London Museum Docklands, The Galleries

Located in a warehouse on the West India Quay there is already as you approach a sense of excitement as a link to Britains global trade and its people from dockers and customs officers to cherished imports and immigrants. I loved the historic warehouse equipment that you can touch: the iron winch to haul goods from the quay on the ground floor, the oak wheelbarrows and iron engineered instruments for weighing. Noted the importance of hemp to make rope and jute for bales in the Docklands. The layout of the museum is good for adults and children who have the added benefit of being able to draw what they see at workshops, advertised on line. When I visited today, the theme of the paintings was on ships importing goods that was being made into a tapestry by the children of London England is an island that became a world power and this is a reminder of where key events took place and the role of our sailors and communities. Entrance is free and the museum depends on donations. I bought some great fridge magnets depicting historic London ( the Great Fire of 1666 and London Bridge ) in the gift shop where there is selection of other souvenirs and guide and drawing books The staff are exceptional and unusually work on three floors so start at the top level 3 by taking the lift and walking down to the exhibits on floors 2 and 1 The museum is served by underground station Canary Wharf on the Jubilee and Elizabethan lines that serve central London and Heathrow airport and the DLR ( the Docklands Light Railway) that’s overground from the Tower of London.

Very interesting and enjoyable visit. It is free to enter but donations are appreciated. Great history of London docklands , lots of written information but lots of artefacts too . The third floor is full of mock ups of varies shops that would have been in the area years ago. Children’s trails too . Nice cafe with outside seating area too .

I feel there's a lot of history packed into this small museum. Taking the time to read the exhibits and learn about London's Docklands really brings the area's past to life. From the growth of the Port of London to the stories of the people who lived and worked here, it's a fascinating place that's definitely worth a visit. During the summer school holidays, the children also had great fun completing the museum trail and searching for the Riley family. I still can't believe how excited we all were when we finally spotted one of the rats! 😅