The Prospect of Whitby: Odd Name, Great Pub

Before we visit The Prospect of Whitby, perhaps the riverfront’s oldest boozer, let’s chat about London pubs in general.

If you’ve been to the vibrant city of London, you know no matter where you turn, there’s a pub only a few steps away.  Very helpful, to those of us who on an evening often find our sense of direction slightly impaired.  You wanna know how many pubs there are?  Me too. Depends on who you ask and what criteria they use. 

Wimpy answer?  Or maybe you’re thinking, I didn’t major in statistics, so give it to me straight. Oh, a tough audience!  Ok, suck on this wimpy excuse.  Nobody really knows!  At least nobody I can find.  Some tallies include only free houses (pubs not owned by breweries) and other compilations include clubs, bars and pubs.  Might as well try to figure out the tax code.

Still waiting for an answer, biting your nails and about to wet your pants?  Open invitation to follow me to London and we’ll both count.  Best guess is somewhere between 4000 and 7000.  And, even with two toilets per pub, there’ll still be some anxious moments.  As a friend of mine said, “You don’t really own a beer, you just borrow it.”

A more definitive answer for how many pubs:  Lots.  The best answer:  It doesn’t make a damn.  Grab an amber pint in any pub, and for the price of a hand pulled slosh, you’ll be entertained with wonderful conversation with the natives, while surrounded by the patina of centuries, and aswirl in the richness of English history.

History bores you? Hey, if you just want to suck down a brew, stay home, flop on the couch, and pop a Bud.

Back to The Prospect of Whitby.  What’s in a name?  The story starts and ends with a ship: “The Prospect” (a coal carrier) whose home-port was Whitby.  Could be the innkeeper named the pub, or it could be when strangers asked directions they were told, “Keep goin’ ‘til ya see Tha Prospect of Whitby.”

Not The Prospect, but one that's similar

As with so many others, this pub has had many names, the original being The Pelican, established around 1520, when Henry VIII was on the throne of England and still married to Catherine of Aragon.  Surely you remember her, the first wife, the Catholic wife, the one Hank-the-8th divorced after establishing his very own Church of England.  At the time, The Prospect of Whitby’s clientele frequently included smugglers, thieves, and pirates, hence the local name at the time, “Devil’s Tavern.”

Henry VIII

Catherine of Aragon

Then came a fire in the 18^th Century and the pub being rebuilt.  Along with the rebuilding, came the current name.  As with many pubs, remodeling has continued from time to time, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the original 400 year old flagstone floor.  The paneling and the façade are both 18^th century. The theme is nautical, with pillars made from ships’ masts.  Don’t forget to check the old barrels supporting a unique pewter bar top.

When you glance through the large windows that overlook the Thames (pronounced Tims), you’ll also notice something peculiar.  There’s a noose suspended over the water. As any fool would guess, it has a story.  In the 17^th Century, the pub became the favorite of Judge Jeffries, known as the hanging judge. Legend has it the condemned would be tied to posts at low tide and Judge Jeffries would sip his beer and watch them drown as the tide came in.  It’s also said his ghost haunts the premises.

The Prospect of Whitby at low tide.

Fortunately, hanging out at the Whitby no longer means what it once did.

The Prospect of Whitby, at 57 Wapping Wall St is about an18 minute walk from the Whitechapel tube stop on both the District and Hamersmith & City lines.

Now let’s talk about celebs that have done a tipple or two in this famous pub.  Well there was Charles Dickens.  “Who’s he?” ask those inadequately educated.  Ever heard of the musical “Oliver?” He wrote the book.  How ‘bout Tiny Tim?  Name ring a Christmas bell?

How ‘bout Whistler and Turner, a couple of famous English painters?  Still nothing?  Princess Margaret?  Kirk Douglas?  Paul Newman?  Glenn Ford?  Boy, have you got a lot of catching up to do!

Best to settle back, have another pint of London Pride and chat with the knowledgeable barkeep, or the lads at the table next to you.  Feel the need to feed? I hear the fish and chips are worth the trip.

There’s nothing like hanging around in an English pub and The Prospect of Whitby is one of the best.  Just be sure the 

‘hanging’ is inside.

The real reason to visit!