St Katharine Docks

It was the great engineer Thomas Telford who oversaw the building work of St Katharine Docks which began in 1827. In its heyday, as a major transport hub, the docks saw the import and storage of exotic and valuable goods including ivory and marble. To make way for the docks over 11,000 people were displaced and an ancient hospital and church of St Katharine among the buildings pulled down. But The Times reported approvingly, "1250 houses and tenements were purchased and pulled down... thus improving estates previously lying waste." Restricted by the small area with which he could work, Telford's design included several innovative ideas. Two connected basins, the East Dock and the West Dock, created a long quayside relative to the small area of enclosed water. Unusually, warehouses (designed by architect Philip Hardwick) were built right on the quayside so that cargo could be unloaded directly from ships into the warehouse, with no need for intermediate handling. Following extensive damage during World War II the docks were never fully repaired and during the 60s and 70s most of London's upper docks emptied and fell into decline. Now regenerated, St Katharine Docks still manage to combine their Victorian heritage with modern office blocks, apartments, shops and restaurants. The docks' waterways continue to attract maritime visitors - with the St Katharine Haven providing a yacht marina.