Fascinating Facts about Canary Wharf & West India Quay

Published 02/09/2024

Canary Wharf and West India Quay boast a rich and colourful history, a far cry away from the high-rise business centre that it is today, but no less busy and industrious. Back in the 19^th Century, the busy docks allowed the importation of goods from all over the world.

Here are some fascinating facts about the area throughout its colourful past:

• The West India Docks were the first cargo docks to be built in the Port of London. The West India Dock Act (1799) required all rum, coffee and sugar to be unloaded in the West India Dock for 21 years following its construction.


• The docks were the largest of their kind in London at the time and marked a new era in dock construction. They were lined by six-storey warehouses and enclosed within high perimeter walls for security.


• One Canada Square– probably the most iconic skyscraper in Canary Wharf is the third tallest building in the United Kingdom, standing at 770 feet (235m). With 50 storeys, it held the title of tallest building for 21 years, until The Shard was completed in 2012.


• The land around Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs used to be marshland and flooded regularly, until the 13^th century when landowners started to build flood defences from mud and chalk.


• The Ledger Building, which is now a JD Wetherspoons pub, was home to the dock records and paperwork. It’s a beautiful building and serves cheap alcohol, so it’s always busy!


• In 1987, during the official ceremony to mark the start of work on Canary Wharf, protestors released a herd of sheep from Mudchute Farm among the crowds of business people and politicians. And followed that with thousands of bees!


• Canary Wharf ceased operating as a dock when it became unsuitable for the large cargo ships which became common in the 1970s. There is a large port based further out in Essex called The Port of Tilbury, which handles large container ships and services much of London and the Southeast now.


• In the 1980s, the government stepped in to help regenerate Canary Wharf. Before building work in the area, which was completed in 1991, the City of London made plans to create more office space because they saw Canary Wharf as a threat to their business area.


• Canary Wharf has excellent transport links thanks to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which was originally built in 1987, around the same time that City Airport opened.


• London City Airport links directly to Canary Wharf via the DLR and only takes 11 minutes. The Docklands Light Railway even uses driverless trains.


 

Saba’s West India Quay Car Park is conveniently located at Canary Wharf and is an accessible and affordable option for regular visitors to southeast London.

It’s easily accessible via the DLR, meaning you can enjoy all its facilities without the hassle of travelling into the centre of the city. The car park is only a five-minute walk from the Elizabeth Line Canary Wharf entrance.

With these current offers it’s an inexpensive way to park in London. To take advantage of these offers you must book your parking online via the Saba UK website or Saba UK app.

Enjoy 10% off short stay parking until 30 September 2024 with the code: SWIMBIKERUN24. Or one-month permits are now 5% off, until 30 September 2024 with the code: BACKTOSCHOOL24