The neighbourhood of Silvertown seamlessly blends a rich industrial heritage with 21st century convenience. Team that with relative affordability, excellent connectivity and promising prospects and it’s easy to see why this waterfront community is so appealing to first time buyers
Under the Spotlight
Silvertown is a district in the London Borough of Newham, east London, which forms part of the wider Royal Docks area. Historically one of London’s most important industrial and docklands districts, it is now home to one of the capital’s largest regeneration projects.
The area takes its name from Samuel Winkworth Silver, who established a factory there in 1852. Silvertown went on to become one of the world’s busiest docklands and grew rapidly until The Silvertown Explosion, in 1917, devastated the area. The blast was triggered by a fire in a factory where TNT was being purified for wartime use. The closure of the Royal Docks, in 1981, was another sad day for Silvertown.
Thankfully, the turn of the century marked the start of a new era for Silvertown; an ambitious regeneration project, with significant investment transforming the area. The mixed-use neighbourhood now offers thousands of homes, plus office spaces, shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. New public spaces and the restoration of historic industrial buildings, including Millenium Mills, will be the perfect finishing touches.
Silvertown is home to one of London’s youngest and most diverse populations, with an influx of young professionals and families drawn to the waterfront, outside spaces, new schools and parks. Its close proximity to London City airport, ExCel London and the financial districts of Canary Wharf and the City of London also contribute to its cosmopolitan feel.
Public transport is a key strength of Silvertown. It is served by two Zone 3 Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations, West Silvertown and Pontoon Dock, and is also within easy walking distance of Custom House on the Elizabeth Line. Access is set to get even easier soon, with a pedestrian and cycle bridge on the way, leading directly to the station. Road links have also been upgraded, with the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel last year, reducing congestion at the nearby Blackwall Tunnel.
The Silvertown masterplan consists of five neighbourhoods – Mills Quarter, Silo D Quarter, Pontoon Dock, Silverworks and Victoria Gardens – each with their own character. Highlights will include the much-anticipated public square at Mills quarter, Silo D’s high street, watersports at Pontoon Dock and a skatepark, basketball courts and a climbing wall at Silverworks. Victoria Gardens is focused on families, with spacious play spaces a priority.
5 reasons we love Silvertown
There is lots to do locally, with a growing programme of community events. You can expect art trails, open-air cinema, food festivals and family events both in Silvertown, and in the wider Royal Docks community. ExCel London is also on the doorstep, hosting everything from Comic Con to international sporting events.
Silvertown boasts a staggering amount of open water and green spaces for an urban neighbourhood, so there are plenty of opportunities to be active too. Enjoy exploring the Thames Barrier Park, Royal Victoria Dock and Royal Wharf Pier on foot, or head down the Thames on a Thames Clipper river bus. For cyclists, there are dedicated riverside routes, while watersports are plentiful and include paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and open water swimming. Local sporting facilities include the London Aquatics Centre and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with athletics tracks, cycling routes, tennis courts and parkland. Modern, well-equipped gyms can be found in Royal Wharf, Canning Town and Canary Wharf.
Silvertown isn’t a shopping destination – yet! The next decade will see the development of a brand new high street making the area even more self-sufficient, but, in the meantime, you still have everything within easy reach. Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express are on the doorstep, with larger supermarkets in Canning Town and Beckton. Gallions Reach Shopping Park (around 10 minutes away) has some handy stores including Boots, Matalan, Next, TK Maxx and JD, while Westfield Stratford City, one of Europe’s largest shopping centres, is a little further at around 15-20 minutes.
The local restaurant scene is centred around the Royal Docks and Royal Wharf, rather than Silvertown High Street, which is currently the quieter option. Again, this will continue to develop over the next 5-10 years as the development is completed. Well-loved local options currently include Heroica Lounge for pizza, Nakhon Thai for Thai food overlooking the docks, and Waterfront Street Kitchen and Bar for street food-inspired eats and hand-crafted cocktails. For a unique and luxurious experience, head to Lands End Restaurant, on the Sunborn Yacht at the Royal Victoria Dock.
Evenings in Silvertown are fairly quiet, once the office workers and ExCel visitors depart, but there are some great pubs to discover, including The Windjammer and The Fox, ExCel. Many venues also offer outdoor terraces – perfect for al fresco wining and dining in the summer months. For a bigger night out, the world is your oyster. Head to Canary Wharf for upscale wine bars, the O2 for concerts and comedy, Stratford for Boxpark, or Hackney Wick for independent breweries.
Fact File
Average property price in Newham (April 2026) – £395,266
Property breakdown*
- Detached – £735,327
- Semi-detached – £505,583
- Terraced – £460,655
- Flat – £331,404
*According to the Land Registry House Price Index
Homes on the market…
SILVERTOWN Argenta
FROM £97,500*
Set to become one of east London’s most iconic neighbourhoods, Silvertown is a 27-acre placemaking project being delivered by The Silvertown Partnership. Offering a stylish selection of one and two bedroom apartments, homes at Argenta have been designed with modern living in mind.
The spacious properties are complete with contemporary interiors, impressive finishes and fully integrated kitchens. Each apartment comes with its own private balcony and access to a private residents’ garden – ideal for relaxing after work or enjoying the buzz of the Docklands below.
In addition to the impressive on-site facilities planned, there is already plenty on offer for Argenta purchasers in the area. Minutes from the new homes is a selection of independent cafes, restaurants and local supermarkets. The Thames Barrier Park is just a short walk away, and on weekends, residents can head to Royal Victoria Dock and enjoy watersports, riverside walks and a plethora of places to eat and drink – including boutique brunch spots, eateries, local breweries and waterside pubs, shops, restaurants, leisure facilities, bars and cafes, creating a lively hub centred around the dock and Grade II listed Silo D.
Silvertown is well connected, with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Pontoon Dock and the Elizabeth Line from Custom House providing access to central London and beyond. The new Silvertown Tunnel links Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula and The O2 Arena.
Prices start from £97,500 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment (full market value £390,000). Show home viewings are available by appointment.
guinnesshomes.co.uk/developments/silvertown/shared-ownership-in-newham/
*Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £390,000
First Time Buyer is an exciting bi-monthly glossy which takes a stylish and comprehensive look at all the options available, setting them out in an entertaining and informative way, and helping potential customers navigate their way through what is often a daunting and complex process. We dispel the myths, reinforce the facts and arm the reader with the tools necessary to make their homeownership dreams a reality.
