Walking Tour - Maritime Blackwall - Spice Traders and Ship Builders

Tue Feb 03 2026 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm UTC+00:00

East India DLR Station | London

Rob Smith, Footprints of London
Publisher/HostRob Smith, Footprints of London
Walking Tour - Maritime Blackwall - Spice Traders and Ship Builders
Advertisement
The story of how voyages of trade, discovery and colonisation started from Blackwall, in London's Docklands
About this Event

Blackwall in London's Docklands has as much maritime history as Greenwich, it is just that you have to look a bit harder to find it. In this two hour walk Rob Smith uses fragments of the old dockyard and street names to tell the story of the East India Company, who made Blackwall their home for almost 250 years. You will hear stories of bravery, greed and ingenuity.  

The walk also visits the Leamouth Peninusula, one of the most unusual places on the Thames with a maritime history of its own.  Rob will also tell the stories of some of the ships built in the famous Blackwall Yard and you'll hear how Blackwall is at the heart of communications in the 21st century. 

Numbers on this walk have been reduced to encourage social distancing.

Please bring face masks and hand sanitiser.

Please do not attend if you feel unwell.

The walk is about two miles and features some steps, but alternative flat route is available.

Reviews of this walk "Rob Smith's tour around the now almost vanished East India dock area was a veritable trip back in time to the days when the Thames was almost gridlocked with tall sailing ships setting out to and returning from the Spice Islands and beyond laden with exotic cargoes. Rob's in-depth knowledge of the area and his effective use of illustrations helped us to imagine just how busy Blackwall was and how it changed the world. Altogether a fascinating two hour walk and we get to walk along the prime Meridian! I'll definitely sign up for others tours with Rob." TD March 2017 "I've now been on 3 walks led by Rob Smith. Each one was excellent. Rob clearly does a lot of research and gives both a historic overview as well as interesting little stories. I've discovered a lot about places I thought I knew inside out. Looking forward to more soon." PS March 2017   

 

 

 

 


Event Photos
Event Photos
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

East India DLR Station, Blackwall Way, London, United Kingdom

Tickets

GBP 12.50 to GBP 17.50

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in London

Only The Poets London Tickets
Mon, 02 Feb Only The Poets London Tickets

O2 Academy Brixton

*NEW SHOW ADDED* Trampolene + Tres Kings at The Lexington, London
Mon, 02 Feb at 07:00 pm *NEW SHOW ADDED* Trampolene + Tres Kings at The Lexington, London

The Lexington, London, United Kingdom

Gordon Buchanan at Gillian Lynne Theatre
Mon, 02 Feb Gordon Buchanan at Gillian Lynne Theatre

Gillian Lynne Theatre

A human focus for 21st century life sciences - online stream
Tue, 03 Feb at 09:00 am A human focus for 21st century life sciences - online stream

One Birdcage Walk

Activist Bootcamp
Tue, 03 Feb at 09:30 am Activist Bootcamp

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

Famous Individuals in  the  Arts and Their Illnesses
Tue, 03 Feb at 10:30 am Famous Individuals in the Arts and Their Illnesses

Linnean Society of London

HEIDENFEST 2026 at Islington Assembly Hall - London
Tue, 03 Feb at 05:00 pm HEIDENFEST 2026 at Islington Assembly Hall - London

Islington Assembly Hall

Will You Be AI\u2019s Pet?
Tue, 03 Feb at 06:00 pm Will You Be AI’s Pet?

Gresham College

Ash at Scala, London
Tue, 03 Feb at 07:00 pm Ash at Scala, London

Scala London

Halsey at O2 Academy Brixton
Tue, 03 Feb at 07:00 pm Halsey at O2 Academy Brixton

O2 Academy Brixton

That'll Be The Day
Tue, 03 Feb at 07:30 pm That'll Be The Day

1-4 Argyll St, W1F 7LD London, United Kingdom

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London
Tue, 03 Feb at 07:30 pm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London

Southbank Centre

London is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore London Events