Part 1 - Thames Barrier to Royal Docks - 3 Km - Across London Visual Marathon
Updated: Aug 17
INTRODUCTION
This 'Across London Visual Marathon' section takes you through scenic riverside views and parks around the Royal Victoria Dock.
Part 1 goes from Pontoon Dock DLR (near the Thames Barrier) to the Royal Victoria Dock DLR and is about 3 Km long. It is both scenic and quiet. The route takes you to the Thames Barrier Garden, the Thames Barrier, the Royal Victoria Dock, the ExCel London, the Emirates Cable Car, and the new City Hall.
The Best Time
The best time to do this run is first thing in the morning - any day of the week. The area around the Excel can get busy, buts it's an excellent place to stop for refreshments and to admire the dock views.
LOCATION - Thames Barrier to Royal Docks
As the map shows, this is part 1 of the 14 parts of the Across London Visual Marathon, which starts at the Thames Barrier (part 1) and ends at Hyde Park Corner in the West End of London in part 14. This shows the first five parts, which start at the Thames Barrier and end at the Tower of London.
It's a flexible marathon designed to let you choose which parts you want to do and when so you can do as little or as much as you want at any one time. These photorun blogs are more about the place than the pace, where creative fun is more important than a fast run.
ROUTE
This is a more detailed map and summary of the route.
Start at Pontoon Dock DLR station and finish at Royal Victoria Dock DLR Station.
GETTING TO KNOW THE AREA - HIGH-SPEED VIDEOS
The Google map and the summary video are useful to have open when doing these Photoruns. They will help you remember the route and prevent you from getting lost.
Route at a Glance Video.
This short video (2:31 minutes) gives a quick overview of the route and the sights and then shows you what the route would look like if you were running it at about 25 mph. It's a great way of getting familiar with the route before you do it for real.
GETTING TO KNOW THE AREA - GOOGLE MAP
This is a 'My Google Maps' depiction of the route with photographs of the sites. This is available on the desktop or mobile by clicking on the map. The mobile version does allow you to get directions to points on the map and will show you your location. However, its behaviour does depend on the browser and application you use. (Google Chrome seems to be the best).
The Plotaroute map is an alternative guide where you can download the route to a device once you navigate past the adverts. Use the link below.
VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE AREA
Click on the maps below and go on a virtual tour of the shopping area.
Take a virtual tour of the area and see it virtually in 360. Just click on the location icons on the map, and you will be transported to the location. You can then look around and get a sense of space and place before you experience it first-hand.
PHOTO GALLERY OF THE AREA
This gallery provides a descriptive and visual reference to many of the sights you will see along this photoroute. Double-click to see the image in full screen. or go to the Plotaroute link above to see them on a map.