Limehouse escorts in E14: the marina, the old wharves and a quiet reach of river

Limehouse Basin is where the Regent's Canal and the Limehouse Cut reach the Thames, and it still works as a lock-controlled marina. Apartment blocks with balconies over the moorings surround it; above them rises the pale tower of St Anne's, Hawksmoor's church, with one of the highest church clocks in London. Narrow Street runs south of the basin along the river, lined with converted wharves and a pair of old pubs whose back rooms hang over the tide.

The name goes back to the lime kilns that burned along this bank for London's builders. Later the district belonged to sailors, ropemakers and shipwrights, and Ropemakers Fields, the small park beside Narrow Street, remembers the long rope walks that once supplied the ships.

Walk the Thames Path east from Narrow Street and the river widens at the bend, the Wharf rising straight ahead; walk west and the path threads between warehouse walls towards Wapping. After nine you will have either direction almost to yourselves.

Limehouse has no large hotel of its own, and that is its charm. The people who write to us from here live here: in the wharf conversions on Narrow Street, in the flats around the basin, sometimes on the boats themselves. Some work at the Wharf and chose Limehouse for the quiet; others ride the c2c into Fenchurch Street and like being a few minutes from the City. They tend to book the longer lengths and host at home, with a bottle already open.

For a home, we confirm which building, which door and whose name is on the bell. Warehouse flats here often share a street door and a long staircase; mention it, and she allows the extra minute. If you live aboard, tell us the berth and how the gate opens.

Visitors, rather than residents, usually stay a few minutes away on the estate. Canary Riverside Plaza, on the river at Westferry Circus, is the closest on foot along the Thames Path, and a natural place for a first drink before walking back to Narrow Street. The London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf stands at West India Quay, one DLR stop from Westferry, and Tribe London Canary Wharf is a short walk beyond. Guests pick all three for themselves, and we have no partnership with any of them.

19:30. She reaches a wharf conversion on Narrow Street, buzzes the flat by the first name you agreed, and comes up. 19:45. A glass on the balcony while the tide runs out and the Wharf lights up downstream. 20:30. Dinner at one of the riverside pubs a few doors along, the window table if you asked early. 22:00. Back along the river for coffee at home. 23:30. Four hours close at the agreed time: the dinner date, £900, with travel included.

Limehouse station, on the DLR and the c2c line from Fenchurch Street, is two minutes' walk from the basin. Westferry, also DLR, is five minutes from the eastern end of Narrow Street, and West India Quay is nine. By car she comes along The Highway, or through the Limehouse Link tunnel if the evening moves on to the Wharf.

The window is the familiar one: up to an hour from confirmation, with a firm arrival time given before you commit. Being Zone 2, Limehouse carries no travel charge.

Karolina comes from Covent Garden and never walks past St Anne's without a word about its architect. Margo, from Knightsbridge, wants a riverside table and an unhurried pace. Tina, also from Covent Garden, is often free at short notice. The whole roster, with ages, heights and home districts, is on the Tonight page.

West along The Highway, Wapping has more warehouse lofts and the oldest river pubs in the city. East, the towers of Canary Wharf are one stop away. South, the Isle of Dogs starts past the estate, and the E14 hub lists every district in the postcode.