Walking London's Port History
Led by Footprints of London guide Rob Smith, each walk covers a different period in the development of the Port of London from the Romans to Canary Wharf. Walks are at a moderate pace, with frequent stops, where we will look at some of the legacy of the Port of London – street names, mooring posts, cranes, plaques etc. We will look at old maps and photographs as we walk, and there will be chance for questions and discussion.
Each walk will last about two hours and cover 1.5-2 miles distance. Spend one Saturday afternoon at your local docks, or book all four walks and get the full experience - and a 10% discount, too.
11 March: From the Romans to the Tudors
A walk along the Thames from the Tower of London to Blackfriars bridge, looking at the early development of London’s port. You’ll see some Roman remains, the site of the Hanseatic league’s base in London, see historic objects in the Queenhithe mosaic and discuss what were the Legal Quays.
Meeting point: Outside Tower Hill Station
18 March: East and West India Docks
A walk from East India Docklands Light railway Station to Canary Wharf, looking at the legacy of the East India Company and the ruthless sugar traders that built the warehouses in the area around Canary Wharf using profits made from the labour of enslaved Africans.
Meeting point: Outside East India DLR station
25 March: The Royal Docks
This walk from Royal Victoria Dock to Pontoon Dock looks at the vast Royal group of docks, built for steamships by entrepreneur engineers. The walk looks at some of the industry that was created by the docks. We will also talk about the dock workers strike of 1889 and the creation of the Port of London authority.
Meeting point: Outside Royal Victoria DLR Station
1 April: The Surrey Commercial Docks
Starting at Surrey Quays this is a walk around an area that was transformed from being one of the busiest parts of the Port of London, to an area of housing, retail and open spaces. There is plenty of legacy to see. We will talk about the docks in World War Two, how changing commercial realities saw the docks closure and talk about their transformation into Docklands. There will also be a chance to talk about the Port of London today.
Meeting point: Outside Surrey Quays Station
Need to Know
You will learn
- How development of the Port of London shaped the growth of the city
- Things to look out for by the River Thames
- The impact on London of the East India Company
- How to identify buildings connected with London’s Docks
Meet the Guide
Robert Smith
My love affair with London began at the age of ten when my father took me on a whirlwind tour of London. I knew from that moment I would come to live in London and I have been living and working in the capital for nearly thirty years.
I studied London History at Birkbeck College and then qualified as a guide at the University of Westminster. I love the stories hidden on the streets of London, especially stories about crime, spies, military and industrial history.
As well as guiding, I teach London history at Morley College and South Thames College.
Dates and Times
Walking London's Port History
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