narrow boat trips london

• Cheshire Ring
• Four Counties Ring
• Grand Union Canal
• Kennet and Avon Canal
• Leeds-Liverpool Canal
• Leicester Ring
• Llangollen Canal
• London Ring
• Mon and Brec Canal
• Oxford Canal
• Scotland Canals
• Stourport Ring
• Thames Ring
• Warwickshire Ring
• UK Canal Map
• About Narrowboats
• About the Canals
• Canal Holiday FAQs
• Website Help

OFFERS Click Here For Exclusive Special Offer Discounts

Availability Search

Canal Narrowboat Holidays

Book 2024 and 2025 holidays now with amazing savings, we offer the widest range of canal narrow boats in the uk. search over 2000 canal holiday options and book online at best prices any time.

Cruise the canals around London, moor in historic Bath, Oxford or Chester. Travel from Edinburgh via the stunning Falkirk Wheel. Cross the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales.

The narrowboat is the modern version of the cargo vessels that travelled the canals before the railways.

Now these boats contain every creature comfort and are available for hire across the UK and in Ireland.

These canal boats have modern kitchens, beds which can be left made up, heating, showers and toilets. They can sleep from 2 to 12 people.

Canal Boat Hire

A canal holiday lets you experience the locks to go up or down hill and travel through exciting tunnels. You can cross aqueducts over valleys and rivers - the most famous is 120 feet above the ground.

At 4 miles per hour a canal narrow boat holiday is often described as 'the fastest way to slow down'.

Widest Choice

On this website there is the widest choice of canal boat holidays in the UK. We offer weekend and midweek breaks, week hire or longer. And all at the boat operator's price.

Search and Book

On our website you can search for a boat by size, by date, by canal route, or by cruise area. Then book online for best prices.

Your Shortlist

As you find boats and routes you like just add them to your Shortlist (Shopping Basket). Review and compare at any time!

For boating holidays in Europe see our Boating Holidays website

Popular routes for narrowboat holidays.

Canal Holidays, Bowers Wharf, Skipton, BD23 2PD, United Kingdom

Canal and River Cruises

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Canal and River Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

REGENTS CANAL WATERBUS

Enjoy london from a different perspective.

Discover a unique london WATERWAY with a REGENT’S CANAL WATERBUS boat trip between LITTLE VENICE & CAMDEN MARKET

Our classic 45 minute one-way trips operate in either direction

Live English language guided tour commentary

The Regent’s canal opened in 1820, linking the Grand Union Canal and the River Thames at Limehouse, providing a once vital industrial transport route.

Today the canal has become a leisure corridor navigated by leisure boats and lined with live-aboard houseboats.

Our route travels between Little Venice in Maida Vale and vibrant Camden Town where you’ll find the world-famous Camden Market sites.

We pass through the grounds of London Zoo and through the echoey depths of the Madia Hill tunnel

Each boat has large slide-to-open windows, so everyone gets a view.

As we pass through the grounds of London Zoo, look out for the African hunting dogs known as painted wolves, which can often be seen as we pass their canal-side enclosure, as well as their warthog neighbours. On the opposite side, you can see the imposing structure of the repurposed Snowdon Aviary which is now part of Monkey Valley, home to playful Colobus monkeys, as a walk through zoo exhibit.

You can see expansive landscaped gardens of stately mansion houses and classic modern villas contrasted with industrial buildings, a power station and historical architecture including ornamental iron bridges such Macclesfield ‘blow up’ bridge.

From modern-day urban graffiti, unique architecture and industrial heritage to landscaped gardens and wildlife, the route gives an insight into the unique mix that forms this part of London.

Our classic one-way trips operate in either direction, and take around 45 minutes.

Live commentary guided tour (English language)

CAMDEN MARKET & TOWN

1,000+ UNIQUE SHOPS, STALLS, BARS & CAFES. UNFOLLOW CONVENTION AT CAMDEN MARKET.

CAMDEN MARKET IS HOME TO A VAST ARRAY OF SHOPS, TRADERS & INTERNATIONAL CUISINES, CREATIVITY & VIBRANCY TO EXPLORE & ENJOY ACROSS SEVERAL SITES INCLUDING THE STABLES, LOCK MARKET & WEST YARD SET WITHIN COBBLED & FLAGSTONED LANES OF FORMER WAREHOUSES & CONVERTED STABLES THAT IN DAYS-GONE-BY HOUSED BOTH GOODS & THE HORSES THAT PULLED THE LOADED CARGO BOATS ALONG USING ROPES, FROM THE CANAL TOWING PATH ALONGSIDE THE CANAL

YOU MAY BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO CATCH SIGHT OF THE FAMOUS TRADITIONAL TOWN CRIER DRESSED IN HIS RED UNIFORM, WHO REGULARLY SOUNDS HIS BELL AND CAN BE HEARD CALLING OUT AROUND THE MARKET LANES

SEE THE ECLETIC SHOPS OF CAMDEN HIGH STREET & CHALK FARM ROAD WITH THEIR LARGER THAN LIFE GIANT 3D SIGNS QUIRKY STREET PERFORMERS & ALTERNATIVE CULTURES

VISIT CAMDEN MARKET BUCK STREET ECO FOCUSED & SET WITHIN UPCYCLED SHIPPING CONTAINERS

DISCOVER CAMDEN MARKET HAWLEY WHARF RETAIL & LEISURE ALONGSIDE THE CANAL

SEE THE JASON BRUGES STUDIO HELICOIDAL MIRROR LIGHT INSTALLATION SET BETWEEN THE TWO WATERSIDE HALLS BUILDINGS

OUR TRIPS DEPART & RETURN TO OUR WHARF LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF CAMDEN MARKET WEST YARD STREET FOOD TRADERS

LITTLE VENICE

THIS WEST LONDON WATERSIDE AREA WAS SAID TO BE NAMED BY THE RENOWNED POET ROBERT BROWNING WHERAS OTHERS CREDIT IT TO LORD BRYON

OUR BOATS DEPART FROM BROWNING’S POOL THE LARGE TRANQUIL WATER EXPANSE SURROUNDED BY ELEGANT 19TH CENTURY MANSION HOUSES

ON BROWNING’S ISLAND LOOKOUT FOR THE SWANS, MALLARD DUCKS, GEESE, COOTS & MOORHENS AMONGST THE FEATHERED RESIDENT BIRDS, AS WELL AS THE OCCASIONAL VISITING CORMORANT OR HERON

ASK OUR GUIDE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE FASCINATING STORIES OF RANDOLPH AVENUE, OR HOW THEY MANAGED TO GET BOATS THROUGH THE MAIDA HILL TUNNEL BEFORE BOATS HAD ENGINES & WERE TOWED BY HORSES

FROM ‘TOERAGS’ TO ‘LEGGING IT’ THE CANAL INTRODUCED UNIQUE TERMINOLOGY THAT HAS BECOME SET INTO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. FIND OUT THE BACKSTORIES

TRAVEL PAST THE HOMES OF WELL-KNOWN MUSICIANS, ACTORS & CELEBRITIES ALONG CANALS LINED BY LIVE-ABOARD HOUSEBOATS

LOCAL WATERSIDE RESTAURANTS AT LITTLE VENICE INCLUDE THE SUMMERHOUSE ; THE WATERWAY & CAFE LAVILLE

WALK AROUND TO PADDINGTON BASIN FOR A MODERN CONTRAST: SHELDON SQUARE & PADDINGTON CENTRAL HAVE WATERSIDE CAFES, BARS & RESTAURANTS, INCLUDING SEVERAL ONBOARD MOORED BOATS: THE GRAND DUCHESS; THE CHEESE BARGE ; DARCIE & MAY GREEN . AS WELL AS A COLLECTION OF LARGE PUBLIC ARTWORKS

EXPLORE MERCHANT SQUARE WITH ITS FLOATING POCKET PARK , WATER MAZE FOUNTAINS & STRIKING ARCHITECTURAL GEMS SUCH AS THE NEW BRUNEL BUILDING & HEATHERWICK’S ROLLING BRIDGE

SEE THE MAARTEN BAAS REAL TIME CLOCK AT PADDINGTON STATION

Book with confidence Flexible bookings with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your booked departure

Booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, as seat availability often sells out in advance, especially at weekends.

