Isle of dogs

[miss direct]

I'm coming to London to dogsit on (in?) the Isle of dogs. Know nothing about it. Is there anything interesting there that I (and dog) can walk to?

Any food markets or cheap places to get food?

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Mudchute park and city farm. Wonderful. Dog friendly.
Greenwich park, market etc, through the foot tunnel. Great view from General Wolff’sstatue, but also at The Point.
foot tunnel to Greenwich then turn right along the river path to the Hilton and take the ferry to Canary Wharf. Cup of tea at the city farm on the way. Public transport, including busses are doggie accessible.
foot tunnel to Greenwich then turn left along the river path to the Dome, cable car across the river, DLR to Blackwell and walk home.
along the river to limehouse basin, then the canal towpaths to islington or the Olympic park

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Fox hunting...our dog used to chase the foxes (playfully) and both parties seemed to enjoy it.

 

[Rebelda]

Thames path, and it's on

 

[miss direct]

Ooh I love foxes. Dog is a lurcher though so may have good hunting instincts (??)

Foot tunnel sounds good. I have some family over the other side of the river so nice to know I can walk over.

Not keen on public transport unless I can help it. I use it only when completely necessary (just trying to stay safe from covid as I've got this far without getting it and don't intend to get it at all, not before I've had a vaccine)

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Central line to Theydon Bois, then walk through the forest to Epping. There‘s a nice pub garden just before Epping.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Ooh I love foxes. Dog is a lurcher though so may have good hunting instincts (??)

Foot tunnel sounds good. I can walk over Under

Not keen on public transport unless I can help it. I use it only when completely necessary (just trying to stay safe from covid as I've got this far without getting it and don't intend to get it at all, not before I've had a vaccine)

the cable car and ferry (not the regular riverbus) are usually pretty deserted. Understood with respect to the bus/tube.

 

[miss direct]

Ooh cable car and ferry sound fun. I can pretend I'm back in istanbul if I close my eyes and sip some black tea from a flask.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

I was initially the foxes might turn on our little cockapoo, but the young foxes seemed keen to play the game. It’s that time of year

 

[pseudonarcissus]

 

[tim]

Ooh cable car and ferry sound fun. I can pretend I'm back in istanbul if I close my eyes and sip some black tea from a flask.

The cable car is a bit disappointing, to be honest, but the foot tunnel is fun. I assume the drips from the roof are condensation. I go through the Isle of Dogs on the DLR every day and it is still very empty. I changed trains at Canary Wharf at 17.34 on Tuesday and there were only four or five of us in the carriage, so I wouldn't worry too much about public transport. Lots of river walks on both sides of the Thames an if you go North of the Island along the Lee too.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

the isle of dogs is an odd mix. some mega expensive 80s onwards stuff (canary wharf is on the island) and some of the old residents still left in the bits of social housing that haven't been swept away for yuppie riverside developments.

i'd say that south of the river (greenwich and blackheath are not that far away) may be more fun, although both greenwich and blackheath have got increasingly touristy / expensive. there are a few bits of greenwich park where dogs aren't allowed (more here) but the rest is ok. and may offer squirrels to chase.

chrisp street market in poplar (north of the island) is more old school market. there's a bloody big asda near crossharbour DLR station on the island.

dogs travel free on TFL transport modes including buses and the DLR, but if you go on the underground, you are expected to carry them up / down escalators, as the bit at the end of escalators can be dangerous to dogs' paws (the signs saying 'dogs must be carried on escalators does not actually mean it's compulsory to carry a dog, but see this video from 1 april a few years back)

it always used to be the rule that you had to go upstairs on a bus if you had a dog with you. i'm not sure if this is still the rule.

and dogs are not supposed to sit on seats on buses / trains etc either.

you can't pay a cash fare to the driver on london buses - you need either a contactless card or get an oyster card (you can buy these at a lot of newsagents in london)

dockland light railway (DLR) has self service ticket machines at stations - again, you can't buy a ticket on the train.

the cable car thing costs a bit more than buses etc, as do river boats. the woolwich ferry is free but may be a bit distant.

presume you'll discuss transport options with doggie's person before trying it - some are fine on buses / the underground, others can find it all a bit too much for them.

if you're visiting after 17 may, i'd recommend a visit to the museum of london, docklands (has a nice cafe as well) although don't think you can take doggy with you.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

the isle of dogs is an odd mix. some mega expensive 80s onwards stuff (canary wharf is on the island) and some of the old residents still left in the bits of social housing that haven't been swept away for yuppie riverside developments.

I don’t know when you were last at Chrisp St Market. For me it’s 3 years and they were getting to ready to redevelop it again...I remember when they put the roof on in about ‘92. A lot of the traders were leaving. I moved to Brazil the same time as the last old school fruit and veg stall holder retired. Alegedly, it was the inspiration for Eastenders, but I think you’d need to seriously suspend your disbelief to see the similarity. Anyway, you may be disappointed...or maybe it’s already be redeveloped and is now...vibrant? Edgy?

 

[tim]

There are no barriers or turnstiles at DLR stations which are not also tube or train stations and they seem to have stopped checking tickets on the DLR because of Covid. I am not recommending that you just saunter on and off without paying deliberately, but we all forget sometimes. If you do forget, remember to forget at both ends of the journey, otherwise, you'll be automatically charged for an all zones ticket.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Anyway, you may be disappointed...or maybe it’s already be redeveloped and is now...vibrant? Edgy?

