Rich in maritime history, this pocket of East London is now a cultural hub bursting with creativity.

Trinity Buoy Wharf has come a long way since it was first granted a charter as “The Guild or Fraternity of the most glorious and undividable Trinity of St Clement” by the infamous Henry the VIII in 1514. In 1573 it received its coat of arms allowing it to build beacons, buoys, lighthouses and light ships.

Like most of East London, the area changed a lot over the next few hundred years before falling into decline in the 20th century. In 1998 the area was empty with derelict buildings, but over the last 20 years, it’s become known for its quirky and creative atmosphere, with artists and innovators calling it home. Today Trinity Buoy Wharf is famous for having London’s only surviving lighthouse, as well as being the location for scientist Michael Faraday’s workshop.

The area is home to more businesses and organisations than you’d imagine – here are a few of our favourites.

The Faraday School

The Faraday School is an independent primary school for children aged 5-11. Founded in 2009 as a not-for-profit, it certainly fits in with its surroundings – the school is located within a converted warehouse and has a playground on its roof made out of shipping containers!

Lessons often take place in the surrounding area (including nearby parks and the banks of the Thames) and local creative businesses and people also support the school in different ways.

The Royal Drawing School

The Royal Drawing School is an independent charity and as such their programmes and courses are subsidised to allow people from all backgrounds the opportunity to access the teaching they have on offer.

The school runs drawing and art courses for people of all ages and abilities. With four locations across London, they are able to offer both public courses, fine art foundation courses, post-graduate drawing courses, international artist residencies and a young artists programme.

Clipper House

Clipper House was created from what was previously the 2012 Olympic Broadcasting Studios and is now home to MBNA Thames Clippers Headquarters, University of East London and the Royal Drawing School.

MBNA Thames Clippers will soon be running a service from Trinity Bouy Wharf, providing those living at the London City Island development and the future Goodluck Hope development with an alternative commute to getting on the tube.

Container City

Container City is pretty cool to look at. A modular creation hosting studios and flexible workspace, the City provides affordable space for the artists and creatives.

The modular building was created using old shipping containers, which cut down on the cost of building the project and recycled otherwise unusable materials.

Fat Boy’s Diner and The Orchard Café

All that creativity makes you hungry, so it’s a good thing that Trinity Buoy Wharf has two fabulous places to eat. Fat Boy’s Diner (an American style diner) and The Orchard Café serve wonderful home cooked food and cakes.

Trinity Buoy Wharf is one of our favourite places to visit. There is always something to see or do, you get fantastic views over the river, and there are great places to drink and eat.

The whole area is undergoing some big changes with new development Goodluck Hope in the works, a development that will provide beautifully designed homes and retail spaces inspired by the area’s industrial history.

Find out more about living onsite at Douglass Tower, launching September 2018.