Exploring London’s Royal Docks

London’s Royal Docks

London’s Royal Docks consist of four areas, each with its own characteristics and with attractions and facilities to appeal to locals, tourists and business communities. Great days out, business parks, sporting events, restaurants and bars and stunning residential developments – you’ll find them all along this vibrant stretch of the Thames.

Royal Victoria Dock

Royal Victoria Dock is the bustling hub of activity in the royal group of docks. Indeed this dock was the first to be built constructed out of marshland in 1855, those early pioneers couldn’t imagine what it has become today. Take the cable car across from Greenwich or visit the Crystal, one of the world’s greenest buildings, and learn about the cities of the future. Stroll along the dock edge, watching the arrival of big ships and watersport activities. You can try your hand at wakeboarding or paddleboarding. You can also visit one of the many waterfront bars and restaurants or the Sunborn, the capital’s luxury floating hotel, restaurant and bar. During the year you can watch triathlons, open water swimming, powerboats as well as enjoy some of the amazing events in the ExCeL Centre – London’s premier exhibition and events venue.

Pontoon Dock

Once a busy trading post, Pontoon Dock is returning to its commercial roots as the business heart of London’s Royal Docks. The iconic Millennium Mills building is being transformed into much-envied apartments, whilst this whole area known as Silvertown will become the site of one of London’s most exciting and innovative regeneration projects.

In the meantime this area is a popular filming location -you can spot Pontoon Dock in the Bond film, The World Is Not Enough or if you look really closely it is the backdrop for the major action scene in Full Metal Jacket.

Royal Albert Dock

Located on one side of London City Airport’s runway, Royal Albert Dock is home to the well-equipped Royal Docks Adventure Watersports Centre with a 2,000 metre international rowing course. For those who don’t want to get wet, there are regattas and competitions to watch and plenty of daily sporting activity, as well as the spectacular sight, on occasion of, vessels passing through the swing bridge. At the far end of Royal Albert Dock you’ll find the main campus of the University of East London including SportsDock. A truly state-of-the-art sports facility including a gym built and equipped for the USA Olympic team during London 2012.

King George V Dock

Located on one side of London City Airport, here you can watch planes destined for cities all over the UK and Europe as well as those heading to New York.

Royal Albert Basin

The Royal Albert Basin is the easternmost part of the Royal Docks and is home to a thriving community of apartments and businesses who have the added advantage of being right next to the River Thames. There is a leisure craft marina and a fantastic gastro pub – The Reach Bar and Kitchen. There is an amazing development of apartments and houses from Notting Hill Housing Group which will create a fantastic opportunity to live both close to the river and the docks with a DLR station on the doorstep. In the future the whole area will be developed by London & Regional and known as Albert Island. A commercial boatyard, refurbished marina, light industrial space and residential units are just some of the inclusions in the master plan.