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Visitors flock to London's beach

1st Sep 2005

35,000 people filled Docklands’ West India Quay this bank holiday weekend for the FunQuay beach Weekend hosted by British Waterways and X-Leisure. Thousands of children made the most of the fine bank holiday weather by making sandcastles under the Canary Wharf skyline on London’s only beach made from 20 tonnes of sand imported into the capital.

The second ever FunQuay Beach Weekend attracted over 10,000 more visitors than last year. As well as the beach and the restaurants at West India Quay, the best of international free street entertainment, a Caribbean steal band, children’s funfair and a world dance stage kept visitors entertained and added to the seaside atmosphere. The Museum in Docklands offered free entry all weekend and attracted record numbers through their doors.

British Waterways and X-Leisure were thrilled at the turn out and The Museum in Docklands and Docklands Light Railway were also very supportive, both seeing a substantial increase in their own visitor and passenger numbers.

Louise Fishleigh, recreation manager for British Waterways London commented: “The FunQuay Beach Weekend was a real success and we’re delighted that so many people came and enjoyed themselves at West India Quay.”

“The beach was fantastic and the children were having a great time building sand castles and watching Punch and Judy shows. The River Cultures dance stage was incredibly popular and attracted people of all ages. Some people didn’t stop dancing from the minute we opened to the minute the event closed”.

Last updated: 22/10/2008