Who knows the Docklands best? The people who live there! Discover the best places to live in London Docklands according to the residents who have watched it evolve. With hundreds of millions of pounds continually being invested in the area’s regeneration, there’s more reason than ever to take a look.
The 10 best places to live in London Docklands – according to residents
Our list of the best places to live in London Docklands is made up of the 10 developments with the highest star ratings from our reviewers. Click on any of the listed developments below to see a breakdown of exactly how residents rate them. You can also read the full list of reviews.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how many reviews a scheme has and how recently those reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. Buildings with a larger number of more recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Number one in London’s Docklands area is 30 Harbord Square. This rental development a selection of affordable studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments at 30 Harbord Square in Canary Wharf. Every apartment has been designed to a high-specification and all residents benefit from waterside views of the Thames or westwards towards Canary Wharf. Residents can discover Canary Wharf’s latest neighbourhood, Wood Wharf, and a buzzing residential community set within acres of parks, overlooking the O2 and Greenwich.
Read reviews and details of 30 Harbord Square, E14Residents at second-placed Sailmakers’ say they enjoy the great views, convenient location and wide range of facilities on offer, including pool, gym, pool tables, quiet areas, terraces and more. Situated within Harbour Central on the Isle of Dogs, Sailmakers’ is within 5 minutes’ walk of the DLR and less than a 10-minute walk from the heart of Canary Wharf.
Read reviews and details of Sailmakers, E14In third, named after renowned botanist Nathanial Bagshaw Ward, Wardian London is a unique residential development from EcoWorld and Ballymore, and designed by Glenn Howells. The development offers one and two-bedroom apartments and a collection of suites, all close to Canary Wharf’s Jubilee line, DLR, Thames Clipper services and London City Airport. Residents routinely give top scores for the development’s design, complimenting the architecture, interior design and added touches such as the fresh flowers on display in the communal areas.
Read reviews and details of Wardian London, E14 The Liberty Building is a residential development from Telford Homes, It features one, two and three-bedroom apartments and a penthouse. There are 155 units here (30% affordable) in a trio of ‘cluster’ towers that dominate the Canary Wharf skyline. Also, residents will have access to enviable transport links to the City, Stratford and the West […]
Read reviews and details of The Liberty Building, E14 Manhattan Plaza is a collection of one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments from Telford Homes. Set in Canary Wharf, it is close to the area’s Jubilee and DLR services. Also, the 02 Arena is easy to get to. In addition, booming Stratford is nearby, home to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East Village and the […]
Read reviews and details of Manhattan Plaza, E14 Newfoundland is the tallest build-to-rent building in London and a new iconic addition to Canary Wharf. Rising 58 storeys above the River Thames, it offers carefully designed apartments for rent with expansive views of the City or the Estate. VERTUS+ provides residents with access to amenity spaces, a curated events programme, and perks from Canary […]
Read reviews and details of Newfoundland, E14Our seventh London Docklands development is 10 George Street, which rises 37 storeys above Canary Wharf’s new district, Wood Wharf. There are 327 ultramodern apartments available, all overlooking waterside gardens and boardwalks below. In addition, residents have exclusive access to “Club Vertus.” This includes access to a 24/7 gym studio, self-service bar, private dining room and lounge which opens out onto a large, south-facing terrace. Residents love this mix of exceptional on-site facilities and easy access to the thriving Canary Wharf scene.
Read reviews and details of 10 George Street, E14Taking eighth place, Baltimore Wharf is a mixed-use development from Galliard Homes, comprising residential units, retail outlets and a luxury hotel. There are 1-2-bedroom apartments, premium duplexes and penthouses on offer here. The development is moments from the Crossharbour DLR Station and Canary Wharf is less than a 10-minute walk away.
Read reviews and details of Baltimore Wharf, E14Ability Place takes ninth position, and residents say that there’s everything you need on your doorstep, from the on-site spa and gym to the great mix of local restaurants, playgrounds and shops. All of this is backed up by solid transport links in the form of the nearby Jubilee Line link via Canary Wharf and the extensive bus network connections.
Read reviews and details of Ability Place, E14Our final spot goes to New Union Wharf, a development in the heart of a vibrant riverside community on the Isle of Dogs. The scheme provides a mix of apartments and maisonettes arranged around shared podium courtyards. Additionally, most of the units here have views across the River Thames.
Read reviews and details of New Union Wharf, E14Where are the Docklands in London?
The London Docklands constitute nine square miles of riverfront, ranging across the diverse boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Newham, and Greenwich. It was one of the worst poverty-stricken areas of the capital in the 1980s. But, thanks to 30 years of urban regeneration efforts, they are completely renovated and revitalised. This multi-decade effort has really changed the Docklands’ fortunes for the better.
What happened to London Docklands?
Seeing beyond the derelict sprawl, private investors and successive government initiatives have turned wasted land into thriving communities. Today, you can see the carefully planned blending of the old and new. Neighbourhoods like Canary Wharf, the Isle of Dogs, Limehouse, Wapping and Woolwich have created beautiful cityscapes of modern architecture, while at the same time retaining much of their historical roots and charm.
What’s it like to live in London Docklands?
The Docklands are constantly changing, as expansion projects and ongoing property development build on previous successes. Currently, the area offers a quieter, laid-back riverside lifestyle, but with plenty to keep you occupied.
There’s a thriving cafe, bar and restaurant scene, with a slightly more relaxed nightlife offering. You can also find good schools aplenty here, with more on the way. Fortunately, transport links are also steadily improving, with the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) undergoing ambitious expansion plans.
This makes the area most appealing to families and young professionals. With a widening range of properties available at appealing prices, solid commuter links and plenty of local colour, the London Docklands are attracting new residents with increasing confidence.
What are average property prices in London Docklands like in 2023?
At the time of writing (October 2023), the average selling price for London Docklands property is around £559,000. This is according to Zoopla’s latest sales data. There isn’t a vast price range either – flats go for about £531,000 while semi-detached and detached properties have averages of £707,000 and £793,000 respectively.
Simply put, London Docklands is an expensive, desirable area that still has a serious upward trajectory on property prices. You’re not going to find cheap options here, but there may be cost-effective and competitively priced properties for those with a careful, patient approach.
Interested in knowing more about how the TFL expansion plans will affect the London Docklands? Click here. We also have guides to the best places to live in Canary Wharf and other East London areas.
HomeViews provides verified resident reviews of the UK’s housing developments. We’re working with developers, landlords and the Government to recognise high performers and help to improve standards in the built environment.
