Walking with family: London Bridge to St Katharine Docks... and beyond

Sunday September 29, 2024.

With the Metropolitan line completely closed and the London Overground (Lioness line) not going beyond Finsbury Park, uncle Martin, Keilyn and I took the 09:24 fast train from Watford Junction to Euston, then a Northern line, via Bank, to London Bridge.

From here we crossed Tooley Street and took the stairs down to the Contorted Tunnel, which would lead us to Hay's Galleria.

Our first stop was Café Piazza, where we sat and had hot drinks. Vanilla latte, for me, Cappuccino, for Martin and a Hot Chocolate with cream and mini marshmallows for Keilyn.

Suitably refreshed we headed out of Hay's Galleria and headed to HMS Belfast.

With tickets in hand we boarded this historic vessel and begun our exploration. Our first surprise was seeing a German Navy Corvette-class ship, named Magdeburg, moored on her port side.

Across nine decks we clambered, exploring every inch of the ship that was open. The boiler room and one of the gun turrets were closed for maintenance. 

We made our way from the Quarter deck towards the Fo'c'sle, before we headed up the decks sitting in the Admiral's chair, the Captain and Navigating Officer chairs, before reaching the Flag deck.

Then we headed down to visit the Mess decks, Sick bay, the Galley, the Engine room, the Chapel, Operations room, the Lower steering position, Gun turret and everything in-between.

Two and a half hours later we disembarked HMS Belfast and stopped for some lunch from one of the street vendors, that had setup along The Queen's Walk.

Dunkirk Little Ships at St Katharine Docks and Marina

Dunkirk Little Ships at St Katharine Docks and Marina.

Saturday May 25, 2024.

With the anniversary of the start of 'Operation Dynamo', this weekend, some of the 'Little Ships of Dunkirk' had made their way to St Katharine Docks and Marina, allowing visitors to get up close to these historic vessels.

Some of the historic Dunkirk Little Ships.

It was a beautiful summer morning as we walked around the Docks and Marina, inspecting these small boats that, 84 years ago, had made their way from Ramsgate to Dunkirk to help in the evacuation of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers. 

A 'Dunkirk 1940' commemorative plaque.

Each boat was in pristine condition and each had its own story to tell, with information boards and owners and crew ready and willing to share the stories of the vessels.

Dunkirk Little Ship 'Lady Lou'.

'Lady Lou' is one of four surviving pre-war Ramparts and was built in 1936.

St Katharine Docks & Marina

St Katharine Docks & Marina

St Katharine Docks Marina is a fascinating place to wander through when taking a walk along the north bank, and makes for the perfect starting or finishing point. As from here you can walk to Hermitage Basin, on to the Ornamental Canal and Tobacco Dock and finally Shadwell Basin, returning via the Thames Path or continuing east towards Limehouse Basin and Canary Wharf.

Looking towards St Katharine Docks & Marina from the Ornamental Canal.

Anyway, St Katharine Docks & Marina begins directly east of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The entire area has been redeveloped over the recent decades and this once bustling dock is now filled with a hotel, offices, lavish apartments, a historic public house, cafes, restaurants and a marina.

The 18th century Dickens Inn.

The Marina is home to yachts, barges, small boats and on occasion the Rowbarge 'Gloriana' can be seen here, along with other visiting vessels.

Rowbarge 'Gloriana'.

'The Dickens Inn'

Dickensian.

It was while strolling around St Katharine Dock and Marina that I spotted this beautiful old converted warehouse. Intrigued by its name, and style, I decided to find out more about this fascinating building.