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Revealing some of the London's well known landmarks and best kept secrets this ride will start in Islington and journey past Hoxton, Hackney, Mile End, Limehouse, Bow, Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, East India Dock, Silvertown and the Royal Albert and Victoria Docks.
Keeping a steady pace you'll pass (and stop at in some cases) some interesting historic and modern spots in an area that has undergone some significant changes and continues to do so. Canal and River life, The Docklands, two World Wars and the forthcoming Olympics have all made (or are making) their marks on the region. Particular sights of interest on the ride are highlighted below.
Victoria Park., A massive open space connecting Bow, Hackney and Bethnal Green. Opened in 1845 the park was given to the East End working classes by Queen Victoria and quickly became known as "the Peoples Park". The design was influenced by Regents Park and the similarities are instantly apparent.
Lockkeepers Cottages - Old Ford Lock. In 1992 Bob Geldof's company Planet 24 bought three small derelict cottages. In record time they were knocked together into one and transformed into the home of the Big Breakfast. They're on our route along the Regent's Canal down towards the Thames.
Mile End Park and Stadium. A weird, modern eco-park which opened in 1999. The park is a thin strip of politically correct open space, divided up into well-meaning zones for "play, art, ecology, sport and fun".. Alongside you can see the ever popular Mile End Climbing Wall or drop into Bow Wharf for a giggle and a pint at Jongleurs. , although the Palm Tree in the ecology park is a much better bet if you want a traditional East End boozer. Adjacent to the park is the Mile End Stadium, ignored by many passers-by this impressive stadium doesn't boast enough about it's facilities including a fully-functional athlete's track and field area and astro turf football pitch. The stadium is currently undergoing major improvements which include an olympic size swimming pool.
Ragged School Museum. This was the largest of Dr Barnardo's schools and proves that warehouse conversions are not the latest thing. Dr Barnardo converted this school from two canalside warehouses in the 1870s. The building exhibits Victorian school life and, when open, you can even attend a lesson by the very strict Victorian teacher Mrs Perkins!
Limehouse Basin. One of London 's first riverside docks, linking traffic on the Thames to the inland waterway system and built large enough to accommodate sea-going vessels. It used to be packed so full of boats that you could walk from one side to the other by jumping from one boat to the next. Today the basin has been reborn as a 90 berth marina surrounded by glass and steel apartment blocks.The Regents Canal terminates here.
Three Mills Island. A detour up the Limehouse Cut canal will take us past many more new developments and onto Three Mills, the oldest tidal mill in Britain and now one of the most popular film studios in London.
The site of the Bryant and May Factory - Bow. This factory employed 3000 women at its height and was one of the largest factories in Europe. The famous Match Girl's stroke of 1888 started here and culminated in the establishment of the first British trade union for women.
Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs. Our route along the river passes the newest and fastest ever growing area of London. But would you beleive the oldest remains of a human beiing were recently dug up next to the newest development area at Blackwall? Also notable on this section of the journey are the Deptford Docks from where Captain Cooked sailed the Endeavour and views of Greenwich, the Cutty Sark and Naval College.
Trinity Buoy Wharf. An isolated part of the river that house London's only lighthouse, an environmentally friendly residential and office complex made of sea containers, a museum and the London Powerboat School. Alongside the wharf are the remains of some recently closed factories that will soon be redeveloped into 4,000 apartments!
O2 Centre. O2 is London's largest entertainment complex and opens this year! A giant arena for sports and concerts beginning with Justin Timberlake on 4th July; an exhibition centre which opens with Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoaohs on Nov 15th. Bridging the complex is an entertainment district as long as bond street with an 11 screen cinema, bars and restaurants, a theatre and all year round ice rink.
Excel Centre. The Excel opened in December 2000 and has played host to the London Boat and motor shows as well s concerts and sports events.
City Airport. Situated on King George V Dock the airport opened in 1987 and has become one of Europe's most important airports for business travel.
London Thames Barrier. Overlooking Woolwich Dockyard and on one of the widest stretches of the Thames, the Thames Barrier is one of the World's leading pieces of 20th century architecutre. Over the coming ten to twenty year's its purpose will be in serious debate as it's sell by date approaches.
Silvertown Docks. Just when you think there's nowhere left to build, this amazing and ambitious rejuvenation project appears. On the site of derelict industrial land, Silvertown Docks will house the largest aquatic conservational visitor attraction in the Word - Biota run by the Zoological Society of London. Also on the docks there'll be new homes, offices, workspace, retail, leisure, entertainment and community facilities for all to enjoy. |
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Guided bike ride
