Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Waterpoint, the water tower at St Pancras Lock, is a new arrival, acting as a viewpoint and art gal-
lery
.
The Limehouse Cut connection was opened in 1968, replacing a direct link into the
Thames for that canal. Near it is the octagonal Limehouse Accumulator Tower of 1869,
which stored water to power hydraulic cranes and locks. St Anne's church is a notable design
by Hawkesmoor and is entitled to fly the White Ensign. It had the first illuminated clock in
the country, the highest church clock in London.
Limehouse Lock was the largest canal lock in London at 100m x 18m, allowing 3,000t
ocean-going ships through to unload directly into narrowboats and lighters. However, it was
only operated for three hours before high tide between 6am and 10pm to avoid draining the
basin. The traffic moved downstream in the 1960s. This lock has been replaced by a smaller
lock, just 30m x 8m, needing only a tenth of the water of its predecessor. It has computer-
controlled sector gates. Landing is difficult, as is launching on to the River Thames on the far
side of the lock for those not locking through. A path leads up the side of the swing bridge,
opposite which is the Gordon Ramsay Narrow gastropub in the former dockmaster's house,
from where riverbuses can be seen racing along the river between the City and the Docklands
developments and helicopters fly over to the City airport.
