See Canary Wharf Light Up at Night

I came with my friend to Canary Wharf in London as we wanted to see it up close when it got dark. We came one evening before Christmas in 2019, so there were decorations everywhere which added to the scenery. Canary Wharf looks amazing at night, you can’t deny that…

The tall skyscrapers are one of London’s main attractions, home to it’s secondary central business district. One of the skyscrapers (One Canada Square) is the third tallest in the UK. Interestingly, this building has a flashing aircraft warning light on top of it.

The area was surprisingly peaceful place, and the offices gave off a strong professional vibe too. It’s a great place to bring friends or even a date and relax by the river on the benches (and take a new Linkedin photo). One fascinating thing we also discovered was the Traffic Light Tree on Trafalgar Way.

Where can you see the Canary Wharf skyline at night?

The skyscrapers form the awe- inspiring Canary Wharf skyline, which also looks spectacular at night. One of the best locations to go is by The O2 by North Greenwich Station. Here, you can see the skyline from The Tide park, or aerial views from the Emirates Air Line. I strongly recommend coming here after sunset…

You can also see Canary Wharf’s skyline in the distance from other viewpoints in London. For instance, Sky Gardens, Tate Modern, and the London Eye. Eagle eyed sightseers can also see the skyline from the new Garden at 120 too.

How to get to Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is well situated in London, because of its good public transport links. It is in Zone 2 and located on the West India Docks. It is roughly twenty minutes away from Greenwich and Waterloo via the Jubilee line, and only 15 minutes away from Bank via the DLR.

Additionally, there are cycle routes and London City Airport is located 3 miles away which you can get to via the DLR. In my opinion, it is better to use the trains because of convenience. I prefer the DLR to the underground, as you get to enjoy the scenic views of the financial district too.

The neighbouring towns can be a bit rough though

However, the Canary Wharf estate did have a lonely feel to it, but this might have been because it was the day before Christmas Eve. Movement around the area was somewhat restrictive because of roadblocks by the harbour, and obviously we couldn’t go into the offices. That said, it may be possible to attend an open office event or conference, so you get the opportunity to go inside.

Although crime rates are lower than usual, you do need to be vigilant. Some of the neighbouring areas are rougher- think Lewisham, Poplar and Canning Town. But like all cities, you can avoid rough areas and never find yourself in them by following Met Police guidelines.

Verdict

Overall, while Canary Wharf looks great throughout the year, one of the best times to visit is at night. During the Christmas Period, there’s Christmas decorations everywhere, and you can take some great photos of the skyscrapers too.

Plus, the quietness makes it a great place for workers who want to work in London, minus the hustle and bustle of the City of London.

To find out more about things to do at Canary Wharf:

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/AttractionsNear-g186338-d2437651-Canary_Wharf-London_England.html

Directions to Canary Wharf: