Prospect of Whitby

wooden stairway by River Thames at The Prospect of Whitby, historic public house on the banks of the Thames at Wapping, London. It lays claim to being the site of the oldest riverside tavern, dating from around 1520. It was formerly known as the Devil's Tavern, previously '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. 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.