Canary Wharf Guide London

Canary Wharf, London

Canary Wharf is a major development in London that has become one of the most important business and financial centres in the UK and the world. As well as the office spaces there are also a lot of residential accommodations and also retail establishments and hotels.

History

Canary Wharf is located in the Isle of Dogs, a peninsula bounded on three sides by a large meander of the River Thames. Earlier known as Stepney Marsh, from the early 19th century it became a complex of docks for ships trading with the British West Indies.

As containers became the main form of shipping the docks gradually fell into disuse, and in 1980 finally closed.

Canary Wharf, which is in the northern part of the Isle of Dogs, developed as part of a wider London Docklands Development Plan.

The Museum of London Docklands, part of the Museum of London, is a free museum that not only covers the fascinating history of the area, but also has information on a wide variety of contemporary social and cultural topics including the port's part in the Transatlantic slave trade.

1 Warehouse, West India Quay, N. Hertsmere Rd, London E144AL
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.

The view from Cabot Square towards Canary Wharf Tower. — The view from Cabot Square towards Canary Wharf Tower

Architecture

As is typical of modern business and financial centers around the world, Canary Wharf is home to massive towers of steel and glass.

Located roughly in the centre of Canary Wharf, One Canada Square, commonly called Canary Wharf Tower, is currently the tallest. Designed by Cesar Pelli and opened in 1991, this 771 foot-tall structure was the tallest building in the UK until 2010. It is the home of offices for numerous global companies and corporations.

Pelli also designed the Citigroup Centre (640 feet), and the 640 foot-tall HSBC Tower at 8 Canada Square, the world headquarters of HSBC, was designed by Norman Foster.

The towers are not just home to corporate interests, many of them are purely residential, with South Quay Plaza at 705 feet, Newfoundland at 722 feet, and the tallest, Landmark Pinnacle at 764 feet being not only the tallest residential building in the UK, but in all of Europe. Though mostly underground, another architectural structure that has gained much praise is the Canary Wharf Tube Station designed by Norman Foster.

Canary Wharf Station has won numerous architecture prizes and accolades. It is even well known to the movie-viewing public worldwide.

Danny Boyle's Sci-fi zombie thriller 28 Days Later and its sequel 28 Weeks Later feature scenes shot inside Canary Wharf tube station, and the Star Wars spin-off Rogue One also has some scenes shot here.

Testa Addormentata, a 1983 bronze sculpture by Igor Mitoraj. — Testa Addormentata, a 1983 bronze sculpture by Igor Mitoraj is one of three by the artist on display at Canary Wharf

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Public Art

As a means of projecting wealth, power, and taste, corporate buildings will often have major artworks in their foyers and forecourts, but at Canary Wharf this has been taken to a new level with the biggest collection of public art in all of London.

Currently more than 70 pieces of art, mostly sculptures, but also paintings, installations, etc can be seen including works by such major artists as William Turnbull, Henry Moore, and Bruce Maclean. A map showing the location of all the art can be downloaded below:
canarywharf.com

One of 5 shopping malls on Canary Wharf. — One of five shopping malls on Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf in the former docklands of London. — Canary Wharf in the former docklands of London

Shopping, Dining & Leisure

With so many residents as well as commuters, Canary Wharf has a wide range of retail establishments including five different shopping malls with more than 120 stores.

For eating and drinking there is again a wide range of cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. There are numerous public, open spaces like parks, rooftop gardens, and waterfronts which host various cultural and sporting events throughout the year.

One Canada Square, known as Canary Wharf Tower, is currently the tallest building at Canary Wharf. — One Canada Square, known as Canary Wharf Tower, is currently the tallest building at Canary Wharf

Accommodation

Canary Wharf is home to many hotels including major chains like Hilton and Premier Inn.

Some recommendations include the four-star Hilton London Canary Wharf with bar, restaurant, sauna, as well as a steam room and a 24-hour business center and the Cove Landmark Pinnacle offering accommodation with a fitness center, a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk.

The London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf has five stars, luxury rooms and a state-of-the-art fitness suite.

The four-star Novotel London Canary Wharf offers a pool, gym and contemporary restaurant and bar.

See a complete listing of hotels near Canary Wharf

The distinctive elliptical roof of the Docklands Light Railway station at Canary Wharf. — The distinctive elliptical roof of the Docklands Light Railway station at Canary Wharf

Access

Canary Wharf is accessible by the London Underground system. Canary Wharf Tube Station is on the Jubilee Line between Canada Water and North Greenwich.

While the busiest stations on the underground network tend to be in central London and connect with major railway terminals with multiple tube lines, Canary Wharf is the busiest station on a single line.

The Jubilee Line opened in 1979 and is the newest line of the London underground network and runs from Stratford in east London to Stanmore in the north-west of the capital.

Canary Wharf is also on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) system, and the main station, part of One Canada Square, is between Heron Quays and West India Quay. Slated to open in 2022, Canary Wharf Railway Station is on a branch of the Crossrail Line (Elizabeth Line) between Whitechapel and Custom House.