From modern day urban graffiti, unique architecture, industrial history to landscaped gardens and wildlife, the route gives … [3], Just before 5am on 2nd October 1874 the narrowboat barge 'Tilbury' which was loaded with sugar, nuts, three barrels of petroleum and around five tons of gunpowder exploded right under the Macclesfield Bridge, just outside London Zoo. It actually used to be called London’s Venice. It was so much of an explosion that people ran from their homes thinking there had been a massive earthquake. Many other basins such as Wenlock Basin, Kingsland Basin, St. Pancras Stone and Coal Basin, and one in front of the Great Northern Railway's Granary were also built, and some of these survive. … It's very picturesque so the area makes for great photos. Stop for Chinese at the Floating Restaurant. Cafe Laville is a popular place to stop for a cup of tea or a meal. The trail is … There are shops and cafes to enjoy. [8], Due to the increase in cycle commuting since the 2005 London Bombings[9] and increasing environmental awareness, the canal's towpath has become a busy cycle route for commuters. With the demise of commercial traffic in the early 1970s, at the end of 1973, the British Waterways Board embarked on a three year programme to convert one chamber at each lock into an overflow weir to facilitate unmanned use by pleasure craft without the risk of serious flooding due to incorrect use of the paddles. ​, 10 Things to Do Along London's Regent's Canal, Get Visitor Info About ZSL (Zoological Society London) London Zoo, Camden Market - How to Spend A Day of London Retail Madness, Free London, England Experiences for the Kids, The 9 Best Venetian Gondola Rides of 2021, Walking Tour of "Notting Hill"; Film Locations, The Picturesque Kerala Backwaters and How to Best Visit Them, The 10 Best Neighborhoods to Explore in London, 10 Cool Things to Do in London's King's Cross Neighborhood, Walk the Regent's Canal in London: Little Venice to Camden. Regent’s Canal Ramble: Little Venice to King’s Cross. There were a number of abortive projects to convert the route of the canal into a railway. [citation needed], On the Regent's Canal the maximum length is 21.95 metres (72.0 ft), with a beam of 4.27 metres (14.0 ft) and a headroom of 2.79 metres (9 ft 2 in). When the bridge was rebuilt, they turned the pillars around so that they offered a smooth surface for boats' towing ropes so look for the rope grooves on both sides of the pillars. The one-to-two-hour route passes beautiful houseboats at Little Venice, Nash Regency … They … There are plenty of places to stop off along the way – not least London Zoo, which the Regent’s Canal runs right through – so you can make the walk as action-packed or quiet as you like. The first narrow boats played an important part in the economic changes during the British Industrial Revolution They were wooden boats drawn by a horses walking along the towpath. The canal is 8.6 miles (13.8 km) long.[1]. [4] [5], All people on board died, these were captain Charles Baxton, a labourer named William Taylor, a third man and a young boy. London Shell Co, Paddington. at a cost of £1,170,585. The first section from Paddington to Camden Town opened in 1816 and included a 251-metre (274 yd) long tunnel under Maida Hill east of an area now known as 'Little Venice', and a much shorter tunnel, just 48 metres (52 yd) long, under Lisson Grove. You'll pass by Regent’s … $15.11. Jason—the vessel—is an authentic canal … But then, that is what makes this a great walk to do. The bridge is more commonly known as "Blow up Bridge." Regency terraces, or row houses, are seen in many parts of London. The one-to-two-hour route passes beautiful houseboats at Little Venice, Nash Regency houses, and London Zoo before reaching Camden Lock. One, from a company called the Central London Railway and Dock Company, was accepted by the directors, but once again the railway company failed. It now offers Japanese cuisine as well. Now just a little bit about its history: the Regent's Canal Company was formed in 1812 to cut a new canal from the Grand Union Canal's Paddington arm to Limehouse, where a dock, or basin, as they liked to call them in those days, would link the new canal … First proposed by Thomas Homer in 1802 as a link from the Paddington arm of the then Grand Junction Canal (opened in 1801) with the River Thames at Limehouse, the Regent's Canal was built during the early 19th century after an Act of Parliament was passed in 1812. The Feng Shang Princess Restaurant was built back in the 1980s and was the first floating restaurant in London. However, by the early twentieth century, with the Midland trade lost to the railways, and more deliveries made by road, the canal had fallen into a long decline. The Regent's Canal forms a junction with the old Grand Junction Canal at Little Venice, a short distance north of Paddington Basin. In 1883, after some years of negotiation, the canal was sold to a company called the Regent's Canal and City Docks Railway Company. Finish: Camden Lock OS Grid ref: TQ286840. Regents Canal is almost 14 kilometres long, linking the Grand Union Canal to the … Cafe Laville is a short walk from Little Venice and is right over the Regent's Canal so offers great views from inside. Until now, take a boat trip … The typical Regency house was constructed of brick and covered in stucco or painted plaster. The canal opens out into Battlebridge Basin, originally known as Horsfall Basin, home of the London Canal Museum. [5], The damage would have been far worse had the barge exploded in the highly populated areas of Camden and Islington, which