This is a sponsored article on behalf of Canada Water.
Canada Water. Not an area many Londoners know too much about above the Tube station interchange — but that's all about to change.
The south-yet-central London neighbourhood grew up as part of Surrey Commercial Docks, getting its name from the 19th-century timber imports it handled, many of which came from Canada, with the docks closing in the 1970s. Redevelopment of the area began in the 1980s, when new homes and a shopping centre were built.
Excitingly, a brand new town centre is now being created in SE16 by developer British Land in partnership with AustralianSuper, complementing the existing area with a new town square, 16 new streets, plus London's first new high street for 100 years. It's time to get to know London's up-and-coming neighbourhood — situated in 53 acres of historic docklands — before the crowds catch on.
What's in Canada Water?
What isn't in Canada Water? For somewhere so central, it's surprisingly green and nature-centric, surrounded by 130 acres of parks, woodland and water. Canada Dock offers a boardwalk, wetlands and biodiverse wildlife right by the water. Plus 24,000 new plants and over 1,000 new trees are being planted, and a new 3.5-acre park is coming soon, so there are plenty of places to watch the world go by with a picnic or an ice cream in the sun.
Canada Water's got all the mod-cons of city living too. The soon-to-open Canada Water Leisure Centre houses a world-class gym, two swimming pools, three fitness studios and a multi-court sports hall. Alternatively, pop into the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre to tackle The Arch climbing wall, offering lessons for beginners, and memberships for more experienced climbers.
Prefer to do your workouts outdoors? Watersports including sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, rowing and power boating are available at Greenland Dock (not something you'd find on your doorstep in many London neighbourhoods...). Or, take on family and friends in one of the four new courts at Canada Water Padel, and try the social experience which combines elements of tennis and squash — perfect for players of all skill levels.
For those more into watching sports rather than playing, throughout summer 2025 a large outdoor screen shows all the main action including the Women's Euros and the Tour de France. The Canada Water Screen also hosts outdoor cinema experiences, with classics such as Cool Runnings, The Greatest Showman and School of Rock on the schedule.
Swing by cultural hub Corner Corner, managed by the team behind Printworks London, for a bar and coffee shop with live jazz music and DJs at weekends, plus London's largest urban indoor farm, providing salad and herbs used at the on-site food hall managed by Kerb. Nearby, modern gastropub meets tropical chic at Pacific Tavern, which serves up craft beers, signature cocktails, and gourmet food cooked over an open flame. Coming up this autumn: modern Japanese restaurant Sushi Revolution's third outpost, and all-day cafe The Village Tree, run by the husband-and-wife team behind nearby restaurant and deli The Pear Tree.
That new high street we mentioned? Thanks to retail spaces at varying sizes and price points that facilitate entrepreneurship, it'll be home to a mix of independent businesses and established brands.
Throw in even more food, drink and culture options and you've got yourself a seriously buzzing new neighbourhood. Plus, the area's already home to around 30,000 residents, and there's an existing network of clubs, groups and organisations for everything from art to sport, with a deep-rooted sense of community.
This summer is shaping up to be an exciting one at Canada Water; watch this space for events, installations, outdoor screens, brand partnerships and much more to come.
Living sustainably in Canada Water
Because the town centre is being created from scratch, British Land have taken the opportunity to make it as sustainable as possible. Already, Canada Water has worked with the London Wildlife Trust to restore wetlands and create seven islands in the docks planted with native species.
Living roofs covering an area the size of four football pitches will be planted with pollinator-friendly wildflowers, with nesting boxes for birds, roosting boxes for bats and insect hotels for bugs. Greenery on these living roofs will absorb 63% of rainfall, and rainwater harvested is now replenishing Canada Dock.
The new buildings in Canada Water will be fully electric and powered by renewables, including heat pumps, with innovative heat sharing between workplaces and homes.
Putting down roots in Canada Water
Thinking of moving soon? Canada Water could be your new 'hood. 3,000 new homes are being built in the area, designed for people of all ages, from young families and professionals to retirees, with a significant number designed to be affordable including shared ownership and social and intermediate rents.
The first of these new homes are located at The Founding, a development of 186 one- to three-bedroom waterside apartments rising 35 storeys (think of the views!) with residents' lounges and three roof gardens. While homes are available now, keep an eye on the website for updates on further new home options as they're built.
Or perhaps it's professional roots you're looking to put down? As with all thriving town centres, there are plenty of opportunities for businesses to grow in Canada Water. Two million sqft of sustainable, all-electric workspace is being created, enough for 20,000 workers, with both large and small businesses welcome. Green tech hub Paper Yard, already home to The Engineering & Design Institute (TEDI-London) and a number of clean tech startups, offering versatile lab-enabled space which can be configured to your needs.
According to recent research, Canada Water is the best-connected destination for under-35s in London. More of this age group can get to Canada Water in under 45 minutes than anywhere else in London, making it an ideal place to attract the next generation of talented workers.
Getting to Canada Water
Located in Zone 2, Canada Water is a doddle to get to. It's just two stops on the Jubilee line from London Bridge (or four stops from Waterloo), making for a dreamy central London commute. It's also on the London Overground Windrush line, offering easy access to east and south London.
See for yourself how Canada Water is reimagining what central London living looks like, and how it's redrawing the blueprint for future redevelopments in the capital.
