Docklands – Poplar Dock, Canary Wharf, South Dock – 4.0 km
- Philip Carey
- Oct 16, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Route Overview
Start: East India DLR
Finish: Canary Wharf Underground Station
Distance: 4.0 km
Estimated Time: 20-35 minutes (depending on pace)
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Emerging cityscapes, historic docks, modern architecture, waterside reflections
Terrain: Mainly pavements, a few dockside paths, and several areas with steps within Canary Wharf
Quick Links
Maps: [Google Map] | [Strava Map]
Video: [ High-Speed Route Preview]
Virtual Tour: [360° Interactive Map]
Previous Route: [Trinity Wharf, East India Docks, City Island – 4.4 km]
Next Route: Docklands: [Middle Dock, Westferry & Limehouse – 2.3 km]
THE EXPERIENCE
Discover Canary Wharf's emerging scenic cityscape as this route unfolds from the east. Watch the towers gradually reveal themselves as you stride from East India DLR, through Blackwall, and into tranquil Poplar Dock Marina.
Flow into Blackwall Basin, where the cityscape reflects perfectly in the water, then continue through the eastern entrance into Canary Wharf. Explore the east side near Canada Square and South Dock before finishing at Canary Wharf Underground Station by Jubilee Park Gardens.
This is a journey of transformation—from quiet maritime heritage to soaring glass and steel, showing how London constantly reinvents itself whilst honouring its past.
Your Three Layers of Discovery
This self-guided route gives you everything you need to explore at your own pace, all in one place:
Familiarisation Guide – Core route information to get you started confidently
Sightseeing Guide – Points of interest, history, and 360° virtual tours to deepen your understanding
Connoisseur's Guide – Places to eat, drink, explore, plus 'add-on' routes
The Familiarisation Guide
Essential information to help you become familiar with the route before you arrive.
Maps
Use the Google and Strava maps below to stay on track. They show your location relative to the route, helping you explore confidently without getting lost.
Please note: These don't provide turn-by-turn directions—we want you present and alert, using your senses, not glued to your screen.
The Google map shows the main route in red
Both maps will open in a new tab.
High-Speed Route Preview (6:00)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. Watch this before you go to familiarise yourself visually with what's ahead.
What to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Stride:
The route is generally quiet until you reach Canary Wharf, with the busiest spots around stations and shopping centres. Early morning—especially weekends—offers the best light, fewest crowds, and the rest of the day ahead of you.
When London Awakens:
In the early morning, the water reflections in Blackwall Basin are stunning, and you'll have Canary Wharf's plazas largely to yourself. The contrast between the peaceful marina and the awakening financial district is remarkable.
Food & Drink and Shops:
300+ shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants within Canary Wharf's five shopping malls, plus stunning riverside locations. Opening times
Monday–Friday: 9 am–8 pm
Saturday: 10 am–7 pm
Sunday: 12 pm–6 pm
Billingsgate Fish Market:
Open Tuesday–Saturday, 4 am–8:30 am. Visitors should be aware of health and safety restrictions (no children under 12 or dogs on the market floor). Be cautious of moving forklifts and porters.
Accessibility:
Mainly pavements, a few dockside paths, and several areas with steps within Canary Wharf.
Top Tip:
Have this guide and your chosen map (Google or Strava) available on your mobile for quick reference.
The Sightseeing Guide
Once you know the route, dive deeper into the stories and sights that make this stride special.
Key Sights Along the Way
Poplar Docks
Blackwall Basin
Billingsgate Market
Coldharbour
Blue Bridge Lock Views
Harbour Quay
Crossrail Place
Jubilee Park
South Dock Views
Millwall Dock
South Quay Footbridge
Underground Shopping Centre
Explore the gallery below for photos, history, and the stories behind each location.
360° Virtual Tour
Step into the route before you stride it—or relive your experience afterwards. Click the map below to explore interactive 360° views at key locations along the way..
The virtual tour opens in a new tab with a map showing all 360° locations. Click any location icon to be transported to that spot
The Connoisseur's Guide
Know the route well? Time to become a connoisseur. Discover the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the surrounding area.
Where to Eat & Drink
Canary Wharf is home to an abundance of cultures and cuisines to suit every palate—but you sometimes have to go looking for it.
Key Dining Areas:
Harbour Quay – Dockside dining with water views
Jubilee Place & Canary Wharf Shopping Centres – Food halls with variety
Crossrail Place – Near the station, convenient for pre or post-stride refreshments
South Dock – Waterside options with views
Find Your Perfect Spot: -
Browse the full directory at canarywharf.com/eating-drinking
Things to Do
Canary Wharf provides plenty of options to suit most tastes and ages, though they're not always easy to find.
The map below highlights:
Best viewpoints
Free cultural spaces
Visual attractions worth discovering
Worth Exploring:
Best viewpoints of Canary Wharf's iconic skyline
Public art installations throughout the estate
Crossrail Place Roof Garden – A hidden oasis
Dockside walks with spectacular reflections
Free cultural spaces and visual attractions
Full Guide:
Visit canarywharf.com/see-do for the complete list of activities and events.
Route Extensions
Stride It Backwards:
Complete the route in reverse to watch the cityscape gradually reveal itself from a different perspective. The view approaching from Canary Wharf towards Blackwall is particularly striking.
More Extensions Coming:
We're developing additional route extensions. Join our mailing list to be the first to know when they launch.
Follow-On Routes
Continue Your Journey:
Ready for the next stride? Try the Docklands – Middle Dock, Westferry & Limehouse – 2.3 km route. This is part of our connected series taking you across London to Hyde Park.
