Town of Ramsgate facts for kids
The Town of Ramsgate is a well-known pub located in the historic area of Wapping in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is mentioned in many books about London's old inns and is often called a "notable specimen of a waterman's tavern," meaning it was a famous old pub for boatmen.
History of the Building
The building you see today was built in 1758. However, records from the National Monuments show that it was built on top of even older foundations. This means there was likely a pub here long before 1758!
Today, the pub is a Grade II listed building. This means it's protected because it's an important historical place. It got this special protection mainly for its inside features. These include its old wooden ceilings, benches, wooden wall panels, and fancy engraved glass screens. It's also important because of its long history and the other old buildings around it.
Inside the Pub
Even with some changes over the years, the pub still has a very special feeling. It's squeezed into a small, narrow space between some old steps called Wapping Old Stairs and a building called Oliver's Wharf. Because of this tight space, the pub's main bar is long and narrow.
If you walk out onto the pub's outdoor area by the river, you'll see a cool view. There are narrow steps leading up to replica gallows, which are like old hanging posts, standing out against the sky.
What's Nearby?
To the left of the pub, you'll find the beautiful Georgian houses of Pier Head. These homes were built in 1811 for people who worked for the London Dock Company. The gardens with fences in front of them now cover where the Wapping Basin used to be.
Across from the pub is St. John's Church. This church was built in 1790, but only its tower remains today. The main part of the church was destroyed during the Blitz, which was a time when London was heavily bombed during World War II. To the right of the pub is Oliver's Wharf, another historic building.
