London’s docks developed downstream from Tower Bridge in the 19th century: the riverside communities, Wapping, Shadwell, Ratcliffe and Limehouse, were the starting-point in the development of the East End.
This walk takes us from Tower Hill, under Tower Bridge, to see what remains of the great excavated basins and buildings of St Katharine’s Dock and London Dock, them through the primarily Victorian areas of Wapping, where we hope to visit the Anglican Church of St Peter, London Docks and the Catholic Church of St Patrick.
We proceed along the Thames Path past Shadwell to Limehouse, with its mix of 18C, 19C and 20C architecture. The walk ends at another historic complex, the West India Docks, now overlain by the huge recent development of Canary Wharf, latest chapter in the dramatic history of London’s Docklands.
Dr Steven Brindle, the walk leader, is a historian at English Heritage who has published widely on the history of architecture and engineering.
Meeting Place: Tower Hill underground station exit
Image: Across the river to Oliver Wharf, Wapping, Copyright John Sutton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.