A peaceful stretch of water in central London? You might think that sounds impossible, but it really does exist. Regent’s Canal runs from Paddington all the way to Limehouse Basin, and it’s one of the best ways to see the city on foot.
Regent’s Canal is tucked away in Paddington and runs all the way to Limehouse Basin.
Stroll along the nine-mile length of the canal and you’ll pass plenty of landmarks, Regent’s Park, King’s Cross, Camden Lock, but aside from a few short stretches it’s rarely overwhelming.
Littered with cafes, restaurants, and even a floating independent bookshop, Word on the Water, in the King’s Cross section, you could stretch the walk along the canal over two days if you wanted to properly explore the diversions along the way.
The canal is part of England’s extensive canal network and links the Paddington arm of the Grand Union Canal with the Thames. At one time, these canals formed the backbone of the country’s transportation industry, carrying bulk shipments of timber, coal and food into and out of the city.
Regent’s Canal was completed in 1820, but was soon overtaken by railways as the most viable way to transport goods. Still, long distance traffic continued on the canal into the 1960s.
Things to do on Regent’s Canal
Regent’s Park
While London has a number of gorgeous parks scattered throughout the city, Regent’s Park is one of the prettiest. Named after the Prince Regent, who later became King George IV, it’s one of eight royal parks in the capital.
There’s plenty to do here, from discovering the 12,000 roses in Queen Mary’s Gardens, hiring a rowing boat and taking to the water, or visiting London Zoo. Close to Primrose Hill too, this whole area is genuinely beautiful on a summer’s day.
London Zoo
For anyone exploring Regent’s Canal with children, a trip to ZSL London Zoo is worth building the day around. Where else can you feed penguins and walk amongst giraffes in central London?
Whether you fancy being a keeper for a day or are just happy to observe from a distance, this is one of the best zoos in the UK, with the chance to get properly close to some of the world’s rarest and most famous creatures. You can even book a room to sleep in while surrounded by lemurs. It sits within Regent’s Park, between Camden and Little Venice.
Camden Lock
Camden Lock is a well-known market area in Camden which started in 1974 as a place for independent businesses to sell arts and antiques. The market is full of eccentric, one-of-a-kind stalls, selling everything from handmade crafts to jewellery and an abundance of street food.
Though the market has changed plenty over the years, it’s stayed true to its roots and remains one of the best places in London to pick up a genuinely original gift or souvenir.
Take a boat trip
If walking doesn’t, ahem, float your boat, a trip along Regent’s Canal is a good way to spend an hour or so. The London Waterbus Company runs 45-minute trips between Little Venice and Camden Market, with a choice between a classic historic narrowboat with live commentary or a Comfort Cruiser with music and an onboard bar.
Either way, you’ll pass through Maida Vale, some of the city’s best canal-side graffiti, and London Zoo along the route.
Word on the Water
Book lovers have to stop at Word on the Water, a barge filled with books available to buy.
Whether you want a much-loved classic, a modern novel, or something pre-loved, this mobile bookstore has an impressive range for its size. It’s hard to miss, you can spot the wooden shelves adorned with books from a mile off, and the inside is deceptively large, with a leather armchair if you want to sit and browse properly.
Coal Drops Yard
Located just a five-minute walk from King’s Cross Station, Coal Drops Yard is a genuinely good shopping destination filled with independent boutiques, restaurants and bars.
Opened in 2018 inside the former Victorian coal warehouses, the centre houses brands from small to widely loved, Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse for genuinely excellent chocolate, Paul Smith, and tapas from Barrafina among them.
Dine at Feng Shang Princess
You won’t believe your eyes as you pass the striking floating pagoda containing Feng Shang Princess, moored in Regent’s Park’s Cumberland Basin. Not only is this possibly the coolest setting on Regent’s Canal, the food holds up its end too.
There’s a strong dim sum selection featuring classics like xiao long bao and har gow alongside more inventive creations like the lobster bao, all complemented by an extensive wine menu. The twinkling views of the water in the evening make this a genuinely good date night spot, especially if you pair it with a walk along the canal beforehand.
London Canal Museum
As you wander along Regent’s Canal, it’s worth detouring to the London Canal Museum. Inside, you can view a traditional narrowboat cabin and learn about the history of the canals, along with the life of the Victorian-era workers who kept them running, including the ice trade that once relied heavily on the canal system to move ice through the city.
