Photo © 2014 Leigh Stanford – Custom House, London Docks

Once the area downriver from the City of London Tower of London was alive with the maritime trade which brought goods from all over the globe. The river was alive with shipping, while sailors came ashore after months of hardship. Then the docks fell silent.

Development has threatened to scour away the traces of London’s maritime glory. Yet you can still see reminders of this time, evoking the salty tang of life spent on London’s tidal artery.

Meet me at Tower Gateway DLR station outside the Minories exit, at the bottom of the escalator.

The tour will take approximately two hours, and finishes at the church of St George in the East, near Shadwell Overground and DLR Stations.

For more East End tours, please see here: https://charnowalks.co.uk/east-london-tours/

For more business- and trade-related tours, please see here: https://charnowalks.co.uk/business-tours/

For information on travel, please use Transport for London’s Journey Planner.