Canary Wharf area guide

Canary Wharf sits at the heart of the regeneration of the Isle of Dogs, and embodies the shift of the London economy the trade of physical goods to finance and services.

In the 19^th century the marshland along the eastern reaches of the Thames saw the rapid expansion of London’s docks, a hub for the global trade when the capital still sat at the centre of the British Empire. With the opening of the West India Docks in 1902 London became the world’s largest port. By the early 1980s the land was largely derelict.

Construction started at Canary Wharf in 1988. A new commercial centre was born, now home to some of the world’s best known financial and media companies.

Water continues to define the landscape, with the Royal Docks still the largest enclosed dock area in the world. The restricted land space has pushed developments upwards and most of the residential property in Canary Wharf is made up of apartments. Many have waterside locations while those with views over the Thames and some of the most sought after in East London.

Limehouse just to the north offers a more varied housing picture. Although there is plenty of redevelopment in progress, there are still terraces from the Victorian and Edwardian period, with the Narrow Street Conservation Area (in place since 1975) protecting the unique character of the district. The Limehouse Marina offers an oasis of calm.

The construction of the Docklands Light Railway, the extended Jubilee line and London City Airport helped to launch the regeneration. The completion of the Crossrail project promises to take that regeneration to another level, as well as bringing even better integration with the local communities and the rest of London. The combined station and overlying development will boost retail and leisure as well as accelerating journeys, factors which will continue to push property prices close to Crossrail stations upwards over the next five years.

Key streets and locations in Canary Wharf

The Emirates Air Line is an amazing opportunity to observe the city from a different perspective, in a cable car link above the river Thames. Take in the spectacular views of your favourite London landmarks such as The O2, The Cutty Sark and Canary Wharf.

Crossrail Place was opened on 1 May 2015 and includes 100,000 square feet of retail space and a roof-top park which is semi-covered by an elegant timber lattice roof. Visitors can also enjoy views out over the dock, Canary Wharf and beyond.

Up at the O2 – Offering daytime, sunset and night time climbs outside of the O2 for amazing views across London.

Royal Observatory in Greenwich – London’s only observatory.

Canary Wharf transport times

(Source TFL)

Restaurants in Canary Wharf

Tom’s Kitchen Canary Wharf by Tom Aikens
Gaucho Canary
Goodman Canary Wharf
The Dock
Manhattan Grill

(Source Tripadvisor)

Council tax bands in Canary Wharf

Tower Hamlets (for E14)

Newham (for E16)