Little Venice London Vacations

For your London vacations, escape from the hustle and bustle of London and discover the romantic adventures of the charming canal cruises of Little Venice London.

Maida Vale and Little Venice

Located in the southern part of Maida Vale, Little Venice is surrounded by Kilburn Park Road to the north west, Maida Vale road to the north east, Shirland Road and Blomfield Road to the south west and Regent’s Canal in the south.

This area is mainly residential featuring many luxurious large late Edwardian and Victorian mansion flats and villas, and is also home to some BBC network radio recording and broadcast studios.

Escape to the Serenity of Little Venice London

Little Venice London is also known for its charming shops and restaurants to visit on your London vacations, including the Warwick Castle pub, the Waterside Cafe, the Puppet Theatre Barge, which stages traditional puppet shows on board a houseboat, and the Canal Cafe Theatre.

Although Little Venice originally refers to the area surrounded by Maida Avenue, Warwick Crescent and Blomfield Road, the lovely stretch along Regent’s Canal has now stretched the name to apply loosely to the romantic cruises and London attractions on the canal system.

Regent’s Canal Cruises

Regent’s Canal serves as a link from the Grand Union Canal north west of Paddington Basin to the Limehouse Basin in east London and the River Thames.

Originally, the canal was utilized to transport commodities including coal, grain, raw materials, and food items such as cheese. Eventually, the commercial use declined and the passenger pleasure cruising evolved for London vacations with the famous Waterbus services.

Regent’s Canal and Little Venice offer visitors many exciting activities on their London vacations.

You can stroll along or go cycling on the path along the canal, or take a cruise on one of the regular Waterbus services which operate on Regent’s Canal from Little Venice eastwards towards Regent’s Park, the London Zoo and Camden Town.

Most of the Waterbus services complete their journeys at Camden Lock, which is the only twin-lock remaining on Regent’s Canal.

Although the Canal’s pathway (towpath) is a popular cycle route for commuters, it is also a peaceful pathway for pedestrians and joggers.

Leaving the Grand Junction Canal at Little Venice London, the Regent’s Canal waterbus passes under the ancient Roman Road of Watling Street through the Maida Hill tunnel, then the Lisson Grove tunnel, several other tunnels and then winds around the northern edge of Regent’s Park, passing through St. John’s Wood area and Prince Albert Road which follows the canal, and arrives at the London Zoo waterbus stop.

If you want to take the Waterbus to the London Zoo, you may have to purchase a combined ticket which includes the canal ride and entrance to the Zoo.

For more information contact London Waterbus Services at:

www.londonwaterbus.com or call 020 74822660

You have the option of walking to the London Zoo and then touring the canal with the waterbus service.

After passing by the London Zoo, the waterbus heads over to the former Cumberland Basin where the canal turns left and passes a floating Chinese restaurant.

Villas of Little Venice London on Regent’s Canal

As you travel along the northern edge of Regent’s Park between Little Venice and Camden Town, whether on foot or by Waterbus, you will discover the beautiful neighbourhoods of Prince Albert Road and the Outer Circle, on the North Bank and the South Bank of Regent’s Canal, between Lisson Grove and Park Road.

This is a great walking or boating tour to enjoy on your London vacations.

Here you can admire the gorgeous villas inspired by architect John Nash and built or remodelled by Terry Quinlan, which grace the canal with their beautiful architecture and gardens.

These include the Veneto, Doric, Corinthian, Ionic, Gothick, Regency and Tuscan villas and the Hanover Lodge.

Discover Camden Lock on Your London Vacations

As you are arriving to Camden Town, you will see the Pirate Castle and after that you will see the locks which were constructed by James Morgan and John Nash supervising between1818-1820.

The former warehouses and yard on the north side of Regent’s Canal at the junction of Chalk Farm Road is an area known as Camden Lock.

This part of Little Venice is a very popular destination for London vacations and the charming neighbourhood is a hot spot for shopping, dining, and relaxation.

The actual name for the locks is Hampstead Road Locks.

If you lounge upstairs at the pub overlooking the locks, you can watch the boats come through.

Have a pint of beer or cider and enjoy the view of Regent’s Canal and the boaters manually opening and closing the locks to continue on their journey to the Limehouse Basin.

