Trains, Boats and Planes: A Walking Tour of the Docklands

A fascinating walk and talk about the history of the area!

The Tour

Hosted by Peter Burley (BA History, 1970) Chair of the York in London alumni group, this tour is a two mile walk around the Western end of the Royal Victoria Dock in East London.

Join us to hear the amazing history of the area, from its early start as derelict back water, to its rise as the largest port in the world and then subsequent fall.
Peter will share some of its more modern history through the buildings and infrastructure you’ll see on the walk, including the UK’s biggest hospital that never saw a patient, the longest cable car in London and the city’s latest infrastructure project, the Elizabeth line. The tour will culminate in crossing a 100ft tall footbridge with stunning views. (Accessible route available)

Where to meet

Rendezvous at 18.15 in the Tapa Tapa tapas bar Warehouse K, Western Gateway, ExCel West, London E16 1DR, which is in one of the only two surviving Victorian warehouses in the dock. To set the scene, it is a listed building with its own story to tell that links to our event on 16 June 2026 about the York as a "University of Sanctuary".

Tickets

Tickets for the event are £5.00 each with all proceeds going to the University's York Sanctuary Fund helping to support refugees and displaced students and academics access higher education.

There is a limit of 30 places for this tour, so please reserve your place early to avoid disappointment.