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Prospect of Whitby facts for kids

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The Prospect of Whitby is a very old and famous pub located right next to the River Thames in Wapping, London. People say it's the oldest pub by the river, possibly built around the year 1520!

A Look at Its Past

This historic pub wasn't always called the Prospect of Whitby. Long ago, it was known as The Pelican. Later, it got a new name, the Devil’s Tavern, because it had a bit of a wild reputation.

From its very early days, only the stone floor, which is over 400 years old, remains. The inside of the pub has beautiful wooden panels from the 1700s and its front (facade) was built in the 1800s. Inside, you'll find a bar with a special pewter top and lots of cool items related to ships and the sea.

In the old days, this pub was a popular spot for sailors, people who secretly moved goods (smugglers), and other interesting characters. A famous sea captain named Hugh Willoughby even sailed from near here in 1553 on an unsuccessful journey to find a new sea route to China.

Famous Visitors and Stories

In the 1600s, a very strict judge named Judge Jeffreys often visited the pub. He lived nearby and was known for being tough during a time of rebellion. To remember his visits, there's a model of a gallows (a structure used for hangings long ago) and a rope hanging by the window overlooking the Thames. Judge Jeffreys was once chased by people who were against the King and found safety in a nearby pub before being taken to the Tower of London.

This area was also historically known as a place where pirates faced justice. In the 1700s, something quite different happened here: the very first fuchsia plant ever seen in the United Kingdom was sold at this pub!

Many famous artists and writers have enjoyed the views and atmosphere of the Prospect of Whitby. The artists J. M. W. Turner and James Abbott McNeill Whistler both sketched scenes from the pub. Famous writers like Charles Dickens and Samuel Pepys are also known to have stopped here for a drink.

New Name and Modern Times

After a fire in the early 1800s, the pub was rebuilt and given its current name, The Prospect of Whitby. It was named after a ship called a collier from the River Tyne. This ship used to dock right next to the pub and carried coal from Newcastle upon Tyne to London.

The Prospect of Whitby is now a Grade II listed building, which means it's a special historical building protected by law. This happened in 1950. The pub was made bigger in 1951. In 1953, the pub had a challenging time when it was targeted by robbers. Over the years, even royalty and important figures have visited, including Princess Margaret and Rainier III, Prince of Monaco.

Right across the street from the pub is the Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, which used to be a power station but is now an arts center and restaurant.

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