Lady’s Exciting Guide to St Katharine Docks, London

Want to explore somewhere different in London? Head to St Katharine Docks. This marina by Tower Bridge and the Tower of London is a world apart from the rest of the city in terms of both look and feel. Tucked away in its own self-contained area, its sea of masts and maze of footbridges makes it seem like it’s on the sea. If you’re curious, read on for A Lady in London’s guide to St Katharine Docks.

St Katharine Docks

Central London’s only marina, St Katharine Docks is full of old sailing ships and modern yachts. Red phone boxes give it a uniquely London feel, while modern buildings make it feel a million miles away from the UK capital.

This mix is one of the things that attracts me to the area and keeps me coming back.

I love that 18th-century pubs sit side-by-side with contemporary architecture, and that everywhere I go I’m crossing a bridge or watching a historic ship go by.

How to Get to St Katharine Docks

St. Katharine Docks is easily accessible via a number of transport methods.

The most obvious is the Underground. The area is a short, scenic walk from the Tower Hill tube station. There are great views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge along the way.

You can also get here by DLR, boat, bus, train, bike, or car. The Tower Gateway DLR station is close by, and St Katharine Pier is served by a number of riverboats along the Thames.

Buses stop all around the area, and there are a lot of parking options if you want to drive.

If you’re coming by train, London Bridge, Fenchurch Street, and Liverpool Street stations are within a 15-minute walk, and Wapping High Street and Shadwell Overground stations are nearby.

St Katharine Docks is also easy to reach on foot or bike from Tower Hill, the City of London, Wapping, City Hall, and other areas.

History of the Area

Once you arrive, you’ll start to see the layers of history in this part of London.

Designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, St Katharine Docks originally opened in 1828 as a commercial dock on the site of a 12th-century hospital called St Katharine’s by the Tower.

Never incredibly successful, its lack of ability to accommodate large modern ships and bomb damage in World War II combined to serve as the dock’s death knell. It was officially closed in 1968.

St Katharine Docks was subsequently leased to developers and many of the original warehouses were replaced by modern buildings between the 1970s and the 1990s.

The docks themselves were converted into the marina we know today.

In recent years, restaurants, pubs, markets, and more have put the area on the map as an exciting place to eat, drink, and explore.

Things to Do in St Katharine Docks

So what is there to do in St Katharine Docks? A lot, in fact. From exploring the marina to taking in the views and indulging in food and attractions, this London neighborhood packs a lot into a relatively small area.

One of my favorite things to do in St Katharine Docks is walk around the marina and take in the scene.

Outdoor tables fill the walkways on the waterfront, and narrow footbridges offer great vantage points for seeing the the ships and boats on the water.

Wide squares full of cobblestones are fun places to relax, and the riverfront has some of the city’s best views of Tower Bridge.

There are also quirky attractions in the area, including the Medieval Banquet. I was skeptical before I went, but it turns out it’s a lot of fun if you get into the spirit.

Where to Eat and Drink

St Katharine Docks has no shortage of places to eat and drink, either. A lot of them are the usual chain restaurants, which is the one disappointing thing about the area.

But there are a few independent gems hidden around the marina, and they make eating and drinking here worthwhile.

When it comes to pubs in St Katharine Docks, The Dickens Inn is hard to beat.

Set in a restored 18th-century timber-frame brewery, it has loads of character and great outdoor seating for sunny days. Its flower-fronted facade makes it one of the prettiest riverside pubs in London, too.

As far as cafes go, White Mulberries is a favorite. This independent coffee shop is housed in the 19th-century Ivory House, the only original warehouse still standing in St Katharine Docks.

The cafe does coffee, cake, and light food in a space filled with murals and offering views across the marina.

St Katharine Docks Markets

Speaking of food, there are also great markets in St Katharine Docks. Weekly food markets fill the area’s open spaces with stalls selling all kinds of prepared foods.

On Thursday and Friday afternoons, a KERB street food market takes over Marble Quay in St Katharine Docks.

An ever-changing mix of vendors sells African fusion jollof boxes, Caribbean jerk chicken, Filipino barbecue, Taiwanese lunch boxes, Japanese bowls, Vietnamese banh mi, and other global favorites.

The diverse set of stalls keeps things lively at this market on the riverside near The Tower hotel.

St Katharine Docks Events

There are also events in St Katharine Docks throughout the year. The marina regularly serves as the starting point for regattas and round-the-world yacht races.

Additionally, the Classic Boat Festival takes place every September in association with the Totally Thames Festival. This is a great opportunity to climb on board over 40 boats and enjoy live music, activities, and food and drink offerings.

Where to Stay

If you want to stay in the area, The Tower hotel in St Katharine Docks is just the place. This riverfront hotel is not only conveniently located right on the marina, but also offers views of Tower Bridge and The Shard.

It’s a great place to stay if you want to be near the Tower of London and the Thames, too.

St Katharine Docks, London

With so much going on, there are a lot of reasons to come to St Katharine Docks and keep returning. I hope you enjoy this area as much as I do.

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