Canary Wharf boasts some of the most unique attractions in London, alongside an exciting nightlife. The district is most proud of its burgeoning skyline. Canary Wharf pairs its striking skyline with gorgeous parks and gardens, such as the lovely Jubilee Park, ideal for a leisurely stroll.
Dive into the Museum of London Docklands, devoted to the area’s rich maritime history. If you’re looking to do a little shopping, make your way to the luxury retailers and shops at Canada Place. Food lovers will appreciate waterfront dining at restaurants with a variety of global cuisine.
The colorful atmosphere applies to temporary art installations and seasonal activities, ensuring no two visits are the same. With river views, cultural spots, and plenty of leisure options, Canary Wharf balances urban energy with inviting spaces to unwind.
1. Explore the Iconic One Canada Square
One Canada Square is a beautiful example of cutting edge modern architecture. It’s a massive presence at 770 feet tall, topped off with its famous pyramid-shaped roof. The original building built on the back of the redevelopment of Canary Wharf, it stands tall and proud on the skyline. It’s a striking combination of contemporary and post-Fordist architecture.
Its iconic, shimmering façade of stainless steel and glass is hard to miss. Whether you’re an architecture buff or just looking to learn more, the building’s ambitious design makes it a must-see on its own.
If you’re an idealist looking for stunning views, the observation deck offers an amazing perspective of London’s skyline. Marvel at panoramic views of the River Thames and the city’s impressive skyline from here. Enjoy seeing the neighborhood from a whole new angle!
It’s a beautiful place for photos, so be sure to bring your camera along. The area around One Canada Square pulses with activity. It’s surrounded by other iconic, sleek, office buildings, public spaces, activated livable street, restaurants, stations and office buildings.
Whether you need to grab a quick meal or want to enjoy Richmond’s thriving cafe culture, there’s plenty to discover right around town. It’s the combination of workspaces and leisure spaces that makes this place feel like a thriving, bustling environment that’s truly alive and inviting.
Guided tours of the building provide an additional layer of context to your visit. These tours provide a rare glimpse of the interior along with an introduction to the skyscraper’s history and its role in establishing Canary Wharf’s legacy.
Learn about its construction and the unforgettable events it has welcomed. Join us as we discover why it has become such a critical piece of London’s character. No wonder over 90% of occupants give top marks to the building’s amenities— form follows function here, and its reputation is much more than skin deep!
2. Stroll Through Jubilee Park
Jubilee Park doubles as a lovely peaceful escape and a great way to see the other side of Canary Wharf. The park has plenty of room to explore, with landscaped gardens and a gorgeous 23-pool cascading water feature. Combined, they offer a uniquely soothing oasis from the frenetic avenues below. The music of the rushing water adds to the peacefulness.
Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll or relax at the end of a long day, it’s an ideal spot. The park’s open design and lush greenery are refreshing. It’s the ideal getaway for anyone looking to relax away from the energy of the city.
During the year, Jubilee Park is home to seasonal events and festivals that fill the space with an infectious energy from local culture. In late spring, you’ll walk through colorful food markets. During the winter months, the park is adorned with holiday decorations, filling the air with warmth and cheer and making each visit memorable.
These events are a great opportunity to engage with the community. So, dive in and get a taste of the area’s colorful and inventive culture!
As a bonus, for anyone who wants a more relaxed evening, the park is a lovely spot to have a picnic or just hang out before the show. Plan to kick back on the lawn with friends or pick up a coffee at the park’s adjacent café. The peaceful setting encourages you to linger.
You’ll love how much tranquil time you can spend, reading a book or just taking in the nature around you. In the summer months, the park is open until 9 PM. All of this combined makes it a wonderful place to enjoy the evening atmosphere!
Art enthusiasts will enjoy the public art installations found throughout the space. These quirky statues make your walk more colorful, and provide some great photo ops! Not to mention, the picturesque views over at Canary Wharf’s skyline make for the most beautiful picture perfect backdrop!
Getting there Jubilee Park is reachable by public transit. With more than 7 in 10 visitors calling it the area’s top attraction, it’s a must-see stop.
3. Visit the Museum of London Docklands
Enter the Museum of London Docklands! Get lost in one of the largest collections of Thames and Docklands maritime history. The exhibitions are designed to treat you to buzz with amazing information. They reveal how these waterways have shaped trade patterns, cultures, and everyday life in London, making it one of the most popular places for tourists.
From scale models of historic ships to preserved artifacts, there’s so much to discover about how the area transformed over centuries. A new permanent gallery recreating a 19th-century dockside neighborhood makes the city’s widely known Sailortown one of its most vibrant attractions, much like the lively atmosphere found in the nearby breakfast pub.
The museum houses an incredible collection of artifacts that illuminate the stories of London’s waterways. Items like navigational tools, shipping ledgers, and cargo fragments provide insight into the lives of those who worked along the docks, similar to the bustling quays and riverside pubs that line the area.
There are personal stories artfully woven into the exhibits, adding a human touch to the historical narrative. You’ll come out of this place armed with a complete sense of the reality. More importantly, you’ll understand how those facts actually affect people’s lives in places like Canary Wharf, where modern dining spaces and clubs thrive.