The museum also runs a genuinely good seasonal boat trip programme, including a 50-minute return trip through the historic Islington Tunnel aboard one of their heritage boats, plus longer excursions out to Little Venice and Victoria Park. Check current ticket prices before you go, they’ve moved on since this guide was last priced up.
Victoria Park
As one of London’s biggest, and most underrated, parks, an hour or two exploring Victoria Park is well worth it, the Japanese garden alone is worth the detour. Whether you want to reconnect with nature or take a picnic break halfway through your walk along the canal, it’s a genuine escape from the rest of the city.
Go boating on the lake, take the kids to one of the playgrounds, or just enjoy a leisurely stroll around the perimeter.
Victoria Miro Gallery
Featuring artists including Yayoi Kusama and Jules de Balincourt, Victoria Miro Gallery is a genuinely good contemporary art gallery, showcasing work from some of Europe, the US and Asia’s most celebrated names.
With regularly rotating exhibitions, it’s a great way to spend a couple of hours should the weather turn during your walk along Regent’s Canal.
Rent a kayak
If you’re feeling brave, exploring Regent’s Canal by kayak is a genuinely different way to see it. Renting one might sound daunting, but there’s plenty of support on hand, and most sessions are suitable for complete beginners.
There’s no better way to take in London’s sights than sitting low on the water, paddling yourself down the canal.
Cool restaurants along Regent’s Canal
Narrowboat
With a strong range of ales and classic British food, think burgers, fish and chips, and a proper cheese fondue platter, The Narrowboat Pub is the perfect escape from the buzz of central London.
The interior is all leather and wood, and the outside terrace overlooks the canal, with genuinely good views of the boats passing below. You can even grab a takeaway pint and wander along the canal with it on a warm day.
The Duke of Cambridge
If sustainability without compromising on taste appeals, The Duke of Cambridge claims to be Britain’s first certified organic pub and serves up classic dishes with a responsible twist.
The menu is small and well thought through, with mains including vegan cottage pie and pollock, brown shrimps and butter, alongside a good assortment of cheese and other small plates. Round things off with the apple and blueberry crumble, quintessentially British and genuinely good.
Taru
Hidden a couple of roads behind Regent’s Canal, Taru serves Japanese fusion cuisine at genuinely good prices for London, sushi starts at just £3.50 and their ramen comes in well under a tenner.
The chicken katsu poke bowl is a highlight, and the custard dorayaki and mochi desserts are a good way to finish. Worth confirming they’re still trading before you make a special trip, this is a smaller independent spot we haven’t personally re-checked recently.
Regent’s Canal walk
Exploring Regent’s Canal by boat is fun, but the best way to see everything is on foot. For the full experience, start in Little Venice and meander along until you reach Limehouse Basin. This walk is around 9 miles, so bring a beer or two and set aside an afternoon.
Heading east from Little Venice, you’ll reach Regent’s Park. Spend some time appreciating the scenery here or stop off at the zoo before continuing along the canal. On the corner of the park you’ll spot the Feng Shang Princess floating on the water.
From there, you’ll pass near Primrose Hill, a good place to grab a coffee in one of the cafes nearby or climb the hill itself to watch the sunset. This area is one of the better places in London to spot a celebrity, if that’s your thing.
Along the way, you’ll pass through Camden, the area for great eats and exploring the market. Camden alone can take a few hours, so if you plan to stop here, build in enough time to still complete the rest of the walk.
Continuing east from Camden, you’ll walk alongside St Pancras Lock, built in 1819 and in a genuinely pretty spot near King’s Cross. Coal Drops Yard is right here too, worth a stop for retail therapy.
From King’s Cross, continue on and wander through Victoria Park before reaching Limehouse Basin to finish. Limehouse is a former dockland area, so there’s less to see here, but it’s a fitting place to end the walk.
The London x London Take: Do this in two halves if you can rather than trying to force all nine miles into one go, Little Venice to Camden is the prettier, more varied stretch, while Camden to Limehouse rewards people who want the fuller, less postcard version of the canal. Word on the Water and the Canal Museum are the two stops worth planning around specifically, everything else on this list works as a happy detour rather than a destination in its own right.
