From the bustling markets of Camden Lock to the gentile environs of Little Venice, walking the Regent’s Canal in London is an amazing snapshot of the life and history of the city.
It’s named after the Prince Regent – later George IV – who was the driving force behind so much London architecture. It was built at great cost during the mid-19th century as an important commercial transport route. It allowed barges to travel directly from industrial Birmingham all the way through to the London Docklands.
Nowadays it is pure recreation. Camden market provides the best quick eating on the walk, as well as wonderful industrial revolution architecture, including wrought iron bridges and old warehouses.
The canal towpath takes you along the backside of London’s most ostentatious and expensive addresses, passing through Primrose Hill, around the northern edge of Regent’s Park and along the bottom of St John’s Wood.
The calls of monkeys and hyenas can be heard as the canal path passes through the edge of London Zoo, particularly beside the fantastic aviary designed by Lord Snowdon.
Then you have to climb up to street level to avoid the 250-metre-long Maida Hill Tunnel that runs under the Edgeware Road. Macclesfield Bridge is ‘fondly’ known as Blow Up Bridge after a barge carrying gunpowder exploded here in 1874 (see the photo at top).
Soon it’s back to the residential gardens and then to residences of another type – canal boats. At the private Blomfield Road Moorings you’ll find potted petunias, decorative watering cans and even vegetable gardens on and around these lovely old narrow boats (another survivor from Britain’s Industrial age).
At last Little Venice, apparently called so by the poet Robert Browning who once lived here (in a house). The pool or basin here at the junction of the Regent’s Canal with the Paddington is the bohemian London setting for cafes, art galleries and a puppet theatre.
By Natasha von Geldern
Have you walked the Regent’s Canal in London?
Gorgeous pics! Capturing the beauty of Britain! x
Thanks Scarlett! There is so much to capture 🙂
I absolutely love the canal boats, so very English!! Lovely pictures!
Thanks Leigh-Ann, it really is a wonderful experience and eccentrically English in the best possible way.
London is beautiful as always. Regents canal is one of the best places to visit for London travelers. It provides people with beautiful views of the city and unforgettable experience.
I’ve driven past Little Venice and though how cute it looked but never imagined that you could walk along the canal.Through your photos it looks a great walk so next time I’m in London I’ll definitely do this..weather permitting of course!!
This looks like a charming area to explore on foot! I’ve spent a lot of time strolling down London’s Southbank, but this looks so quaint! 🙂
Lovely post, Love the pics! Thanks for sharing!