Docklands

A beneficiary of the Docklands regeneration scheme, Royal Victoria Dock offers panoramic views over the water with the modern structures and the ExCel London Exhibition Centre reflected in the water’s surface.

London Docklands, also (formerly) called Port of London, area along the River Thames in London. It covers closely 9 square miles (22 square km) of riverfront centred on the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Southwark, Lewisham, and Greenwich.

London’s Docklands sit to the east of the City of London and are habitually north of the River Thames. They stretch from Tower Bridge to Woolwich and are the legacy of the trading power of the British Empire. The docks went into decline after the Second World War, but in the 1980s the regeneration of London’s docklands started. While most of the warehouses and wharves have been demolished many have been converted into apartments, and on the Isle of Dogs the Canary Wharf monetary district has been born.

Docklands, formerly built to cater for rapidly expanding shipping, now comprises tall sky scraping offices, stylish restaurants and bars, luxury apartments, all set around a vibrant cosmopolitan waterside location.

Charles Dickens makes frequent use of the riverside and docklands in novels such as Our Mutual Friend and Great Expectations, and there is a memorable description of the docks, their buildings and people, in Joseph Conrad’s The Mirror of the Sea.

The Museum of London’s Docklands is a 5-minute walk to the west of Canary Wharf. It documents the history of the River Thames and London’s docks and it is located, in a 19th century warehouse on West India Quay which is an old working dock. Refreshments are available nearby –  the rest of the warehouses on the dock have been converted into restaurants and bars. The Docklands Academy, London (DAL) is an English Language and Higher Education Academy is situated close to the financial district within London with students from a range of different countries.

Transport links have improved significantly, with the Isle of Dogs gaining a tube connection via the Jubilee Line Extension. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) makes travelling around docklands easy. Views from the railway are often stunning and the experience is heightened by the elevated sections and sinuous route. In addition, fast riverboats provide a regular and scenic connection to Central London piers. The Docklands Light Railway connects Canary Wharf to Stratford in the north, Greenwich and Lewisham in the south, Beckton and Woolwich in the east and the City of London in the west.

From cinemas to shopping centres, Docklands is the hub for all social intervention. The canary wharf shopping centre boasts fashion labels to small boutiques, food and fitness, all in one place. Canada square park is one of the most talked about attractions. Whether it’s a music event, car exhibition or watching a top sporting match on one of the big screens, sit back and grab a drink in the heart of Canary Wharf. For all music lovers, the O2 has been the home to the likes of the Rolling stones, David Bowie and Mick Jagger performing their magic on stage.