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow for check-in and boarding. Check-in closes 5 minutes before each scheduled departure. The boat will depart promptly at the scheduled departure time.

Camden Market may be busy, particularly at weekends so please allow extra time to reach us.

No refunds will be given for missed departures

Trips are one-way, however, you can also book a separate trip if you wish to return back.

We do not accept oyster cards or the London Pass.

All tickets are sold subject to our Terms & Conditions

Regent’s Canal waterbus services are dog-friendly* subject to our Terms & Conditions

ONE WAY FARES

Booking fees will be added at checkout

Each passenger requires their own booked ticket - for example, both a Disabled person and 1x accompanying carer can each benefit from a lower concession rate, but each need a ticket. Infants require a free-of-charge booked ticket.

Bus style layout seating

No toilets on these services

LONDON WATERBUS COMPANY LIMITED Registered in England 01061531 Registered office: LABS Dockray, 1-7 Dockray Place, London NW1 8QH

We no longer offer trips to or from London Zoo. ZSL closed the waterside entrance in 2019

BOOKINGS CONCIERGE: [email protected] bio.site/waterbus UK GDPR Privacy Policy

020 8373 7068

Southern Narrowboats

• Information
• Where To Cruise

Welcome to Southern Narrowboats

The Only Self-Drive Narrowboat Holiday Company on the Grand Union Canal – London stretch.

Whether you are a couple, a group of friends, a mixed group or a family, you will love the experience of a Narrowboat holiday. Working to crew the boat, relaxing and taking in the scenery, enjoying the slow pace of life on the water. As they say, turn up and slow down. Watch your children’s delight to be part of the team working the ropes and locks. Watch with surprise as your teenagers put down their devices and get involved! Relax with a beverage at the bow watching the swans or keep the skipper company at the tiller. Cruise the day taking in the landscape and the sights on the waterway, then at sundown moor up and enjoy the simple pleasures onboard. Preparing and eating dinner together, watching a movie or playing cards or a board. Catch up on reading, relax and unwind. Families or friends enjoy the adventure of sleeping on the boat! Dine together in a waterside pub or restaurant, or take a stroll along the towpath, perhaps with your dog? Visit local shops and attractions. You may wish to actively cruise the waterways or use the boat as a base/floating hotel room. Take it where you want, moor and explore!

‘The boat’ is the holiday on a Narrowboat break, removing the requirement to spend time or money elsewhere, unless you desire to. Along the waterways you will find a myriad of beautiful pubs and restaurants to visit and watch the world go by

Southern Narrowboats, owned and operated by lifelong boaters Richard  and  Louise Whitaker , who are proud to offer their customers the personal touch.

The Only Self-Drive Narrowboat Holiday Company on the Grand Union Canal – London stretch.

The unique proximity of our Marina to London means that you can choose to head North into the beautiful countryside via an abundance of locks, or enjoy 23 miles of lock free boating and head South into the bright lights and hustle and bustle of London. The canals and rivers are your oyster. Pre-bookable day and overnight moorings are available in many locations including London.

Your boating short break or longer holiday will begin at West London’s Packet Boat Marina in Cowley, Uxbridge. Close to Heathrow Airport and the M4/M25 Motorways and nearby Uxbridge Tube and West Drayton Train Stations take you into Central London in 20 minutes. There is fully a secure car park at the Marina.

Facebook Reviews

We had a fabulous time and the staff were all very caring and helped us have a wonderful holiday.

Had a fantastic 5 day break for my husbands 60th birthday on Cassiopeia which was very clean had everything you could want on board. great fun met loads of lovely people on our travels easy to book lovely owners Louise and Rich most helpful they provided secure parking for car. plenty of places to eat on canal . well behaved dogs welcome will definitely be going again through Southern Narrowboats 5 star

My family and I have just spent a fantastic mid-week break on the Little Egret, very comfortable for our family of five.

The boat is very clean and has everything you need on board, perfect for a break without worrying about social distancing as everything is self contained.

The information provided, and organisation from Southern Narrowboats was spot on, so many thanks.

Highly recommended.

Fabulous 4 day rental. A terrific operation.

Had a great last minute weekend away on Little Egret. Louise and Richard were both super friendly and efficient. Made sure we were comfortable with the boat before leaving us to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the canal. Great to try something different and the kids loved it. Would fully recommend it!

Great week through London and back. Everything we needed on board – very comfortable and well prepared for us. Professional, helpful and friendly owners

Just had an absolutely amazing mid week break on Little Egrit. Such a warm cosy boat and super easy to handle, the beds were so comfy very hard to get up in the morning!! Took the boat up to Kings Cross and back stopping off for coffee at coal drops yard, pizza at Goldborne rd, an amazing night in little Venice and lots of really cute pubs and sights along the way.

We had a wonderful week on Little Egret in the October half term. Friendly and more than helpful in every possible way. Immaculate inside, would highly recommend. I have also contacted them for advice and where so helpful. Thank you.

Just had an absolutely amazing three night holiday aboard Cassiopeia! Everything supplied, very thoughtful owners! From towels to DVDs. All went like clockwork, the best little holiday ever. Thank you from the Atkinson/ Sabrosa family xxz

I contacted this company to book a trip for me and my boyfriend. We were visiting from the states and wanted to do something unique. This trip was UNFORGETTABLE and so amazing. Louise and Richard were an absolute joy to work with. They were constantly in touch and so responsive with all our many questions. It was our first time operating a narrowboat (we rented Cassieopeia) and Rich made sure we felt confident before he left us at a nearby Tesco along the towpath. I would recommend this type of trip for any couple, family, or group of friends. You definitely need to be willing to try something new and learn a new skill, but it’s doable and very fun. We had some amazing moments, learned a lot about communication, and saw England from the most unique perspective. Feel free to contact me with questions–I’ll be sure to give you an honest answer about our experience. If you want to learn more about our experience, go to my Instagram page and click on the Canal Boat highlight to see highlights from our trip (and a detailed tour of the boat!). My instagram handle is @janebdiener.

