Gazing across the Thames, did you ever imagine this view witnessed public hangings? Right here at The Prospect of Whitby, the noose serves as a stark reminder of Execution Dock. The Prospect of Whitby stands as one of London’s oldest pubs. Some believe it’s the oldest riverside pub on the Thames. Its history stretches back to 1520, the time of Henry VIII. Inside, you can still walk on the 400-year-old flagstone floor. Notice the pewter-topped bar and the ship masts integrated into the building. The Prospect of Whitby wasn’t always so respectable. It started as “The Pelican,” later known as the “Devil’s Tavern.” Its clientele? Smugglers, thieves, and pirates. The river’s activity provided ample opportunities for theft, and this pub served as their base. The Prospect of Whitby got its current name after a fire. The landlord named it after a collier from Whitby, called “The Prospect,” which frequently moored here. The name stuck because locals directed people to “the pub next to The Prospect of Whitby”. Famous figures like Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens frequented The Prospect of Whitby. Artists Turner and Whistler even sketched the views from here. The pub has seen bare-knuckle boxing and maybe even the introduction of the fuchsia plant to England! Captain Kidd, the infamous pirate, met his end at Execution Dock in 1701. Some say Judge Jeffreys, “The Hanging Judge,” watched from the pub’s balcony. Today, The Prospect of Whitby is a popular spot. It even appeared in “Only Fools and Horses.” So, raise a glass at The Prospect of Whitby. Remember the smugglers, pirates, and the echoes of London’s past as you enjoy your drink on the Thames.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service