To explore a different part of London, head to the quays of St Katharine.
This marina near Tower Bridge and the Tower of London is a world apart from the rest of the city in terms of appearance and conviviality.
In this article, I take you on a tour.
St Katharine's in London: article summary
St Katharine's in London: at a glance
The only marina in central London, St Katharine Docks is packed with old sailing ships and modern yachts.
The red telephone booths give it a typically London feel, while the modern buildings give it the impression of a city. to be a million miles from the British capital.
How to get to St Katharine's
St Katharine's docks are easily accessible by a number of means of transport.
The most obvious way is by tube. The neighborhood is just a short walk from Tower Hill subway station. Along the way, you'll enjoy superb views of the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge.
Tower Gateway DLR station is nearby, and St Katharine's Pier is served by a number of riverboats along the Thames.
Buses stop all around the neighborhood and there are plenty of parking options if you want to drive.
St Katharine's in London: a little history
Once there, you'll begin to see the layers of history in this part of London.
Designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, St Katharine's docks opened in 1828 as a commercial wharf on the site of a 12th-century hospital called St Katharine's by the Tower.
Its lack of capacity to accommodate large modern ships and bomb damage during the Second World War combined to sound the wharf's death knell. It was officially closed in 1968.
St Katharine's Docks were subsequently leased to developers, and many of the original warehouses have since been demolished. were replaced by modern buildings between the 1970s and 1990s.
What to do on site
So, what's there to do in St Katharine's? Whether it's exploring the marina, admiring the views or enjoying the food and attractions, this London neighborhood packs a lot into a relatively small area.
One of my favourite activities at St Katharine Docks is walk around the marina and admire the place.
Outdoor tables fill the waterfront walkways, and narrow walkways offer excellent vantage points for observing ships and boats on the water.
The wide, cobbled squares are fun places to relax, and the riverside offers some of the city's best views of Tower Bridge.
St Katharine's quayside market
There are also great markets at St Katharine Docks. Weekly food markets fill the area's open spaces with stalls selling all manner of prepared dishes.
Thursday and Friday afternoons, a market invades Marble Quay at St Katharine Docks.
An ever-changing mix of vendors sell prepared meals:
- From jollof africain
- Caribbean jerk chicken
- Filipino barbecues
- Japanese bowls
- Vietnamese banh-mi
The diverse set of stalls makes things lively at this riverside market.
St Katharine's in London: not-to-be-missed events
There are also events in St Katharine throughout the year. The marina serves the starting point for regattas and round-the-world sailing races.
In addition, the Classic Boat Festival takes place every September in association with the Totally Thames Festival. It's a great opportunity to climb aboard over 40 boats and enjoy live music, activities and food and drink.
There's a lot to see at St Katharine's in London. During your trip, I'd advise you to get away from the touristy sites for a while. and take a tour of the place.
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