In the middle ages the East End was full of noxious trades that were banned from the city such as brewing, bleaching and vinegar making. Immigrant communities have lived here since the 17th century. It became an area of silk, textile and clothing industries and Jewish tailors and furriers set up workshops in the 1880’s.
Nowadays a good way to explore the East End is to visit on a Sunday and take in the sights together the numerous well stocked markets.
Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood is a toy museum with great displays of toys and dolls houses, these really fascinate today’s youngsters.
The Port of London was once the worlds greatest port and was the hub of global trade.
The name London Docklands was used for the first time in l971 but is now widely used.
Museum of Docklands gives an insight of the Docklands history from Roman times to the end of the 20th century. It is housed in a listed warehouse on West India Quay.
The area known as Docklands include the former dockyards of St. Katherines Dock and London Docks in Wapping, Regents Canal Dock, Surrey Commercial Docks, West India Docks, East India Docks and Royal Docks.
Between 1960 and 1980 the London docks were closed and unemployment was high, this led to poverty and social problems.
Plans to develop the area started immediately the dockyards closed but took ten years to pass the drawing board stage.
The building of the Docklands Light Railway connected the Docklands with the city making the area more accessible.
Some of the warehouses and wharves have been demolished other have been converted into apartments.
The new developments have caused friction amongst those who had already been living in the area giving them the feeling of being pushed out. The area is now one of the most diverse in London with new luxury apartments alongside run down housing estates.
All commercial river trade has been moved down the river to Tilbury although ships can and still do visit up the river as far as the docks.
Many of the docks are now used as marinas or waters sports centres.
Property to rent in the docklands has prices of around £240pw for a l bed flat and £265 for a 2 bed flat. 5 – 7 bed houses are also available from £550 - £695pw.
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