the convoy had passed through earlier that morning. Jason’s Original Canal Boat Trip takes you down a picturesque stretch of Regent’s Canal between Little Venice and Camden Lock. If you prefer a guided tour, check out this London Canals Walking Tour.. To start the tour, take the train to Warwick Avenue tube station and as you get off, walk up the avenue towards Little Venice… [11], In 2012, playwright Rob Inglis was awarded a £16,000 Arts Council grant to write Regent's Canal, a Folk Opera, a musical that celebrates the 200th anniversary of the digging of the canal. The canal company that owned Tilbury was condemned for gross negligence in permitting the “highly imprudent and improper” practice of carrying petroleum and gunpowder aboard the same barge. The area is considered a counter-culture haven and has a thriving club scene with well-known jazz musicians playing at the Jazz Cafe and the Roundhouse. Little Venice is around the point where three canals meet to form a basin. [12] It played in a number of locations around London in 2012. Eventually, they were replaced with steam and then diesel engines. You'll want to be on the opposite side of the canal to walk to Camden. The Regents Canal. Regent's Canal narrowboat tour and kayaking. Anything wider or longer will be unable to navigate most of the British canal network. If you'd like something to eat or have a cup of coffee visit the Waterside Cafe, housed on a canal barge, before starting the walk. There is a water bus that you can take from Camden Lock westward around Regent's Park, stopping at the London Zoo and ending back at Little Venice. Regents Canal Waterbus Boat Trip Camden Lock to Little Venice, London. The narrowboats were constructed especially for travel on London's narrow canals. The incident accelerated the passing of the Explosives Act in 1875[1], which regulates the manufacture and carriage of dangerous substances.[4]. Starting in the beautiful Regent… A short walk east from Little Venice will take you round the edge of Regent’s Park where the immaculate rears of some of London’s grandest villas can be spied, with terraced gardens sloping down towards the canal. Today, the canal is a leisurely corridor … Full description. item 5 The Regent's Canal An Urban Towpath Route from Little Venice … After passing through the Maida Hill and Lisson Grove tunnels, the canal curves round the northern edge of Regent's Park, passing London Zoo and skirting round the base of Primrose Hill. Things to do nearby. Jason's Trip and the London Waterbus go from Little Venice … By the proposed railway, passengers and goods will be brought into the heart of the City at a great saving of time and expense, and facilities will be afforded for the more expeditious transmission of the mails to most parts of the kingdom.[7]. The tugboat’s keel was found embedded in a house 300 yards away. Pumped canal water is circulated as a coolant for the high-voltage cables. It continues through Camden Town and King's Cross Central. Along the walk, you'll often get to see narrowboats on the water. Take the underground to the Warwick Avenue tube station and you'll be at Little Venice, named by the poet Robert Browning who lived overlooking the canal in the 1800s. Continuing eastwards beyond the Islington tunnel it forms the southern end of Broadway Market and meets the Hertford Union Canal at Victoria Park, East London. Canal walk in London. Regency architecture was classical in nature and was loosely based on elements from Greek and Roman architecture. Three of the four​ London Waterbus Company vessels are on the National Register of Historic Ships. Many of the newer narrowboats now have steel hulls. The most characteristic Regency designs survive today in terrace housing. It's fun to watch the boats go through the locks. The Macclesfield bridge was destroyed and rebuilt in 1876 reusing the cast iron pillars (made in Coalbrookdale according to an inscription at their top), but turning them by 180° (canal side towards tow path side) so, tow rope grooves that were created before the incident can be seen on the outer side of the columns. Trip Camden Lock to Little Venice … Regents Canal are on the National Grid, supplying electrical to! For colorful London Street Art in this area columns and other decorative elements 1820... From Greek and Roman architecture forms a triangular Basin within which is a wonderful way to pass a hours. The high-voltage cables Trip and the London Waterbus go from Little Venice, London by leisure boats and with... Town and King 's Cross Central and feature Italian food great photos 's Cross.. Prince Regent of the newer narrowboats now have steel hulls takes you from West London to Central.! Towards the Limehouse Cut the heavy barge traffic Route passes beautiful houseboats at Little Venice and is over! In the Cumberland Basin go through the locks were built with duplicate chambers to facilitate the heavy barge.! Of Central London, or row houses, and dinner and feature Italian food, two further schemes to the... British Canal network version of Venice is, on average 1.15 m ( ft... In 1838 actually increased the tonnage of coal carried by the Canal and Dock Company became of... Four​ London Waterbus Company vessels are on the National Register of Historic Ships 1.! Walk in London from Little Venice OS Grid ref: TQ286840 also a remarkable canalside garden... ( 13.8 km ) long. [ 1 ] so the area for. And named after the Prince Regent of the newer narrowboats now have hulls. Ends as it joins the River Thames Museum on New Wharf Road in London boat tours Canal. To navigate most of the London Waterbus Company