Published on: 8th August 2023
When people think of Canary Wharf, they think of business rather than fun. However, that isn’t the case at all. In fact, there are tons of things to do in Canary Wharf, with plenty of amazing activities to try out and sights to see, and you won’t be able to try them all in one trip!
Read on to find out 19 of the best things to do in Canary Wharf, we can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!
Museum of London Docklands
History buffs cannot visit Canary Wharf without visiting the Docklands Museum. This 200-year-old warehouse is based on West India Quay and offers visitors an immersive experience full of stories of the development of Canary Wharf and how it came to be one of the biggest business hubs around.
As you walk through curated galleries, you’ll find unique objects and artefacts representing various times in London, including trade, slavery, and migration. The Docklands Museum is open Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, and is free for anyone who wants to visit.
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
You can’t beat the beauty of plants and flowers, and you can make the most of what nature has to offer us at the Crossrail Roof Garden. If you want to sit down and be alone with your thoughts as you admire the exotic flora and fauna, benches are scattered across the pathways.
While visiting the roof garden any day until 9 pm or sunset in the summer is free, there are also frequent events in the 80-seater performance space. If you are lucky enough to be in the city while a performance is on, we highly recommend you check one out!
Jubilee Park
Another perfect thing to do in Canary Wharf for those who love nature is a trip to Jubilee Park. This green open space is surrounded by fully-formed trees, grassy areas, and serene spaces to sit back and relax. It gets you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and allows you to take in some of London’s natural beauty.
So whether you just want to go for a stroll around the park or you wish to put together a picnic with family and friends, Jubilee Park is the perfect place to be.
Trinity Buoy Wharf
Did you know London has one lighthouse that doesn’t even work anymore? Well, it does, and it’s located in Canary Wharf. Head down to Trinity Buoy Wharf to see the site of the lighthouse and get involved in various ongoing public art installations and cultural activities and displays like Ros Burgins: Lifelines and Alice Irwin, Peeps.
Each display and experience is open all year round until 7 pm, but they are ever changing with the current art scene. Therefore, if you want to find out what’s on now, head to the Trinity Buoy Wharf official website.
Billingsgate Fish Market
You can’t visit London without checking out one of its renowned markets, and this is one of the best around. Billingsgate Market is known particularly for selling all kinds of fish and shellfish across 98 stalls and shops.
You’ll need to be an early bird if you want to check out the largest fish market in the city, though, as it runs from 4 am to 8:30 am every day except Mondays and Sundays. But if you are looking for a good deal on fish, you will want to head up to the stalls around 6:30 as they start shutting down.
Minigolf by Craig & Karl
Are you a mini golf enthusiast, but you’re tired of the same old courses and themes? Well, welcome to Minigolf by Craig & Karl! A bright and bold adventure with unique courses and fun-filled themes that will make you fall in love with the activity again.
The best thing about this venue in Montgomery Square is that you don’t need to book or pay to play. All you need to do is turn up between 12 pm and 6 pm with your chosen competitors, and you’ll be supplied with clubs and balls so you can play to your heart’s content.
Fairgame
All’s fair in love and… games? Well, at Fairgame, it is! This classic amusement venue is full of classic arcade and fairground games that will keep you entertained for hours. Think of the game, and they probably have it from offerings like skeeball to whac-a-mole.
The bright lights and sounds make the place even more exhilarating, and it uses modern RFID wristbands to pay and track your scores against the people you’re playing against. And when you want to take a break? There are tons of street food stalls to choose from.
Ice skating
If you’re lucky to find yourself in London during the winter, you will no doubt want to spend a magical day at the ice rink at Canary Wharf. Perfect for all ages, you can strap on your skates and see if you can make it through the ice without falling over.
Unfortunately, the ice rink is only open for 18 weeks of the year, typically opening around mid-October. However, this is just what makes it much more exciting. Times vary yearly, but you can usually skate to your heart’s content until late evenings, and ticket prices range from ÂŁ13.50 for kids to ÂŁ17.95 for adults.
Summer Screens
While there is ice skating in the winter, there are Summer Screens in – you guessed it – the summer! In the warmer months, you can head on over to Canada Square Park daily to catch some of the biggest live sporting events, such as Wimbledon and cricket.
But don’t worry if you’re not a sports fan! Plenty of special movie nights are available at the Summer Screens, where you can watch some of the biggest family-friendly films. Take things to the next level by grabbing a picnic from the nearby Waitrose for the day or watching the screens from one of the surrounding bars.
