Pirates, Press-Gangs and Execution Dock
Tower Hill underground station, London (meet by the Tower Hill Tram coffee stand)
Guided by Dan Parry
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 February 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | |
| 20 April 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | |
| 4 May 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
| 22 June 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
Discover the dark side of the empire
Better still, discover it with a world-class guide…
Running on the third Saturday of the month, this walk has stairs and cobbles.
Find your sea-legs and sail into the past! Beneath the eerie cry of the gulls, we walk along the river from Dead Man’s Hole to Execution Dock, via ancient smugglers’ taverns where press-gangs dragged men off to sea.
Exploring a salt-encrusted, maritime world that was the making of Britain’s empire, we step off the beaten track to discover a long-forgotten way of life – a time when rum-soaked buccaneers chased Spanish treasure ships, and Royal Navy crews fought criminal captains in the Golden Age of Piracy.
Venturing through streets they knew and perhaps glimpsing the ghosts that still linger to this day, we walk from Tower Hill to St Katherine’s Dock. Then following the Thames, we eventually finish at London’s oldest riverside pub, where you’ll be able to enjoy a drink in wonderfully atmospheric surroundings.
A family-friendly stroll – guided by Dan Parry, former BBC documentaries producer and author of the National Maritime Museum’s biography of Blackbeard – this is the most authentic pirates walk in London!
In the beginning, there were stories of gold. Daring men, who lived, drank and fought beside London’s crowded wharves, sailed to the Caribbean in search of treasure. For some of them, we know their names, where they lived and what they seized along the way.
Sailing as buccaneers, they had royal approval for their attacks on ships and towns. They included men like John Limbrey, who inspired the likes of Captain Morgan and later Blackbeard, and who commanded the Merchant Royal, laden with gold and silver that today would be worth $1.5 billion…if it were ever rediscovered.
Later, such men were outlawed by the state and regarded as pirates. Captain Kidd, seized in Boston, was dragged back to London to be hanged at low tide on the banks of the river. We’ll take a look at Execution Dock, where Kidd met his end, as did many others, and where his body was swamped by three high tides before it was cut down.
Other thieves stole riches closer to home. Before secure docks were built, ships lined up on the Thames waiting to unload. By 1800, thousands of river pirates, night plunderers, light horsemen, scuffle-hunters and mud larks were routinely raiding whatever they could find.
We’ll take a spy-glass glance at all these renegades. We’ll discover how they became pirates, we’ll look at the risks they took, and encounter the people who pursued them. Along the way, we’ll meet the only man who stole the crown jewels, and maybe witness the ghost of the sinister Hanging Judge Jeffreys. Join us, and discover the dark side of the empire…!
Diane & Sarah Irwin –
Joined Dan for this walk, last Monday 1st May. Dan was a fantastic guide, full of very interesting stories and facts about the pirates and the people who lived and worked around London’s docks in times gone by. He certainly brought the history alive. Would definitely join him again on another walk!
Sheila Batchelor –
An excellent visit to 15th-18th century life on and near water. The children in the group were given lots of attention in just the right way to keep them interested, lots of hidden gems and insight into the importance of trade, exploration and opportunism thrown in. Thorough balanced view of the life piratical, whether with letter of permit or not,
Carol –
Dan is a fantastic storyteller and makes your walk come to life. If you enjoy learning about the history of pirates, this walks for you. Highly recommended.
Phillip –
Avast there me hearties, a fantastic walk with Dan today, the incredible storms and rain/hail that we had led to the atmosphere of this pirate, press gang and execution walk. Dan’s enthusiasm was great and he brought to life the drama of history as we walked the streets of Wapping and the surrounding area. If you wanted to know about the days of piracy and buccaneers and privateers this is THE walk. A story teller indeed is Dan. (His spy walks are superb too).
Grace –
Really informative! Dan really brought the history to life and was willing to answer any additional questions we had in great depth. He was also great with the kids on the tour, perfect for all ages
Lucy Llewellyn –
Dan was an excellent tour guide on the pirates, press gangs and execution dock tour. Very knowledgeable with excellent antidotes. A rich history was brought alive by Dan’s expert historic knowledge. A really enjoyable tour.
tony Mr Carpenter –
A Fabulous walk , we all really enjoyed it, Dan is completely knowledgeable in this area, This is definitely a part of London that has a lot of hidden treasure , good fun, informative and engaging
Lynda –
A great afternoon, very informative and good fun too. Dan was clear and concise in his delivery, just enough to keep our interest going throughout. Will definitely do another walk of his.
jacqueline hollidge –
A really interesting, and eye opening walk. Dan is a brilliant guide, and thoroughly entertained us with his many pirate stories. I thought I knew this area but I was proved wrong!
I’d recommend this walk.
Kathleen Jeffreys –
Fascinating walk my sister and I kept saying I never knew that. So interesting Dan is a brilliant storyteller would highly recommend