THE EAST LONDON COLLECTION (C1) 17.1 km
- philip carey
- Nov 20, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Exploring East London, Canary Wharf and London’s Docklands
THE EXPERIENCE
This collection of five riverside routes takes you through East London and into the City of London. It passes through the historic London Docklands, stretching from the Royal Victoria Dock in the east to St Katharine Dock by the Tower of London. It is a wonderful journey through history, trade and regeneration that is quiet, scenic and full of surprises.
This collection is part 1 of 4 that make up the Across London Visual Marathon - see the end of this blog for more information.
MAP OF THE ROUTE
The 5 routes all start and end at metro stations, and this map shows how they are all connected.
The COLLECTION GOOGLE and STRAVA MAPS below can be used to fix your location on the collection’s route map and your progress along it
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE FIVE INDIVIDUAL ROUTES IN THIS COLLECTION
ROUTE 1 - Royal Victoria Docks and City Hall – 1.7 km
This short route takes you past the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, across the Royal Victoria Footbridge (with its spectacular views towards Docklands, Millennium Mills and City Airport), around the dock, past the water sport activities, City Hall and the IFS Cloud Cable Car
HIGH SPEED VIDEO (3:40)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h.
Route Overview
Start: Custom House DLR (near ExCel)
Finish: Royal Victoria DLR
Detailed Guide; Link
Maps: [Google Map] | [Strava Map]
ROUTE 2 - Trinity Wharf, City Island and East India 4.4 km.
This route starts in Royal Victoria Docks and heads into the newly developed City Island via the Lower Lee Crossing before heading to the historic Trinity Buoy Wharf, and a vibrant creative community. The final scenic riverside section discovers the East India Basin’s nature reserve
High-Speed Route Preview (6:42)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h.
Route Overview
Start: Royal Victoria DLR
Finish: Canning Town Station
Detailed Guide Link
Maps: [Google Map] | [Strava Map]
ROUTE 3 - Poplar Dock, Canary Wharf and South Dock 4.0 km.
Discover Canary Wharf’s emerging scenic ‘cityscape’ as this route unfolds as you approach the tranquil Poplar Dock Marina and Blackwall Basin. From there, it explores the east side of Canary Wharf near Canada Square and South Dock
High-Speed Route Preview (6:00)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h.
Route Overview
Start: East India DLR
Finish: Canary Wharf Underground Station
Detailed Guide: Link
Maps: [Google Map] | [Strava Map]
ROUTE 4 - Middle Dock, Westferry and Limehouse 2.3 km
Explore the peaceful setting of Jubilee Place Park and Canary Wharf Plaza with spectacular cityscapes before heading off to the Thames Path and riverside views by Westferry, before ending at the picturesque Ropemaker Park and Limehouse Marina
High-Speed Route Preview VIDEO (4:47)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h.
Route Overview
Start: Canary Wharf Station
Finish: Limehouse DLR Station
Detailed Guide - Link
Maps: [Google Map] | [Strava Map]
ROUTE 5 - Limehouse Basin to St Katharine Dock 4.7 km.
Explore the scenic beauty of Limehouse Basin Marina, Narrow Street, Shadwell Basin, Tobacco Dock and what used to be London Dock in Wapping before finishing up at St Katherine Docks and the Tower of London on the eastern edge of the City of London
High-Speed Route Preview (7:03)
See the route from a runner's perspective—as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h.
Route Overview
Start: Limehouse DLR
Finish: Tower Hill Station
Detailed Guide:
Maps: [Google Map] | [Strava Map]
ABOUT THE ACROSS LONDON VISUAL MARATHON
The Across London Visual Marathon takes in most of London’s iconic sights, from the Thames Barrier in the east to Hyde Park in the west. It’s designed to help you discover London with purpose, immersing you in the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and visual splendour through interactive self-guided routes.
These routes form four distinct collections, each with its own unique history and character.
This collection of five riverside routes takes you through East London and into the City of London. It passes through the historic London Docklands, stretching from the Royal Victoria Dock in the east to St Katharine Dock by the Tower of London. It is a wonderful journey through history, trade and regeneration that is quiet, scenic and full of surprises
This collection of five riverside routes takes you around the City of London from the Tower of London in the east, past its modern skyscrapers and its historic financial centre, along the riverside to St Paul’s Cathedral, before charting a route to Central London through Smithfield, Holborn and the Inns of Court.
This collection of three routes takes you on a journey through many of the main areas of Central London, passing its most iconic sights. These include the main entertainment and attraction areas, the seats of power around Westminster, the splendour of the royal courts, palaces and parks, and the main luxury shopping route.
This collection of three high-class routes in the West End of London takes you through the grandeur of Regency London architecture, through the wonderful landscaped gardens of Regent’s Park, the shopping areas of Marylebone and Oxford Street, and then through the affluent areas in Mayfair to Hyde Park Corner.
THIS IS A MAP OF THE WHOLE ROUTE AND THE DIFFERENT COLLECTIONS
