London Docklands

Until the First World War London had the largest dock in the world, the largest in Europe until the Second World War but within 20 years of the end of WW2 all of the central London docks began to close. By 1981 the riverside of London's East End was a forgotten wasteland. Today the Docklands have been reborn as London's 2nd financial centre and Canary Wharf is considered one of the most successful regeneration projects ever attempted in Europe. This walk will tell you how and why the Docks were created in the first place and how it went from the disaster of the 1960's closures to London's 2nd financial centre, where today the average salary is 3 times the national average. Sites visited include Londoner's favourite tube station, the Crossrail Place roof garden and If time allows, we will also visit the Museum of London Docklands.