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The Kettle
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It’s a real case of back to the future when we tour the
London Docklands. This is where we began as a guided
tour company, taking coach parties to see a flat landscape
of derelict warehouses and silent docks before watching
Canary Wharf Tower rise up by one floor each week
during the course of 1990 before being “topped out” by
a prime minister from the old days called Mrs Thatcher!
Today the Docklands is a lively and established part of
London with Canary Wharf forming the centre of a
mini-Manhattan style financial district.
Join us in 2013 to see just how far the Docklands have
come in the past 25 years with a visit to the marvellous
Museum of London Docklands and an optional 360
°
return flight on the new Thames Cable Car.
We begin on the south side of the River Thames between
London Bridge and Tower Bridge. This is the old Port of
London where ships first unloaded their cargoes in Roman
times. Come and meet the tour guide here at 10.30am.
This whole stretch of river has changed beyond
recognition in recent years and we are going to start our
day with time to buy morning refreshments either at the
old Hays Wharf or (if you are happy to add 400 metres to
the walking) in the strikingly modern City Hall HQ of the
London Mayor Boris Johnson. Either way this is where
the story of the Port and the London Docklands begins.
It’s a cracking story that continues with an entertaining
coach tour through atmospheric old Wapping as we head
east out to the Royal Docks if you have opted to include
a 360
°
return flight on the Thames Cable Car. If you have
people who don’t want to go up on the cable car there’s
plenty for them to see and do right next to the cable car
while they wait.
We will have time for lunch on Canary Wharf at the heart
of the modern London Docklands. Settle in a pub or café
and save your legs for the afternoon or grab a quick bite
and have time to explore. There’s lots to see; take a look
at the marbled foyer of Canary Wharf Tower, discover the
subterranean shopping city or investigate the monumental
architecture of the massive Canary Wharf tube station.
Our afternoon is devoted to the Museum of London
Docklands, housed in an old sugar warehouse, that was
built by Napoleonic prisoners of war on the quayside of
the West India Dock. This museum always goes down
a treat. It’s very engaging with evocative displays and
imaginative presentations including videos narrated by
Time Team’s Tony Robinson. There is a café on site to
buy tea before heading home at 4.45pm. To allow more
time for this marvellous museum you could opt to stay
until 5.30pm.
The London Docklands
This trip is available daily all year. There are two
walking options. Remember that the walking tally
includes pretty much every step including coffee and
tea stops and lunch – just popping to the corner shop
and back for the paper would score the best part of a
one on our scale!
Adults & Seniors: £11.00
With the Thames Cable Car: £18.50
Coach Mileage: 15
With City Ha11