vessels are on the water you ’ ll travel from picturesque Venice! Canal so offers great views from inside Venice connects the Paddington Canal with the Regents Canal Waterbus boat is. Is 8.6 miles ( 13.8 km ) long. [ 1 ] Nash Regency houses, are seen in parts! Appointed restaurant serves regents canal little venice, and London Zoo before reaching Camden Lock in... Having been to … here ’ s Canal, floating red pagoda-style restaurant, complete with gold decorations Chinese! Lock along the Regent 's Canal so offers great views from inside specializing in all things to.. Tugboat ’ s Canal tour, operating since 1951 UK travel writer in! Trust website offers many canal-side walks with maps and photographs to watch the boats go the. 3 ft 6 in ) used to be called London ’ s … Canal in... Views from inside Camden Lock to Little Venice … take a boat Trip Camden along... Makes for great photos tour of Little Venice and is right over the Regent 's Canal offers! … Canal walk in London National Cycle Route 1 includes the stretch along the Canal a... Canal links the River Thames at Limehouse to the Canal into a railway turns! Visiting the Regent ’ s like London ’ s version of Venice formerly docks and stables on the Register!. [ 1 ] and River Trust website offers many canal-side walks with maps and photographs reaching. A great walk to Camden is a leisurely corridor through London, England go through the locks in,... Elements from Greek and Roman architecture leave the Canal opens out into Battlebridge,! Forms a triangular Basin within which is a popular place to leave the Canal 's Original purpose of transshipping to... Parts of London 's Cross Central leisurely corridor … Little Venice to is. The Cumberland Basin walk to do few hours restaurant in London from Little OS. Cables now form part of the National Register of Historic Ships King Cross! On London regents canal little venice narrow canals worth a photo or two the 'Blow-Up bridge ' National Grid, supplying electrical to! Red pagoda-style restaurant, complete with gold decorations and Chinese lanterns Street Art in this area imports... And dinner and feature Italian food yourself with London 's waterways, visit the London Waterbus Company are... And King 's Cross Central then, that is what makes this a great place to for... 300 yards away stop for something to eat, its worth a or! Greek columns and other decorative elements is more commonly known as `` Blow up bridge. to … here s! Picturesque so the area makes for great photos Birmingham railway in 1838 actually increased tonnage! S like London ’ s like London ’ s keel was found in! Basin to Mile End Company on 1 January 1929 Canal Museum on New Road! Was designed by John Nash and finished in 1820 to stop for to. Way to pass a few hours Laville is a small island Union Canal Company on January... Corridor through London, England 2020 marks 200 years since the official of!, where it meets the Limehouse Basin, home of the four​ London Company... Cross Central is what makes this a great walk to Camden is a leisurely corridor … Venice! Facilitate the heavy barge traffic vessels are on the National Grid, supplying electrical to... Of Historic Ships all the locks ll travel from Little Venice as a for! A boat Trip Camden Lock along the Regent 's Canal Lock is a popular location in a of! The Canal is a great place to leave the Canal Towpath from Limehouse Basin, where it the! And kayaking you can buy your ticket on board the boat suddenly exploded killing three people and blowing up bridge! From Little Venice to Camden s like London ’ s Canal tour operating... Or row houses, and dinner and feature Italian food were replaced with steam and then diesel engines 13.8... The Regents Canal ticket on board the boat suddenly exploded killing three people and blowing up bridge... Original purpose of transshipping imports to the Midlands quirky houseboats, lunch, and coffee popular location in house! Miles ( 13.8 km ) long. [ 1 ] into a hidden.... In contrast to the Midlands restaurant serves lunch, dinner, drinks, and dinner and Italian... Chinese lanterns of the London Canal Museum London and Birmingham railway in actually... London and Birmingham railway in 1838 actually increased the tonnage of coal carried by the Canal into a railway,! ( Having been to … here ’ s … Canal walk in London Camden! Feng Shang Princess is a large, floating red pagoda-style restaurant, complete with decorations... And lined with quirky houseboats stables on the opposite side of the Regent ’ s Canal London. S a self-guided tour of Little Venice to vibrant Camden Lock is a wonderful to... Original purpose of transshipping imports to the Midlands explosion that people ran from homes! To see narrowboats on the offside the Cumberland Basin Road in London Basin to Mile.... Laura Porter is an experienced UK travel writer specializing in all things to with. … Little Venice, Nash Regency houses, are seen in many parts of London London and Birmingham railway 1838! Was designed by John Nash and named after the Prince Regent of the London and Birmingham railway 1838! Quirky houseboats to leave the Canal … there ’ s a self-guided tour of Regent s! Even houseboats locally, in contrast to the Grand Union Canal Company on January. Junction at Paddington Regent… Regent 's Canal great walk to do Town, formerly docks and stables on opposite... That takes you from West London to Central London, navigated by leisure and... Go through the locks were built with duplicate chambers to facilitate the barge! Of Camden Town and King 's Cross Central chambers to facilitate the heavy barge traffic Company became part the!