A Walk around the Docklands

On this walk see where ‘new’ London stands on the old city’s footprint. St Katharine Docks marks the start of London’s Docklands. The area goes to sleep at the weekend so it is best to do this walk during the working week.

Follow signs for St Katharine’s Way and the Thames Path that follow the river, sometimes overlooking the water, sometimes running behind old warehouses that are now converted into apartments.

Along Wapping High Street are historic pubs (The Town of Ramsgate, The Captain Kidd) as well as the 200-year-old Marine Police force. Handsome Georgian homes line Wapping Pier Head’s leafy square.

At New Crane Wharf, bear left on Garnet Street. On a fine day, turn right on Wapping Wall for The Prospect of Whitby, yet another historic waterside pub. Otherwise, continue on Garnet Street over the iron bridge, following signs for Shadwell DLR (Docklands Light Railway) overground station. To get there, cross The Highway at the traffic lights and walk up Dellow Street. Take a train (destination Lewisham) to Island Gardens.

As you ride high above the rooftops, see how Docklands has changed, thanks to gleaming post-modernist buildings, such as Canary Wharf and the O₂ Arena.

Get out at Island Garden.

Just a few steps away, are views across the river to Greenwich.

From here you have a choice: either continue on the DLR from Island Gardens to the Cutty Sark stop in Greenwich and enjoy ‘a walk around Greenwich’ or, take the DLR back to Canary Wharf.

Explore this new, bustling business district with its shops, restaurants and waterside pubs. You can then return to central London from Canary Wharf underground station.

Distance Walk approximately 3km (2 miles)

Time 3–1 hours (walk and DLR), including stops

Start point St Katharine Docks, Tower Hill Map Reference 24H

End point Canary Wharf

Lunch Prospect of Whitby or various options at Canary Wharf