Tobacco Dock

Tobacco Dock is a historic brick warehouse complex in Wapping, within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, now used as an events venue. The multi-level structure features vaulted cellars and large internal courtyards originally designed for efficient cargo transfer.

Engineer John Rennie designed the complex in 1812 to handle growing tobacco imports through the London Docks. The building served as a commercial warehouse until the 20th century, when it was listed and later repurposed.

The name Tobacco Dock refers to the building's original use as storage for colonial tobacco imports arriving at the London docks. Visitors today can see the massive brick pillars and vaulted storage rooms that once held thousands of barrels.

The site is accessible from Pennington Street and Wapping Lane, close to the Thames waterfront. Visitors can explore the exterior areas and internal courtyards when private events are not taking place.

A bronze statue at the Pennington Street entrance commemorates an 1857 incident when Charles Jamrach rescued a boy from an escaped Bengal tiger. The animal had fled from a nearby exotic animal shop and was spotted in the dockside streets.