SE16 weekend picks, library sessions and route warnings
Published Tuesday 19 May 2026
A practical Canada Water week with a Surrey Docks Farm history tour, a free puppet workshop, library sessions, Dock X opening times and route warnings.
Three To Put In The Diary
Saturday 23 May, noon-3pm
Free puppet workshop at The Blue Market
The Bermondsey Puppet & Storytelling Festival has an all-ages drop-in with storyteller Baden Prince Jr and a wild-animal puppet workshop at The Blue Market. Storytelling is at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm, with free puppet-making from noon to 3pm; see the Baden Prince Jr workshop page.
Sunday 24 May
Secrets of the Site's History at Surrey Docks Farm
Site historian Germander Speedwell leads this ticketed farm fundraiser, using remains and foreshore artefacts to explain what stood on the Rotherhithe Street site before the farm. Book ahead through Surrey Docks Farm.
What's On
Tuesday 19 May
Short Story Club at Canada Water Library, 6-7pm. The informal monthly group meets Tuesday 19 May, 6-7pm, in Room 6 at Canada Water Library; more on Short Story Club.
Wednesday 20 May
Music Classes for Under-Fives, 10.30-11.30am. Canada Water Library's term-time session uses singing, musical instruments, movement and props for babies and toddlers. Booking is essential by email through Music Classes for Under-Fives.
Thursday 21 May
English+ at Canada Water Library, noon-2pm. English+ is a free, informal English-practice session at Canada Water Library, useful for neighbours who want a low-pressure place to build confidence.
Tuesday 19 to Monday 25 May
Vikings at Dock X, times vary. The Dock X immersive exhibition is open 9am-4pm Tuesday to Thursday, 9am-6pm Friday, 9am-7pm Saturday, and 9am-6pm Sunday and bank-holiday Monday. The event includes child-access information for companion tickets and supervision; book through the Vikings event page.
Roadworks and Transport
- Rotherhithe Tunnel: The tunnel closes overnight from 10pm Monday 18 May to 5am Tuesday 19 May, then again from 10pm Friday 22 May to 5am Sunday 24 May, 10pm Sunday 24 May to 5am Monday 25 May, and 10pm Monday 25 May to 5am Tuesday 26 May.
- Drummond Road: Utility works have two-way signals from Monday 18 to Friday 29 May, with delays likely around the Drummond Road route between Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.
- Surrey Quays Road: UK Power Networks works start on Friday 22 May with multi-way signals and possible delays near Canada Water and Surrey Quays.
- Webster Road: A Southwark road closure runs from late Sunday 24 May to Wednesday 27 May, so check access if you use Webster Road for local school-run or shopping trips.
Planning Watch
- Rotherhithe Gas Holder site: A new non-material amendment application has been registered for the Rotherhithe Gas Holder site, linked to the existing permission for demolition, remediation and new homes.
- Codrington, Pennington and Calder courts: An application proposes replacing combustible infill panels with non-combustible rated panels and reinstalling opaque glass infill panels at Codrington, Pennington and Calder courts on Rotherhithe Street.
- Nelson Dry Dock: A new application covers partial demolition of the jetty head and replacement of the river wall at Nelson Dry Dock, 265 Rotherhithe Street.