The Royal Docks is the area, including the three docks – the Royal Victoria (1855), the Royal Albert (1880) and the King George V (1921), collectively forming the largest enclosed docks in the world, and known as the Royals. Not to be confused with the Royal Dockyards which service Royal Navy ships (at Portsmouth, Deptford, Woolwich, Chatham, and others).
Built 1855-1921. Declined from the 1960s onwards, following the adoption of containerisation. Commericial activity ceased in 1981. The area now contains many residential complexes, the Excel centre and London City Airport.
Londonist reported on "London's Longest Artwork, ... a deep history of the Royal Docks".
