Neighbourhoods
A booming blend of high rise, retail and restaurants located on the waterfront, Canary Wharf and Docklands may not be at the top of everyone’s London hit-list, with locals and tourists alike thinking it is mainly for city workers who work in the skyscrapers.
However, scratch beneath the surface of Canary Wharf and Docklands and you’ll discover rooftop gardens, art installations and some of the best shopping spots in London, without the usual queues and hubris. Combined with great transport links (and even some interesting ones like the Emirates AirLine), here is our guide to the best things to do in Canary Wharf and Docklands in East London
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Canary Wharf
1 Bank StA booming blend of high rise, retail and restaurants located on the waterfront, Canary Wharf and Docklands may not be at the top of everyone’s London hit-list, with locals and tourists alike thinking it is mainly for city workers who work in the skyscrapers.
However, scratch beneath the surface of Canary Wharf and Docklands and you’ll discover rooftop gardens, art installations and some of the best shopping spots in London, without the usual queues and hubris. Combined with great transport links (and even some interesting ones like the Emirates AirLine), here is our guide to the best things to do in Canary Wharf and Docklands in East London
A small modern town next to the house. 10 mins walk and you would access to the big station (Jubilee Line, New line - Elizabeth Line, DLR and lot of buses). From here you also can access to lot of restaurants, supermarkets and cable cars to O2 stadium
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Canning Town
A small modern town next to the house. 10 mins walk and you would access to the big station (Jubilee Line, New line - Elizabeth Line, DLR and lot of buses). From here you also can access to lot of restaurants, supermarkets and cable cars to O2 stadium
Sightseeing
Although overshadowed in popularity by the Sky Garden, the fact not so many people visit Crossrail Roof Gardens is actually a blessing as there is no need to book in advance and whilst the views aren’t as spectacular, it is a jarring and joyous juxtaposition of nature against the sleek sky-scrapers of Canary Wharf.
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Crossrail Place Dachgarten
Crossrail PlaceAlthough overshadowed in popularity by the Sky Garden, the fact not so many people visit Crossrail Roof Gardens is actually a blessing as there is no need to book in advance and whilst the views aren’t as spectacular, it is a jarring and joyous juxtaposition of nature against the sleek sky-scrapers of Canary Wharf.
Pergola’s latest dining space (replacing the sadly defunct Streetfeast / Giant Robot site), Pergola on the Wharf is located right next to the Crossrail botanical garden, with the floral theme continuing as you step inside.
With ample indoor and outdoor dining space, Pergola on the Wharf is a swish casual dining affair, with brunch and dinner options, plus two bars at the rear with a good beer selection on tap and lots of cocktails to choose from.
Pergola on the Wharf
Crossrail PlacePergola’s latest dining space (replacing the sadly defunct Streetfeast / Giant Robot site), Pergola on the Wharf is located right next to the Crossrail botanical garden, with the floral theme continuing as you step inside.
With ample indoor and outdoor dining space, Pergola on the Wharf is a swish casual dining affair, with brunch and dinner options, plus two bars at the rear with a good beer selection on tap and lots of cocktails to choose from.
Focusing on the River Thames and the development of the docks and local area, the museum is suitably located in a former port warehouse and opened to much fanfare in 2003, featuring artifacts from the main museum as well as the Port of London Authority archives – it all looks ship-shape!
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Museum of London Docklands
Hertsmere RoadFocusing on the River Thames and the development of the docks and local area, the museum is suitably located in a former port warehouse and opened to much fanfare in 2003, featuring artifacts from the main museum as well as the Port of London Authority archives – it all looks ship-shape!
One of the most iconic skyscrapers in London which can be seen from all over the capital. It is the third largest in the UK and whilst not open to the public (stick to the Shard), it is pretty cool seeing it close up, especially as you approach via the DLR.
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One Canada Square
One of the most iconic skyscrapers in London which can be seen from all over the capital. It is the third largest in the UK and whilst not open to the public (stick to the Shard), it is pretty cool seeing it close up, especially as you approach via the DLR.
A little oasis of calm hidden away below the looming towers and skyscrapers, Jubilee Park is a little like Kyoto Gardens in Kensington, West London with long, snaking waterways and fountains with several statues and art installations. Popular with city workers on their lunch-break, this is suitable serene spot to eat your takeout, if you don’t fancy sitting inside the mall directly.
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Jubiläumspark
Bank StreetA little oasis of calm hidden away below the looming towers and skyscrapers, Jubilee Park is a little like Kyoto Gardens in Kensington, West London with long, snaking waterways and fountains with several statues and art installations. Popular with city workers on their lunch-break, this is suitable serene spot to eat your takeout, if you don’t fancy sitting inside the mall directly.
Art in the heart of Docklands – the Traffic Light tree is a popular piece of public art in Poplar (try saying that after several beers) by the French artist Pierre Vivant, located on a roundabout just outside Billingsgate Fish Market.
Traffic Light Tree
Trafalgar WayArt in the heart of Docklands – the Traffic Light tree is a popular piece of public art in Poplar (try saying that after several beers) by the French artist Pierre Vivant, located on a roundabout just outside Billingsgate Fish Market.
