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THE EAST LONDON COLLECTION (C1) 17.1 km

  • Writer: philip carey
    philip carey
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • 5 min read

Updated: Jul 10

Exploring East London, Canary Wharf and London’s Docklands


THE EAST LONDON POCKET ROUTE GUIDE - FLIPBOOK

This 24-page flipbook is a great way to see all the information on the collection and the 5 routes in one place. These are based on the physical pocket guides that will be available shortly.


Click on this link to see the pocket guide in more detail




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. Click on the video to see the animation


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 OVERVIEW - Royal Victoria Docks and City Hall – 1.7 km


Start: Custom House DLR (near ExCel)

Finish: Royal Victoria DLR



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 OVERVIEW VIDEO (3:40)

See the route as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. A longer and slower version is available here and in the detailed guide.







ROUTE 2 OVERVIEW - Trinity Wharf, City Island and East India 4.4 km.


Start: Royal Victoria DLR

Finish: Canning Town Station



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 OVERVIEW VIDEO  (6:42)

See the route as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. A longer and slower version is available here and in the detailed guide.






ROUTE 3 OVERVIEW - Poplar Dock, Canary Wharf and South Dock 4.0 km.


Start: East India DLR

Finish: Canary Wharf Underground Station



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 OVERVIEW VIDEO (6:00)

See the route as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. A longer and slower version is available here and in the detailed guide







ROUTE 4 OVERVIEW - Middle Dock, Westferry and Limehouse 2.3 km


Start: Canary Wharf Station

Finish: Limehouse DLR Station



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 OVERVIEW VIDEO (4:47)

See the route as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. A longer and slower version is available here and in the detailed guide





ROUTE 5 OVERVIEW - Limehouse Basin to St Katharine Dock 4.7 km.


Start: Limehouse DLR

Finish: Tower Hill Station



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 OVERVIEW VIDEO (7:03)

See the route as if you were sprinting at over 40 km/h. A longer and slower version is available here and in the detailed guide






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.


THIS IS A MAP OF THE WHOLE ROUTE AND THE DIFFERENT COLLECTIONS




The Across London Visual Marathon's four collections are made up of 16 short, interconnecting self-guided routes – an ideal way to explore London, whether you choose a single route, a collection, or embark on the entire journey in one go.


All routes are manageable in length, clearly mapped with multiple navigation tools, and begin and end at easily identifiable Underground stations. The individual detailed guides have reference links and detailed information at your fingertips, so you can explore with complete confidence.


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 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.




 
 
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