The area of Canary Wharf is seen by some Londoners as a cultural void - most people arrive to their offices in the mornings and leave immediately after work. It's not a place to really 'hang out'. This may have been true a few years ago, but local residents and developers are transforming the area into a more welcoming area for families and tourists. The Museum of London Docklands in one fine example.
Exploring the museum is a chance to learn about the specific history of London's relationship with the Thames and the open seas. The interactive displays challenges readers to consider how the waterways have influenced London - trade brought new goods such as tea to Londoners, commerce brought new immigrants to enrich the city's culture, and even the slave trade forced Londoners to reconsider their definitions of justice and liberty.
It's not all serious though. There are immersive displays that encourage visitors to imagine life as a dockworker, a sailor or even a pirate. ARRR!
One of my favourite exhibits here is the model of what London Bridge looked like about 500 years ago. It's not something anyone would recognize now, but that's the magic of learning about London's history - it's constantly changing but always riveting. An afternoon here reminds me of that.
Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
The gardens and pergola are open to the public and are a great spot for a walk or a peaceful afternoon with a good book in hand while lying on the grass.
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The people of Bonnington Square really know how to foster a vibe with leafy exotic plants spraying scattered shadows as you sit and eat...
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From focaccia to pasta, coffee to cake, this one-stop shop is as much a place to buy your brew and bread as it is to have a lunchtime bite of pasta...
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Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow.
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Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is the home of the finest scotch egg in London.
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From the run-down chic aesthetic to the strong beer selection and excellent pub garden, there are no chinks in the Dog House's armour...
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Inside, the bar is a welcoming, tightly-packed vibe with old-fashioned, old-world decor with gorgeous bare wood surfaces & countless pictures on the walls.
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The unassuming, retro signage outside amidst the noise & din of Waterloo might pull you in, but what makes you stay is the genuine town tavern feel inside.
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With a rustic French feel, Pierre offers dishes with rich red-wine sauces and tasty meats from much of the spectrum of the French culinary roster.
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With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is the ideal spot to take a moment and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint.
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Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.
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Inside, the rooms have distinctly different decorative styles. This is to give an idea of how the house would have looked at each stage in its history.
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222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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