Royal Docks, ExCel Centre & City Hall – 1.7 km
- Philip Carey
- Oct 16
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Route Overview
Distance: 1.7 km
Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes (depending on pace)
Difficulty: Easy
Best For: Historic docks, waterfront views, modern architecture, quiet morning strides
Start: Custom House DLR (near ExCel)
Finish: Royal Victoria DLR
Terrain: All off-road with no step-free access to Royal Victoria Dock Footbridge
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THE EXPERIENCE
Victoria Dock opened in 1855, specifically designed to accommodate large steam ships. Today, this historic route is both scenic and quiet, with references to its past, present, and future woven throughout.
Stride past the ExCel Exhibition Centre, cross the spectacular Royal Victoria Footbridge with views towards Docklands, Millennium Mill, and City Airport. Continue around the dock, past water sport activities, City Hall, and the IFS Cloud Cable Car to the O2.
This short visual route offers a perfect blend of London's industrial heritage and contemporary development—from Victorian engineering to modern Olympic legacy, all set against the peaceful waters of the Royal Docks.
Optional Extension: Visit the Thames Barrier and riverside developments.
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, extensions to the route, plus nearby locations worth discovering
THE ROUTE 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.
MAP OF THE ROUTE
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 VIDEO OF THE ROUTE (3:40)
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: Early mornings offer the best experience, though the route remains quiet most of the day except around Custom House station and the ExCel Centre during exhibitions.
When London Awakens: In the early morning light, the dock waters reflect the sky perfectly, and you'll have the waterfront paths largely to yourself. The sense of space and tranquillity here is remarkable.
ExCel Centre: Numerous places to eat and drink, but generally only open to the public during events.
IFS Cloud Cable Car: Generally open 09:00–21:00. Offers stunning aerial views of the O2 ad Canary Wharf
Thames Barrier Optional Extension:
Thames Barrier Park opening times: 07:00–16:30
Development works around Millennium Mill may cause disruption until the year 2030 (this is a £3.5bn project)
Accessibility: All off-road. Note: No step-free access to Royal Victoria Dock Footbridge.
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
Millennium Mill
Britannia Village
Victoria Dock Bridge
ExCel Centre
City Hall
Water Sport Centre
IFS Cloud Cable Car
Thames Barrier (Optional)
Thames Barrier Park (Optional)
Explore the gallery below for photos, history, and the stories behind each location.
Virtual Tour Guide
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 new areas to explore in the surrounding area.
Where to Eat & Drink
There aren't many places to eat and drink directly along this route, but several good options exist:
Key Dining Areas:
Around ExCel Centre – A few options outside, plenty more within when open to the public
South of North Woolwich Road – New development with dining options
Royal Victoria Dock Hotels – Several hotel bars and restaurants
IFS Cloud Cable Car Area – Limited options nearby by the water front
Dock Beach – Casual dining by the water
Notable Mention: Sunborn Yacht Hotel – A pleasant spot for afternoon tea overlooking the water, plus a good restaurant and bar.
Things to Do/Worth Exploring:
ExCel Exhibition Centre: Wide range of events from major conferences and trade shows to immersive experiences and sporting spectacles.
Victoria Dock Footbridge – Fantastic views across the docks
Dockside quayside – Beautiful waterfront perspectives
Sunborn Yacht Hotel – Impressive vessel, restaurant, and bar
Thames Barrier – Engineering marvel well worth the visit
Dock Beach – Watersports and casual dining
IFS Cloud Cable Car – Cross the Thames to the O2 for activities, views, and dining
Route Extensions
Stride It Backwards: Complete the route in reverse to test your navigational and visual skills whilst cementing what you've learnt.
Thames Barrier Loop – 2.6 km:
Explore more of the area with this extension. See the Google map link for the route (shown in blue). Detailed guide and video coming soon.
The Google map shows the main route in red and the additional extension routes in blue. A video and a more detailed explanation of these routes will be added shortly.
Follow-On Routes
Continue Your Journey: Ready for the next stride? Try the Trinity Wharf, East India Docks, City Island – 4.4 km route. This is part of our connected series taking you across London to Hyde Park.
The Full Collection: This route is part of the Across London Visual Marathon collection—16 interconnecting routes covering 50.4 km from the Thames Barrier to Hyde Park.
