East London could soon be getting a huge new floating destination

Royal Docks Waterways has proposed a new 12-hectare floating destination at Royal Victoria Dock West in East London. The plans include a dedicated wellness hub featuring a floating lido, sauna, and spa facilities. This hub is designed to operate as a year-round facility, catering to the increasing demand for outdoor swimming and wellness activities in the capital while providing expanded support for free open water swimming.

The project is part of a wider £5 billion investment into the Royal Docks, supported by the Mayor of London. In addition to the sauna and lido, the site is expected to feature London’s first floating park and a residential section with houseboat moorings and floating homes. The development aims to transform the historic docks into a significant public space, addressing the relative lack of accessible green and blue spaces in the borough of Newham.

Currently in the early stages of conception, the proposal is undergoing a series of public consultations to gather local feedback. Following these consultations, the plans will be refined before moving toward the construction phase. If the project receives the necessary approvals, work on the initial phases could begin before 2030.