Route Developer: David Thompson
Route Checker: Kate Harding & Mary Pearson
Note: Limehouse DLR station has been extended and there is an additional entrance to the east of Branch Road which is not shown on this map but which is referred to in the walk description. Also the Limehouse Link is completely underground and not visible at any point during this walk.
[1] From the DLR entrance in Branch Road, walk along Branch Road with the DLR behind you and Ratcliffe Lane across the road to your right . Cross the side road with care as this is uncontrolled. Once on the other side turn immediately left towards the dock, walking between the bollards on your left and blue pillars on the right.
To the left is a brick viaduct, now used by the DLR but first opened in 1840 as part of the London and Blackwall Railway running from Fenchurch Street to Blackwall. This was one of London's earliest railways which was unusual in that it was originally powered by eight stationary steam engines which pulled trains using up to 14 miles of hemp rope, rather than locomotives.
[2] On reaching the water, turn right.
(A) This is Limehouse Basin which was opened in 1820 as the principal entrance from the Thames to the national canal network. It was important in the supply of coal to the numerous gasworks and electricity generating stations along Regent's Canal. There are more details on information boards around the Basin. Look out for various birds on the water.
Continue to follow the path around the Basin past the white pillars and then keeping the timber fencing on your right. Pass some modern blocks of flats with glass fronted balconies and greenery. At the end of the timber fencing, bear right and then immediately left up a gentle slope towards a glass-fronted estate agent on a prominent corner. There is a ramp which can be used to turn the next left hand corner and continue by the water.
[3] At the large metal gates on the left, fronting the water (these form the entrance to Limehouse Marina), turn right to avoid a set of steps at the next corner. Turn right alongside a channel which leads to the River Thames, just beyond the road bridge ahead. Before the road bridge, there are two pedestrian bridges across a lock. (The maximum width of these pedestrian bridges is 102cm.) Use either of these bridges to cross the water unless the lock is in use, in which case only one bridge will be open. In the unlikely event that both bridges are shut, there is no alternative route across the lock and you will need to retrace your steps to return to the school.
[4] Turn left after the bridge to continue the walk around the Basin. (No barriers between the broad path and the water). At the signpost, pass underneath a pedestrian bridge (marked 9) which is only accessible by the steps on the right. Canary Wharf and the pyramid on the top of 1 Canada Square are visible directly ahead. Immediately before the next pedestrian bridge, turn right away from the water following sign to Thames Path and up a gentle slope into a small park called Ropemakers Field.
[5] From the cross roads in the paths where a sign to the left indicates Commercial Road, there is a short (1/4 mile) optional extension to St Anne's Church with some short cobbled stretches.
To take the extension to St Anne's Church: carry straight on at the cross roads in the paths and take the next path on the right which leads to a gate out of Ropemakers Field. Turn immediately left towards a children’s play area to follow the path as it runs alongside the Limehouse Cut. The path (slightly uneven surface) takes you under the DLR viaduct onto a paved path which bends right to reach Newell Street. Directly opposite is St Anne's Passage, a narrow cobbled street which ends at the west gates to St Anne's Church. To cross Newell Street, turn left to find the drop curb and then cross diagonally to the opposite drop curb and follow the pavement around to the left and the church. The gates may look closed but are usually unlocked.
(B) St Anne's Church was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and consecrated in 1730. A pyramid originally planned to be put atop the tower now stands in the graveyard.
You may walk in the churchyard to the left but you will need to retrace your steps (as a bollard to the right may make wheelchair passage difficult, however the other gates are not always open so you will need to return to the west gate to exit. To return to the main route, recross Newell Street and follow the path as it curves left, under the DLR viaduct turning into Ropemakers Field via the gate and continuing to the crossroads in the path.
[6] To continue on the main route, turn left (or right if you have taken the extension) following the sign to Commercial Road. This leads across the pedestrian bridge over one of the maritime exits from Limehouse Basin called Limehouse Cut.
(C) Limehouse Cut was built in 1766 to create a short cut between the River Thames and the River Lee (or Lea) and avoid having to navigate around the Isle of Dogs.
After the bridge, head towards the blue DLR viaduct, taking care as this section is partly used as a car park. Do not go under the DLR. Instead turn left towards the Limehouse Gallery.
[7 ]After passing the Gallery, a strange tower comes into view on the other side of the viaduct. This is an accumulator tower. It was built in 1869 and used to store water which provided the hydraulic power for the cranes and locks in Limehouse Basin. A board on the left provides more information.
Continue straight ahead parallel to the viaduct ignoring the broad ramp on the right but continuing to follow this road (Basin Approach) taking care as there may be occasional vehicular traffic. When the road turns right (to pass under the viaduct), our route carries straight ahead instead. Shortly, there is a ramp to the left of some steps leading down to the water. Take the ramp and turn right at the bottom to reach a pedestrian bridge. Beware the steel girders embedded in the cobbles at the beginning of the bridge.
[8] Cross the bridge (beware of cyclists). The first lock of Regent's Canal, another waterway exit from Limehouse Basin; can be seen on the right. The path continues directly ahead after the bridge across a broad piazza. Move to the left at the far end to keep a row of bollards on the right and avoid walking in the roadway. Turn right when you reach Branch Road to Limehouse DLR station.