For families, the museum provides hands-on activities and workshops that help bring history to life and are enjoyable for everyone. For children, hands-on interactive displays or workshops immerse them with what life on the docks was like, creating a fun experience akin to a boozy brunch menu at a local café.
Dive in to get creative, by making or finding mudlarks gallery. These activities will engage and delight younger visitors and inspire them to learn something new!
Further enriching the experience, the museum is located in a former sugar warehouse — built in 1802 — which adds to the history and culture. The space’s original wooden beams and brick walls add to the rustic charm, making the museum space a unique home for the exhibits, much like a charming terrace at a popular Canary Wharf restaurant.
It’s a unique opportunity to learn about history while immersed in it.
4. Dine at Canary Wharf’s Riverside Restaurants
Canary Wharf’s riverside restaurants cook up amazing food — all day long. They just happen to have some of the best views of the Thames, making for an unbeatable dining experience. From relaxed brunches to buzzing dinner dates, find your perfect match at popular places like the breakfast club.
If you’re looking for Southern-style BBQ, look no further than Big Easy, where colorful decor and live music are the norm. It’s a great spot to enjoy hearty ribs, smoked brisket, and other comfort foods while soaking in the lively vibes of this vibrant Canary Wharf restaurant.
Want something a little less traditional? At Market Halls Cargo, you can enjoy the finest gourmet street food while soaking up breathtaking canal views—all in an open-plan, industrial-style setting. From sushi to noodles, handmade pasta to burgers, there’s something to cure every craving at this bustling street food stalls venue.
Canary Wharf riverside restaurants – Gaucho. Gaucho Canary is one of the most sophisticated riverside restaurants in London. Their menu features some of the best cooked steaks in the capital and a wine cellar to match.
For traditional Italian cuisine, Amerigo Vespucci is the place to go. They have 20 years experience behind their belt. Specializing in British classics, they offer an intimate but luxurious dining experience, all whilst sitting next to the river.
Royal China is renowned for its freshly made Dim Sum. It is really the ideal place to escape the hustle and have a more casual but still very tasty lunch.
Weekend diners can enjoy bottomless brunches available at many venues, a relaxed way to enjoy a long meal with friends. The Marina Café is a great place to escape the bustle for breakfast with warm drinks and delicious café snacks that will fuel your day.
Alternatively, Nakhon Thai presents dynamic, fragrant dishes, prepared with minimal ingredients, including fish, herbs and rice, bursting with clean flavors in a stunning atmosphere.
Whether it’s handcrafted gelato or an evening at a jazz club, Canary Wharf’s dining scene offers so many unique touches. Every meal feels special here, thanks to the mix of flavors, views, and inviting spaces across the Canary Wharf activities landscape.
5. Experience the Canary Wharf Shopping Mall
Whether you’re a shopaholic or a foodie, Canary Wharf Shopping Mall has a phenomenal variety of retail, restaurant, and entertainment venues that will tantalize you. For shoppers, they benefit from having a myriad of choices. Whether its luxury brands like Tiffany & Co. Or high-street favorites like Zara, they have options.
For a unique experience, don’t miss Crossrail Place. It features attractive independent boutiques and lively market stalls. This gives it a warm, personal, and almost village-like shopping atmosphere that is hard to find at most malls. On a spending spree or simply window shopping, you’ll discover plenty to appreciate in this vibrant retail center.
Food lovers will find plenty to delight them in the mall’s array of restaurants. From cute cafés to fancy restaurants, there is more than enough to keep you fed all day long. Pick up a pint at The Gun. Enjoy a quick caffeine fix at Notes!
If you’re just getting peckish, indulge in some of the most creative Japanese fare at Roka. The sheer variety allows you to easily transform a shopping excursion into a day of exploration and feasting. Canary Wharf hosts pop-up food markets, which makes the whole experience even better.
The mall doesn’t stop there, as it continues to provide amazing special events, holiday displays, and promotions throughout the year. With more than 100 art events annually, the art scene keeps this community vibrant and creative. With 60 permanent works of art throughout, the neighbourhood really does feel like an enormous open air gallery.
Sports screenings, seasonal events, and even the London Marathon celebrations add an extra layer of buzz. Whether it’s an art installation or live entertainment, there’s always something new to discover.
That makes getting here a breeze, with superb transport connections. With fast connections from central London, the new Elizabeth Line has made Canary Wharf more accessible than ever. It’s well served by buses and the DLR (Docklands Light Railway). Don’t worry about the work commute.
Conclusion
Canary Wharf is a modern success story, fusing innovative attractions with a rich history. From the monumental One Canada Square to serene Jubilee Park, there’s literally never a bad view. The Museum of London Docklands transports visitors back to see the area’s vibrant history. At the same time, the riverside restaurants continue to dazzle diners with fabulous cuisine and stunning panoramas. Retail here is the opposite, a little of everything from flagships to one of a kind finds.
So whether you’re discovering, unwinding or treating, Canary Wharf has so much more to offer. It’s an intersection of age and era, where ultra-modern life meets old-world charm. Explore our guide to visiting London’s Canary Wharf and find out what makes this unexpected enclave of London so unique. So don’t lose out on having an amazing experience in Canary Wharf.