Leamouth Peninsula – From Major Port to Cultural and Creative Destination
Today, Leamouth Peninsula is a striking mix of industry, history, art and modern development. Described by Stephen Millar as having "an undeniably horrible mass of road, rail, and other transport-related infrastructure," it is also home to an ecological park, public art, fascinating historic sites and surprisingly quiet corners that make it feel almost isolated. Once part of the largest port in the world, the peninsula was home to the East India Dock, financed by the East India Company, as well as several other major docks. During our walk, we will discover some of the surviving reminders of this important maritime past. We will also visit Orchard Place, named after the former manor house that once stood here. It was the site of a notorious riverside slum, whose residents were rehoused in Poplar during the 1930s before the original buildings were demolished. The area offers another glimpse into London's changing social history. The peninsula's future is represented by Trinity Buoy Wharf, a thriving cultural quarter that combines historic buildings with contemporary architecture, artists' studios and creative businesses. It is also home to London's only lighthouse, making it one of the capital's most distinctive destinations. The area around Canning Town Station has changed dramatically over the years. Once lined with terraced houses, pubs and a music hall, much of it was demolished during the 1960s to make way for major road developments. Today, modern apartment buildings dominate the skyline, while nearby London City Island has become home to the English National Ballet. We will finish our walk at Beringers – The Home of Brunch (they also serve dinner). From there, it is a short walk across the bridge back to Canning Town Station. If you would like to learn more about the area's history, detailed information and historical maps can be found at British History Online, in the section Leamouth Road and Orchard Place: Historical Development. Please note The walk is undertaken entirely at your own risk. We will wait 5 minutes before starting. Once the walk has begun, I will be unable to answer phone calls or messages.
