Where to explore in London: Shadwell Basin and Pelican Stairs
Shadwell Basin is a great place for a coffee and a walk, you’ll stumble upon old riverside pubs and secret stairs leading to the River Thames.
We stumbled across the Pelican Stairs last weekend as we strolled around Wapping and after shimmying through the narrow ally next to the Prospect of Whitby pub, we found ourselves on this little stony strip right by the Thames.
Our only company was a fella and his metal detector on the hunt for gold, it started beeping rather vigorously as we left and we can’t help but wonder what treasure he might have uncovered! We’re really enjoying our walks through London and exploring what’s on our doorstep.
What is Shadwell Basin?
Shadwell Basin is a housing and leisure complex built around disused docks in Wapping.
Outdoor water-sports, high priced apartments, tower blocks, a historic church and city-slick skyscrapers - only in London would you get such an awesome mixed bag of a view. Such a cool spot and after 8 years of London living, I’d never even heard of this spot until Matt mentioned a walk around there. Always something new to see and do in this city, I swear!
Where to eat in Shadwell Basin
The Prospect of Whitby pub is the oldest riverside tavern in the city. It sits right on the banks of the River Thames in Wapping and dates back to 1520 and used to be the local of any sailors and smugglers. Perfect for a unique beer and a bite to eat if you’re strolling around the area.
