London Walks (Part 1): Regents Canal
Hi. Welcome to my London Walks (Part 1): The Regents Canal. A 9-mile walk, and one of London’s best-kept secrets! Traditionally starting from Maida Vale, ending in Limehouse Basin. However as I live in the East side of London, I’m taking you in the opposite direction - therefore starting from Limehouse Basin ending in Maida Vale, otherwise known as Little Venice.
When I planned this walk, I thought “ok, so what route will I take to walk back to Limehouse?” Rather than just head back the way I had come, I designed the walk so that it would be a circular route so I could get to see much more of London, whilst still ending back in Limehouse.
To whet your appetite for the return leg of your journey - the route back will take in 3 of London’s Royal Parks – Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James Park. Plus some famous London Landmarks including, Hyde Park Corner, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, South Bank, Borough Market, Tower Bridge, and St. Katherine’s Dock, before heading into Wapping, and Limehouse Basin. Of course, London being London, you have the option of stopping off or calling it a day pretty much anywhere you like!
If you decide to do the whole lot in one go (like me), the entire loop is around 29km. It’s available to download on my ‘Full OS Maps route below’. Or you can do them individually if you prefer.
To do both these walk justice, and as there’s so much to write about, what I’ve done is to split these walks into 2 blogs…
London Walks (Part 1) – Regents Canal - (this blog)
London Walks (Part 2) – London Parks and Landmarks
DESCRIPTION
Typically, The Thames grabs most of the headlines as a major tourist attraction, but London is blessed with a huge network of canals which spread across the City. On the Regents Canal walk, you get to walk past many of London’s most famous landmarks – including Regent’s Park, Camden Lock, King’s Cross and other parts of central London – all the while avoiding the congestion, crowds and noise you’d normally associate with one of the world’s busiest cities.
This route has for many years been loved by boaters and cyclists, but now has become increasingly popular with walkers. For the majority of the walk, what I love most is that you hardly even notice the city around you, as it’s hidden from the surrounding buildings.
There are of course plenty of places where you can venture off the canal path, for example – Victoria Park, or even London Zoo, which the Regent’s Canal runs right through – so you can make the walk as action-packed or quiet as you like.
There are other great places you pass, such as some of London’s markets, gardens, arts pavilions and many bridges – all in all making this walk such an attractive one, which leaves you feeling like you’ve seen London from a completely different perspective!
HISTORY
The Regents Canal in London has a rich history, dating back to the early 19th century. It was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1812 and opened in 1820. Originally designed to link the Grand Union Canal’s Paddington arm with the Thames at Limehouse, it played a crucial role in goods transportation during the industrial revolution. The canal fell into disuse but underwent restoration in the late 20th century, and has now become a popular recreational space today.
DISTANCE
REGENTS CANAL: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Time: 3-4 hours (depending on time taken to make any stops/detours
COMBINED - LONDON WALKS (PART 1 AND 2): 29km / 18 miles
Time: 6-8 hours (depending on time taken to make any detours)
DIFFICULTY
Easy. The route being fairly flat.
FACILITIES
Plenty of benches where you can stop off and rest. For toilets, there are many places you can stop off along the way. You may need to purchase something if you plan on using a café’s toilet facilities.
POINTS OF REFERENCE
Limehouse Basin, Victoria Park, Kings Cross, Camden Lock, Grand Union Canal, Little Venice
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Canal boats, Victoria Park, Broadway market, King’s Cross (Granary Square, Word on the Water, The Boat Pod, Camden market, Primrose Hill, London Zoo, Lisson Grove, Little Venice
GETTING THERE (STARTING FROM LIMEHOUSE BASIN)
By train to Limehouse DLR – just a very short walk from the exit: Head down Bekesbourne Street, and turn left into Ratcliffe Lane
By car: Limehouse Basin lies just off the A13 Commercial Road. Parking can be difficult as mainly private roads. Personally I would use a parking website where you can rent out a private driveway or space (for a fee).
GETTING THERE (STARTING FROM LITTLE VENICE)
Take the tube to Warwick Avenue, on the Bakerloo line. Take the Clifton Villas exit, enter Warwick Place, and then turn left onto Blomfield Road. From the other side of the bridge there are some steps leading down to the canal at Little Venice (facing the canal, take the steps to the left hand side)
DOWNLOADABLE ROUTES
Marc’s OS Maps: London Walks (Part 1): Regents Canal
Marc’s OS Maps: London Walks (Part 2): London Parks and Landmarks
Marc’s OS Maps: Full Loop: Part 1 and Part 2 (including Regents Canal and London Parks & Landmarks)
Let’s go!!
London Walks (Part 1): Regents Canal
I arrived at Limehouse DLR on a cold and drizzly Saturday morning in late Autumn. To be honest, there are days in mid-Summer in London where the weather could be the same! The walk starts from Limehouse Basin. So after getting my waterproof gear on, it was 8am, and time to set off!
START
Limehouse Basin
As you head into the Basin, looking out beyond the marina you can see the tall skyscrapers of London’s Canary Wharf rising up, in what was a foreboding sky. I made my way to the left side of the marina and began my walk. Despite the morning gloom, I was excited about today’s walk and what adventures would unfold.
Crossing over a small bridge, the canal turns to the left, and after heading down a few steps, you step onto a narrow path and the start of the Regents Canal. First things to note are that it’s fairly quiet, and mainly residential. Autumn is my one of my favourite times to be out walking. The golden leaves, either fallen or just clinging on, decorate the path as you go by.
After ducking in and out of a few small tunnels, It's not long before you reach Mile End Park on your right hand side. It runs for a couple of Kilometres before you reach Roman Road (which runs above you). On any other time of day you can explore the Roman Road market. One of many markets you’ll pass along this route.
