The initial sketch for the station design was created overnight. The station itself is abstract, flexible and simple and retains much of the character of this original drawing.

Canada Water station takes its name from a nearby lake, which was created from a former dock in the London Docklands.

Nearby is Southwark Park, a quiet and relatively unknown Green Flag park that contains a boating lake, tennis courts and art gallery and cafe in its 61-acre grounds.