[dropcap]D[/dropcap]o you remember when Canary Wharf was really known for simply being a collection of offices? Well this part of London has more than come into its own of late and here’s why.
Image courtesy of Pixabay
While you do still get the buzz of workers to-ing and fro-ing from office to lunch and back, Canary Wharf is able to offer more than just an industrial vibe. Famous for being chaos in the week and deserted at the weekend, the area’s growing urbanisation is changing all this around. If you’ve got a few hours to kill and feel like exploring, why not check out:
Canary Wharf
The Museum of London Docklands
Take yourself back to Victorian life on the Docks and experience what it was like to live and work as a sailor through a street reconstruction. There are gallery tours, cafes, an area for children to run around in and some great permanent and temporary exhibitions to check out. A fascinating glimpse into the past life of this historic part of London.
The best thing of all though, is that entry is free and the museum is open every day. Well worth a visit.
Head up to the Crossrail Place Roof Garden to take in some greener, cleaner air and amble through the gardens that offer a huge variety of exotic and domestic flora and fauna. You might even get a free concert or show from the performance space situated along your route.
More than this garden are some great outdoor parks to visit too, if the weather’s feeling kind. You’ll find Jubilee Park on top of Canary Wharf station. While it’s not as big as some London parks we could mention, there are ducks and benches to relax on; an oasis in the hustle and bustle of city life, especially in this area.
Breathe in the Green
Eat, Drink and be Merry
And of course there are the myriad of bars and restaurants on offer, from the Canary Wharf Cocktail Bar to The Breakfast Club, there is a huge choice of places to refuel and rehydrate while you explore the area.
Chain cafes and smaller independent outlets are dotted everywhere and while you may have to fight the crowds during lunch time, during the afternoon they get quieter and more accessible.
Don’t write off Canary Wharf as a haven for office bodies and nothing more. This area has a fascinating history growing as it did from an industry built on the dockyards of London.
Check out the museum, the little patches of green spaces that you’ll find dotted around the place and of course the many bars, restaurants and cafes. Keep track of events in the area that spring up during the year, from outside cinema screenings to concerts.
Just by spending an hour or two in this fascinating corner of the city you will uncover a side to Canary Wharf that you never knew existed. Enjoy bespoke cocktails or a coffee made by an expert barista, that’s something we can all raise a glass to.
