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Hay's Galleria, London

Built in the mid 1850s by Henry Cubitt, Hay's Wharf was once a dock receiving tea clipper ships, such as Cutty Sark. These ships would have raced around the Cape of Good Hope from China, before inching their way into Hay's Wharf at the end of their journey. Many other dry cargos were also unloaded here, and for a time in the nineteenth century the majority of Britain's imports in dry goods came in through this dock.

With the dock now filled in, the area has been carefully restored. Former tea warehouses surrounding the dock have been converted into offices, shops and restaurants. A permanent market sells a range of goods from colourful barrows. Pictures at the entrance show the Galleria as it once was. A huge, surreal bronze sculpture of a ship, called The Navigators, commemorates the maritime heritage of Hay's Galleria. Having a cup of tea in one of the restaurants in Hay's Galleria has a special resonance. This is my favourite kind of history; finding a story that spanned the world in something as apparently ordinary as a cup of tea.

If you're planning a walk along the Thames path into Docklands, Hay's Galleria would make a great starting point. HMS Belfast, The Globe Theatre, Tate Modern are all close by.

Address: Hay's Galleria, London Bridge City, Tooley Street, London SE1

Directions: Hay's Galleria can be found on the south bank of the Thames opposite HMS Belfast. Walk along the Thames path from London Bridge. Click here for an interactive map centred on Hay's Galleria.

Access: There is ramped access. Toilets, adapted or otherwise seem to be a problem. The best bet is to go to Shackleton House.

Contact:

telephone: 020 7403 3583

e-mail: info@haysgalleria.co.uk

web site: http://www.haysgalleria.co.uk/

web site for Hay's Galleria Market: http://haysgalleriamarket.com/index.htm

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