Greenland Dock

This photo says it all. For more local ways of South London see the Stone Circle. The Ecology Park is nearby and a lovely walk leads there under the road following the path of an old canal.

There’s also a water sports centre here. In my experience it’s rarely windy enough for them to actually sail, what with it not being at sea but rather an inland city dock surrounded by buildings or as I like to call them “windbreaks”.

But once, when I was going through a tough time and searching for peace in London I accidentally ran a half marathon from Camden Town up and down the Thames and ended up here one peaceful afternoon watching the larking about in boats.

The ducks are a more reliable fixture, and peace can be found any day here watching the water and the birds who don’t seem to give a quack about Trump, politics, pandemics or anything. Not even bird flu.

You are lucky. This video is the sort of thing that would cost ten quid (£10) in a gift shop of a Sea Life Centre as a ‘relaxation tape’ so you are lucky to get it for free.

Here's an alternative relaxation tape: Swan Lake [copyright free]

Of the ballets I’d say Swan Lake is my favourite. Not to mention the only one I know.

Update: Just watched this, thought you might like it dear reader. Ballet dancers performing swan lake in the bath.

Although personally I think my rendition is better.

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Update 2026: You can now swim in Greenland dock.

Nearby are Campfireless and if you aren't ordering Uber Eats to a park bench food is available at Canada Water Library Cafe.