Wapping, Riverside district in Tower Hamlets, England

Wapping is a riverside district in Tower Hamlets in east London. The area sits along the Thames and consists of former brick warehouses, cobbled lanes, and narrow paths that wind between old buildings.

The area grew into a major port and shipyard location during the 18th and 19th centuries, where ships were built and goods from around the world were unloaded. After the decline of the docks in the 1970s, the empty warehouses gradually transformed into homes and studios.

The name Wapping likely comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for a settlement of the Wæppings. Old pubs with low ceilings and narrow passageways recall the era when sailors and dock workers stopped in after a day on the river.

The Overground station links the district to central areas and other neighborhoods. The Thames walking path runs right beside the water and works well for quiet strolls at low or high tide.

The Prospect of Whitby pub has stood since the 16th century and once served as a meeting spot for smugglers and river pirates. Some old post remnants in the water still mark the spot where executions took place.