The Docklands encompasses quite a large area including Canary Wharf, Poplar and the Isle of Dogs. Descending into apparently terminal decay after World War II, billions of pounds has been invested in the area in the last few decades with the result that the Docklands is now one the largest financial centres in the world.

As the name suggests, The Docklands were once the landing / embarkation point for all things coming and going by ship from the British Empire.

An easy and obvious target for the German Luftwaffe during World War II, the Docklands (and much of East London) were bombed to pieces in the blitz and, for the decades between the forties and the eighties, remained a no-man's land of derelict warehouses, unexploded bombs and chemical waste. The place did make an excellent backdrop for seventies gangster movies but the only beings who could live there were the cockroaches and the Millwall supporters (Millwall is a football club whose supporters (slogan: 'nobody likes us; we don't care') are famously anti-social. The parallels between them and the cockroaches are probably no accident). For a good and succinct history of the Docklands see: http://www.canarywharf.com/history/historymainPag2.htm

Enter Margaret Thatcher, the Canadian run Olympia and York company, billions of dollars of taxpayer's money and you have the financial world's field of dreams: build it and they will come. The Docklands Light Railway was installed as well as an airport; billions of pounds worth of buildings were built... The docklands fortunes waxed and, well, mostly waned. The buildings remained largely empty until the 'big bang' of the late 80's when the financial markets were de-regulated. London rapidly found itself a world centre for financial activity with the action moving very quickly to Canary Wharf (that part of the Docklands where the big banks have their headquarters).

It was obvious that the large number of bankers / traders / hedge fund quantum arbritragers moving to London were going to need somewhere to live and, once again, billions of pounds were ploughed into the area in the form of lots of shiny new apartment buildings.

Living in the DockLands

Three years ago I was moving more people out of the docklands than I was moving in. The trouble when you erect so many buildings so quickly is that most of them are empty and there's something a bit creepy about living in large, empty buildings. Also, there weren't really any pubs or restaurants in the area so if you wanted to go out you had to go to Central London.

The tipping point has definitely been reached. The Docklands has become quite a desirable place to live with lots of people moving to the area, lots of new shops and so on. There is a water-sports activity centre where you can go canoeing and sailing and so on. You're minutes away from Canary Wharf via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

The buildings are very nice. They're spanking new and many have gyms, concierges, etc. Many overlook the Thames. I've moved people into these places on a sunny day and you'd think you were looking out over Sydney Harbour or something.

As in any place where everything is new, there's not much soul to the place but it's a fairly small price to pay for such nice living conditions.

(Click on listing title for photos and more information)

SPAREROOM.co.uk e14 Flatshare (available now)

Latest rooms for rent in e14 flat & house shares (search filter: Available now)

£625pcm, Isle of Dogs (E14): "Lovely Large Room - Near Canry Wharf" ALL BILLS INCLUDED Clubeasy are offering this lovely large double room in a newly refurbished contemporary 6 bedroom house share specifically designed to accommodate young working professionals, all rooms come fully furnished with good quality Ikea furnishings, communal living space with all mod cons, garden and a cleaner that comes every four weeks. All Bills are included and all our properties are close to transport, this property is located on Observatory Mews... £150pw, Canary Wharf (E14): "Great ensuit double room,bills inclusive,internet," A great massive size en- suit room in a very nice two levels house, (not council building), newly decorated, wooden floor throughout, nice double bed, huge build in wardrobe with huge mirror, wonderful for who has a lot stuff. IKEA designed furnitures, besides your own shower room and toilet, power shower, 24 hours hot water. there are another two modern toilets and one bathroom. nice big F/F kitchen with dinning table, oven, washing machine...everything you need in... £500pcm, Docklands (E14): "Double room near Canary Wharf, excellent views" We have a double room in our house becoming available at the end of March. About the house Its a 4-story townhouse with bedrooms bathrooms on the first two floors, kitchen/dining room/balcony above, then a large living room on the top floor. Situated on the bank of the thames, theres excellent views of the O2 dome out one side of the house and the towers of Canary Wharf out the other. The kitchen is equipped with fridge, freezer, oven, hob, microwave, washing... £80-120pw each, Canary Wharf (E14): "Single and Ensuite Room 80-120/Pw All Inclusive" nice single room and ensuite double room in a fantastic flat over 2 floors fully furnished gas centtral heating large fitted kitchen with dining table 5 minutes walk to Mudchute DLR station, 2 minutes walk to bus stops (D3, D6, D8, 135 N50) and 10-15 minutes walk to Canary Wharf all bills, wireless internet and council tax included. Address xx Rothsay Walk E14 9WQ £161pw, Canary Wharf (E14): "Large Ensuite Double Room in a Modern Apartment" large ensuite double room in a recently built 3-bed apartment located in Virginia Quay fully furnished 24 hours porter fully fitted kitchen with washing machine/drier gas central heating securated gate and door entry phone system 2 minutes walk to East India DLR station 10-15 minutes walk to Canary Wharf. All bills, internet and council tax included Address xx Sail Court 15 Newport Avenue E14 2DQ £450pcm, Canary Wharf (E14): "In Zone-2, Double Room, Want to Give for Rent" LOCATION IN ZONE-2 AREA, I WANT TO GIVE A DOUBLE ROOM FOR RENT TO A RELIABLE, TRUSTWORTHY PERSON- PROFESSIONAL OR STUDENT.(450/-PER MONTH INCLUDING ALL BILLS. (ALSO CAN USE THE LOUNGE) The flat is located in a clean, quiet and safe area of Poplar, LONDON, E14, which is in London Borough of Tower Hamlets. On offer an immaculate spacious double bedroom for rent to a non-smoking female/male whos trustworthy and reliable. Just want someone peaceful and easy... £158pw, Westferry (E14): "Lovely dbl in a luxury apt E14, Z2, 10mins Cw City" Fully furnished with - 32 LCD HD flatscreen - Broadband (unlimited/wireless router provided) - 160gb digital freeview box (records/can pause live tv) - 2 3 seater Italian leather sofas - All mod cons (washing machine/dish washer, etc) The room is furnished with a double bed, pine bedside cabinet, chest of drawers and a wardrobe. Bedding and duvet included. This is a non smoking apt. The nearest transport is Westferry DLR (1min). It is a 5 mins walk into... £120-125pw each, Canary Wharf (E14): "2 Superb Singles in 3 Bed Penthouse" I have 2 gorgeous single rooms available in a charming apartment perfect for the DLR Canary Wharf. If you have any questions please email me (Steve Brooks - the landlord) on the email link supplied or if youd like to just arrange a viewing ONLY then call the current tenant (Jay) using the phone no provided and he will show you around. The room is fully furnished including bedding if required. It has a single bed, a wardrobe some other storage. The... £90pw, All Saints (E14): "Nice Single Room near Canary Wharf- All Saint DLR" The basic rent for this room is only 75 per week plus add 15 per week for all 7 bills (please read below what these bills are) which means the total room rent is 90 per week fully inclusive of all bills. Please DO NOT EMAIL but call me. PRICE Single room at 90 per week fully inclusive of ALL bills (7 BILLS) 2 weeks rent in advance 2 weeks deposit No DSS please Minimum 6 months contract Room only for one person Available now PRICE OF... £150pw, Canary Wharf (E14): "Great ensuit double room,bills inclusive,internet," A great massive size en- suit room in a very nice two levels house, (not council building), newly decorated, wooden floor throughout, nice double bed, huge build in wardrobe with huge mirror, wonderful for who has a lot stuff. IKEA designed furnitures, besides your own shower room and toilet, power shower, 24 hours hot water. there are another two modern toilets and one bathroom. nice big F/F kitchen with dinning table, oven, washing machine...everything you need in...