Try a Narrowboat Staycation! Rain or shine, a Narrowboat holiday is always enjoyable. Call us now 020 8373 7068

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of London for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best boat trips in London

See the city from the Thames or one of London’s canals with these great London boat trips

London boat tours are a truly fabulous way to see the city’s top spots. The River Thames is a destination in itself, of course, and most London boat tours will take in famous landmarks such as the Tate Modern , St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, The O2 and Canary Wharf . You’ll be spoiled for choice with footage for your Instagram story.

If you fancy something a little bit different, there are some charming London boat tours along Regent’s Canal, many leading to the incredibly picturesque  Little Venice . Whether you’re a seasoned sea dog or a naval novice, there are definitely one or two London boat tours for you.

RECOMMENDED: The top 50 attractions in London

An email you’ll actually love

City Cruises

• Things to do
• Walks and tours
• Victoria Embankment

City Cruises operate on a hop-on, hop-off basis and run from Westminster, London Eye, Tower and Greenwich Piers with commentary along the way. The River Red Rover ticket allows unlimited one-day cruising; there's also the Rail and River Rover ticket allowing unlimited one-day travel by river and on the DLR. Single or return tickets are available for shorter journeys, too. The London Showboat is an evening dinner and dance cruise running from Westminster Pier. Afternoon tea and lunch cruises are another popular option during peak periods. 

Thames Rockets

• Ships and boats

This slick RIB (ridged inflatable boat) operation offers a thrilling, high-speed ride on the Thames. You can book by phone or online, or just turn up and pay on the day at the London Eye Ticket Office. Arrive 20 minutes before the off to be kitted out with a waterproof jacket, a life jacket and goggle-style visors (fun in itself). The trip starts calmly enough and the guide will keep kids and adults entertained with fun facts and celebrity stories. But once the boat passes Wapping, it’s pedal to the floor all the way to Canary Wharf. 

Tate to Tate Boat

Running every 20 to 30 minutes, the boat service connecting London’s two Tate galleries, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, takes you through the heart of London, with plenty to see on both banks (head to the outdoor deck at the back of the boat for the best views). The catamaran service boasts specially commissioned exterior and interior designs by artist Damien Hirst, but there’s no commentary, so take a map.

Thames Clippers

River bus services running daily between Royal Arsenal Woolwich in the east and Battersea Power Station in the west. A daily commuter service operates every 20 minutes calling at all major central London piers. On event nights at The O2, the River Bus Express operates a fast direct shuttle service from London Eye (Waterloo) and London Bridge with optional champagne upgrades. There’s no tour guide on board, but you can download a free app for an audio commentary. 

Thames RIB Experience

• Sightseeing

Hurtling about the Thames at 30 knots (roughly 35mph) is the closest thing we’ve got to a white-knuckle ride in central London. It takes just under 40 minutes to travel from Westminster to Tower Bridge. Then the turbo engines kick in and you’re off, bumping about on the open water between Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, turning in terrifyingly tight figures of eight. It’s the quickest, most thrilling way to travel the Thames.

Vintage Red Bus Tour and Thames Cruise

Two tours in one. The first, departing from Victoria Coach Station on a restored double-decker bus, will take in views of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and Tower of London. The second is a cruise on the River Thames passing Shakespeare’s Globe, Cleopatra’s Needle and London Bridge before arriving at Embankment pier, where you hop back on the bus and head for Buckingham Palace. The tour will finish back at Victoria Coach Station.

Turks Launches

Turks Launches have been operating boat tours along south-west London’s pretty stretch of Thames for 300 years. Running from Richmond Pier to Hampton Court, their routes pack in more historic sites than you might realise, including the seventeenth-century pile Ham House, Eel Pie Island (where Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones used to party), and Teddington Lock’s Dunkirk Memorial. Turks tours run daily from March until September; look out for special disco and jazz cruises during peak months.

London Waterbus Company

• Camden Market

Navigate Regent’s Canal in a narrowboat with the London Waterbus Company. Trips run along the Regent’s Canal linking Little Venice, Regent’s Park, London Zoo and Camden Lock. Warwick Avenue is the closest tube if you’re catching the boat from Little Venice. There’s no advance-booking option – these tours are first come, first served – so if you arrive at peak time, just before lunch, you might have to queue. 

Canal Museum Tunnel Boat Trip

• King’s Cross

These trips are best suited to the brave. Regent’s Canal’s tunnel – built in 1820 – is long, dark, dank and three quarters of a mile long. Once upon a time, boats normally pulled by horses on the towpath had to be inched through the tunnel by a process of ‘legging’ – with the men on board having to brace their legs against the tunnel walls to power the boat along. The tunnel tours take place during the summer, and tickets also includes admission to the London Canal Museum proper. There are only 12 places on each boat tour, so booking is definitely recommended.

Jason’s Trip

• Little Venice

Jason’s Trip navigates the picturesque route along Regent’s Canal from Little Venice, through Regent’s Park, on to Camden Lock and back again. The boat is more than 100 years old and the trip, which includes a live historical commentary and lasts for 45min each way, has been a feature on the canal since 1951. Tours run from the first week of April right through to the first week of November. 

• Camden Town

Hop aboard for an hour and a half's cruise from Camden Lock, past London Zoo in Regent's Park, through the tunnel to Robert Browning’s Island at Little Venice and back to Walker’s Quay. A commentary is included on the cruise, and picnic lunches are available from the company’s waterside restaurant. If you prefer the idea of more formal onboard dining, try the My Fair Lady cruising restaurant boat, operated by the same company.

Bow Boat Company

Bow Boat Company offers a more bespoke kind of canal tour. Its cute narrowboat seats up to 12 people and can be hired (complete with skipper and tour guide) for special-occasion tours of east London’s waterways. You can decide exactly how long you want to tour for, and precisely where you’d like to stop. The comprehensive ‘east London loop’ takes in everything from the Olympic Park to Victoria Park and stretches out over a leisurely five hours; a shorter tour from Hackney’s buzzy Broadway Market to bustling King’s Cross takes just two hours. 

Looking for more things to do in London?

101 things to do in London

Check out The DO List for London. It’s the ultimate city checklist put together by Time Out editors who really know and love London

[image] [title]

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Claim your listing
• Time Out Offers FAQ
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Offers
• Time Out Worldwide

Take a Canal Boat Trip from Little Venice

Spoilt for choice, Little Venice offers a range of boat trips along the Regent’s Canal from Paddington to Camden Lock.

All trips are aboard traditional narrowboats and treat passengers to the sights of Regent’s Park and London Zoo. They pass through the famous 248-metre-long Maida Hill tunnel, completed in 1816. Boats depart from the Pool of Little Venice, a five-minute walk from Paddington Station. In the centre lies Browning’s Island, home to swans, ducks, geese, coots and a visiting heron.

Jason’s Trip is the oldest trip boat at Little Venice, using a boat dating back to 1906, operating since 1951. Live commentary from an expert guide on the Little Venice leg will take you back in time with a journey through the canal’s history from the 1800s to the present day.

The London Waterbus Company follows the same route, with a 45-minute trip in each direction between Little Venice and Camden Lock. Each boat has large slide-to-open windows, so everyone has a view for those perfect Instagram posts, and plenty of ventilation.

