East London's historic Royal Docks is set to become the capital's first large floating park.
The 12-hectare Royal Victoria Dock West will be transformed by Royal Docks Waterways, previously known as the Royal Docks Management Authority.
This move is part of a larger regeneration plan, backed by a £5 billion investment, led by the Mayor of London, delivered in partnership with the Mayor of Newham, to revitalise the Royal Docks into a vibrant, diverse waterfront destination.
Royal Docks Waterways aims to boost Newham’s publicly accessible open space by five per cent, expecting initial phases to be completed before 2030.
The park promises to breathe new life into Royal Victoria Dock West by providing water-based leisure and wellness activities, alongside spaces where people can connect with nature year-round.
The project is steered by three main ideas: making the dock a lively attraction, offering new local facilities, and celebrating the dock’s connection with water and nature. Based on these principles, three key projects have been chosen to kick-start the transformation.
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A floating wellness centre will offer year-round services like a lido, sauna, and spa, plus expanded open-water swimming opportunities. A new floating park is also set to launch, featuring green spaces, art installations, and cultural events.
A push towards floating residential areas will bring new moorings and floating homes, with shared facilities for both the current and new residents, promoting a lively, thriving community throughout the year.
Royal Docks Waterways is inviting the public to get involved in shaping this vision, with a series of engagement events set to take place in February and March.
Participants will have the chance to discuss the plans in various settings, from Britannia Village Hall to historic Thames Sailing Barge Will, a vessel steeped in maritime heritage.
The transformation of Royal Victoria Dock West is in harmony with broader policy frameworks, including the London Plan and the Royal Docks and Beckton Riverside Opportunity Area Planning Framework (OAPF).
With the mayor recently signing the Swimmable Cities Charter, the dock is poised to be among the first waterscapes in London to embody these evolving objectives.
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