Docklands is the semi-official name for an area of former dockyard complexes along the River Thames. The area lies mainly on the north bank of the Thames and stretches through several east London boroughs, covering (from west to east) St Katharine Docks, London Docks, Limehouse Basin, Surrey Quays, West India and Millwall Docks, East India Docks and the Royal Docks.

Large-scale development during the 1980s and 1990s transformed the Docklands into the thriving business centre it is today, whilst also making it an increasingly appealing area to live in (its’ population has more than doubled in the last 20 years).

The Docklands’ most distinguishing feature is Canary Wharf, which has established itself as a second major financial centre in London and become one of Europe’s biggest clusters of skyscrapers, containing Britain’s tallest building.

While most of the docks themselves are now used for marinas or watersports centres, much of the area’s disused land is still being developed for housing and commerce, and the continued success of the Docklands redevelopment has also prompted several future development schemes.