If you like the idea of having a boat to yourself for family and friends, then Lady A is for you. Built especially in 2004 in traditional narrowboat style, Lady A offers private cruises, having a maximum capacity of ten, perfect for a cosy group trip. Seating is mostly in the foredeck area in the open air, with a solid roof above and waterproof side curtains in case of rain.

Prefer to be your own captain?

Then GoBoat is for you. These electric boats seat eight and can be hired for one hour upwards. Hire starts at Paddington Basin, and you can reach Camden Lock in under an hour. Heated seats and blankets cover whatever the weather throws at you. Dogs welcome, in fact, encouraged!

Visit the Canal and River Trust for more information about the Little Venice area.

Related Content

Goboat london open for bookings, kick start your fitness in paddington.

Trips on The Regent's Canal and private skippered charter

Long Tom is a purpose-designed passenger sight-seeing narrowboat owned jointly by Angel Community Canal Boat Trust and London Canal Museum.

There are two ways to enjoy a trip on Long Tom:

1. Private Charter

Angel Community Canal Boat Trust is based at Islington and offers private charter, and trips for community groups, with a skipper, for up to a maximum of 12 people. For details and bookings please go to the Angel Boat website .

2. Public trips

London Canal Museum offers a range of public trips on Long Tom, departing from the museum in King's Cross. All cruises include a museum visit. Please go to the museum's boat trips page for details and bookings.

About Long Tom

Long Tom was used as a cream tea boat on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal before being bought by the two partner charities in early 2023. It has all the facilities needed for simple catering and large picture windows that can be opened in good weather. There is a toilet on board although guests are encouraged to use shore facilities whenever possible.

Access to the cabin is via steps so unfortunately wheelchair users cannot be accommodated although the crew will always do their best to accommodate people with disabilites who can be helped to descend into the cabin. In winter there is background heating but outdoor clothing is reccommended. The boat is always operated under the supervision of a qualified skipper.

Narrowboat trips

A slow and relaxing cruise along the Regents Canal is a delightful way to spend a day or early evening. Our 35ft fully renovated narrowboat, Peggoty Tom, has a toilet on board and of course you can bring your own food.

Peggoty Tom has a wide stretch of windows for an all-round view and protection from rain and cold – making her ideal for year round trips.

Minimum two hour trip . Maximum passengers 10.

Where we go

Head for Camden Market and have a buffet lunch or cream tea aboard during the journey, stop for some shopping and return to the basin and enjoy a hot chocolate and marshmallows on the return journey. We can also head towards Hackney and Broadway market. Please ask when booking.

Fully trained RYA skipper included to take the helm – you are welcome to take a turn at skippering under the guidance of your skipper; also to help at the various locks along the way. Your day can be lazy or interactive, whichever suits you!

Children are welcome with a suitable number of adults. Please mention when booking.

Half day hire for £200 or full day hire for £350. For more information email  [email protected]

Want to learn how to helm a narrowboat? We offer RYA Inland Waterways courses.......

• Main Home Page
• The Ice House
• Picture Shop
• London's Canals
• Volunteering
• LCM Boat Trips
• Historic Boat Trips
• Shopping Museum shop Buy Books
•  Italiano  Deutsch  Francais

To charter our jointly-owned boat Long Tom contact our partners Angel Community Narrowboat Trust .

On Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from Easter to the end of October, the museum offers a programme of boat trips starting from the museum and including a museum visit. A guide travels with you to give a commentary. except for short trips, tea and coffee are served on board and a guide offers a commentary. See our Boat Trips page for details and to book your place in advance. The trips include long day trips to Paddington or Victoria Park in East London, and a weekly cream tea cruise from the museum lasting around 90 minutes on board the sightseeing boat Long Tom . .On some Wednesdays we offer short trips to St. Pancras and back in about 25 minutes without a guide or refreshments.

Make your way to Little Venice (near Paddington and Warwick Road Underground stations) and take a one-way cruise to Camden. (allow an hour) Walk along the towpath to King's Cross. (allow 40 minutes) If you have a smartphone you can do the Webwalk using the phone as your walk guide. (allow an hour if taking the Webwalk. Alternatively we offer a free MP3 audio tour of the canal towpath.See our podcasts page for details. This section of canal is mainly industrial with plenty of reminders of its history. You may also see the wildlife that thrives on the canal. If you are lucky, you may see a heron fishing! Finish your day on the canals with a visit to London Canal Museum. (allow 1-2 hours). You'll find our why the canal was built and it's fascinating history over more than 180 years. Of course, depending on timings, you can stop for refreshments or a meal at Camden or at King's Cross before or after your museum visit. There are plenty of cafes, pubs, and fast food outlets at both these places. In bad weather use bus 214 instead of the towpath walk. Alternatively, start your day out at the museum. A morning visit can be followed by lunch in a local pub or cafe. Then walk to Camden along the Regent's Canal towpath. At Camden, explore the famous market (weekends) before embarking on a cruise to Little Venice. You can return to Camden by boat as well, if you wish. For information on getting to the museum click the link. Don't forget to check what additional events are on offer at London Canal Museum.

Skippered charter for groups

You can charter one of London's community boats for a group of up to 12 people. A skipper is provided by the operator of the boat. So long as it is practical, your itinerary is for you to decide. Community boats are available for private events and usually offer low-cost hire for community groups and educational purposes. Consider booking Long Tom or Tarporley or one of the other London community boats for your small group trip. For a list of boats see our Community Boats page.

One hire company operates in London, for weekend or longer narrowboat hire. They are Southern Narrowboats , based near Uxbridge.

12 Brilliant London Boat Trips For Salty Sea Dogs While The Sun’s Out

London is famous for its waterways, and some of the best views in town come from the network of canals, reservoirs and – duh – a certain bloomin’ huge river that criss-crosses it.

From leisurely cruises along the Thames to speedboat rides, and canoe hire to white water rafting – yep, really – there are all sorts of ways to take to the water in London. Raise the black flag, hoist the mainsail and anchors away – here are twelve of the best London boat trips in town for when the sun’s a-shining:

1) GoBoat London , Paddington, Canary Wharf and Kingston

Kicking off this roundup of brilliant London boat trips is a way for you to captain your own ship. GoBoat  boasts a fabulous fleet of picnic boats that rule the serene waters of London in three different locations . These charming little craft boats really do offer one of the best days out in London, particularly when you can motor through tranquil Little Venice , leafy Kingston, or past the impressive towers of Canary Wharf.

Perhaps the best way to boat hire in London, they can seat up to six people, and pooches are more than welcome so you can happily bring your furry, four-legged friend on board with you. There’s also space for picnics to boot. If you’re wanting to get involved, then get a hold of your tickets here!

2) Skuna, Canary Wharf

For our money, the best way to take to the London waters is in a goddamn awesome hot tub . And whilst the impracticality of putting a hot tub in a canal was once insurmountable, it isn’t anymore. The reason? A fun and innovative mode of travel, aptly-known as the ‘Hot Tub Boat’.

Each Skuna hot tub boat holds seven suave punters, and the tubs are heated to a balmy 38 degrees. The boats hold up to seven different punters, you’ll get training provided and you’ll also get 75 minutes’ worth of sailing time. Oh, and you can also enjoy alcohol onboard too, so this is one booze cruise  you won’t forget in a hurry!

