Find the Best Things to Do in Docklands
By Emma Wallis
About Docklands
The so called Docklands covers parts of four boroughs in London in the City's East and South East. Formerly the port of London, in its heyday the world's largest port, the area is now known for being the capital's financial heart, and trading the world's money instead of its goods.
See & Do
History is all around you in the Docklands, and if you want to understand it all then the Museum of London Docklands is a good place to start. From Roman London to the present. Take a walk through the old cobbled streets lit by lanterns, and then under Blade runner-esque steel, concrete and glass structures, down winding alleys and in to cosy pubs, to discover the fascinating past, present and future of the Docklands.
Eat
There are hundreds of restaurants in the Docklands, ranging from Chinese Yi Ban, to Spanish tapas at Iberica, Argentinian steak houses like Gaucho, American modern at Smollensky's, Italian, Il Bianco or La Figa, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, and the traditional British pub. Wherever you turn, you won't be stuck for a place to eat, just follow the crowds and your nose and you should find something to suit every taste.
Party
The Prospect of Whitby is London's oldest riverside pub. Bare knuckle boxing matches and animal fights were held here in the bad old days, and little signs around the bar and eating area give you the pub's history. Charles Dickens used to be a customer. In more modern times, this pub was a favourite of Paul Newman, Kirk Douglas, and Princess Margaret. Just one of many great places to while away the evenings in Docklands.
Stay
The Crowne Plaza is just one of many swish hotels in London's Docklands. It took a while for this area to get trendy, but the combination of those visiting the banks and trading companies in the vicinity, and the proximity to City Airport and the centre via the Docklands Light Railway means that people have started seeing the area as a desirable place to stay, with bars, restaurants and shopping malls opening up.
Shop
The Docklands sailing and water sports centre is not strictly a shop, but you can buy lessons, and courses at the centre, which is Royal Yachting Association accredited to provide sailing and water activities. The club is very active, with a youth club and lots of members who profit from the huge open spaces of water, and relatively little shipping, to sail in between the shiny impressive buildings. Shopping in Hay's Galleria is also good.