Cuckold's Point, Historical riverside location in Rotherhithe, England
Cuckold's Point marks a sharp bend in the River Thames along the Rotherhithe peninsula in south-east London. The location sits directly across from the West India Docks, providing clear views of these historic dock structures.
In the 18th century, the location served as a riverside gibbet where authorities displayed executed river pirates as a warning to others. This harsh practice was part of efforts to control crime on the river trade routes.
The name comes from a horned pole that once marked the starting point for a procession heading toward Charlton. This original purpose remained part of local memory and shaped how people thought of the location.
Visitors can reach this riverbank location on foot and enjoy clear views across the water toward the opposite docks. The area is open and accessible year-round, with changing light and water conditions making different times of day worthwhile to explore.
The location appears in a 1750s painting by Samuel Scott titled A Morning, with a View of Cuckold's Point, now in the Tate Gallery collection. The work captures how this Thames section looked during a key moment of London's port development.
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