has anyone stayed in the docklands area of london and if
so is it convenient and safe
The Docklands is a corporate/newly residential area of London. Very little for the toursit.
As a born and bred New Yorker, I can say the Docklands is nothing like Rockefeller Center. It's more akin to the financial district/Battery park area.
The Docklands to the central part of London (tourist areas) would be like staying in Brooklyn and then commuting to Midtown.
If you plan to stay out late, the tube (subways ) and DLR (tram) shut down just after midnight. Your choice then is either night buses or taxis.
If you are asking because of inexpensive lodging there, I would suggest you check out betterbidding.com for hints on how to take advantage of priceline Name Your Own Price, and getting Hotwire hotels identified.
You should easily be able to stay in Underground zone 1 (and inside edge of 2) for under $100/night. And I've seen postings of 5* Grosvenor House in Mayfair area being had for as little as $128/night (though usually $170. yes $, not GBP)
When, exactly, did they drag the Tower of London into the City?
If you are visiting London as a tourist, I would not recommend staying in Docklands. Even through there is public transportation, it is not particularly convenient to the main tourist sites.
Labanna - I have stayed in the Docklands area and it was safe and not inconvenient.
"When, exactly, did they drag the Tower of London into the City?"
Hi again Ed - when it was built. For us "the City" is the original City of London aka the Square Mile.