Auction House London’s Area Guide to Royal Docks

Auction House London has a number of interesting properties listed for auction throughout the City and surrounding areas. Our property auction experts are knowledgeable about the different areas in and around London, such as Beckton, and are sharing a series of London area guides to help investors make more informed decisions.

This latest addition to the Auction House London series focuses on Royal Docks in east London, within the London Borough of Newham. The area is near the River Thames and has good transport links to the city, and there may be interesting opportunities for investors.

Where are the Royal Docks?

The Royal Docks, or usually just Royal Docks, is a large waterfront district, about 8 miles east of Charing Cross. It stretches along the north bank of the River Thames and includes areas such as Silvertown, North Woolwich and Custom House. The district takes its name from the Royal Victoria, Royal Albert, and King George V Docks.

The Docklands Light Railway serves several stations in the area, including Royal Victoria, West Silvertown, Pontoon Dock, London City Airport and King George V. Custom House also serves the Elizabeth line. There are local buses and river services, plus the IFS Cloud Cable Car crosses the Thames to the Greenwich Peninsula.

The history of Royal Docks

The Royal Docks were built to handle the growing volume of goods arriving in London during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Together, the three docks formed one of the largest enclosed dock systems in the world.

The growth of container shipping led to a long decline in commercial activity, with operations ending entirely in 1981. Regeneration then gathered pace over the following decades, bringing railway connections and London City Airport. New housing, public spaces and business developments have more recently turned the waterfront into a mixed residential and commercial district.

What does the architecture and property market look like in Royal Docks?

Much of Royal Docks’ residential development is relatively recent, with modern apartment blocks overlooking the docks and the Thames. There are plenty of new homes alongside shops, cafes, landscaped squares and other shared facilities, with some older terraced houses on established residential streets in places such as North Woolwich and Silvertown.

It’s a highly prized area, so available properties here can be scarce; always keep an eye on upcoming auctions for any opportunities. Currently, there is this first floor two-bedroom flat at the Western Beach Apartments on Hanover Avenue. There are also options nearby, such as this third and fourth floor two-bedroom split-level maisonette in Greenwich, or this second floor two-bedroom flat in South Norwood.

What are the amenities like in Royal Docks?

Residents have local supermarkets and convenience stores on their doorstep, with larger retail areas available in nearby areas such as Canning Town. There’s a host of waterside leisure activities, including organised open-water swimming and watersports, with facilities and sessions varying by activity and time of year.

ExCeL London is also one of the area’s best-known landmarks, hosting major exhibitions, conferences and events throughout the year, and offering restaurants, cafes and hotels along the waterfront.

Open spaces in Royal Docks

The docks themselves give the area a distinctive open feel, with long stretches of water and paths along the quays. There are raised crossings with views over the water, while the surrounding walkways are popular with people out for a stroll or run.

Then there’s Thames Barrier Park, featuring landscaped gardens, lawns and views towards the Thames Barrier. Investors should also note that further green spaces and new public squares are planned as part of the wider regeneration programme, although the amount of greenery and access will vary between individual neighbourhoods.

What are the schools like in Royal Docks?

There are already a few educational options across the Royal Docks and the surrounding parts of Newham, such as Britannia Village Primary School in Silvertown, as well as Drew Primary School and Calverton Primary School nearby. More are planned as part of the regeneration programme.

For secondary education, there’s the Royal Docks Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16, although do check in on the up-to-date regeneration plans for more options in the future. For higher education, there is the University of East London’s Docklands with its own self-contained campus.

Auction House London prides itself on having local knowledge about diverse areas of the capital. If you have questions about Royal Docks or any other London area or suburb, please contact our team of property auction professionals. If you’re looking to buy property in London at an auction, browse through the lots listed in our forthcoming auction. Or, if you have a property you want to sell in London or the surrounding areas, why not see how much it could be worth at auction with a free valuation by Auction House London.