3) London Shell Co., Regent’s Canal

London Shell Co. is known for their floating fish restaurants in Paddington, The Prince Regent and The Grand Duchess . Dine on deck of the permanently docked Grand Duchess boat, or hop aboard The Prince Regent for a cruising lunch or dinner  down the historic Regent’s Canal through Camden in Central London.

You can always expect to enjoy the freshest catch and outstanding seafood here, and menus change daily. Along the way, you’ll sail through the Maida Hill Tunnel and past iconic landmarks such as London Zoo and Regent’s Park too.

4) Moo Canoes, Lea Valley

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Moo Crew (@moocanoes)

If you’d rather travel under your own steam, you can hire [trackLink link_url=" https://secretldn.com/kayaking-in-london/"]kayaks and canoes[/trackLink] from Moo Canoes, and embark on your own expeditions around East London’s many waterways, including Regents Canal, Limehouse Cut and Hackney Marshes.

There’s twelve different routes of varying difficulty, leading everywhere from Angel to Clapton , dogs are welcome, and they also have SUP (stand up paddle boards) in Poplar Union Canal. 

5) The London Craft Beer Cruise, River Thames

Love craft beer ? Know the ins and outs of your IPAs? Then step on board for this leisurely afternoon ride down the River Thames, right through the heart of central London.

Joining you onboard will be representatives from various different London breweries and fellow beer geeks behind the bar. As you soak up London’s iconic skyline, you’ll see breathtaking scenes while sipping on five delicious indie beers aboard the London Craft Beer Cruise . We’ll cheers to that!

6) Hidden Depths, Regent’s Canal

For party vibes , you and your friends can hire a narrowboat – with a captain at the wheel – to take you around the canals as you drink and, no doubt, attract admiring glances from land-lubbers.

Perfect for big groups, you’ll get the chance to sail through the 200-year old Islington Tunnel – one of the longest tunnels in Britain at a mile long – and down the leafy Regent’s Canal. For big parties, you can even hire a boat with a capacity of 42 – yep, seriously – and there are other smaller 12-capacity vessels too. It goes without saying that booze and banging tunes can be bought on board the Hidden Depths boats too.

7) Thames Rockets , River Thames

Got a real need for speed with your London boat trips? Then look no further than the Thames Rockets . These speedboats will send you screaming along the Thames, with journeys departing from both the London Eye and London Bridge. Their most unlikely offering pairs a speedboat journey with the Up At The O2 climb – another includes an afternoon tea too .

Routes take you all the way down to the Thames Barrier and you can also opt to charter your own speedboat too if you’re wanting your own private tour. Get your tickets here.

8) Uber Boats, River Thames

If you’re looking for something slightly more leisurely and chilled out, then a ride on one of the twenty or so Uber Boats , which traverse the Thames all the way from Putney in the west all the way down to Woolwich in the East.

You’ll pass all those famous London landmarks along the way, and during the summer months, you can even head out to Hampton Court in Surrey. Prices start from just £3.50 with a travelcard – explore your options here .

9) White Water Rafting, Lee Valley

We’re upping the ante with this next entry on our roundup of London boat trips. Did you know that you can go white water rafting  in London? Us neither, but turns out you bloody well can! Situated in the far reaches of London (but just within the travelcard zones, so it still counts), you’ll be able to conquer the course used during the 2012 London Olympics at the Lee Valley White Water Centre .

Before you hit the rapids you’ll be kitted out with wetsuits, boots, helmets and bouyancy aids, then trained up by an expert instructor and put through your paces on the course. You can even charter an entire raft (which holds a maximum of 12 people) for a big day out with your mates. 

And once your high-octane adventure is over? Celebrate your aquatic success with a pizza and a pint (or just steady your nerves post-raft!) at The Terrace Bar & Café on site. You must be having a raft mate…

10) Speedboat Experience , River Thames

View this post on Instagram A post shared by THAMES RIB EXPERIENCE (@thamesribexperience)

Rounding off this list of the best London boat trips is another adrenaline-filled adventure. Departing from Embankment Pier, you’ll career down the Thames for 50 minutes at exhilaratingly high speeds , passing some of the city’s most famous landmarks along the way.

These Speedboat Experience ribs are London’s ‘ biggest, fastest and loudest ’ boats, and they’re fully-loaded with sound and PA systems, safety rails and 740HP Yanmar high performance engines, so you’re in for a hell of a ride with this boat trip. Routes all have guided commentary, and you’ll head all the way past the towering skyscrapers of Canary Wharf out to the Thames Barrier. You can grab a ticket for the experience here .

11) Skylines Boat Party , River Thames

View this post on Instagram A post shared by skylines boat parties (@skylinesboatparties)

You’ll find it hard not to get the party started with this one. With three decks of London’s best DJs and performers serving up the hottest beats, from club classics to Ibiza party anthems, you’re in for a real blast on this London boat trip.

Take in the famous city sights as you sip on a whole host of drinks at pub prices, alongside like-minded revellers. But it doesn’t end there at the Skylines Boat Party . Collect one of the wristbands and you can continue to groove all night long at a secret after party location!

12) Bollywood Boat Party , River Thames

Are you a fan of both Bollywood music and sailing, and are looking for ways to mix the two together? Search no more for this year you can dance along with the best Bollywood and Bhangra and all other genres of music till midnight at this vibrant Bollywood boat party on the old Thames River. You can also get refreshing drinks and energising cocktails to add to the lively atmosphere.

It’s the perfect time to brush up on your Bollywood dancing skills, from the famous hand gestures to the fast-paced footwork. And the best part? Everyone is welcome, so even though you’re a newbie, you’ll fit in just fine. Get ready to dance, drink and make memories that will last a lifetime. Get a hold of your tickets here .

TYPE IN YOUR SEARCH AND PRESS ENTER

21 best canal boat trips in the UK

Watching the world go by from a narrowboat or barge may not be the fastest way to travel, but it’s a wonderful way to discover some of the UK’s most beautiful and interesting landscapes. Rolling countryside, quaint market towns, historic mill villages and UNESCO-listed industrial heritage – along with some truly cutting-edge modern additions to the canal network; you can see it all when you take these canal boat trips on Britain’s amazing inland waterways.

• Northern England
• Central England
• Southern England

Canal boat holidays

This post contains affiliate links – all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. Thanks!

Canal boat trips in northern England

Standedge tunnel, west yorkshire.

Let’s start this list of the best canal trips with something truly extraordinary. Standedge Tunnel, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is the longest, highest, deepest canal tunnel in the UK, and you can take a guided canal boat trip inside its astonishing depths.

Boat trips into the Standedge Tunnel start from Tunnel End near the village of Marsden in West Yorkshire. They’re operated, like a few of the boat tours on this list, by the Canal and River Trust , a charity which looks after 2000 miles of inland waterways in England and Wales.

After your 30-minute journey into the tunnel, you can explore a small museum which describes the arduous building of the tunnel in the late 18th century, its decline when the railways came, how it was abandoned for decades and was finally brought back to life in 2001 thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.

Read more about visiting Standedge Tunnel

Skipton, North Yorkshire

Skipton is a gorgeous market town at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The Leeds and Liverpool canal arrived in Skipton in 1773, carrying coal, cloth and other cargo across the country from the ports at Liverpool and Hull (via the Aire and Calder Navigation).

