Mick Hartley

I'd never been to Trinity Buoy Wharf before. It's down where the Lea meets the Thames, opposite The O₂. The main reason I hadn't been is that it's remarkably difficult to get to. There's only one way in, and that involves negotiating the dual-carriageway A1020, the Lower Lea Crossing, which is far from being pedestrian or bike friendly.

So – over the bends of tidal Bow Creek:

Past a strange new eco-building:

…still being built on Google street-view.

…and the usual old corrugated sheds with buddleia:

Till it opens out round the corner, with Container City on the one side:

and an old Trinity House lightship on the other:

With views downriver towards Woolwich:

And upriver to Canary Wharf:

It advertises itself as Docklands' most exciting arts quarter - though frankly there's little in the way of competition - and there was indeed a woman wandering around with some bits of coloured cloth, which I took to be some kind of sign of an indigenous artistic presence:

But yes, on a beautiful late summer day it's a very pleasant place to be.

When they sort out the access, then I'll be a more regular visitor. A proposed pedestrian/cycle bridge across the Lea to Canning Town is in the pipeline, though more spectacular plans for the area appear to have been put on hold. Still, there's a nice cafe. And the Faraday Shed.