm so glad that you had such a good time on your tour with Kevin. Wapping is such a fascinating part of London that most visitors never get to see. We really appreciate your review. Thankyou!
via Tripadvisor
Great historical walking tour
Kevin was great! We had trouble meeting up but he was so accommodating. Every question I asked, he had an answer and could give even more details.
Response from the operator: I'm so glad it turned out well in the end. Thanks for your kind review and I'm really glad you had such a good time with the lovely Kevin.
via Tripadvisor
Kevin the Cockney Guide
This was excellent and brought to life the East End of London and Wapping area. Made even more special by our authentic, passionate, and very knowledgable Cockney guide - Kevin - what an absolute gem. Now understand the historical meaning of robbing Peter to pay Paul - and it appears to be still happening in the modern day …. Nods as good as wink to a blind beggar…!!
Response from the operator: Kevin was thrilled to hear you enjoyed your tour so much. Wapping is such a fascinating area that 99% of tourists never get to see. There is a very popular and funny cockney expression to say how fab Kevin is but sadly it is a bit rude for here so let's just say he is the Bees Knees instead. Thanks for your great review!
via Tripadvisor
Memorable tour of East London!
It was a tour organised by my partner as a birthday present. Have to say, was such a wonderful delight. Living in East London, we had no idea about all the treasures which this area had to offer. Kevin, our guide during the tour, has such a remarkable command over history, which he narrates in an impeccable and engaging manner. To top it all off, he is really friendly and warm, which made the experience really pleasurable. Time literally flew by, whilst learning so much about East London and its famous pubs!!! Definitely recommended and waiting to go on a guided tour with Kevin again soon!
Response from the operator: Thank-you so much for your tremendous review. We're so glad that you had a good time, especially as it's in your neighbourhood. Kevin really enjoyed showing you around; there is so much to see isn't there. Everyone is always surprised!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $65 to $1300
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for London.
How much does Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs cost?
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Prices start at $65 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in London usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in London is not rushed.
Is Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in London, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in London can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in London and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Historic walk of East Londons Wapping Docks and its famous Pubs start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central London within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in London?
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London's best attractions split cleanly: the museums are free and need no booking, so the paid market is about views, theatre and getting out of the city for a day. That makes value scoring unusually important here, and the Outty Ranking penalises anything charging premium prices for access you could get for nothing. On Outty we rank every London experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soho Music & Historic Pubs Tour, London Small Group Tour of Historical Pubs, The Great British Rock and Roll Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit London?
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May to September for long evenings, December for the Christmas markets. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in London?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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