Skipton is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, and gliding through it on a canal boat trip is the perfect way to see it. From Skipton’s pretty marina in the centre of town, you can take a 1 hour trip to discover the canal, or 2 hour trips to enjoy an afternoon tea on the water.

If you’re thinking you might like to skipper your own boat for a canal boat holiday, a day cruise on the wide, lock-free stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal south of Skipton is a good place to perfect your skills. There’s even a handily-placed canalside pub for lunch.

The team at Skipton Boat Trips will give you all the tuition you need to take the helm of your hire boat with confidence, even if you’re a complete novice. If you love it, you can hire a boat for a short break canal holiday or a full week or more, depending on how many miles of waterways you want to explore.

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

15 miles south east of Skipton on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, you’ll find Saltaire. Saltaire is a picturesque model village built by Sir Titus Salt to house the workers from his enormous mill in hygienic, morally sound and intellectually improving surroundings.

Salts Mill and the village surrounding it are a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my favourite places to visit; the mill now holds an art gallery, interesting shops (including the most amazing bookshop) and cafes. Across the river, there’s a lovely park, and down on the canal you can buy ice creams from a barge and take 30-minute boat trips on the narrowboat Titus . Trips run from the end of March to the end of October.

Read more: visiting Salts Mill and Saltaire

Manchester owes a lot of its existence to canals. Canals allowed Manchester’s industrialists to bring raw materials into the city, along with coal to power the machines that would turn raw cotton into finished cloth.

At first, products were transported out of Manchester by barge on the Bridgewater Canal or later by rail, but this didn’t provide enough capacity for Manchester’s factories and mills.

This all changed when the Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894, providing a wide channel all the way to the sea at Liverpool. Manchester became Britain’s 3rd busiest port, despite being 40 miles from the sea.

Taking a guided canal boat trip is a great way to understand the history of Manchester. Boat trips run along the Manchester Ship Canal and the navigable parts of the River Irwell, passing Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium, Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry, plus the old Pomona docks. You can book your Manchester river and canal tour here .

Burscough, Lancashire

After the drama of the route across the Pennines, the Leeds and Liverpool canal spends its last few miles before arriving in Liverpool meandering across the west Lancashire landscape. This part of northern England is full of small towns and huge skies, and spending a couple of hours on the water is the perfect way to see it.

Lancashire Canal Cruises operate two cruises from Burscough, a small town near Ormskirk and Southport.

Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester

Ashton under Lyne is just to the east of Manchester, and the town’s Portland canal basin marks the point where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Peak Forest Canal meet and the Ashton Canal begins its journey to Manchester city centre.

The 1800s canal warehouse at Portland Basin has been turned into a lively family museum with recreations of a 1920s street and the interior of a normal family home. There are also exhibitions on the history of Ashton’s three canals. Outside the museum, the Tameside Canal Boat Trust operate seasonal trips on the Ashton Canal on their narrowboat Still Waters .

Northwich, Cheshire

Together with the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the Anderton Boat Lift is one of the most impressive sights on Britain’s canal network and is the world’s oldest working boat lift. The boat lift was built in 1875 to lift cargo boats 15 metres up in the air from the River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey Canal and is still operational today.

You can experience the “cathedral of the canals” for yourself with a canal boat trip on the Edwin Clark , named after the engineer who built this amazing structure. The Anderton Boat Lift is having some refurbishment work done at the moment but boat trips are expected to resume after Easter 2023.

Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

The transhipment dock at Ellesmere Port, where the River Mersey, Manchester Ship Canal and Shropshire Union Canal all meet, used to be a noisy, bustling spot at the height of the Industrial Revolution, but it’s now a peaceful spot for a family day out. The warehouse is now home to one of the Canal and River Trust’s three museums. The museum is a fascinating place to visit, with regularly-changing exhibitions, special events and themed “Canal Sundays” during the summer months.

Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust run occasional canal boat trips from the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. If there’s a group of you, you might want to hire one of their barges and skippers for a longer trip – they have a range of full day and short day options from £125, some of which stop off at canalside pubs for lunch.

Canal boat trips in central England

Cromford, derbyshire.

Cromford is a village on the edge of the Peak District and home to one of the great wonders of the industrial revolution, the huge Cromford Mills complex. Built in 1771 by the inventor and industrialist Sir Richard Arkwright, Cromford Mills was the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill.

Like Sir Titus Salt in Saltaire, Arkwright built a village to house his workers, and today Cromford is a lovely place to visit, with shops, cafes, a large mill pond and quaint streets. The UNESCO-listed mill has a museum about the mills, plus craft workshops and more shops and cafes.

The 14.5 mile long Cromford Canal was critical to the success of Arkwright’s mills, but it also carried people! An enterprising man named Nathaniel Wheatcroft started the first “fly” boat service from here, carrying passengers to Nottingham twice a week.

Boat trips from Cromford Basin run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and take a 2 hour route from Cromford Wharf to Leawood Pumphouse and back on board the narrowboat Birdswood . There’s also an occasional option for a premium cruise which includes refreshments and a guided tour of the historic places to visit along the route, including Leawood Pumphouse and High Peak Junction, where you can see the oldest extant railway workshop in the world. You can book both the regular and the premium tour on the Friends of Cromford Canal’s website .

Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The oldest canal in Britain is the Fosse Dyke Canal, which was built by the Romans to link Lincoln to the River Trent, and from there to the North Sea. Lincoln is a beautiful cathedral city, and spending a relaxing hour on this historic canal is a lovely way to see the wider area.

You can take a guided boat trip along the Fosse Dyke on the Brayford Belle which operates between Easter and October each year. The Brayford Belle has two decks, the lower one with central heating and the upper one with outside seating and a fantastic view.

Birmingham famously has more miles of canals than Venice or Amsterdam – over 35 miles of them. The canals arrived in Birmingham in 1768, and grew to a peak of 160 miles of canal across the city. Canals were essential to fuel Birmingham’s growth during the industrial revolution, bringing in raw materials and coal, and sending out finished goods.

You can explore Birmingham’s history by taking a canal boat trip with Brindley Cruises or Sherborne Wharf . Routes cover part of the original James Brindley Canal, a section of Telford’s New Main Line (revolutionary for its time) and Gas Street Basin. If you’re visiting Birmingham at Christmas, you can even take a “Search for Santa” canal trip.

Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

The Stratford-upon-Avon canal runs from the outskirts of Birmingham to the heart of historic Stratford, Shakespeare’s home town. The canal was built to transport coal from the Midlands down to Oxford and London, without needing to use the network through Birmingham. The route was near-derelict by the 1930s, but was rescued thanks to the efforts of the Inland Waterways Association, the National Trust and local volunteers.

Today, the 25 miles of the Stratford-upon-Avon canal is navigable again and visitors to Stratford can take 40 minute canal boat tours along the canal and the River Avon . Stratford’s resident swans often follow the boat, and there’s a good chance you’ll also see tufted ducks, herons, coots and perhaps a kingfisher too.

Dudley, West Midlands

Just as at Standedge, the main attraction for canal boat trips in Dudley is going underground. The Dudley Tunnel is the UK’s second-longest tunnel, but unlike Standedge, it isn’t continuous and instead emerges at points into canal basins.

