Royal Docks walk

	A Royal Docks Walk Route & what to see
	london-footprints.co.uk

A 4¾ mile walk looking at the Royal Docks. It begins at King George V DLR Station and finishes at West Silvertown DLR. Alternatively finish at Custom House DLR. There is some overlap with Silvertown & North Woolwich and Beckton walks. The walk can be combined with the former to make a longer circular route.

From King George V Station go southwards along Pier Road
The Royal Standard pub at one time spanned two licensing authorities so at times you could drink on one side but not the other! It was re-built in 1898.

Cross Albert Road and go into the Royal Victoria Gardens on the left
These opened as the Royal Pavilion in 1851 and had a number of attractions. They were purchased by the LCC in 1890 to serve as a public park.

Walk through the park and just past the bowling green go to the right and up the steps.
A steam hammer has been sited on the right (see plaque).

Continue to the river
From here there is a view of the free ferry, operated by three diesel vessels.

Go to the left and through the gate. Keep on the left hand side then take the pathway on the right just before an isolated house. Left at the end along Barge House Road.
Some older properties remain on the left.

Cross and go right along Woolwich Manor Way.
The new properties on the right occupy the site of Harland & Wolff's yard (closed 1972). Further along on the right are views of the entrance locks and associated features. The expanse of the docks separated by the runway of City Airport can be seen on the left. The roadway becomes the Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge (named after the Olympic rower) as it crosses the Albert Basin, now serving as a marina. As part of the Royal Quay development the Gallions Hotel (1881-3 by Vigers & Wagstaffe) will be refurbished.

At the end of the bridge walk along the dockside to the left.
New student accommodation for the University of East London was completed in 2007. Further along are the buildings designed by Edward Cullinan including the drum-shaped student residences.

At the central campus building follow signs to Cyprus DLR Station. Walk through the station, turn left at Cyprus Place then go right along East Ham Manor Way. Go into New Beckton Park on the left and walk through.
This park was created in 1903 when East Ham provided council housing along Savage Gardens (since rebuilt).

Cross Parry Avenue and go through the gap in the houses into Beckton District Park.
This was created by the LDDC from fields and derelict industrial land

Follow the path to the right. Where this meets the Beckton Corridor go to the left.
Horses are grazed in this area.

Cross Stansfeld Road and continue on the path ahead. At the junction of paths go left (this becomes a footbridge over Royal Albert Way).
To the left are the former compressor house and Building 1000 which will house the offices of Newham Borough Council from April 2008.

Continue to the dockside then go right.
The boathouse and Regatta Centre designed by Ian Ritchie were opened in 1999.

Continue under the Connaught Bridge.
The road and pedestrian bridges replace a swing bridge which carried two rail tracks and a single lane road. The circular brick structures provide ventilation for the North Woolwich Railway tunnel.

Just before the Ramada Hotel follow signs to the right towards Prince Regent DLR Station.
The Connaught Tavern by Wigers & Wagstaffe is now a restaurant

Take the path to the left and cross to the DLR/bus station
The history of the docks is depicted in a cut out screen between the two

Cross Victoria Dock Road into Prince Regent Lane. Go through the recreation ground to the left. Exit at the far end and continue along Victoria Dock Road.
The building with the figure of a flying angel on the right is a former seaman's hostel.

Walk through Custom House DLR Station following signs to ExCel.
On the right are Victorian warehouses and Victoria Square, landscaped by Patel Taylor. ExCel exhibition centre opened in 2000.

Use the transporter bridge to cross the Victoria Dock.
This gives extensive views over the 'Royals' including City Airport, new housing schemes and the riverside Tate & Lyle factory. The derelict Millennium (Spillers) Mills of the 1930s and D Silo (1920) stand by the Pontoon Dock (1855) which originally had a hydraulic ship lift for the repair of ships. A passenger cabin could travel on the underside of the transporter bridge if it ever becomes economically viable!

Go straight ahead between the shops and through the houses to Evelyn Road.
There are some award-winning Peabody homes here with diachronic glazing.

Go down Boxley Street opposite.
This has Peabody homes clad in translucent silver and glass fibreglass but also retains some of the older houses of the area.

To visit Lyle Park cross North Woolwich Road and go into Bradfield Road opposite.
The riverside park was provided for the factory workers and other local people in 1924. Inside are the gates from the Harland & Wolff Shipbuilding Yard.

Go west along North Woolwich Road to West Silvertown DLR Station

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