First Port of Empire: 1840–1880

How London’s docks became the centre of world trade, as British power spread in the 19th century.

  • A collection of images depicting visitors enjoying themselves in the free-to-visit permanent galleries of the London Museum Docklands as well as its outdoor areas, café and shop.

    London benefited enormously from its industry and docks.

As the financial heart of the British empire, London’s docks had the money to expand and bring even more trade into the city – and quickly. Wooden ships became less common, while iron shipbuilding and engine-making expanded rapidly. New docks were opened, so bigger ships with bigger cargoes could to come into London.

Big industry also started appearing on the riverside, which brought more jobs and money into the area: shipyards, engineering works, potteries, gasworks and candleworks.

This gallery also has some original features from when the building was a busy, working warehouse, like winches that were used to hoist heavy cargo.

Next gallery: Warehouse of the World

First Port of Empire is open 10am – 5pm every day at London Museum Docklands.

Please note that we'll start closing up the galleries at around 4.40pm.

There's lots to see, so we recommend you spend at least 15 minutes in the First Port of Empire gallery.

It's the sixth gallery on our recommended route and you'll find it on the Second Floor.

View maps & floor plans

Object highlights

Free galleries

All galleries