Here’s where to spend the summer
First developed as part of London’s docklands to handle timber imports from Canada and northern Europe, the area was revived in the 1980s after their closure with low-rise residential and retail properties (as well as being home of one of the world’s best-known cultural venues, Printworks London). Now, Canada Water is undergoing another redevelopment, and this time it’s becoming the most exciting new town centre in London.
Spearheaded by British Land and AustralianSuper, the 53-acre neighbourhood will feature around 3,000 new homes (available to move in this autumn at The Founding); about 2 million sq ft of workspace; over 1 million sq ft of retail, leisure and education amenities; and 12 new acres of public space, including a park and a town square the same size as Leicester Square. All of that is complemented by great connectivity from the Windrush and Jubilee lines.
Canada Water is one of the greenest areas in central London with 130 acres of open space to explore. Canada Dock, once a hub of trade as part of the Surrey Commercial Docks, has been transformed into a thriving wetland with places to stroll, including the new red boardwalk Rafter Walk; spots to picnic out in nature; and areas to enjoy waterside busking.
Nearby Russia Dock Woodland, bursting with wildflowers and waterways, is also a wildlife haven and is home to around 160 species of birds. There’s another lake and ornamental gardens to enjoy in the 63-acre Grade II-listed Southwark Park, plus sporting facilities and even an art gallery.
If you want to get your heart rate up, you can play a game of padel at one of the four new courts in Canada Water; take on a climbing challenge at bouldering venue The Arch; and dive into watersports like kayaking, windsurfing, open water swimming and paddleboarding at Surrey Quays Watersports Centre. If spectating is more your speed, an outdoor screen is showing all the summer sporting action live (plus a programme of films for all ages).
Looking to unwind? Kick back with craft beers, fire-cooked food and music at Pacific Tavern, a tropical take on a gastropub. Back at the dockside, Corner Corner, managed by Broadwick London (the same team behind Printworks London and Dock X, where the upcoming Titanic exhibition will soon open its doors), also has a live jazz and DJ programme, alongside a bar serving creative cocktails and street food curated by KERB. There’s also the immersive Minecraft Experience next door!
You can enjoy all of that – and more – this summer at Canada Water, but there’s still plenty to come in the autumn for both fitness fanatics and foodies alike. State-of-the-art Canada Water Leisure Centre, opening 1st September, will feature a 25-metre eight lane pool, a gym, fitness studios and a multi-court sports hall. Modern izakaya Sushi Revolution will be expanding into the area bringing sushi, sake and cocktails, and Rotherhithe locals Matt Lloyd and Tze-May Ng, who run The Pear Tree in SE8, will be opening day-to-night restaurant concept The Village Tree.
