Thames River Guide: Pool of London, St Katharine Docks and Wapping

When the British Empire ruled the waves, London was the world's busiest port. A visit to this stretch of the Thames, with its Victorian docks, music halls and historic pubs, can be like a stroll through London's history.

Tower of London

Famous for housing the crown jewels and for being the place of execution of two of Henry VIII's wives, the Tower of London is history on stilts. It's also firmly up-to-date with a great range of exhibitions and events. An ice rink is set up in the moat in the winter, and a music festival comes to the tower in the summer.

Tower Bridge Exhibition

One of the most recognised sights in London, Tower Bridge is a wonder of Victorian engineering. The views from the high level walkways are magnificent, and you can see the original steam engines used to open the bridge.

HMS Belfast

Step aboard Europe's largest preserved WW2 warship, HMS Belfast. It is moored on the Thames near Tower Bridge and visitors of all ages are welcome.

Jet Set Hangout

When they opened in 1828, St Katharine Docks, with their two connected basins, could accommodate up to 120 ships. Today the site is one of London's most exclusive marinas, with stylish motorboats, yachts and cruisers lined up along its berths.

The waterside warehouses now contain boutiques, restaurants and bars catering to the demands of the international yachting community. It's a great place to enjoy an early evening glass of wine as you watch the boats bob up and down.

Taverns With Tales

The Town of Ramsgate is a historic riverside pub dating back to the 15th century with a somewhat macabre past. Convicts on the way to the colonies were often kept in the cellars, and the notorious Execution Dock - where criminals where hanged and then chained to posts in the river - was a stone's throw away.

Another historic tavern is the Captain Kidd, named after a naval officer who was found guilty of piracy and murder and got his comeuppance at Execution Dock. The pub is not short on atmosphere. Its interior has low wooden beamed ceilings and barrels as tables.

Amazing Space

From the outside, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the Wapping Project is just another of East London's Victorian industrial buildings. But in amongst the wrought iron pillars, original pumps and machinery - all left over from its previous life as a hydraulic power station - there is a visual arts exhibition and performance space. This vast space also houses a restaurant, Wapping Food, where you can enjoy top-notch cuisine as well as mighty fine cocktails.

Victorian Singalong

Wilton's Music Hall is the world's oldest surviving grand music hall. In its heyday, around 1,500 people crammed into this grand East End venue to hear top acts. It's rumoured that the first ever cancan was performed - and immediately banned - here. Between 1885 and 1956 it was home to a Methodist mission. Although it became a Grade II listed building in 1964, it is on the top 100 most endangered buildings list and is at risk of dereliction.

Accommodation

For a room with a waterside view, try the appropriately named Tower hotel. Next to Tower Bridge and St Katharine Docks, this modern hotel has over 800 rooms and suites, as well as 2 restaurants, a gym and all the mod cons you'd expect of a luxury hotel complex.