E/W INDIA & POPLAR

	An East to West India via Poplar Walk Route & what to see
	london-footprints.co.uk

One of the attractions of Docklands is the juxaposition of new and old, evident on this 3 mile walk. The route begins at Blackwall and finishes at West India Quay - both DLR stations. There is the option of viewing Trinity Buoy Wharf and the route can be extended by following the Canary Wharf Estate walk [click here]. The Museum in Docklands is sited on West India Quay. There are plenty of places for refreshments in this area.

From Blackwall Station go across to Naval Row and follow this to the right continuing along East India Dock Wall Road.
This runs alongside the old Import Dock wall passing the Steamship pub and the Grade II Hydraulic Power Station of 1857.

At the end go up the stairs ahead and cross Aspen Way by the footbridge to East India DLR Station. Go down to street level and walk southwards through housing (signposted Virginia Quay). Continue through to river and go left.
There is a monument to emigrants to the US

Continue to East India Dock Basin (Bird Sanctuary).
The Bird Sanctuary is part of the River Lee Project.

To view Trinty Buoy Wharf
Cross the entrance to the basin and walk round anti-clockwise. Exit into Orchard Place and go right..
Trinity Buoy Wharf was built in 1860 with a lighthouse for training purposes and a warehouse to store lighthouse and navigation equipment. It now provides accommodation for various art activities, some in adapted transport containers. There are a number a information panels and a moored lightship.

Return along Orchard Place, go under the Lower Lea Crossing, cross the road then go left. Follow river to right

To avoid Trinty Buoy Wharf
Do not cross the entrance to the basin and walk round clockwise. Should you find the gate locked you will need to retrace your steps clockwise around the basin. Otherwise exit and cross the Lower Lea Crossing then continue along Silvocea Way
On your right is the River Lea.

Both routes
Cross and take the path behind the garage (through car park). Cross two roads through the old walls of the Blackwall Pepper Warehouses.
These were re-sited by the LDDC.

Continue ahead then go to the left then right along Saffron Avenue.
This goes alongside a fragment of the former Import Dock and at the end are some sculptures.

Continue ahead through Clove Crescent with its water features. At the end go to the right past Tower Hamlets Town Hall to the yellow metal figures. Go through the opening in the wall.
The entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel is below. You can detour to the right to view a replica plaque at the corner.

Return and follow the wall around. Go down the steps at the corner and follow signs to Poplar High Street. From the High Street go right into Bazely Street.
The Greenwich Pensioner pub was built in 1827.

Go left along Montague Place and right at Newby Place
All Saints Church designed by Charles Hollis was built in 1820 along with the rectory opposite. The church was repaired after WWII bomb damage.

Go left along East India Dock Road
All Saints DLR station was formerly Poplar on the North London Railway of 1852 which served Blackwall Pier. Poplar Baths (closed) were opened in the 1930s. The statue on the frontage is of George Green, a Blackwall shipbuilder. Tower Hamlets College now occupies the former George Green school of 1883. The fire station was built on the site of the Bath Street Chapel of 1868.

Go left down Woodstock Terrace and right at Poplar High Street.
On the corner the Gothic style building was built in 1869 for the Poplar District Board of Works. Neighbouring Meridian House was the Chaplin's House for the Poplar Chapel. Opposite the former library of 1894 and School of Marine Engineering & Navigation of 1906 are used by Tower Hamlets College.

Go through the gate on the right to view St Matthias old church.
This was originally the Poplar Chapel planned in 1639 but not built until 1654 (during the Commonwealth). It was under the control of the East India Dock Company until 1866 when it was encased in ragstone to become St Matthias Church. It was closed in 1976 and later restored by the LDDC for community use.

Return to the High Street and take the next entrance on the right into Poplar Recreation Ground. Follow the path around to the left and exit into Hale Street. Go to the right along this street.
Pope John House was built as a seaman's institute in the 1890s. It was taken over by the gas company in the 1930s.

Go left at the end of this road along East India Dock Road then left at Wade’s Place
Malam Gardens on the left has cottages provided by the gas company for its workers.

At the end go left along the High Street then take the path to the right towards Poplar DLR station. Go up the steps and use the footbridge to cross Aspen Way. Go down to street level and follow the signs to West India Quay station.
The Museum in Docklands is sited to the right along West India Quay. The SS Robin, the world's oldest complete steamship is one of the ships moored nearby. A footbridge from here gives access to Canary Wharf.

Reference sources
Discover London Docklands A-Z Illustrated Guide by S K Al Naib
Dockland Heritage published by the LDDC
Buildings of England - London Docklands by Elizabeth Williamson & Niklaus Pevsner

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