properties to rent in Docklands

properties to rent in Docklands

Elektron Tower, Docklands, E14 - 310 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Terrace, Porter, Parking, Near River - Brand new two bedroom, two bathroom located in the Electron Building... W. Tower, Blackwall Way, Docklands - 370 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Balcony, Furnished, Porter, Reception - Two Double Bedrooms Two Bathrooms Bills Included Fully Furnished Reception... E. Tower, Pan Peninsula, Marsh Wall, Docklands - 270 GBP 1 Bed, 1 Bath, Balcony, Furnished, Gym, Swimming Pool - Fully furnished 5th floor studio suite with a Balcony in East Tower in the... Flat to rent, Docklands - Garden - 575 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Garden, Furnished, Conversion, Parking - Selection of two bedroom apartments starting from 575 per week in this... Pan Peninsula, Docklands - Balcony - 525 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Balcony, En suite - Located next to Canary Wharf in London's docklands, Pan Peninsula sets... Port E., Hertsmere Road, Docklands - 900 GBP 3 Beds, 3 Baths, Furnished, Penthouse, Porter, Conversion, Parking - Three bedroom penthouse duplex warehouse conversion apartment in Port... Regatta Point, Docklands, E14 - 260 GBP 1 Bed, 1 Bath, Balcony, Wood Floor, Reception - 1 bedroom apartment in Regatta Point, a recently completed development... Pan Peninsula W. Tower, Docklands - 300 GBP 1 Bed, 1 Bath, Penthouse, Porter, Gym - Off-plan development is unlike any other, cleverly designed within 353 sq... Pan Peninsula, Docklands - Porter - 500 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Porter, Swimming Pool - Two bedroom apartment available now in Pan Peninsula, one of Canary Wharfs... Mellish Street, Docklands, E14 - 549 GBP 4 Beds, 2 Baths, Furnished - Comes with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, separate living room, kitchen, etc...

properties for sale in Docklands

properties for sale in Docklands

The Landmark, Docklands E14, Docklands - 550,000 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Balcony, Porter, Gym, Parking - Brand new Two double bedrooms Fifth floor Approx 808 sq ft Two bathrooms... Millharbour, Docklands - 334,950 GBP 1 Bed, 1 Bath - New waterside development close to south quay DLR station no onward chain... Naxos Building, Hutchings St, Docklands - 359,999 GBP 2 Beds, 1 Bath, Leasehold, Terrace, Porter, Sauna, Gym - Southwest facing two bedroom apartment situated on the ground floor of the... Baltimore Wharf, Docklands - Balcony - 440,000 GBP 1 Bed, 1 Bath, Balcony - Opportunity to purchase off plan this one bedroom fourth floor apartment... City Tower, Limeharbour, Docklands - 374,995 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Parking, En suite - Two bedroom two bathroom apartment situated on the 8th floor of this... Limeharbour, Docklands, E14 - 374,995 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, En suite - Two bedroom two bathroom apartment situated on the 8th floor of this... City Tower, Limeharbour, Docklands - 249,995 GBP 1 Bed, 1 Bath, Balcony, Porter, Reception - One bedroom apartment in this brand new City Tower development which is... Pan Peninsula W. Tower, Docklands - 249,995 GBP 1 Bed, 1 Bath, Penthouse, Porter, Gym - Off-plan development is unlike any other, cleverly designed within 353 sq... City Tower, Limeharbour, Docklands - 489,995 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Balcony, Porter, Parking, Reception - Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment in this brand new City Tower... Discovery Dock, Apartments E., Docklands, E14 - 650,000 GBP 2 Beds, 2 Baths, Balcony, Gym - Luxury two double bedroom, two bathroom apartment within the sought after...