The transformation of east London continues with the Royal Docks offering a growing range of attractions along the Thames waterfront bordering the borough of Newham.
Moving around the Royal Docks
Visiting the Royal Docks is becoming even easier with the Elizabeth Line, London’s newest (but yet to open) rail link, connecting Custom House with Liverpool Street Station in just 10 minutes from 2021. European visitors can fly into London City Airport which is just 7 miles (11km) east of The City of London financial centre.
The Docklands Light Railway has 12 stations in the vicinity while buses run through the area. Much of the waterfront paths and dock basins are ideal for walking or cycling. To connect with south-east London the Woolwich Ferry offers panoramic river views as it makes the short crossing for foot passengers and vehicles across the Thames. Periodic service problems mean that checking the TfL website for ‘status updates’ is wise. Foot passengers also have option of using the adjacent foot tunnel, opened in 1912, as an alternative way to reach Woolwich. The Emirates Air Line offers a birds-eye view of the docklands area with a cable car service between a terminal at North Greenwich (for the Millennium Dome) and a similar one by the Royal Victoria DLR station.
Open spaces along the Thames
The docks were once a gateway to trade around the world. The Victoria Dock opening in 1855 but declining commercial traffic on the water led to the Royal Docks finally closing in 1981. Tilbury, further down river, became the cargo hub of the Thames thereafter. Today it is possible to discover an array of attractions across 1,200 acres. This includes wakeboarding, paddle boarding, paddle board yoga and year-round open water swimming at the Royal Victoria Dock. Lyle Park, in Canning Town, offers attractive views of the river while the 7-hectare Thames Barrier Park has a range of amenities. The park has great views of the 520-metre structure that protects the capital from extremely high tides and storm surges moving upriver from the North Sea. The Royal Victoria Park in North Woolwich is another green oasis to enjoy the river.
Eating options
Foodies can discover some fabulous gems in the area. This includes The Chocolate Factory Café, run by the Well Bean Co, which has a diverse plant-based menu plus the brand’s full selection of chocolate bars. There is also the Husk Brewing brewery, three minutes by foot from West Silvertown DLR. Visitors are presently welcome to visit its Taproom on Friday 5-11pm, Saturday 2-11pm or Sunday 1-8pm. In addition to sampling freshly-brewed craft ale you can also enjoy bar food.
Discover art in the docks
The area’s vibrant creative scene is reflected in the ‘art in the docks’ collective of local artists and artisans. ‘art in the docks’ runs an exciting programme of events at a project space overlooking the water at the Royal Albert Wharf where many have studios. Among the collective is the respected painter Christopher Mike and talented sculptor Vincenzo Muratore who recently created a poignant artwork to commemorate the sinking of the SS Princess Alice at nearby Gallions Reach in 1878. Over 650 Londoners died in tragedy which remains the greatest loss of life in any British inland waterway shipping accident. The memorial was unveiled in September 2021 by Rokhsana Fiaz, the Mayor of Newham, with Shlomy Dobrinsky, a world-famous violinist and local resident, playing a haunting piece of music to mark the occasion. The performing arts are also to be found in the vicinity, most notably the Brick Lane Music Hall, housed in a former Victorian gothic church in Silvertown. The theatre and dining venue (named after an original venue in London’s East End) offers a range of shows, including traditional music hall entertainment from the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as innovative and contemporary productions.
Waterside wandering
A series of six trails designed by the Royal Docks Team, representing the regeneration partners of the destination, offer routes lasting 20 minutes, one hour and three hours. The Wandering Wonders route features self-guided activity trails for families, children and curious ramblers. By contrast, The Line, London’s first outdoor art trail, reveals an array of creative treasures on a walking route through the Royal Docks and further afield. Alternatively, the This Is Who We Are trail invites visitors to use their mobile phone for an audio adventure around the Royal Docks. Arts organisation Arch 468 offers walkers the opportunity to discover five audio dramas written by locally-based writers inspired by the landscape and heritage of the docks.
The Royal Docks is a convenient base to explore the wider capital with accommodation options ranging from local Airbnb properties to hotels. Popular places to stay include the four-star Marriott Aloft London ExCeL by the colossal 100-acre international convention and exhibition centre. The 148-room floating Good Hotel London at the Royal Victoria Dock has been named one of the world’s most spectacular ‘floatels’ by the CNN Travel website.
Explore a district in transition
Wandering around the watersides of this distinctive part of the capital, one finds a place in transition from industrial decline into a hopeful new era of sustainable city living. This vision appears to be an intentional counter-balance to the commercial focus of nearby Canary Wharf. The backdrop of the water gives the area a distinctive aesthetic. It also gives the district a strange serenity that may well change over time as both residential and commercial development brings more people into the Royal Docks. This is an opportune time to experience the next chapter in the transformation of the docks. For a great day out or a longer stay, the Royal Docks offers any visitor the chance to discover a vibrant corner of the capital. With careful planning its possible to experience the array of attractions emerging from this rising hub of culture, heritage, hospitality and enterprise.
Top image: The Emirates Air Line from the Royal Victoria Dock (north side) with the O2 arena in North Greenwich in the background.
