A tour of Gallions Point and Albert Island
After my summer walk around the Royal Docks and subsequent video, a local resident got in touch to say they could show me around Gallions Point and Albert Island. We met one sultry midweek morning by Gallions Reach DLR Station to begin the circuit around ‘the island’.
‘Moving East’
A slogan on one of the developments reads, ‘London is Moving East’, as if this wasn’t part of London and were terra nullius waiting to be claimed. We see the Gallions Point Marina about to be evicted and demolished to make way for the new Albert Island development by the GLA. The planes from City Airport continuously fly overhead and the building of the new runway will increase the number of flights. We also walk through Royal Albert Wharf and see the Riverside development. Two beautiful hidden beaches were visited with incredible views across the Thames. Finally we see the remains of the Royal Pavilion (or Royal Victoria) Pleasure Gardens and the majestic old North Woolwich Station.
Many thanks to my local guide.
An atmospheric part of East London, not yet totally overwhelmed by modernity. And the ferry is wonderful when it’s running! Such a shame the North Woolwich Station Railway Museum closed. Wonder if the Gallions development will spare the former hotel or whatever’s left of the original Gallions station?
Another fascinating video which made me want to rush out and visit the area again – as do many of your videos. But will leave it and the new ferry for longer days and better weather.
I went briefly to North Woolwich for a final trip on on of the old ferries a few months ago – at the end of a wander from Falconwood via Charlton House. I first photographed there back in the 1980s when it was rather different and got the PLA to let me wander around inside the closed Royal Docks for a couple of days. Of course I’ve been back a few times since, but the last time was blocked by building work. I’ve also met and photographed Leigh from Gallions Point Marina, but didn’t manage to get there to cover the eviction. The station was a railway museum for a while before it closed, the trains stopped a few yards short – got the North London Line from Richmond there a few times.
Pingback: Exploring London's Royal Docks - the lost byway