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| A proper East End pub. |
On the corner of Watts Street and Meeting House Alley, opposite the southwest corner of Wapping Green, is a wonderful pub with a lot of history.
'Turner's Old Star' is one of those backstreet pubs that are often overlooked, except by those who live locally. Just a five minute walk from the more prominent touristy pubs, such as the 'Town of Ramsgate' and the 'Captain Kidd', this is a wonderful place to visit and relax.
The pub offers big screen TVs, for those who like to watch their sports, a dartboard and pool table, for those who prefer to participate, and a large pub garden, partly covered, where another screen can be found.
Besides various pieces of memorabilia, there is also a Yeoman Warders 'Blue Undress' uniform, within the pub, protected by glass. This was a gift to the pub from a pub regular who was either a Yeoman Warder or had recently retired from that service.
It is definitely one of those old fashioned East End boozers that are sadly disappearing, which is a great shame.
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| The interior of the pub. |
Brief history.
In 1685, Lydia Rogers, the wife of carpenter John Rogers, was a member of a radical religious sect called the 'Anabaptists'. She was accused of making a 'blood pact' with the devil, who was said to have cut a vein in her right hand to obtain the blood to use as ink for the contract.
The local minister spent time praying with her as she confessed her sin.
Following the death of JMW Turner the tavern continued to trade, remaining much unchanged throughout the early 20th century.
In 1987, the 'Old Star' was extensively refurbished and updated.
On completion it was renamed 'Turner's Old Star', to honour this great British painter,
In 2014, 'Turner's Old Star' was used to film scenes for the movie 'Legend', starring Tom Hardy.
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| J.M.W. Turner self-portrait, oil on canvas - circa 1799. |
J.M.W. Turner.
Joseph Mallord William Turner was born on Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, on Sunday April 23, 1775.
Raised in London he developed a fascination with the River Thames, ships and water. These would go on to inspire his work, so-much-so that he took to spending time at the riverside docks to get away from the crowds.
He was held in high regard, by his contemporaries, and achieved critical acclaim for his work, which brought him tremendous wealth. He had a house in Twickenham and, when things got too much, he would take himself away to a small house on Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, preferring the quiet.
When it came to women he was very secretive and, from around the age of twenty-five, he was known to keep several mistresses, who would bear him four illegitimate children over the years.
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| The bar. |
In 1833, he met a widowed landlady, from Margate, who would be his mistress, until his death in 1851. In around 1841, he came into the possession of two cottages, in Wapping's dockland area, which he converted into a tavern, which he named 'Old Star'. On its completion he made Ms Sophia Caroline Booth the proprietor.
To maintain his secrecy he adopted her surname and went by the name of Admiral Booth or, simply, Mr Booth. Due to his slight stature, he also earned the nickname of 'Puggy Booth'.
Following his death on Friday December 19 1851, which was recorded at the house of Sophia Booth, on Cremorne Road, copious amounts of erotic drawings were discovered. These are thought to have been drawn during his many weekends of drunken debauchery, amid the dockside taverns of Wapping.
Details (all details correct at time of publishing)
- Established - circa 1841
- Food - No
- Outside seating - Yes
- Riverside - No
- Location - 14 Watts St, London, E1W 2QG
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