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Lungs of London - King Edward V11 Memorial Park
Ventilating shaft for the Rotherhithe Tunnel.
On a pleasant sunny day in the East End of London, you could do no better than to enjoy your time with a visit to this almost forgotten park, steeped in history, and full of exciting riverside views. Previously covered by an unsuccessful fish market, running alongside the notorious Ratcliff Highway. It has seen off several sixteenth-century seamen from the Ratcliff Cross Stairs. For it was here that
Sir Hugh Willoughby took three ships to search for the north-west passage to India in May 1553. The crew of 115 men including one parson was never to return. Willoughby’s ship and one other were blown off course, and he was forced to make camp in Lapland, where their food
ran out and everyone died of starvation. The crew’s corpses were found several years later. Richard Chancellor, the captain of the surviving ship, managed to make it to northern Russia, only to be shipwrecked of the coast of Scotland on their return with all on board drowned.
There is a stone commemorating this departure next to the rather grand building looking more like a round chapel that the ventilating shaft for the Rotherhithe Tunnel which runs beneath.
Stone commemorating this departure next to the ventilating shaft.
This park that was opened in 1922 as the King Edward V11 Memorial Park, boasting excellent well kept flowerbeds as well as a bowling green, café and well stocked child’s playground. 
Views of the Canary Wharf.
After a visit and a chance to admire the views of the Canary Wharf complex, if you feel a little peckish you could exit the park by the south-west gate where immediately in front of you is The Wapping Hydraulic Power Station (built 1890) supplying power to both east and south-east London.
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station.
Today the Power Station has a rather contemporary restaurant installed in this delightful building, the Wapping Project Restaurant serves substantial modern Mediterranean food and an all Australian wine list.
If you just want a quiet pint the Prospect of Whitby pub is just opposite the old Power Station. All in all you can make an enjoyable day far away from the crowds.
Wapping Hydraulic Power Station, Wapping Wall
Wapping, London E1W 3SG
Tel: 020 7680 2080
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