The Cruise Route: Section 54-74
Please note: Attractions in blue type are not visable from the River.
From Westminster Bridge:
54. Canary Wharf (DLR)
Canary
Wharf and other new developments on this 70 acre site, formerly the West
India Docks, are one of the largest civil engineering projects ever under-taken.
Startling and innovative architecture have made the area a bustling new
financial centre, complete with shops, restaurants and new residential complexes.
At 800ft (240m) the tower at Canary Wharf (One Canada Square) is the tallest
building in Britain. A walk down Blood Alley among the old warehouses gives
excellent views. Cabot Square offers an impressive range of shops, bars
and restaurants.
55. New Billingsgate
57. Mudchute (DLR)
For a real contrast, visit Mudchute City Farm with sheep, cattle, horses,
pigs and other animals.
58. Burrells Wharf (DLR Island Gardens)
In the mid 18th century, the first iron ship built on the Thames was built
here. But it was Brunels masterpiece, the 680 ft (207m) long Great Eastern
which made the wharf famous. She was four times the size of the next largest
ship in service and had to be launched sideways into the river, where the
hull immediately got stuck in the mud. Now the site of a residential development,
evidence of the original dry dock still exists.
59. Island Gardens (DLR)
At DLRs final stop, you can enjoy the superb views of Greenwich as seen
by Canaletto in 1750. Island Gardens is connected to Greenwich town centre
and Greenwich Pier by a Foot Tunnel built in 1902, with lifts at each end.
60. Gipsy Moth IV
The yacht in which Sir Francis Chichester in 1966-67 became the first person
to sail single-handed around the world.
61. Cutty Sark
"The world's last Tea Clipper". Launched in 1869 for the China
tea trade and now the last of the great tea clippers, she is berthed in
dry dock and is open to the public. The Cutty Sark is the first preserved
ship open to the public worldwide since Golden Hinde was exhibited in Deptford
in 1580.
62. Royal Naval College
Wren, John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor all had a hand in constructing
these buildings on the site of the old Tudor Palace of Placentia. The Chapel
and Dining Hall, known as the Painted Hall, are the only parts of the College
open to the public. Completed in 1712 the painted ceiling of the Hall is
one of the most magnificent in Europe.
63. Crafts Market
64. St Alfeges Church
Dedicated
to Alfege, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was martyred on this site. This
church was started in 1714 by Hawksmoor, and was the first of fifty ordered
by Queen Anne.
65. Antique Market
66. National Maritime Museum
Britains seafaring history displayed in an impressive modern museum including
the new Neptune gallery. Features on Explorers, Passenger Liners, the Empire,
20th-century Sea Power and a major exhibition on Nelson. The All Hands childrens
gallery teaches nautical skills. Imaginative use of videos and interactive
alongside unique and facinating artefacts, ship models and superb paintings.
67. The Queen's House
Closed for restoration until December 1999. Designed by Inigo Jones,
it was completed in 1635 and is the earliest English building in the
Classical style.
68. Royal Observatory Greenwich
Founded by King Charles II in 1675, Flamsteed House was designed by
Wren as a home for the Astronomer Royal. The Prime Meridian of Longitude
00 was fixed here in 1884 and it is possible to stand astride this line
with one foot in both the Western and Eastern hemispheres simultaneously.
Atop the Observatory is the time-ball, which drops precisely at 1pm
each day. This provided the first public time signal in 1833 and Greenwich
Mean Time is still used as a time reference throughout the world.
69. The Fan Museum
Discover the delicate art and mystery of the fan, it's 'secret' language
and history, in this, the world's only museum devoted to the subject.
70. Planetarium
71. Ranger's House
Built in 1700 for Admiral Francis Hosier who died of fever on the Spanish
Main. It was the official home of the Ranger of Greenwich Royal Park from
1815. The house, maintained by English Heritage now provides a spectacular
setting for the flamboyant Suffolk collection of Jacobean portraits.
72. Trafalgar Tavern
Built in 1837 and famous as a riverside resort for London's citizens. Dickens
set the wedding breakfast in Our Mutual Friend here and until 1883 it was
noted as a political meeting place. One of the areas most popular pubs,
it was the winner of the Evening Standard 1996 Pub of the Year Award.
73. Millenium Exhibition Site (The Dome)
74. Thames Barrier
London's principal defence against the increasingly high flood tides. It became
operational in November 1982 and had to be closed to safeguard London
just 12 weeks later in February 1983. The visitor centre has an audio-visual
display showing the history of the Barrier project and its workings.
75. Greenwich
Pier showing domed foot tunnel entrance in foreground. Click
here for more info
76. Millwall Dock and Glengall Bridge
77. Canary Wharf from Royal Naval College
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