The rock in this area is particularly rich in fossils and other geological features. The area was once heavily mined for its limestone, creating amazing caverns that the boat trip passes through. One of these, named the Singing Cavern, is even available for weddings!

Canal boat trips into Dudley Tunnel are run by the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust . You can just turn up for the regular 45 minute trips or book online for longer trips. While you’re in the area, don’t miss a visit to the nearby Black Country Living Museum , which has a canal area featuring a collection of historic boats.

Banbury, Oxfordshire

The Oxford Canal meanders 78 miles from just north of Coventry, down through Rugby and Banbury and on until it meets the River Thames at Oxford.

While there are lots of river cruises on offer in Oxford itself, you’ll need to go to Banbury for canal boat trips on the Oxford Canal, unless you want a self-drive boat. Tooleys Boatyard Trust in Banbury offer regular, 40-minute canal boat trips on their day boat the Dancing Duck . Their Facebook page is the best place to check for boat trip times and dates.

Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

The Cotswolds are more famous these days for picturesque villages and trickling streams in a rolling, rural landscape, but there are canals here too. The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 to link Stroud to the River Severn and from there to the sea. Ten years later, the Thames and Severn Canal opened, extending the route to the River Thames at Lechlade and providing a cross-country route.

Both the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal fell into decline, with sections being filled in, but the Cotswolds Canal Trust have worked tirelessly to bring parts back into use. It’s expected that the Stroudwater Navigation will join up with the national waterways network again in 2025.

The Cotswolds Canal Trust run canal boat trips on the navigable parts of the Stroudwater Navigation at the Saul visitor centre, Ebley Wharf and the Wallbridge Lock visitor centre. At Lechlade, you can take a boat trip on the River Thames from St John’s Lock to see the start of the old Thames and Severn Canal.

Canal boat trips in southern England

The Regent’s Canal in London is an 8.6-mile link between the Grand Union Canal near Paddington Station to the Limehouse Basin and River Thames near Canary Wharf.

The canal weaves its way prettily through some of North London’s most attractive and interesting areas, including Little Venice, Regent’s Park, Camden Town and the Coal Drops Yard area of Kings Cross.

Canal boat trips on the Regent’s Canal tend to run between Little Venice and Camden Town. On a tour with the London Waterbus Company you’ll be entertained by a commentary, which points out key sights along the route, including London Zoo, Maida Hill Tunnel and the homes of the rich and famous.

Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire

The Kennet and Avon Canal is one of the UK canal network’s most popular waterways. Stretching from the Bristol channel, through the beautiful city of Bath then on through Devizes, Hungerford, Newbury to the Thames at Reading, it’s an outstanding route, passing through quintessentially English countryside.

One of the most beautiful towns on the Kennet and Avon is Bradford-on-Avon. Bradford-on-Avon is 10 miles from Bath and the tow paths are a popular walk between the two. At Bradford-on-Avon you can take a canal boat trip on the impressively large Barbara McLellan , a 65ft wide-beam boat that seats 40 and is operated by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

From Bradford-on-Avon, the Barbara McLellan sails west to Avoncliff Aqueduct and east to Widbrook winding hole. There are also a range of themed cruises throughout the season.

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust have four other boats along the canal and also offer canal boat trips in Devizes , Hungerford , Newbury and Reading .

Canal boat trips in Wales

Llangollen, denbighshire.

The Llangollen Canal in North Wales is one of the most scenic canal trips in the UK, but you’ll need a good head for heights! The amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct soars over the valley of the River Dee and is the longest and highest canal aqueduct in the world. It was designed by the famous engineer Thomas Telford, who was also involved in building Standedge Tunnel.

You can walk along the tow path to see the view from the aqueduct, but for the full Pontcysyllte experience, complete with checking out the sheer drop from the side of the boat on the canal side, Llangollen Wharf offer both motor and horse-drawn canal trips over the aqueduct.

The 5 mile route can be done in either direction, starting at Llangollen or Froncysyllte (near the aqueduct). The journey takes two hours; for an extra cost you can enjoy afternoon tea onboard. At the end of the trip, a courtesy bus will take you back to where you started.

Brecon, Powys

The peaceful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (also known as the Mon and Brec) is one of the UK’s most scenic routes. 35 miles are currently navigable, and many of those are within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Things weren’t always so quiet and serene around here though; the canal transported coal, stone and iron ore from the Welsh hillsides down to the iron works at Blaenavon (now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage site ) and other industrial sites in the area. Cruising along the canal today you can still see traces of its heritage including wharves and lime kilns.

If you’re visiting this lovely part of Wales, Dragonfly Cruises have public canal boat trips departing from Brecon canal basin and including a journey over the Brynich Aqueduct which takes the Mon and Brec over the River Usk. They can also provide a skipper and guide for a canal trip through the area’s picturesque villages.

Canal boat trips in Scotland

Inverness, highlands.

The Caledonian Canal runs for 60 miles across Scotland, from Inverness to Corpach near Fort William, connecting the lochs of the Great Glen; Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. The man-made connections between the lochs were built by Thomas Telford and opened in the early 19th century.

You can take a combined cruise of the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness by joining a boat trip at Dochgarroch Lock. The trip will take you through the locks and on to Loch Douchfour, past the old Bona Lighthouse and into Loch Ness as far as Urquhart Castle. You can book online through online ticket seller Get Your Guide .

The Falkirk Wheel is one of the most impressive feats of engineering on the whole UK canal network. Opened in 2002, the Wheel is a rotating boat lift, the only one of its kind in the world. It connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal.

The best way to see the Falkirk Wheel is to take a spin on it. Canal boat trips on the Falkirk Wheel take around 50 minutes. First you’ll go into the canal basin, then enter the Wheel’s gondola, ready to be lifted into the air as the Wheel rotates.

At the top, you’ll sail along the aqueduct, through the Roughcastle Tunnel and to the start of the Union Canal. The boat will turn round and take you back to the Wheel for another spin, this time back down to the canal basin.

If day trips aren’t enough for you, there are lots of companies offering canal boat hire, either to stay put and use the boat as a base, or to explore the UK’s miles of navigable waterways at your own pace on a narrow boat holiday.

VRBO has narrow boats, house boats and barges for rent with all the comforts of home, while specialist hire firms like Waterways Holidays have canal boat hire across the country. There are lots of local companies as well; if you’re interested in a particular starting point, you might like to talk to a local specialist who can advise you on canal routes and the best places of interest to see along the way.

Have you taken one of these canal boat trips, or have I missed out your favourite? Let me know in the comments.

Related posts

If you enjoyed this post, you might find these other posts interesting:

• Visiting Jodrell Bank, the UNESCO-listed radio telescope near Manchester
• 5 of my favourite heritage railways you can take a ride on
• Things to do in Whitby, a historic fishing town on the Yorkshire coast
• Visiting Thermae Bath Spa, the UK’s only naturally-heated thermal bath

Pin 21 best canal boat trips in the UK for later!

Save for later or share with a friend

2 thoughts on “21 best canal boat trips in the UK”

A Great shame you did not include The Horse-Drawn Barge in Tiverton Devon as it is now one of the last Horse-Drawn Barges in Great Britain and operates Trips along the very beautiful Grand Western Canal.

