On the north side of the River Thames, in Silvertown, near to London City Airport, is Thames Barrier Park. It opened in 2000 on a brownfield site as part of a riverside redevelopment to improve the area for local residents and visitors.

Decontaminating the area took some time as it was on the site of a chemical factory before it could become the first new riverside park in London for 50 years.

In 1995 the London Docklands Development Corporation launched an international competition to create a new riverside park.

The winning consortium was architect Patel Taylor in collaboration with Group Signers and engineers Ove Aarum.

The Green Dock

This is my favorite part of the park and is on a lower level to the lawns. This sunken garden was created by horticulturalist Alain Cousseran and landscape architect Alain Provost. The green trench provides a sheltered microclimate for a 'rainbow garden' and reflects the profile of an old lock entrance to the docks with the hedges sculpted to represent waves.

As well as this flower garden area, the park has a large lawn, fountains, an enclosed children's play area and a 5-a-side football/basketball court. There's also a good cafe (The Visitor Pavilion Coffee Shop) with clean toilets.

A Pavilion of Remembrance near the river commemorates local people who died in the Second World War.

The park is well-maintained and is popular with dog walkers and families.

The Thames Barrier

The most dramatic feature of the park is its view of the Thames Flood Barrier.

The Thames Barrier Information Centre is on the other side of the river but you can get great views of the Thames Barrier from this side too.

Unfortunately there isn't any information about the Thames Barrier on this side, which is a real shame, but the views are spectacular.

Address: Thames Barrier Park, North Woolwich Road, London E16  2HP

Nearest Station: Pontoon Dock DLR

Free Parking: At the time of writing (2014), 2 hour free parking was still on offer in the car park next to Pontoon Dock DLR station.

Opening Hours: The park is open from 7am and closes at dusk.

Thames Barrier Park Official Website: www.lda.gov.uk/projects/thames-barrier-park

Nearby:

I combined a visit to Thames Barrier Park with the Woolwich Ferry and the Woolwich Foot Tunnel. You might like to a trip on the cable car over The River Thames.

To reach the Woolwich Ferry terminal, take the 474 bus from Pontoon Dock DLR towards Manor Park. Get off at North Woolwich Ferry bus stop.

To reach the Emirates Airline (cable car) take the 474 bus from Pontoon Dock DLR towards Canning Town. Get off at the Charrington Steps bus stop.