The City District E14
Nearest Tube:Canary Wharf

Isle of Dogs, E14
Use the Docklands Light Railway

Canary Wharf is seen by many as the heart of the Docklands redevelopment. It is a small strip of land and docks in the middle of the Isle of Dogs, the centrepiece being the 800ft tower designed and built by Cesar Pelli in 1991.
Officially called 1 Canada Square, but often better known as the Canary Wharf tower, this is currently the tallest building in the UK. Unfortunately, due to fears of terrorist attacks, it is not open to the public so you can't climb to the top for the views.
It was to Canary Wharf that many of the newspapers of Fleet Street moved in the 1980s. Among others, the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror and Independent are currently housed in 1 Canada Square.For most people the Isle of Dogs is London Docklands. And there is little doubt that the Isle of Dogs has been the heart of the Docklands redevelopment.
Open to more debate however is the name. Although the South Dock effectively separates the Isle of Dogs from the rest of London, some people argue that it is not really an island.
And there is also disagreement as to the origins of the name. One theory is that the 'Dogs' is derived from the royal kennels that were once housed here, whilst another theory is that it is derived from the Flemish word for the Dutch dykes that were built here in the 19th Century.
Whatever the origins of the unusual name, it is indisputable that the whole area has become a major tourist attraction in recent years. Canary Wharf, with its 800ft tower is the centrepiece, but if you venture to the south you will also be able to see the Docklands Visitors Centre, Mudchute City Farm and the Island Gardens.
Docklands E14
Nearest Tube: Wapping
(but the Docklands Light Railway is often the best way to get around the Docklands).

London Docklands are situated to the east of The City, stretching from the Tower Bridge in the west all the way past the Isle of Dogs. The area they cover is vast - bigger than the whole of central London.
This is due to London's industrial heritage and the fact that for many years London was one of the busiest and most important ports in the world. By the late 18th century, the British Empire covered over half the globe, and London Docklands were the cornerstone of the empire's trade and commerce.
However, in the 20th century, as Britain's power was on the wane, the Docklands went into decline and many parts went into disuse. Unemployment was high and the whole area was regarded as a bit of a no-man's land.
But in the l980's the developers moved in. The Docklands were seen as a golden opportunity to create a new, fashionable district aimed at the wealthy 'yuppie' class. The idea was to transform the quays and warehouses into residential areas whilst also providing sporting and leisure activities.
Millions of pounds were poured into the scheme, run by the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC), but the success of it is questionable. Whilst there is little doubt that a transformation has taken place, it has been slow and many parts of the Docklands are still empty.
Nevertheless, the Docklands are an interesting part of London to visit for nowhere else can you get quite such a mix of industrial heritage combined with modern development.
Transportation around the Docklands is not very good - by far the best way to get around is the Docklands Light Railway. You can catch this daily from Tower Gateway near Tower Hill tube station or from Bank station in The City from Mondays to Saturdays.
In the west, near Tower Bridge is St Katharine's Dock and HMS Belfast. Then you come to Tobacco Dock and Execution Dock in Wapping. Further eastward is the Isle of Dogs, perhaps the best-known part of the Docklands, with Canary Wharf and the Docklands Visitor Centre.