One of my favourite walks in London is walking along the Regents Canal. When we have family come to stay, this is one of my go-to activities to do in London as it is an easy walk, with minimal steps, with some amazing street food at Camden Market to look forward to. Read on so you can enjoy the walk too.
I love the tranquillity of walking along the canal path especially in the summer as it can get so busy elsewhere. This walk is straightforward to reverse if you would rather start at Camden Market and walk towards Little Venice; just follow the instructions backwards. There are canal boat restaurants outside Paddington Station and a picture perfect canal boat café at Little Venice if you want to eat at that end.
Little Venice starting point
There are two main ways to reach Little Venice to start the walk. It really depends on the easiest route from where you are staying. Check one of the transport apps to find which station is the best for you.
Option 1: Walk from Paddington Station
You can reach Paddington Station by either by tube or train. If you arrive by tube, then follow the exit signs to the train station as from here, the signs are clearer. Follow the signs (if you are looking at the trains, turn right) towards the exit signposted the Canal Basin. This is going towards platforms 12 and 14. Follow the signs all the way until you see the canal. From here, you will see a row of canal boats that have been converted into restaurants. You could here (Top tip: Try the Cheese Barge!) or wait until later. So much choice!
Little Venice
Turn left out of the station, walking past the canal boats and under a bridge until the canal opens up into a small water basin known as Little Venice. You will notice the Waterside café on a canal boat moored up just by the small bridge. Perfect for a quick refreshment before walking along the canal path. You will need to walk over the bridge to turn right onto Blomfield Road. You could walk next to the canal at this point to pick up a canal boat tour (an alternative option to walking) or walk past bearing left to eventually walk onto Blomfield Road.
Option 2: Walk from Warwick Avenue
This is where you will pick up the walk if you arrive at Warwick Avenue Underground Station. Exit the tube station and walk two minutes along Warwick Avenue until you see the canal. You can then decide to either walk towards Paddington Station to eat at one of the Barge Restaurants, cross the small bridge to reach the canal boat café or just start the walk towards Camden, turning left onto Blomfield Road.
Walking past Canal Boats
The canal boats parked all along the canal are residential. Some paths here are open to the public to walk past (be mindful of the private garden areas opposite each boat). Some are private so you will need to walk on the road at some points. It is a fascinating insight into living on a canal boat. As you walk along you will see some idyllic little gardens with dining tables with chairs and beautifully decorated boats which always prompts me to think about booking a canal boat holiday!
Cafe Laville
From Little Venice, the majority of this small stretch is along the road next to the canal. When you reach the end of the road, you will notice an Italian restaurant, Café Laville, overlooking the water at the start of the Maida Vale Tunnel. This restaurant has one of the best views in London where you eat sitting over the water watching the boats go by. To continue the walk, you need to cross over the road to Aberdeen Place following this until you see a walking path back down to the canal side, the other side of the Maida Vale Tunnel. Here you can relax as you are on the banks of the canal with a clear stretch all the way to Camden.
Regents Canal and London Zoo
You will pass some more canal boats moored up, it feels very strange to walk through which is ultimately their back garden but it is a public right of way. After a short section of a built up area you will reach the outskirts of Regents Park. You will see the back gardens of some magnificent villas and mansions on your right before you start to see some of the enclosures of London Zoo. On your left is the Monkey Valley which is very easy to see some of the Monkeys swinging around. There are other enclosures to your right but I have always struggled to see what animals are in them. To your left (out of sight from the path) is now Primrose Hill, a lovely park with an amazing view of London’s skyline. A great detour to extend your walk, reached by walking up one of the paths to your left.
Feng Shang Princess
Staying on the canal path, you will now bear left to carry on walking, passing the Feng Shang Princess, a Chinese floating restaurant. Take note of the bench on the corner; this bench was used in the Apple TV show Slow Horses (a brilliant show about MI5 – one of my favourites).You will now shortly be arriving in Camden, the perfect place to have lunch, people watch and browse through the shops and market stalls.
Camden Market
Camden market is an eclectic, alternative market in which you will find the perfect vintage find or even a plastic fantastic outfit to go clubbing in! The street food stalls are amazing and will make it very hard to decide what to have. If the weather is chilly, then take advantage of the covered eating pods dotted around the market.
Return to Central London
From the market, make your way to the lock. If you’re lucky then you could see a boat manoeuvre their way through the lock – it’s not an easy task! Walk down the high street (Don’t forget to look up at the amazing shop fronts) towards Camden Town tube station. The entrance to the station is around the corner to the left of the one-way exit. It is a very easy journey on the Northern Line back to central London.
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