Things to Do in Canada Water This Summer
Summer is finally upon us, the warm weather is here for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re a parent looking to keep the kids busy over the six-week holiday, a visitor looking for something new to try with friends, or wanting a date night with a difference, here in Canada Water there’s plenty going on for summer fun-seekers of all ages.
Catch a performance Round The Dock
Throughout August, Canada Water’s Round The Dock programme will bring an eclectic line-up of performers to an innovative floating stage in Canada Dock. Weekends bring live jazz and soul, with Notting Hill Carnival legend Norman Jay MBE spinning the tunes on Sunday 16 August.
On Fridays, Steam Down Presents Sounds of the Diaspora sees various guest artists take the stage with South East London Afro-punk band Steam Down. Thursdays are your chance to learn Latin Dance, Spit Nights on Tuesdays are dedicated to spoken word , while Wednesdays bring big ideas to the small stage with Pints of Knowledge – pint-sized talks exploring subjects such as “Why we rave” and “Jaws, shark horror and why we’re afraid to get into the water.”
Watch an outdoor film
Canada Dock will also be hosting a Floating Cinema Club this summer, with feel-good favourites and blockbuster classics being shown for free. Bring a blanket and settle in with the summer breeze rolling off the dock. Keep an eye out for our film schedule here.
Explore the underwater world at Discovery Pond sessions
Join The Conservation Volunteers and look beneath the surface at the Discovery Pond. Underwater explorers of all ages can grab a net and dip in to a world of water boatmen, whirligig beetles, and many other weird and wonderful denizens of the dock. Sessions run from 11am to 1pm on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the summer holidays.
The sessions are part of the Dockside Den section of Round The Dock. The creative line-up at the Dockside Den is designed to keep kids moving, with storytelling, African drumming workshops, theatrical science experiments, underwater exploration sessions at the Discovery Pond and more. Click here for the full schedule.
Learn to skateboard
Every weekend this summer Skate Haven CIC will be bringing free skateboarding sessions to Deal Porter Square. They’re open to all ages and abilities, with beginner-friendly coaching, free skate sessions and all equipment provided.
Explore the area on foot
With the striking Rafter Walk across Canada Dock, the nature reserves of Russia Dock Woodland and Stave Hill Ecological Park, and the Thames Path all on our doorstep, there’s no shortage of options for anyone looking to make the most of the warm weather by spending some time in nature.
Summer can be a great time to get out and spot the bird life that makes its home in the area’s various natural habitats. No fewer than 40 species of bird* were recorded in the area in June, including exciting sightings such as sparrowhawk, goldcrest and great crested grebe.
*Rotherhithe Birding Newsletter
Be part of the Rotherhithe Festival finale
The much-loved Rotherhithe Festival will make its 20th and final appearance at King George’s Fields on Saturday 1 August, 11.30am-8.30pm. British Land has been proud to support the festival for many years.
This year’s festival will feature live music throughout the day, free children’s rides and activities, and stalls showcasing local organisations and community groups.
Get a dose of retail therapy
Round The Dock also brings some of the capital’s coolest markets to Canada Water. Summer weekends will see everything from vinyl to vintage goods, street food and handmade crafts hit the stalls as operators including Bottle Factory Flea, KERB and Urban Garden Fair pop up around the dock. Black Eats Takeover will shine a spotlight on black-owned businesses, before Independent Label Market joins forces with N4 Makers Market for a closing weekend celebrating independent music, art and design.
Canada Water’s very own Thrive Market will also be making its fortnightly appearances at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, offering a chance to pick up a one-of-a-kind purchase while supporting local entrepreneurs.
Play padel
If you’re looking for a way to get active outdoors, why not do so with a game of the world’s fastest-growing sport? Padel is a racket sport with similarities to both squash and tennis. It’s played with solid bats, and almost always as a doubles game. Canada Water’s four courts are located outside by Canada Dock, 300m from Canada Water Station.
They can be booked through the CourtBrain booking system here.
Go for goal
Ballers Academy will be running their popular summer camp once again, catering for all skill levels. Sessions run on a weekly schedule from Friday 24 July to Friday 14 August, 10am to 3pm, and cost £56 for the week. Click here for more info and to book.
Work out indoors
If you’re not feeling the great outdoors, Canada Water Leisure Centre offers a host of ways to keep fit inside. The gym is open, as are the group fitness studios with 30- and 60-minute classes available to book. The triple-height, wooden-floored sports hall has four courts on which you can play badminton, football, cricket and more.
Escape the elements
While the recent weather has been glorious, we all know you can’t trust the British summertime to stay sunny. If you need to stay out of inclement weather (or have just had enough of the heat), Corner Corner is just the place. There’s a food hall with street food from some of London’s leading independent operators and leafy greens from the on-site vertical farm, with all-day café Sireli serving up a menu of Armenian flatbreads and small plates.
Feed your ears with music from live acts and DJs, and keep your eyes open for events such as glass-garden-making workshops. There’s also free Wi-Fi and plenty of open-plan seating, making it the perfect spot to meet up with friends, relax, study or work remotely.
Catch a performance at Canada Water Theatre
Canada Water Library has always been much more than just a place to borrow books, and this summer it’s the place to catch unforgettable theatre, comedy and musical events at Canada Water Theatre. The venue, operated by Theatre Peckham, brings everything from a Trinidad Carnival-inspired reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy to exclusive Edinburgh Fringe preview shows.
You can also find interactive storytelling workshops, a unique play-reading marathon, vocal masterclasses and a high-energy Summer Sing – there’s something to suit all ages and tastes. Check out what’s on here.
Round off the summer at Bermondsey Carnival
The free all-day event returns to Southwark Park on Bank Holiday Monday. This year’s headliners are garage legends Artful Dodger, with a full genre-spanning line-up of live acts and DJs over two stages. There’s also a funfair, kids’ entertainment, football with Millwall Community Trust, food and drink from independent traders and community stalls. British Land joins other local businesses and Southwark Council in supporting the festival. Monday 31 August , 1pm-9pm
