When we say Canary Wharf, you might think of a gleaming financial district buzzing with industry throughout the week and emptying out by Friday at 5pm, leaving a quiet, sleepy weekend vibe. The Foxtons Canary Wharf team, who work in, live in and love the vibrant social scene in Canary Wharf, can dispel that myth for you. Let’s uncover this hidden gem on the bank of the Thames.
If you moved to Canary Wharf 10 years ago, you would find it very quiet on the weekends. It has been developed to cater to the working crowd, with excellent waterfront bistros, gorgeous green spaces (like Jubilee Gardens), trendy cocktail bars and fantastic shopping options to fill your lunch breaks and happy hours. However, it just so happens that all the things that make it a great area to work in make it an enjoyable area to live in too. It has everything you need in walking distance, and excellent transport links to anywhere else you’d like to go. In recent years, there has also been a huge amount of investment in Canary Wharf, London’s financial district, so it’s becoming a prized residential location for the savvy Londoner.
DesignMyNight has written us some excellent guides to the area: best Canary Wharf restaurants and best Canary Wharf bars.
Rent or buy in Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf attracts professionals and young families with new-build developments to buy and rent. New buildings are popping up all the time, and they’re filled with top-quality property. Buying or renting a new home means there’s a management company to take care of maintenance, security and getting your packages while you’re out. Also, as London developers figure out what people really want in a home, the designs for these buildings get better and better. They often include stellar amenities like residents’ gyms and rooftop bars, residents’ events to build community spirit and glamorous high-tech homes with incredible views of the Wharf and the skyline.
Further reading: Could energy efficiency sway buyers towards new-build homes?
What to do in Canary Wharf
Coming out of Canary Wharf Station, just past the Foxtons office (feel free to stop in and say hello!), you’ll find a green space that’s turned into a festive ice rink in the winter and an alfresco bar with a big screen for sports, movies and entertainment in the summer.
Looking up at all the tall buildings the centre of Canary Wharf, you may not realise how many have shops in a sublevel, which all connect into one massive ground floor and sub-terranean shopping centre. Here you’ll find big name and designer stores, a slew of restaurants for whatever cuisine you’re craving, and classic supermarkets and pharmacies for all your essentials.
You’ve also got easy access to some big venues – The O2 is just over the bridge in Greenwich and ExCel is just three minutes on the Elizabeth Line from Canary Wharf to Custom House.
Transportation and travel
Canary Wharf is a great home base if you like to explore. With the DLR and brand-new Elizabeth line, you can get all over London from Canary Wharf in a flash. Just to give you an idea of how quick it is to get around:
A few key stops from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line:
• Liverpool Street – 7 minutes
• Tottenham Court Road – 12 minutes
• Paddington – 18 minutes
A few key stops from Canary Wharf on the Jubilee line:
• London Bridge – 6 minutes
• Bond Street – 15 minutes
A few key stops from Canary Wharf on the DLR:
• Limehouse – 4 minutes
• Bank -10 minutes
• Stratford – 13 minutes (for Westfield, the immense shopping centre)
If you’re travelling a little further, Canary Wharf is a 20-minute ride on the DLR to City Airport, and now that the Elizabeth line is open, you can take it to Heathrow, too. Easy access to Stratford means you can get the train from Stratford International to the Kent Coast in ~50 minutes for a gorgeous weekend away, and with Paddington on the Elizabeth line, you can set your sights on many great destinations across the UK.
Click to see the house prices in Canary Wharf, and the best schools in Canary Wharf.
Ready to start living in Canary Wharf? Take a look through our properties to rent and properties for sale in the area. Properties go quickly in this area, if you want property alerts, register with My Foxtons.
Why invest in Canary Wharf? Get in touch with our team to learn more about the excellent properties on the market for buy-to-let investing in Canary Wharf.
