Mudlarks

Children’s gallery

Trade Expansion

1600-1800

No.1 Warehouse

Introductory gallery

A rare survival of what was once the world’s largest dock complex

The museum building was originally No. 1 Warehouse of the West India Docks. Opened in 1802, the West India Docks were London’s first enclosed dock system, built away from the open river on the Isle of Dogs. This gallery looks at how London’s historic docks and warehouses operated at the height of their success.

Not to be missed on your visit

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Entrance view of the No. 1 Warehouse gallery at the Museum of London Docklands.

Step back a hundred years into the past

This gallery uses authentic objects from the working No. 1 Warehouse, alongside footage of the London docks, to recreate the atmosphere of the bustling commercial Port of London.

Carved figure of a steersman in the No. 1 Warehouse gallery.

The Helmsman, made around 1850

This sculpture of a sailor stood on the roof of Bawn & Co. mast-makers, located in West India Dock road, becoming a local landmark and advertisement for the Bawn's carving skills.

Mummified cat found in a London dock warehouse.

Mummified cat and rat

The body of this cat and rat were discovered behind some bottles at the London Docks in the 1890s. Cats were allowed to run freely around warehouses to try and control pests.

Time-bell used to summon dock-workers to warehouses in the Port of London.

Call-on bell, early 19th century

Bells like this one were rung to mark the opening and closing times of warehouses, signalling the daily gatherings and dismissals of the dockworkers.

Destination boards

Ships sailing from London might stop at many different ports, requiring their cargo to be packed in exactly the right order. These boards told dockworkers which cargoes to load first.

Large balance scales in the No. 1 Warehouse gallery.

Beamscales, from between 1895 and 1920

These large scales were used to measure goods as they entered or left the warehouses. They are mounted on iron tripods, allowing them to be used anywhere throughout the docks.

Large baskets used for moving loose cargo in the No. 1 Warehouse gallery.

Cargo basket, early to mid-20th century

Baskets like this were used mainly to load light loose cargoes, including esparto grass that was imported for making paper.

Interactive tables in the No. 1 Warehouse gallery showing weights, ropes and tools.

Get your hands on history at the interactive table

You can feel a selection of docker's tools from trolleys to loading hooks, and lift these weights to get a measure of work on in the warehouse.

Winch and film displayed in the No. 1 Warehouse gallery.

See the docks in action

Featuring remastered footage from the Port of London authority, this film shows what the inside of a busy warehouse looked like.

Looking from a high quayside window at the Museum of London Docklands.

Spot the architectural details

The lovingly restored fabric of the museum building has many small relics of the working warehouse, like this loophole window used to winch cargo to the correct floor.

Gallery access

The gallery is open during the museum's normal hours:

10:00am - 5:30pm

The gallery is on the third floor and can be accessed by lift.

Entry free, no ticket required.

No. 1 Warehouse also of interest

See the free Tunnel exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands.

Tunnel: The Archaeology of Crossrail

A free exhibition displaying artefacts excavated while building the Elizabeth Line

Plan your visit

Fun for families

We have lots of free activities for families to enjoy

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Roman intaglio with clasped hands, no. 001508 on Picturechase.

With thanks

The creation of the Warehouse No. 1 gallery was only achieved through the generous support of many individuals and organisations

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