Interested in Canary Wharf living? You’re not alone. Once known purely as London’s second financial district, Canary Wharf has become one of the capital’s most talked-about residential neighbourhoods, with a growing mix of families and young professionals choosing to make it home.
This guide covers everything a prospective buyer needs to know about what Canary Wharf is like to live in, from safety and transport to the best restaurants, shops and things to do, both in Canary Wharf and the areas surrounding it.
Is Canary Wharf a good place to live?
Canary Wharf is absolutely a good place to live. The area offers a modern lifestyle, with sleek riverside apartments, well-maintained public spaces and an ever-growing choice of restaurants and shops, all within walking distance of home. While weekdays have a clear rhythm built around the working week, weekends offer a calmer, more residential feel, with locals making the most of the parks and waterside paths threading through the estate. Just moments away in neighbouring Poplar, residents of Aberfeldy Village can enjoy easy access to everything Canary Wharf has to offer.
Living in Canary Wharf suits buyers who value convenience, security and easy commuting, without losing access to beautiful green spaces and culture. Nearby areas such as Poplar are increasingly worth a look too, for buyers who want that modern convenience without quite the same price tag.
Is Canary Wharf safe to live in?
Safety is a common concern for anyone relocating. Fortunately, Canary Wharf benefits from well-lit, pedestrianised routes throughout, as well as CCTV coverage and regular security patrols, making it one of the safest parts of London to walk around, day or night.
As with any major city area, it’s always worth doing your own research on specific streets and buildings, but Canary Wharf’s popularity and thriving business district give it a strong reputation for safety overall.
How to get to Canary Wharf by train
Canary Wharf sits at the heart of one of London’s best-connected transport hubs, so getting here is a breeze.
Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth Line offers the fastest route into Canary Wharf, with services from Paddington, Liverpool Street, Stratford and Heathrow, cutting journey times across the city down to minutes.
Jubilee line and DLR
The Jubilee line connects Canary Wharf to London Bridge, Waterloo, Bond Street and Stratford, while the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) links it to Bank, Tower Gateway, Greenwich and the wider Docklands, including Poplar and East India.
Between the three train lines, Canary Wharf is rarely more than a short hop from anywhere in London.
If you’re considering a move to the area, our travel guide covers some of the most popular walking, cycling and train routes around Canary Wharf and nearby neighbourhoods.
Top things to do in Canary Wharf
New and prospective residents often wonder what there is to do in Canary Wharf beyond the office towers. The answer? Quite a lot! With over 300 shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, plus a full calendar of events, there’s no shortage of things to do in Canary Wharf, whatever the season.
Best places to visit in Canary Wharf
It’s always a great idea to start with Canary Wharf’s green spaces. Jubilee Park offers a tree-filled escape right above the underground station, while Crossrail Place Roof Garden lets you relax among hundreds of plants inside a stunning botanical garden. While you’re there, stop by the nearby Museum of London Docklands, housed in a restored Georgian warehouse, for a fascinating way to learn about the area’s maritime history.
Beyond these, some of the best places to visit in Canary Wharf for a browse include Canada Place, Cabot Place and Jubilee Place, three interconnected shopping centres offering everything from high street staples to designer boutiques.
Shopping, dining and entertainment in Canary Wharf
With an ever-growing list of entertainment offerings, you’ll never be short of things to do in Canary Wharf. You can find an Everyman Cinema, immersive games venues like Fairgame and Electric Shuffle, and go-karting at Capital Kart all within a short walk of one another, making rainy days much more enjoyable.
On a sunny summer’s day, cool down with a visit to Sea Lanes Canary Wharf, London’s latest destination for open water swimming. This 50-metre natural floating pool in the heart of Canary Wharf is complete with waterside saunas and spots to eat and drink, making it perfect for a full day out.
Speaking of eating and drinking, foodies are equally well catered for in Canary Wharf. The area is home to big names like Roka, Dishoom, Hawksmoor and The Ivy, as well as more casual spots like Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Crabshack, Wahaca and Franco Manca.
For a proper riverside pub, The Gun in nearby Blackwall is a local favourite, with stunning views straight across the water to the O2.
Ready to spend a day in Canary Wharf? Discover some of the area’s must-visit attractions and local favourites.
Places to explore near Canary Wharf
Part of Canary Wharf’s appeal is what’s on its doorstep. It’s well worth exploring the surrounding neighbourhoods for things to do near Canary Wharf, each with its own distinct character.
- Poplar: Just to the north, Poplar offers a quieter, more residential feel, with Chrisp Street Market, the Thames Path and the East India Dock Basin all close at hand. It’s also home to Aberfeldy Village, an exciting new community.
- Greenwich: A short hop across the river via the DLR (or cable car), Greenwich offers the O2, the Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory, along with its own historic market and riverside pubs.
- Limehouse: To the west, Limehouse offers a marina-side atmosphere around Limehouse Basin, with canal towpaths leading all the way into Regent’s Canal for a scenic walk or cycle.
- Isle of Dogs: South of the estate, the Isle of Dogs is home to Mudchute Park and Farm, 32 acres of open parkland and a working city farm that feels a world away from the towers nearby.
Thinking about living in Canary Wharf or nearby?
If you’re weighing up living in Canary Wharf against a quieter, more residential alternative, it’s worth looking just up the road. Aberfeldy Village in Poplar offers the same excellent transport links, many of the same green spaces and riverside walks, and easy access to everything Canary Wharf has to offer, without the premium price tag that often comes with living directly among the tower blocks.
Get in touch with our team today to find out more about apartments at Aberfeldy Village, and discover why so many buyers are choosing this corner of East London as their new home.