VICTORIA PARK
But my first stop of the day was when I reached Victoria Park. Maybe it’s because I’m an East London lad, but Victoria Park (referred to locally as ‘Vicky Park’) is my favourite London park. The Royal parks get all the glory, but Vicky Park is stunning, and over the years has a become very popular place for walkers, cyclists, and families to enjoy. The Pavillion café serves up some of the best coffee and bakery in London. But on this occasion I resisted my need for a brew for now, as there was somewhere else I was planning on stopping off at shortly afterwards.
Victoria Park
Optional whether to make a diversion into Broadway Market: I made my way up a short flight of stairs on my right (well there’s water on the left isn’t there!), and into the market.
BROADWAY MARKET
Usually the market is busy on a Saturday, but as it was still fairly early on my walk, a lot of the stalls were still setting up. But I would highly recommend a visit here on a Saturday during market hours, as Broadway market is famous for its food! You can literally walk up and down this street accepting small parcels of food on toothpicks if you choose! On this occasion all I wanted was a coffee. I duly bought an overpriced but delicious flat white!
Broadway Market
With the new found warmth in my bones, I was back on the canal path once more. It’s a beautiful and quiet little stretch here, with some low hanging willows, and the odd barge here and there. This stretch passes through some more Hackney boroughs, such as Haggerston and then Hoxton, before you eventually come to a spot where you are forced off the canal path, at Angel Islington.
Taking the path up the short slope, you cross over a short stetch of road until you reach Upper Street. It hits you after having walked in the solitude of the canal below, with the constant stream of traffic busily rushing past. However, on another day, or preferably evening, Angel offers some lovely restaurants. However, continuing on our journey, you turn left onto Upper Street, then at the main set of traffic lights at Liverpool Road, cross over, and then left again and into Chapel Market. Walk all the way through the market until you reach Penton Street, and turn right, and then 3rd left heading toward Muriel Street.
GRAND UNION CANAL
This section is the Grand Union Canal, heading towards Kings Cross. There are more apartments and office blocks during this part of the canal. You get a real sense of the changes in scenery as you are walking, noticeably as you start to head into a more central part of the City.
If you keep an eye out, like I did, you’ll come to a floating bookstore – Word on the Water. Shortly after that, another narrow boat that catches your eye – The BoAt Pod (a floating radio station!). Eventually you reach some steps that if you wish to make a detour you can make one into Granary Square, which has some fountains and restaurants.
CAMDEN MARKET
I was keen to carry on, as I wasn’t far now from Camden Lock and the world famous Camden market. If you aren’t familiar with Camden, aside from being synonymous with Amy Winehouse, it’s well known for it’s great street food and pubs. You are literally forced off the canal path and into and through some of its many pop-up food stalls, that all look and smell amazing! I love Camden. It’s always buzzing, and there’s always somewhere to go off and explore. But that’s for another time.
Camden Lock
Continuing on my journey, I was now heading towards Primrose Hill. Once again there were many more narrow boats, lining the canal walls, as some passed through quietly on the water. The Canal bears right before reaching Primrose Hill. Look out on your left on the turn and you will spot a floating Chinese restaurant – Feng Shang Princess. If you have time on a warm sunny day, you can make a detour at Primrose Hill, as the views across London are stunning!
REGENTS PARK
I was now entering the Regents Park section of the canal. Regents Park is one of London’s more popular open spaces, and it spreads across over 400 acres!. There are a few places where you can exit the path if you wish to explore the park, with its array of gorgeous landscaped gardens and birdlife. For more information about Regents Park & Primrose Hill, check out The Royal Parks Website.
There’s also London Zoo, a ZSL (Zoological Society of London) conservation zoo, which you pass. As I looked over the water, 4 black and white colobus monkeys gave me a quizzical look from the Snowdon aviary, before scattering off before I could get my camera out!!
Walking on, my mouth was open as I passed a few grand houses! Very nice! You know you’re in the heart of the West End of London now! Once through Regents Park, It was a pleasant surprise when I hit a short but beautiful section of path at Lisson Grove. Heavily adorned with planted foliage, and even some tropical palms! Such a delight!
Lisson Grove
Maida Vale (aka ‘Little Venice’)
Reaching the Puppet Barge theatre (which had a live show on as I passed by), you know you’ve arrived at Little Venice!
This little spot of tranquil water in the heart of Warwick Avenue is just glorious. You can just imagine spending a few hours here chilling out. I walked around to the other side of the canal and found the Waterside Café, a floating barge and popular spot (had to wait a while to be seated). Time for a well-earned spot of lunch!
Little Venice
FINISH
So, that’s the Regents Canal walk! I hope that’s given you a sense of what to expect if you decide to venture away from the usual London tourist routes, and head off the beaten track. It smacks of London, but with a twist! I loved it! It’s a walk that’s full of history, charm, and a dash of quirkiness. A walk full of some beautiful and quiet stretches, as well as the bustle of the various markets such as Camden and Broadway. A walk in which you can admire an array of wall art, and architecture! A walk that if you have the time, you could eke out all day stopping off at various London landmarks.
It's seeing London from a different, less touristy view, and it is definitely a walk I will be doing again!
Now, if you’re ready to head back, but via a different route, then check out ‘London Walks (Part 2) – London Parks and Landmarks. A 15km walk taking in 3 London parks, and plenty of sights and landmarks you won’t want to miss!
Or download my OS maps route of Regents Canal and London Parks and Landmarks now!
Thanks for joining me
Happy hiking!
Marc
If you enjoy my blogs feel free to buy me a coffee!