Docklands – Poplar Dock, Canary Wharf, South Dock – 4.0 km
- Philip Carey
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 10
This comprehensive set of guides for runners and striders provides all the necessary information to complete the self-guided route in one place, allowing you to explore at your own pace. The route from East India DLR station, discovering Poplar Dock, Blackwell Basin, South Dock and the eastern side of Canary Wharf, is great for cityscapes, historic dock views, fish markets, skyscrapers, and the occasional large superyacht. Towards the end of the route, there are also a few food and drink options.
This is three guides in one.
The Familiarisation Guide provides all the core route information.
The Sightseeing Guide and Virtual tour guide add points of interest and 360-degree information.
The Connoisseur's Guide offers recommendations for places to eat, drink, and be entertained, as well as suggestions for exploring the surrounding areas and 'add-on' routes.
THE EXPERIENCE
A trip towards the Canary Wharf skyline from the east
Discover Canary Wharf's emerging scenic ‘cityscape’ as the route unfolds. It will take you from East India DLR, through Blackwall and then into tranquil Poplar Dock Marina. It then flows into Blackwall Basin, reflecting the cityscape in the water, and continues through the eastern entrance into Canary Wharf. From there, it explores the east side of Canary Wharf near Canada Square and South Dock before finishing at Canary Wharf underground station by Jubilee Park Gardens.
THE ROUTE FAMILIARISATION GUIDE (Level 1)
This guide provides you with the essential information you need to become familiar with the route before you arrive.
An overview map, My Google Map, and Strava Map to help guide you along the route
A video showing you what the route looks like as if you were running it at over 40 km/h.
Information to bear in mind along the route.
MAP OF THE ROUTE
The links to My Google and Strava Maps are designed to help you keep on track and limit the chances of getting lost. They don't provide turn-by-turn directions, but they do show your location relative to the route. They will open in a new tab.
The Google map shows the main route in red
HIGH SPEED VIDEO OF THE ROUTE (6:00)
The high-speed video of the main red route is designed to get you visually familiar with the route ahead of your visit. It shows you a runner's view as if they were sprinting at over 40 km/h
THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND
The route is generally quiet until you get into Canary Wharf, with the busiest spots being around the stations and shopping centres; however, the best time to complete it is in the early morning, especially on weekends when there are fewer crowds, the light is at its best, and you have the rest of the day ahead of you.
More than 300 shops, cafés, bars and restaurants can be found at Canary Wharf in the five shopping malls, as well as stunning riverside locations. The core opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday, Midday to 6 pm
Route and Accessibility – Mainly pavements, a few dockside paths and several areas with steps within Canary Wharf.
Billingsgate (Fish) Market is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 4 am - 8.30 am. Visitors should be aware of health and safety restrictions, such as a ban on children under 12 and dogs on the market floor, and cautious of moving forklifts and porters.
Route Blogs – It's best to have the Detailed Guide blog and either the Google Map or Strava Maps open for reference
THE ROUTE SIGHTSEEING GUIDE - (Level 2)
Once you are familiar with the route, why not take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the sights along the way, take photos, and learn a bit about the area's history the next time you take it? The sights include:
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
For more information on these and other sights nearby, see the gallery and the supporting text below
For more information on these and other sights nearby, see the gallery and the supporting text below
Virtual Tour Guide
This virtual tour guide is designed to help you familiarise yourself with the route and enhance your memories of 'being there'. Clicking on the picture will take you to a new page showing a map of 360 locations in the area. Click on the location icons, and you will be transported to an interactive 360-degree view of that area - in a new tab.
THE ROUTE CONNOISSEUR'S GUIDE - (Level 3)
Once you are familiar with the route and its sights, why not become a connoisseur of the area and explore the surrounding routes that will uncover new things to see, places to eat, drink, and be entertained?
FOOD AND DRINK LOCATIONS
Canary Wharf is home to an abundance of cultures and cuisines to suit every palate - but you sometimes have to go looking for it. Some of the places include the food hall within Jubilee Place and Canary Wharf Shopping Centres (2), around the dockside close to Harbour Quay (1), around the station at Crossrail Place and along South Dock (4). Alternatively, you can use the Canary Wharf link to find exactly what you are looking for at https://canarywharf.com/eating-drinking/
THINGS TO DO LOCATIONS
Canary Wharf provides plenty of options to suit most tastes and age groups. However, unlike the centre of London, they are not always that easy to find, which may be why they have created a web page to help: https://canarywharf.com/see-do/. The map below provides an additional list focusing on places where you can get the best views of Canary Wharf and visit free spaces of cultural and visual interest.
ROUTE EXTENTION
Apart from doing the route in reverse and reinforcing the route mentally and physically, there are no other route extensions available at this time.
FOLLOW ON ROUTES
If you want a 'follow-on' route, try the 'Docklands – Middle Dock, Westferry & Limehouse – 2.3 km route.' This is part of a connected series of routes that will take you across London to Hyde Park.
