In the Royal Docks, a boomtown of wharves, warehouses and cranes made London the world's major destination for merchant shipping, until containerisation brought its demise in the 1960s.
The Royal Docks is really a huge, outdoor museum of design and engineering, new and old. The vast, man-made, enclosed space of water, the largest in Europe, is fringed with striking landmarks. From here you can marvel at the Thames Flood Barrier. The four rotating gates of the barrier, weighing in at 3,500 tonnes, protect London from rising tides. The ExCeL centre, which opened in 2000, is London's largest single site exhibition centre.
As monuments to Britain's former industrial glory, some of the mighty dockside cranes have been preserved and stand proud against the southern skyline of the Royal Docks. Several of the original warehouses remain, some converted into popular restaurants. There is a wide choice of places to eat and enjoy waterside views, from cafes to fine international dining, including Japanese, Thai, Chinese, French and award-winning Caribbean cuisine.
Across the Thames, and just two train stops from the hotels of the Royal Docks, is the O2 formerly The Milllennium Dome, built to mark the new millennium. Emerging as London's premier venue for performances and events, O2 was voted Best International Arena for 2007 by the USA's prestigious concert industry awards.
Newham's excellent transport links include London City Airport, which played a key role in triggering the revival of the Royal Docks. With flights to 33 European and UK destinations and a private jet centre, the airport has re-established the area as an international gateway to London.
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) provides a fast link to central London and is a great way to explore the Royal Docks. A further testament to engineering, this was one of Britain's first light rail systems. The elevated tracks give great views, and a front seat in one the driverless trains is enormous fun for kids. They will also enjoy Newham City Farm, near Royal Albert station, where rare breed livestock graze contentedly in paddocks, and seasonal produce, including eggs and honey, is on sale.
If you alight from the DLR Pontoon Dock station and stroll through Thames Barrier Park you can get right up to London's spectacular flood defence. This imaginatively landscaped green space features a dug-out garden with yew hedges, trimmed to look like waves in a dock. Fountains, a wild flower meadow, oak trees and an excellent playground make this another fabulous place for children. A funky, glass-sided, wood-decked café serves great coffee and wholesome food. Warm and flooded with natural light, even in dull weather, this is the perfect place to relax after a bracing day on the waterfront.
