River Thames Dockland Heritage: Greenwich to Tilbury and Gravesend

Londons docks were once the busiest in Britain, but they were closed in the late 1960s and redeveloped by the London Docklands Development Corporation. This book follows the Thames Path to examine the changes and heritage that remains on both sides of the river, including the network of rivers, canals, and sewers in East London.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Once upon a time, London's docks were the busiest in Britain. They had evolved gradually from the early 19th century, as the existing riverside wharves became overcrowded and theft became rampant. Dock systems were constructed on both banks of the Thames. The largest group, known as 'The Royals,' consisting of the Royal Victoria, Royal Albert, and King George V docks, created the largest enclosed dock area in the world.

However, changes in cargo handling methods, such as containerization, led to all new developments being concentrated at Tilbury from the late 1960s, and the closure of the London docks, along with nearly all of the private riverside wharves and canal wharves. To redevelop the dock sites, the London Docklands Development Corporation was established.

So, what replaced the docks, and what remains to remind us of what was there before? This book follows the Thames Path, which has opened up much of what was once a largely hidden world, from Greenwich to Rainham and Erith to examine the changes and the heritage that remains on both sides of the river. Also included is the network of rivers, canals, and sewers in East London that linked into and made use of the Thames. Finally, it looks at Tilbury on the north bank, where the docks are now concentrated, and Gravesend on the south side, a town with long maritime connections to London.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 165 x 234 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398108844