During the early half of the 20th century, the Royal Victoria Dock became an essential part of industrial Britain and London’s largest centre of flour milling. 1905 the Millennium Mills were built but were partially destroyed in 1917 by an explosion at the munitions factory. Millennium Mills was rebuilt as a 10-storey concrete art deco building in 1933. Sustained severe damage from bombing in the Second World War; rebuilt between 1945 and 1950, and was in operation by September 1953. The Royal Docks closed in 1981. The years have passed and still no progress on redevelopment. Excel Centre was built by Sir Robert McAlpine and opened in November 2000. It is now in phase 3 of development expected to be completed in October 2024 but riverside access is still closed off,
Going up towards the City, there is an impressive yacht that serves as a hotel, the Sunborn (£440/night). Passing The Crystal building, now the City Hall, our walk carried on alongside the new Silver Town Tunnel development. I was fooled by a model Peregrine on one of the tall buildings!
