Explore London Docklands - Ancient and Modern
Historic Pubs to Soaring Skyscrapers in City’s Greatest Development
Aug 9, 2009
When the Romans left Britain in the year 410 AD, after 465 years of occupation, trading continued and the river began to be impossibly busy. Eventually, (skipping over a big chunk of history here) during the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First in the 17th century, the Thames became so crowded with ships that there was almost no place for them to unload their cargo. This situation continued to deteriorate until the docks just could not cope and new docks were built in the 19th century.
Changing Times for London’s Dockland
During the Second World War the docks sustained enormous damage when German bombs rained down upon them. In one night, close to 400,000 tons of timber was destroyed and after the war ended a massive re-building project was undertaken and the docks once more became prosperous. In the 1960s and 1970s, however, the new system of container shipping came into being and this was the kiss of death for Docklands. London’s docks were not equipped to deal with the much larger ships and the shipping industry moved to deep-water ports some distance away. Unemployment was rife and social problems increased.
London’s Dockland Rescued
In 1982 the government intervened to save Docklands by designating the area as an enterprise zone, in which businesses were exempt from property taxes. Other incentives also were on the table: capital allowance for a start. This was an enormous benefit to Docklands and was instrumental in starting a property boom in the area. During the past couple of decades the Docklands area has become a desirable area in which to live as well as becoming a major business centre.
What to See and Do in and Around Docklands
The Museum of London Docklands is housed in a former sugar warehouse and covers the period of Roman settlement up to Docklands recent regeneration, It also tells the story of London’s involvement in transatlantic slavery, London, Sugar and Slavery.
The Prospect of Whitby is London’s oldest pub. It was built in the 1520s and has changed little since Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens were customers.
Canary Wharf is the commercial heartland of Docklands. It is a complex of soaring glass skyscrapers and a great place for dedicated shopaholics. There are over 200 shops, plus bars, cafes and restaurants.
Royal Observatory Greenwich was designed by Christopher Wren and is the original home of the Astronomers Royal. Most visitors come to stand on the Greenwich Meridian Line, longitude zero, which divides East and West and to see the real time ball which has fallen punctually at 13.00 every day since 1833.
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous Bridges in the world and is now more than 100 years old. It was completed in 1894 and the middle of the bridge can be raised to permit large vessels to pass through. You can also visit the inside of the tower, where you can observe the original mechanism used to raise the bridge.
Greenwich Market features predominantly crafts, as well as clothes (second-hand, designer and new) fabrics, home furnishings, electrical equipment and a great selection of foods and snacks to suit all tastes. Good for gifts to take home.
Westminster to Docklands. If you are feeling energetic, the walk from Westminster to Docklands is just over five miles, all of it alongside the River Thames. Lots of interesting stuff to see along the way. You can take a river boat back to Westminister.
There is also the Docklands Light Railway which connects with a number of London Underground stations.
These are just a few of the many things to see and do in and around Docklands. It’s an interesting mix of the new and the old. Something for all tastes. One of London's greatest developments.
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