Food scene
Canary Wharf’s newest street food emporium (for now) and hot on the heals of Street Feast’s recent transformation to a new branch of Pergola, Market Hall’s latest food foray on the capital’s culinary scene is a shiny, spick and span food hall with opulent interiors, a beautiful island bar and large bay windows looking out on the waterfront.
Market Halls Cargo Canary Wharf
25 North ColonnadeCanary Wharf’s newest street food emporium (for now) and hot on the heals of Street Feast’s recent transformation to a new branch of Pergola, Market Hall’s latest food foray on the capital’s culinary scene is a shiny, spick and span food hall with opulent interiors, a beautiful island bar and large bay windows looking out on the waterfront.
Big Easy Canary Wharf is located in Crossrail Place and advance booking is highly recommended. The restaurant has a huge roof terrace with views over the whole of Canary Wharf, plus live music every night.
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Big Easy Canary Wharf
Crossrail PlaceBig Easy Canary Wharf is located in Crossrail Place and advance booking is highly recommended. The restaurant has a huge roof terrace with views over the whole of Canary Wharf, plus live music every night.
Although it may sound (or even smell) a little ‘fishy, this historic wholesale fish market is also open to the public, although the regular traders may not appreciate you getting in the way to walk with caution. It is the largest inland fish market in the country.
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Billingsgate Market
Trafalgar WayAlthough it may sound (or even smell) a little ‘fishy, this historic wholesale fish market is also open to the public, although the regular traders may not appreciate you getting in the way to walk with caution. It is the largest inland fish market in the country.
If you are a fan of fried chicken then you simply cannot miss out on Canary Wharf’s latest restaurant offering – Seoul Bird. Here you can try buckets of delicious Korean Fried Chicken which we recommend you pair with a spicy gochujang mayo and some homemade Korean iced tea. This is a popular spot so food waiting times can be a bit long at peak hours.
Seoul Bird
45 Bank StreetIf you are a fan of fried chicken then you simply cannot miss out on Canary Wharf’s latest restaurant offering – Seoul Bird. Here you can try buckets of delicious Korean Fried Chicken which we recommend you pair with a spicy gochujang mayo and some homemade Korean iced tea. This is a popular spot so food waiting times can be a bit long at peak hours.
Activities
Activities you can do around the neighbourhood
One of the more established areas in and around Canary Wharf, Crossharbour isn’t so much a destination in its own right but has good transport links (there is a Crossharbour DLR station) and several nice waterside eating establishments and walking paths, and is a little more peaceful than the main hustle and hubris of say Jubilee Place or Cabot Square.
Harbour Exchange
5 Harbour Exchange SquareOne of the more established areas in and around Canary Wharf, Crossharbour isn’t so much a destination in its own right but has good transport links (there is a Crossharbour DLR station) and several nice waterside eating establishments and walking paths, and is a little more peaceful than the main hustle and hubris of say Jubilee Place or Cabot Square.
8mins walk from the house. In the shadow of Canary Wharf’s towers and supposedly the oldest covered street-market in the UK, this is a world away from the high end spending you’ll see in the shopping malls nearby. A genuine and authentic East-end market that is open 6 days a week (closed Sundays), this traditional market sells mainly fruit and veg and fresh goods.
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Chrisp Street Market
Market Square8mins walk from the house. In the shadow of Canary Wharf’s towers and supposedly the oldest covered street-market in the UK, this is a world away from the high end spending you’ll see in the shopping malls nearby. A genuine and authentic East-end market that is open 6 days a week (closed Sundays), this traditional market sells mainly fruit and veg and fresh goods.
Catch a movie at Crossrail Place in Canary Wharf at the Everyman Cinema, located on level 2 of the lower mall, within the same building as a gym (so you can work off the popcorn indulgence afterwards).
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Everyman Canary Wharf
Crossrail PlaceCatch a movie at Crossrail Place in Canary Wharf at the Everyman Cinema, located on level 2 of the lower mall, within the same building as a gym (so you can work off the popcorn indulgence afterwards).
Bars and Drinks
You can easy to access to these bars (my selection) from the house within 20mins by foot or bus D8
When we first heard about Electric Shuffle in Canary Wharf, we thought it might be some form of retro discotheque but it is in fact related to the classic ‘shuffleboard’ game.
As you’d expect from the team that also brought you dart-astic Flight Club, Electric Shuffle is all about having fun, with ten shuffle-board playing areas and one of the most beautiful bar interiors you’ll find in Canary Wharf, if not East London.
Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf
10 North ColonnadeWhen we first heard about Electric Shuffle in Canary Wharf, we thought it might be some form of retro discotheque but it is in fact related to the classic ‘shuffleboard’ game.
As you’d expect from the team that also brought you dart-astic Flight Club, Electric Shuffle is all about having fun, with ten shuffle-board playing areas and one of the most beautiful bar interiors you’ll find in Canary Wharf, if not East London.
One of London’s best riverside pubs with unrivalled views of the Greenwich peninsula and giant O2 arena, the historic Gun pub is a fantastic Fuller’s Brewery outpost with vintage interiors, waterside dining and a large beer garden overlooking the River Thames.
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The Gun
27 ColdharbourOne of London’s best riverside pubs with unrivalled views of the Greenwich peninsula and giant O2 arena, the historic Gun pub is a fantastic Fuller’s Brewery outpost with vintage interiors, waterside dining and a large beer garden overlooking the River Thames.