Area Overview

Wapping is a district located in East London within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is situated between the north bank of the River Thames and the ancient thoroughfare called The Highway.

Wapping’s proximity to the river has given it a strong maritime character, which it reflected in much of its architecture, pubs and restaurants. Historically, the area was inhabited by sailors, mast-makers, boat-builders, block-makers, instrument-makers and dockland labourers. Wapping was also the site of the gruesome Execution Dock, where pirates and seafaring criminals were executed by hanging from a gallows constructed close to the low water mark. It is noted that their bodies would be left dangling until they had been submerged three times by the tide.

Wapping had been considered a largely run-down area ever since many of its original buildings were destroyed by bombing raids during World War II, but its fortunes were transformed during the 1980s by a huge regeneration project which saw the old buildings and warehouses converted into luxury flats.