What's on at the London Canal Museum

Walks, talks, boat trips, and more

There is plenty going on at London Canal Museum. We have regular monthly illustrated talks in the evening, aimed at adults with an interest in industrial heritage and canals. We have a programme of towpath walks in spring summer and autumn, and summer boat trips through the long Islington Tunnel on certain dates. Each summer we welcome the Mikron Theatre Company for theatrical performances and we have occasional special days of activities for families or adults. In August we have a series of Childrens Activity Days. We also occasionally offer roses and castles painting courses, and other events.

Illustrated Talks

Illustrated talks are held at 7.30 pm, on the first Thursday of each month except August. Most speakers illustrate their presentations with photographs. The museum is open 1000 to 1930 on the first Thursday of each month. Admission to talks and museum is £3.00. Students, senior citizens, members of the Canal Museum Trust, and unwaged £2.00. The programme is given below. In the event of any last minute changes to lectures or other events the site will be updated if sufficient notice is available.

Events coming soon

Back to top


Full List of Events

4th December 2008 Talk: Exploits of Ernest in Ireland by Neil Ardlige. Also Christmas Shopping Evening from 1800 onwards.
1st January 2009 Talk: The Panama Canal, Past, Present, and Future  by Dr. Roger Squires, of the London Canal Museum and Inland Waterways Association, and experienced world traveller to canal locations.. The Panama Canal had a gestation period of some 400 years. Since it was opened in 1914 it has become a major artery of world trade. Expansion plans are now underway for completion by its centenary.
5th February 2009 Talk: The Manchester Ship Canal. by Richard Thomas. Manchester by the sea was the slogan of the promoters of the MSC. Richard will tell us of its history and current status.
5th March 2009 Talk: Boating in the 1950s and 1960s by Colin Scrivener. Colin was one of those who explored the canals when they were "slumbering". He recalls the silent water roads, the traffic that remained, and the range of pleasure craft on which the enthusiasts came to love the canals.
2nd April 2009 Talk: The Great Ouse by Alan Faulkener, author of the main histories of the Grand Junction, and Regent's Canals, and other books. Alan has been involved with the East Anglian Waterways for many years. He recalls the battles to reopen the Upper Great Ouse and puts that into context with the then existing navigation.
5th May 2009 Talk:. The Thames and Medway Canal by Brian Macnish. Brian is the Chairman of the Thames & Medway Canal Society. He tells us about their historic waterway, the takeover of the canal tunnel by the railway, and the current campaign to get part of the waterway restored.
31st May 2009 at 1930 Theatre performance by the Mikron Theatre Company. Tonight's show: Tales from the Thames (working title). Tickets £9 / £7.
1st June 2009 at 2000 Theatre performance by the Mikron Theatre Company. Tonight's show: Fair Trade - the story of the Cooperative movement. Tickets £9 / £7.
4th June 2009. Talk:. History of Tooley's Boatyard, Banbury by Matthew Armitage.
2nd July 2009. Talk:. How the book "When London Became an Island" came to be written by Robert Phillpotts, author of the book, which is a detailed account of the building of the Regent's Canal.
6th August 2008 at 1930 Guided Towpath Walk to Camden Town, via Islington Tunnel west portal, exploring the history of the canal and the signs of its past that can be seen along the route. Depart 1930. Charge £5 adult, £4 child/senior/student. Advance booking not required or possible.
3rd September 2009. Talk:. The River Severn from Stourport to the Sea by Runnells Davis.
1st October 2009. Talk:. The river Gipping by Spencer Greystrong. THE RIVER GIPPING.
5th November 2009. Talk:. The Kennet and Avon Canal by speaker, to be announced, from the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.
3rd December 2009. Talk:. The Cotswold Canals by Liz Payne.
7th January 2010. Talk:. Birmingham Canals, Past and Present by Eric Lewis.

Back to top

Temporary Exhibitions