Hidden London: Canary Wharf

As a city, London really has everything. Tourists and locals head to Chelsea for a spot of shopping and soho for lively bars. But Canary Wharf, with its imposing glass buildings and concrete waterways never fails to make me feel like a tourist in my own city.

So when the guys and girls at Clarendon’s short stay apartments in Canary Wharf challenged us to check out their turf and find something to appeal to you, our readers, we couldn’t resist, hopping on the good ol’ DLR (pretending to drive it, of course) spending an afternoon among the skyscrapers while searching for the best the district has to offer.

There’s good. There’s bad. But there’s certainly no ugly. Have a look at what we got up to one in afternoon, and whether we’ll ever be going back again...

Firstly, how to get there. It’s really simple, and we've no idea why we were so intimidated by it before. Canary Wharf station is few stops from London Bridge on the Jubilee line, a few moments from Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on the DLR, a cable car over the Thames from the O2 at North Greenwich, a 30 minute Thames Clipper boat ride from the London Eye, and within walking distance of Greenwich market and observatory. Phew!

So you got there ok. You're standing in the middle of manicured gardens, a vast shopping district and restaurants, feeling more like you're in New York than London. What now? Here’s what we found during our afternoon.

The river and romance - Thames Path National Trail

Who doesn't love a romantic riverside stroll? Rather than share your smooching space with countless tourists, screaming children, bossy beggars and touts trying to sell you everything from theatre tickets to rubbish souvenirs, Canary Wharf's Thames Path offers a bit more serenity in a much nicer setting. After coming up from the station, you're only a three minute walk to the banks of the river. We ambled along at our own pace, stopping to watch the boats and birds along the way. If you fancy a longer walk, it'll take about an hour to meander to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. There are cafes, pubs and restaurants along the way, so grab a glass of Prosecco with that special someone and watch the sun set over London in peace.

For gin and champagne cocktails - Tom's Kitchen

On our way back to the station, Tom's Kitchen literally stopped us in our tracks. White metro tiles adorn this cute little kitchen, which is actually a cafe, bar and deli. They have intimate booths in the main restaurant, as well as outdoor terraced seating, perfect for al fresco dining. The bar serves champagne-based cocktails, but we squealed with delight when the barman mentioned a gin and elderflower concoction. It looks like the kind of place you could stay all day, enjoying everything from a hearty breakfast to a late night tipple. Definitely one to visit.

For those looking for a slice of the country - Surrey Docks Farm

You may be in the heart of the city, but if your heart will always be in the country then pay Surrey Docks Farm a visit. It's a working farm right by the bank of the River Thames. How cool is that? Forget the crowds and expense of London Zoo and get stuck in petting the goats, sheep, cattle, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, bees and donkeys that roam the area. They hold events like bee-keeping and donkey rides throughout the year, too. Even better, entry is completely free. All they ask for is a £3 per person donation to keep up with running costs. You can even bring pooch along for a fun day out for all.

For the brave and adventurous - Up at the O2

Everyone's seeking that perfect skyline view of London, so why be cooped up inside a stuffy building looking through greasy panes of glass when you could be literally atop a local London landmark? If you've ever dreamed of climbing Everest, Up at the O2 is definitely an urban alternative. You'll start with a briefing at Base Camp, and change into suits, boots and harnesses. Then, the ascent on the walkway begins. You're not walking on the canvas tent itself, but on the specially designed platforms raised slightly above it. The peak is 52m and you'll be strapped to the safety wire throughout, so definitely not one for the faint-hearted! You can spot the O2 from Canary Wharf itself, and it's only only a hop across the river.

For those looking for a spot of stargazing (or a food fight in the dark) - Butler's Wharf Blackout

 

During the London Thames Festival (6th - 15th September) diners at D&D London's four riverside restaurants will be given the rare opportunity to enjoy an unspoilt view of the beautiful River Thames completely free from light pollution. How is this possible? Because they'll literally be blacking out electricity from 8.30pm every evening, leaving you free to see the true beauty of London while feasting on delicious food. There are a few other dark nights planned too. These are our faves, but check here for fire, blindfolded dining and opera. We definitely want to know more about the food fight...

6th September, 9pm: Neon Noir - a neon food fight
8th and 11th September, 6-10pm: Silent cinema
12th September, 6-10pm: Silent disco
13th September, 6-10pm: DJ and a silent disco with a fun flashmob at 9pm

So you know how to get there. You've got a few activities planned and you're going to have a great time. Now all you need to know is where to stay. If you're planning on one or two nights, we had a quick peek at Hilton Canary Wharf. It's a stone's throw from the station and some rooms have a partial riverside view (there are a few skyscrapers in the way, but we won't hold that against them). If you want to feel more like a proper Londoner and rent your own sleek, chic flat, Clarendon's serviced apartments in Canary Wharf are a great option. We very cheekily had a sneeky peek without letting our challengers know, and we were impressed. Rooms are bigger than your standard hotel, with enough space to spread out, cook your own meals, and live that glamorous London penthouse dream.

It's fair to say we're Canary Wharf converts. There's loads more going on that we discovered, like Canary Wharf's Ice Rink - that's right, in winter there's an open air ice rink, and you can bet it won't be full of tourists - Greenwich and its observatory, market and prime meridiam - you can actually stand on the line that determines GMT across the whole earth (except for France...) - the Docklands Museum, Cutty Sark, and shops upon shops. It's clear to us there's more than just glass and concrete in hidden Canary Wharf, and we can't wait to head back for another flute of riverside fizz with the girls.

Travel to Canary Wharf was kindly provided by Clarendon Serviced Apartments. Well. It was their challenge after all!