 

[miss direct]

Are ubers expensive in London? And can I take a dog in one?

Great info so far thanks.

Had a disagreement with a friend today. She says groceries are more expensive in London but I think they're the same (I mean at supermarkets etc.) Who's right?

 

[scifisam]

I'm near there!

Without the dog, you could go to the Tower of London if you're coming after the 19th of May. The Museum of London Docklands is walking distance. The Ragged School Museum is good, small-scale local/social history. I think all the city farms are reopening soon too and you can take dogs on leads in them.

There's a lot of history visible along the streets and I think there are websites and so on telling you what you're seeing as you walk past. I don't have a link because I'm enough of a local history person that I kinda know most of it. It's a really interesting place to walk around, with lots of little bits of history you might not notice if you're not trying to.

For long dog walks, go to Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Mile End Park, or just walk along the river.

Brick Lane is walkable, depending where on the Isle of Dogs you are. There are also lots of small street markets selling ordinary food, and they're reopening soon.

I don’t know when you were last at Chrisp St Market. For me it’s 3 years and they were getting to ready to redevelop it again...I remember when they put the roof on in about ‘92. A lot of the traders were leaving. I moved to Brazil the same time as the last old school fruit and veg stall holder retired. Alegedly, it was the inspiration for Eastenders, but I think you’d need to seriously suspend your disbelief to see the similarity. Anyway, you may be disappointed...or maybe it’s already be redeveloped and is now...vibrant? Edgy?

No, it's not vibrant or edgy at all, and that's its appeal. But it's not especially a food market. My Grandad and step-nan worked on a clothes stall there for a while.

 

[scifisam]

Are ubers expensive in London? And can I take a dog in one?

Great info so far thanks.

Had a disagreement with a friend today. She says groceries are more expensive in London but I think they're the same (I mean at supermarkets etc.) Who's right?

I think ubers probably are more expensive. You can technically take a dog if the driver agrees, but I think a lot would refuse. Black cabs accept them.

The grocery thing is something I've heard from Northerners before, but never from any who've actually lived here - the supermarkets have national pricing because it's easier for them. Also there's a massive Asda at Crossharbour and tons of Lidls and Aldis.

 

[miss direct]

Yeah that's what I thought! She claims she did live in London for a bit

 

[miss direct]

I'm near there!

Without the dog, you could go to the Tower of London if you're coming after the 19th of May. The Museum of London Docklands is walking distance. The Ragged School Museum is good, small-scale local/social history. I think all the city farms are reopening soon too and you can take dogs on leads in them.

There's a lot of history visible along the streets and I think there are websites and so on telling you what you're seeing as you walk past. I don't have a link because I'm enough of a local history person that I kinda know most of it. It's a really interesting place to walk around, with lots of little bits of history you might not notice if you're not trying to.

For long dog walks, go to Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Mile End Park, or just walk along the river.

Brick Lane is walkable, depending where on the Isle of Dogs you are. There are also lots of small street markets selling ordinary food, and they're reopening soon.

Great info, thank you. I'm coming next week but may well still be there by the time things open a bit more. End date isn't fixed yet.

Oh good I can get nice bagels then!

 

[scifisam]

Great info, thank you. I'm coming next week but may well still be there by the time things open a bit more. End date isn't fixed yet.

Oh good I can get nice bagels then!

Yep, they even do deliveries.

Rinkoff's is another old Jewish Bakery that's still open (and thriving). It's hidden away down a footpath on a council housing estate.

Home - Rinkoffs Bakery

www.rinkoffbakery.co.uk

I wouldn't take a dog down the Greenwich foot tunnel btw - imagine having to clean up after them down there!

 

[pseudonarcissus]

I wouldn't take a dog down the Greenwich foot tunnel btw - imagine having to clean up after them down there!

Don’t be so squeamish, you pick up just as you would on the regular pavement. For most dogs it’s “indoors” and really not an issue

 

[pseudonarcissus]

Wake up very early one morning and go to Billingsgate Market and buy fish. 5-6 am is best. It’s an amazing experience and it’s about to be moved out to some place in Essex that will be impossible to get to. If you like a nice bit of fish, you wont regret it.

 

[DaveCinzano]

If you do forget, remember to forget at both ends of the journey

 

[miss direct]

I do like a nice bit of but not very good in the mornings.

Not quite sure this is happening any more bloody covid

 

[miss direct]

Got thrown out of a shopping centre today my "little friend" wasn't allowed. I didn't even realise it was a shopping centre, as I got there through a door from a tube station. Fine to have unmasked people all over the place, but not a clean, well behaved dog..

 

[Supine]

Got thrown out of a shopping centre today my "little friend" wasn't allowed. I didn't even realise it was a shopping centre, as I got there through a door from a tube station. Fine to have unmasked people all over the place, but not a clean, well behaved dog..

The Asda is more real world if you need shopping. Although dogs probably aren’t allowed there either, unless you pretend to be blind

 

[miss direct]

The Asda is more real world if you need shopping. Although dogs probably aren’t allowed there either, unless you pretend to be blind

I'll leave the dog at home next time

 

[Supine]

So much for the name Isle Of Dogs

 

[miss direct]

So much for the name Isle Of Dogs

This was at Canary Wharf. I'll assume birds are allowed