Vagabond
Not every activity in Canary Wharf needs to involve the whole day. In fact, there are plenty of great restaurants to try out, including Vagabond in Cabot Square. This bar/restaurant offers much more than delicious meals and speciality wines, but it has stunning views of the River Thames and the London skyline.
You can visit Vagabond and hope you get a seat on the day, book a table for guaranteed enjoyment, or even rent out one of the spacious private event areas! The opportunities are endless at Vagabond, so you should definitely check it out.
Munich Cricket Club
If you saw this name and thought you’d be getting a game of cricket – think again. The Munich Cricket Club is actually London’s largest German beer garden. It takes you across Europe to enjoy some stellar Munich beers, delectable Bavarian treats, and a whole lot of fun!
With the steins and mini barrels flowing, you can head to the dance floor to burn off some energy. You might even be able to try something different on the live music nights on Thursdays and Saturdays. But don’t forget to book a table as it gets busy.
Greenhouse Theatre
People who love the theatre and the environment will absolutely love visiting the Greenhouse Theatre. As the UK’s first zero-waste theatre company, you can catch a show completely guilt-free and learn about how you can make your own sustainable changes at the same time.
The entire venue is made completely from recycled materials, and you’ll be amazed at how fantastic it looks. It moves across different venues, with Canary Wharf being one of them, so make sure you look out to see if it’s available in the area during your visit.
Pizza Pilgrims
Pizza Pilgrims might be a name familiar to you, and that’s because there is a string of these pizzerias dotted around London. But the biggest one yet is based in West India Quay in Canary Wharf, offering delicious Italian cuisine and entertainment for everyone.
No matter how young or old you are, you’ll no doubt have a ball of a time when visiting Pizza Pilgrims. You can head to the legendary Pizza Playground between pizza and drinks, with classic arcade machines, board games, and even a foosball table. Trust us; you’ll never want to leave!
GoBoat
The architecture in Canary Wharf is truly a sight to behold, but it can be difficult to admire it all in one place. That’s when you’ll want to hire a GoBoat, which rides through the docklands area and lets you take in iconic landmarks like Billingsgate Market and Crossrail Place.
Each boat can fit up to eight people, and prices start from ÂŁ85. Therefore, if you have a bit of spare cash to spend and want to spend some time with family, friends, or colleagues while taking in the buzzing views of Canary Wharf, then this is an activity to try.
Boisdale
Fancy a night of wining and dining in the financial district of London? You can do just that when you book a table at Boisdale. This oyster and whisky bar is only for those with the finest tastes in all things food, drink, art, music, and even cigars.
Boisdale hosts two floors, one of which allows you to have a drink out of the 1,000 malt whisky options while listening to the best sounds in blues, soul, and jazz. The other floor is a renowned oyster bar with some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever try.
Everyman Cinema
Even when you’re in Canary Wharf, you don’t want to miss out on the latest films. That’s why Everyman Cinema is a hotspot for movie buffs who love an authentic yet modern theatre experience. Not only can you enjoy some of the latest titles, but you can have food and drinks delivered straight to your seat.
Ticket prices vary depending on the time, day, and event. There are even special screenings for people with kids and disabilities. It’s the perfect day out, especially if you happen to be in London on a rainy day.
Boozy brunch
A boozy brunch is the epitome of weekends in London, and you can experience it for yourself by going to The Breakfast Club on a Saturday. When you book a table, you receive two hours of unlimited alcoholic drinks like prosecco and bloody marys, as well as a delicious brunch dish of your choice!
For only ÂŁ40 a head, you can certainly get your money’s worth. Just ensure you have a ride ready to take you back to your accommodation, as these brunches aren’t for the faint-hearted!
Electric Shuffle
This activity is all in the venue’s name, but it comes with a unique twist. Of course, you can play games of electric shuffleboard and have the time of your life, but there is also food and drink available to enjoy simultaneously – even if you want a bite of brunch!
The prices aren’t too bad either, as you can book a 90-minute game of shuffleboard for only £13 per person, and you can play with up to 16 guests at a time! All while enjoying small plates, sharing platters, sourdough pizzas, and even some sweet desserts.
The Cocktail Club
You can’t go wrong with a cocktail in Canary Wharf, and The Cocktail Club is the perfect place to enjoy one. Located in Cabot Square, you can try some of the most mouth-watering drinks for a fantastic price. If you get there any day of the week before 7 pm, you can enjoy two for £12 on their trademark cocktails.
You can get some air on the beautiful outdoor terrace or even head to the dancefloor and move to the resident DJ’s awesome beats. Either way, it’s guaranteed to put you in a good mood, no matter when you go.
