This area takes its seat on the little loop of the River Thames, and sprawls over parts of Blackwall, Mudchute, Isle of Dogs, and Millwall. What’s most notable about it is its fantastic accessibility, encompassing numerous DLR stations; five in total. Surrounding the docks, parks and stations, is a range of comfortable, modern and mid-range housing. It has much more communality than one would initially expect, particularly in the southern parts of the neighbourhood, where there are a number of traditional east end pubs such as the Ferry House and the Waterman’s arms. Despite this it remains usefully close and to the buzz and transport links of Canary Wharf. Whilst regeneration has meant that there’s not much history left visible to the eye, this is a gem of a neighbourhood that lies hidden under the shadow of Canary Wharf. Mundchute Park and Farm provides some especially dissonant views, with the financial hub’s sky-scrapers sitting just a stone’s throw away from fields where sheep graze.

When looking at the tube map, many a Londoner has often wondered why Isle of Dogs is named as such. A glance into the area’s history offers many clues and suggestions – some nicer than others. Before all the skyscrapers, the area was unused marshland for animal pasture. Some believe that the name comes from the claim that Henry VIII used the land as a home to his hunting dogs. Others say it was because dead dogs used to wash up on the shores of the area. In the 1600s, windmills were built around the banks, bringing the first industry to the little island (this also explains the name Millwall). However, it was the industrial revolution that transformed the area to the dockland we know today.

This area is the setting for the post-apocalyptic film 28 Weeks Later, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. It’s presented as the only safe area in the whole of the U.K. after a huge epidemic kills off much of the population.

Local residents are concerned about the rate of growth in the area, particularly with regards to luxury housing and commercial spaces that do not benefit the wider community. There are concerns that local services are being neglected in favour of large private enterprises.

In May 2021 the a new neighbourhood plan was adopted via a public referendum which aims to curb overdevelopment. This will significantly slow the the almost constant private development that the area has experienced since the 1980s, and should assuage many local residents concerns about the ‘Manhattanisation’ of the peninsular. This new legislation has seen numerous projects such as the Crossharbour District Centre, which was to be built on the site of the local Asda, kicked into the long grass. However, in spite of these attempts by residents to curb development, the opening of the new Elizabeth Line Station in Canary Wharf has led to increased footfall, although the its effect on housing demand is still open to speculation.