Regent's Canal Towpath
cross london by water, on foot
A flat, traffic-free walking and cycling route along the water, free, threading from Little Venice through Regent's Park and Camden across the city to Limehouse and the Thames.
Free to visit · Camden / Islington · Camden Town · NW1 8AF
Opening: Towpath always open
The Regent's Canal opened in 1820 to link the Grand Union Canal in the west to the docks at Limehouse in the east, and its towpath is now one of the great free walking routes across London. Flat, mostly traffic-free and endlessly varied, it lets you cross huge chunks of the city by water.
Along the way it serves up a remarkable sequence, the painted narrowboats of Little Venice, the back of Regent's Park and London Zoo, the bustle of Camden Lock, the regenerated basins of King's Cross, the canalside bars of Hackney and Victoria Park, all the way to the river at Limehouse.
You can walk or cycle as much or as little as you like, dipping on and off at canalside cafes, markets and parks. It is free, calm and a completely different way to see London, down at water level and away from the roads.
Getting there: Join it almost anywhere, Little Venice at Warwick Avenue, Camden Lock, King's Cross or Victoria Park are all easy access points.
Best time to go: A clear day for the long stretches, ideally walking west to east as the light moves. Mornings are quietest before the cyclists.
Insider tip: Walk the King's Cross to Camden stretch for the most to see in a short distance, or Little Venice to Camden for the prettiest. Keep an ear out for cyclists on the narrow stretches, the towpath is shared.
Official site: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk
Free things to do in London · London Free Guide