London’s Docklands are situated primarily north of the River Thames and are east of the City of London. They cover a large area between Woolwich and Tower Bridge, serving as an active legacy of the British Empire’s trading power. The Second World War caused the docks to go into decline, but the 1980s saw a huge regeneration, turning them into one of the most sought after property locations in London.
At the heart of the Docklands in London is Canary Wharf, and its facilities make it a brilliant hub to start exploring the area from – as well as offering an amazing selection of parks, bars, restaurants and shops. It’s connected to Stratford to the north and Central London to the west by the very efficient Jubilee Underground Line. As well as this, there’s some fast riverboats that boast a scenic and regular connection to the piers within Central London.
You can choose from a variety of well known hotels including the Hilton & Marriott, or opt for one of the luxury serviced apartments available locally.
Travelling around the docklands is made very easy thanks to the Docklands Light Railway. It offers some quite stunning views and the experience is boosted by the elevated segments and curving route. This is definitely something that kids are bound to love if you’re with them, seeing as they can sit in the front seats of the driverless train and pretend to drive it around. The entire system’s computer controlled and the train captains always make a point of encouraging kids to “drive” the train.
Located just 5 minutes’ walk from Canary Wharf is The Museum of London’s Docklands, which documents the history of London’s docks and the River Thames. It’s located within a 19th century warehouse on an old working dock called West India Quay. And if refreshments are on your mind then don’t worry – the dock’s other warehouses have been converted into some fantastic bars and restaurants.
