The area was inhabited by Bronze Age / Iron Age fisherfolk. In 1997 remains of a Bronze Age settlement was discovered on the site of the current Royal Docks Community school at Custom House with remains that included arrowheads, flints, pottery pieces, a large post and sections of a yew tree. There was a burial ground nearby and there is evidence that there was a Roman Road and Ferry Point and look out post at Gallions Reach.
In the mid 1800s the docks were set up. In 1847 Victorian engineer Goerge Bidder completed his Stratford to North Woolwich railway. This new line followed the line of Silvertown Way and North Woolwich road. The area was known as ‘Bidders Folly’ because it passed through undeveloped marshland.
George Bidder saw the area’s potential and quickly brought up the whole of the marshes between Bow Creek and Gallions Reach. He called the area ‘Lands End’ and soon made a considerable return on his investment when he sold the land for dock development and for a number of factories alongside the river. The demand for factory land was encouraged potentially due to the Metropolitan Building Act 1844 which barred harmful trades.
Royal Docks History
The London Docklands have had a history of trading for many years. The Royal Albert Dock was completed in the 1980s. The area became a hub for trade and commerce with many different ships from across the globe transporting goods to the London Docklands at the peak of the 19th century.
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These goods were then processed by the industries that were developed in the area. For example raw materials such as sugar cane that originated from the West indies was processed by the Tate and Lyle Sugar Refinery The docks played a significant part in the east of London providing many jobs.
Docks Manger's Office
The Dock Manager’s Offices are located near Customs House. They were designed in 1883 by Vigers and Wagstaffe, inspired by the work of Norman Shaw.
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The buildings are composed of Pebbledashed brick and stone with a tiled roof. The building has a basement and 2 storeys and the layout is a H-shaped plan. There are 4 bays in the centre of the building housing projecting gabled wings and protruding upper floors.
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Key features include: sash windows with original glazing bars, red brick architraves and stone keys and hood moulds. Other features are the rusticated stone arched entrance doorways with architraved windows. Windows of upper storeys cut through into the roof line forming gabled dormers.
Central Buffet
The Central Buffet (Former restaurant) was designed in 1883 by Vigers and Wagstaffe. The building fabric is composed of rendered and whitewashed brick with a plain tile roof. Free classical style.
Single storey and attic. Symmetrical front of a round 2-storey bay with a curved roof, windows set-back either side with parapet to front, and a facing gable on either end.
There is a variety of 10 window types with a 7 window bay. There are ionic columns. Doorways on the left centre and right oval windows. There are windows above to centre and 3-light mullioned windows to gables.
The Compressor House
Constructed in 1914 for cold storage of cargo from the Royal Docks. The cargo was mostly imported meats that came from the dock areas.
It has distinct red brickwork and an industrial interior. It was designed with a specially designed roof that was filled with water to aid with meat refrigeration. It ceased operation in the 1970s following the decline of the area.
Heritage Vision
1
Use the heritage to connect people to the area
The development will be a catalyst for reliving the past and will help local people to understand the Royal Docks' History
2
Use heritage to create place identity
Reviving the current heritage assets to a high standard of design to make reference to the past helping to create an identity
3
Create a destination for heritage inspired art work
Artworks will be created that have been inspired from the heritage of the area which will encourage visitors to the area