THE capital could soon get its biggest ‘floating park’, along with a new lido, spa and sauna.
It’s all part of a £5billion regeneration plan at London’s Royal Docks.
The major new attraction would be built across 12-hectares of water.
Designs for the floating park reveal lots of greenery, some seating areas, and it would also be home to art installations and hold cultural events.
Right next to it, and also floating, are plans for a new wellness centre.
Sitting on top of the water, the centre would have a sauna, spa, and a lido for public swimming.
Alongside the two attractions could be a floating residential community with moorings and homes on the water.
The new area is part of the Mayor of London‘s Royal Docks regeneration plan.
Over 20 years it has had a £5billion investment to create an accessible waterfront for locals and visitors.
Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said: “The development of Royal Victoria Dock West is reshaping the space as a leisure and wellness destination, making the most of the waterway and giving residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a new community right on the water.”
These proposals will go out for public engagement later this month.
Early phases of construction are expected to begin in 2030 – if funding is put in place and plans are approved.
There’s already lots to do at London’s Royal Docks, like hopping on the IFS cable car.
The attraction is suspended 90 metres above the Thames where it connects the Royal Docks to Greenwich.
Every summer, Dock Beach opens to the public – tonnes of sand is placed on the bank to transform it into London’s biggest beach.
The dock also has a wakeboarding centre and it’s a great spot for rowing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
And while this proposed floating park will be London’s biggest, it’s not the only one.
Over in Merchant Square, Paddington is ‘The Floating Pocket Park’ which has benches, deckchairs and beanbags on top of the water.
It also has free Wi-Fi and during the summer is shaded by a canopy.
In better weather there are also free film screenings, music performances and exercise classes.
For more on new lidos, one could be built on the site of a car park 50 years after it was destroyed.
And here are all the new lidos set to open across the UK from seafront pools to city swimming spots.