Explore the Regent's Canal on foot with a guide from London
Canal Museum. Two walks are available.. Both start from the museum along the
canal towpath. The route is via local streets to join the Regent's Canal at
Caledonian Road from which point we make a short detour to visit the west
portal of Islington tunnel. Then we follow the towpath west to St. Pancras
Lock. After this the two walks have different destinations:
- The Camden walk is leisurely and the walk is suitable for anyone
including wheelchair users, but you should of course be able to cope with the
distance of about a mile and a half (2 km). The camden walk lasts about 90
minutes and ends up at Camden, London's famous market, which you can explore
when we arrive (Not evening walks). Your guide can advise you about the
frequent bus and Underground services which can take you back to King's Cross
if you need to return, for example to collect your car, or you can walk back in
under half an hour.
- The Water Tower Panoramic Walk takes us to the top of a magnificent
tower. After St. Pancras Lock we cross over the lock, and then visit the huge
Victorian water tower that was moved from St. Pancras Station, where it once
provided water for steam trains. We will climb up two flights of stairs to the
top where there is a fine view of the area. This walk is only suitable for fit
people due to the nature of the lock and the water tower. People who are in any
way infirm will not be able to take part (apart from the first part as far as
St. Pancras).
There is no advance booking - just come along.
On the walk we explore:
Both Walks
- Islington Tunnel
- How the railway from London to Scotland was protected from flooding during
bombing in the second world war.
- Canalside buildings
- The locations of old basins
- The former uses of canalside areas, for example the Camley Street Nature
Park, which used to be a coal depot.
Camden Walk
- Four locks - you may get to see boats passing through, but if not your
guide can explain how they work!
- The site of the long forgotten Hydropneumatic lock, built by a famous
rocket inventor
- The general history of the Regent's Canal
Water Tower Panoramic Walk
- See a small exhibition about the tower and its history
- View the King's Cross and St. Pancras area from a height including the two
stations, works for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the Regent's Canal, and the
adjoining railway lands.
- Watch a giant train set below!
- Read our water tower page for more details
Dates 2008
- September 14th at 1430 to Camden
- September 28th at 1400 (For visually impaired persons only, booking
required. Email info@canalmuseum.org.uk and we will pass on your booking)
- October 12th at 1430 to St. Pancras Water Tower
The Cost
There is a charge of £5 per adult, £4 for children. Please pay
at the museum shop before departure.
The Wapwalk
The Wapwalk is a guided walk on the same section of canal but walking west
to east, from Camden to the museum. The Wapwalk can be undertaken at any time
(not reccommended after dark) with the assistance of your WAP mobile phone. The
museum's mobile Internet home page is at www.canalmuseum.org.uk/wap from where
you will find a link to the Wapwalk. There are regular points at which the text
displayed on your phone will give you brief information about your walk. URL:
www.canalmuseum.org.uk/wap
Arriving for the walk
There is no need to book in advance. (except groups) If you are on the way
and are late please call 020 7713 0836, we will wait up to 10 minutes or will
arrange to meet at a convenient point part of the way into the canal walk. If
the weather forecast is poor, please bring an umbrella or raincoat as there is
limited shelter. The walk will not be cancelled due to rain.
After the walk
There are many things to do after the walk!
- Take a one-way boat trip to Little Venice (See our
boat trips page) (Camden Walk only)
- Explore the famous Camden Market, one of London's great tourist
attractions.(Camden Walk only)
- Try out one of the numerous pubs and bars of Camden (Camden walks only)
- Return to King's Cross by frequent bus (214) or Underground (Northern
Line), or walk in about 30 minutes.(Camden walk)
- Visit Camley Street Natural Park (Tower Walk only, subject to opening
hours)
Walks for Groups
If you are considering bringing a group of at least a dozen people a special
walk may be possible for your party by prior arrangement, normally combined
with a visit to the museum. Walks for groups can
take place at any time of year.
Other walks on London's canals
Towpath walks are also offered by Original London Walks in co-operation with
the Inland Waterways Association.
These cover various routes. They do not start from the museum.
The Guide booklet
We offer a short guide booklet to the towpath walk from the museum to
Camden, in our shop, at a price of 45 pence. This is suitable for people to use
on their own without a human guide.
