What can you discover at the London Museum of Docklands? The City Adventurers went to investigate.
The London Museum Docklands is based in West India Quay, near Canary Wharf. It is easily accessible via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
The short walk from the station takes you past the two remaining traditional brick warehouses in the West India Docks. Formerly used to store imported goods from the West Indies, such as tea, sugar and rum, they are now Grade I listed buildings. The Museum of London Docklands is located within one of these historic structures, specifically a Grade I listed, early-19th-century Georgian “low” sugar warehouse built in 1802. Originally known as No.1 Warehouse, it was constructed during the expansion of the West India Docks.
We met the group in the cafe at the Museum. After a chance to get to know each other and network we took the lift to the Third Floor to begin our guided tour. The museum has nine galleries exploring a different theme of London’s river, port and people. There is a route to follow that takes you through the displays in chronological order as you work your way down.
The introduction gallery is entitled No. 1 Warehouse and reveals how the docks and warehouse operated. It includes beam-scales suspended from the roof timbers which were used daily, weighing heavy sacks and crates as they entered and left the building.
The next gallery covers Trade Expansion between 1600 and 1800. It tells how London’s trade business grew, with ships from all over the world bringing back spices, tea and silk. It is followed by the London, Sugar & Slavery gallery which looks at the impact of the slave trade.
City and River from 1800 to 1840 marks the changes to London to bring it into the modern age. This includes the construction of a new London Bridge and the Thames Tunnel, which was the world’s first tunnel under a navigable waterway.
Sailortown is a walk-through gallery that allows you to experience the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian London. It is a recreation of a Wapping Street between 1840 and 1850.
First Port of Empire covers how London’s docks became the centre of world trade, as British power spread in the 19th century. This continues into the next gallery – Warehouse of the World – which describes how London warehouses housed every commodity available.
Docklands at War covers the period 1939 to 1945. Due to the areas industry and factories, the docks took the brunt of the bombing.
New Port, New City takes the collection from 1945 to the present day. It covers the rebuilding after WW2, dereliction in the 1970’s and rebuilding in the 1980’s.
Following a quick trip to the gift shop and other facilities, we headed next door for a delicious pub lunch. All in all a great day out.
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The UK based Social Club for people who love visiting shows, exploring new places, discovering new things and solving mysteries.
Life is a journey so experience it’s adventure with like minded people. Live the life you’ve always dreamed of. City Adventurers Membership includes invitations to adventures and travel mainly in the UK
