Discover the past,
present and future
of London’s
enigmatic
Royal Docks
Join Open City for a hybrid walking and cycling tour of the Royal Docks, one of east London’s most unique and ambitious regeneration zones
This fun and engaging tour led by expert guide Mike Althorpe — an urban historian, architectural researcher, educator and story teller — will explore this historic former docklands area which has been tipped for massive regeneration in recent decades.
The Royal Docks and surrounding area were constructed in the 1850s, and abandoned just over a century later. They have long been tipped as London’s next major regeneration opportunity.
Local landmarks include the WilkinsonEyre-designed Crystal which has recently been upgraded by Architecture 00 to provide a new home for London’s City Hall, the Excel exhibition centre, which was expanded by Grimshaw in 2010; and the competition-winning Royal Victoria Dock Bridge by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands.
Providing a fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to discover the city, this tour will explore the architecture and history of this unique 500 hectare landscape focusing on key upcoming developments which are set to further enhance the area for the benefit of all Londoners.
Meet: at the Landing Statue (at bottom of steps outside ExCel London, see photo in listing). Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway E16 1XL
End: Royal Albert Wharf, near to Gallions reach DLR
Duration: 2 hrs approx
Cost: £5.00 with support from GLA and the Royal Docks Team
Route: This tour has an Open City cycle tour difficulty rating of easy. Participants must be competent riders and bring their own bicycle.
Please note: Participants may have to carry their bikes at various stages in the walk, including up many flights of stairs. Please bring a bike lock with you.
Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
Meet the tour guide…
Mike Althorpe is an urban historian, architectural researcher, storyteller and guide 'The London Ambler' With a background in Fine Art and architectural history, between 2006 - 2009 Mike was part of architectural think tank Building Futures and from 2011-2015 was public programmes curator at the RIBA. Since 2016 he has worked with Karakusevic Carson Architects and in 2017 co-authored the practice-led book ‘Social Housing’ and curated the exhibition of the same name in London in 2017 and at New York’s Center for Architecture in 2018. In 2019 he was the recipient of RIBA Research Fund and published ‘Revolutionary Low Rise’ – a publication exploring international low rise, high density housing with Abigail Batchelor.
Mike has produced tours and walking events for five years with collaborators and clients including; Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), The Architecture Foundation, Northbank BID, AA Night School, the London Festival of Architecture, Grosvenor, The London Society and Facebook.