Shopping at Camden Market
on Your London Vacations

Here at the canal basin and Hampstead Road Locks is a group of markets collectively referred to as either Camden Lock or Camden Market.

This is a busy and popular market with canal towpath walks, a cobbled courtyard just off the canal, lively weekend music venues, incredible atmosphere and cafes. There are several striking large sculptures throughout the market. Add a trip to Camden Market on your London vacations.

Whether you walked over from the starting point in Little Venice, or cruised on the Waterbus over to Camden Town, treat yourself with an adventurous shopping experience in the fabulous boutiques of Camden Market.

The Camden Market has a fascinating history, being built into the former Pickfords stables and horse hospital. The hospital provided health service for the horses which had pulled barges along the canal.

Many of the boutiques and shops are set into the enormous arches of the railway viaducts. The historic Stables Market is a mix of indoor and outdoor shops.

This is a great place to shop for unique clothing, household goods, furniture, decorative items, art, hand-made crafts, second-hand goods and 20th century antiques.

The Market has pedestrian walkways and tunnels, Victorian buildings, offices, workshops, splendid shops, food outlets, and exhibition space.

While in Camden Market, enjoy delicious international cuisine in one of the culturally unique restaurants and cafes.

Getting from Little Venice London to Camden Lock

Take the London Underground to the Warwick Avenue tube. Walk along Warwick Avenue and turn right on Warwick Place.

After you pass The Warwick Castle pub and bar, follow the blue footbridge at Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge over the canal onto the towpath to the Waterside Cafe.

Here you can catch a Waterbus to the London Zoo or to Camden Lock. At the end of Blomfield Road the canal disappears into the Maida Hill Tunnel and underneath the enchanting Cafe Laville.

If you decide to do a scenic walking tour, walk along the towpath and follow the canal. From the starting point of Little Venice London to Camden Lock is over eight miles.

Or, if you would prefer a shorter 2 mile (one hour walk), take the Waterbus to London Zoo and form there walk to Camden. This portion of the adventure will take you past the picturesque and luxury villas and backyards along the canal.

Getting from Camden Lock to Little Venice London

Take the London Underground to the Camden Town tube station. Be aware that on Sundays the Camden Markets are very busy and the platforms of this tube station can be over-crowded and only available to incoming passengers.

Other good options for easy access to Camden Markets are via the Chalk Farm and Mornington Crescent tube stations.

To get to the London Zoo or Little Venice, go down to the Camden Lock and either take a Waterbus or enjoy a romantic and leisure walk along Regent’s Canal.

Little Venice London Vacations Waterbus Services

There are several water transit services available along the Regent’s Canal between Little Venice to the London Zoo and Camden Lock. These privately owned boat companies provide both leisure cruises and regularly scheduled waterbus services.

Here are the Main Options:

1. London Water Bus Company

• Originally traditional canal barges called narrowboats which have been converted to waterbuses to carry passengers.
• These London attractions provides regular day trips and charter services along Regent’s Canal to the Limehouse Basin, and on the Grand Union Canal.
• Hourly service daily from April to September.
• In the autumn service is reduced to four days a week.
• In the winter there is weekend service only.

2. Jason’s Canal Boat Trips

• Authentic 100-year-old canal boat which was originally used as a cargo-vessel.
• The canal cruises run from Little Venice to Camden Lock starting the first weekend in April to the first weekend in November.
• Be entertained by the tour guides who will tell you all about the history of the canal and nearby London attractions.

3. Jenny Wren

• Offers a similar service and route from Camden Lock to Little Venice and back with an entertaining tour guide.
• In the winter months, canal cruises are only available for private charter.

4. The Floating Boater

• Located at the Waterside Cafe in Little Venice, this company operates two private charter boats which require advance bookings.
• The narrowboat Lapwing is a historic vessel built in 1913 and The Prince Regent is specifically designed for canal cruises entertaining in Edwardian style.

I hope you will enjoy the romantic cruises and walks of Little Venice as much as I have on my London vacations. It's simply beautiful.

Little Venice London Vacations - Return to Great Vacation Ideas Travel Guide
Little Venice London - Return to London Vacation Ideas