Thanks Philip, that sounds amazing, I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the south west 🙂

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

About Helen

9 fun things to do in Ischia (plus 5 amazing day trips)

7 of the best holidays in italy in september.

The Original London Canal Boat Cruises

A tranquil oasis in the heart of london's bustling camden lock. come aboard one of our boats to explore london's historic and picturesque regents canal..

Our tour boat "Jenny Wren" established in 1968, offers regular daily sightseeing tours, unique as they pass through the lock, before passing through London Zoo, Regent's Park, and the short Maida Hill canal tunnel, to emerge at "Little Venice", where we circle the Island before returning to Camden. During the cruise a live interesting commentary is given.

Dine in style aboard our highly acclaimed, unique Cruising Restaurant, "My Fair Lady" , whilst you cruise the Regents Canal. Regular Dinner and Sunday Lunch Cruises operate throughout the year, which include a 3 course A la Carte menu, freshly prepared and cooked aboard during the cruise.

To book a cruise with us, call our office on 020 7485 4433 , or email us at [email protected] .

Jenny Wren Cruises - Fares | My Fair Lady Cruises - Public

See buildings designed and built by the famous architect and town planner, John Nash

little venice

Opposite 42 Blomfield Road by Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge.

Browning’s Pool, famous for it’s association with the English poet, Robert Browning.

maida hill tunnel

272 yards long and built 200 years ago

pass through regents park & london zoo

Passengers have an excellent view of the Zoo and Lord Snowdon's Aviary

cumberland basin & primrose hill

View picturesque Primrose Hill

camden lock

Jason docks on the towpath outside Café Chula, 75 West Yard

Visit the world famous vibrant Camden Market here

You can choose how you view The Tour by selecting an option below.

We operate our canal trips annually between April and the first week of November. We need the winter months for necessary maintenance work on our beautiful 118 year old narrowboat 'Jason'.

We look forward to seeing you onboard soon., jason's trip crew. .

See buildings designed & built by the famous architect & town planner - John Nash

Jason docks on the towpath outside Cafe Chula.75 West Yard

Passengers have an excellent view of the Zoo and Lord Snowdon's Aviary

Boat Trips Little Venice: 4 Ways To Explore The Lovely London Canal

Sharing is caring!

Little Venice, a tranquil enclave nestled in bustling London, is celebrated for its charming canals, vintage narrowboats, and picturesque waterside cafes.

It also serves as the ideal starting point for a unique experience – a scenic boat trip into the energetic heart of Camden Town.

Here, you’ll experience serene waterways, historical structures, and the vibrant Camden Market .

With a variety of trip options – from short historical rides to private three-hour picnic cruises, or even helming your vessel – there’s the perfect journey for everyone.

So keep reading to learn more about the best boat trips Little Venice has to offer.

The Best Canal Boat Trips in Little Venice, London

London Waterbus Company

The London Waterbus Company’s traditional narrowboats take you from Little Venice to Camden Market, all in a span of 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, an expert guide narrates the captivating history of this area, as you voyage through the grounds of London Zoo and into the echoing depths of the Maida Hill tunnel.

Along this canal boat trip, witness the striking contrast of landscapes – from manicured gardens of stately mansion houses to impressive industrial structures and power stations.

With the canal boats having large slide-to-open windows, every passenger has the perfect view.

Trips are one-way, so reserve separately for a return journey.

Book ahead, especially during the busy summer season and weekends.

Jason’s Trip

Navigate along Regent’s Canal with Jason’s Trip while learning about the fascinating history of this area.

More than a sightseeing tour, it’s a journey through modern British history – brought to life with live commentary.

As you traverse past Edwardian streets, Regents Park’s edge, and London Zoo, hear about tales of the canal, its narrowboats, and their important role during the Industrial Revolution.

From the intriguing ‘Winding Holes’ to the mysterious bridge markings and the famed Macclesfield ‘Blow Up’ bridge, this tour delves deep into the past.

Jason’s Trip offers an authentic experience on a genuine 1906 canal boat and has proudly received TripAdvisor’s Traveller’s Choice award for six consecutive years.

The tour operates daily, with tickets available onboard. Large groups should book ahead.

Canal and River Cruises Ltd

Retreat from city life with a Regent’s Canal boat trip on Lady A – a modern narrowboat offering exclusive private cruises.

Departing from Little Venice, the journey’s course can be customised to fit your preferences.

Whether it’s a party picnic cruise with food and booze, or a romantic trip for two – Lady A aims to deliver a personalised experience, as exciting or intimate as you like.

Lady A is no ordinary narrowboat. Constructed from steel and well-ballasted, the boat is very steady in the water.

With seating in the open air , you’ll have an unobstructed view of London’s waterside wonders.

Reserve your personalised tour online via their website.

Go Boat Paddington

Go Boat lets you captain your own boat for your very own Little Venice to Camden boat trip.

Dictate your own route and duration, from a quick one-hour expedition to a leisurely three-hour exploration.

Begin your voyage at Paddington , and discover the hidden treasures of London’s waterways at your own tempo.

The boats are as eco-friendly as they are accommodating, and perfectly sized for up to eight people.

And don’t worry about speed – a Go Boat chugs along at a comfortable 3 knots (3.5 mph), just right for soaking in the scenery.

In the colder British months, heated seats keep you warm.

Walk-ups are welcome, but it’s best to book in advance, especially during the summer holidays. The premises are open every day from 9:30 am until sunset.

Why is Little Venice called Little Venice?

Little Venice owes its name to its slight similarity to Italy’s Venice – with its intersecting canals and networks of waterways.

Initially a humorous nickname, it eventually stuck, and now the name is used to describe the larger neighbourhood around the canals.

Are boat rides in Little Venice suitable for children?

Yes, boat rides can be an enjoyable and educational experience for children.

Most Little Venice boat tours pass through London Zoo’s riverbank enclosures – with glimpses of wild dogs and monkeys.

They then plunge into the dark depths of Maida Hill tunnel. These are surely exciting experiences for kids of all ages.

Some tours even provide commentary – a great opportunity for children to learn more about nature, history, and the local environment – all while enjoying the ride.

What is the best time to visit Little Venice?

Little Venice is a year-round destination, with each season having its own unique charm.

Spring and summer are particularly lovely when the weather is warm, the trees are in full bloom , and the alfresco dining options come alive.

Outside of summer, the boat trip companies make accommodations. Some provide heated seats for when the weather is cold, and protective sidings for any potential rain .

Some companies run reduced schedules during the winter months – so always check ahead.

What canal runs through Little Venice?

Little Venice is a scenic and serene district in London known for the meeting of Regent’s Canal and the Grand Union Canal.

This junction of canals creates a larger pool of water , giving the area a picturesque charm.

From calming waterways to bustling markets, Little Venice boat trips offer a unique perspective of London’s historic and vibrant canal life.

Whether it’s the historic narratives of Jason’s Trip; the private, customizable cruises of Lady A; or the self-steered journey with Go Boat Paddington; there’s an experience for everyone.

Little Venice’s boat rides, suitable for all ages, provide not only a fun and educational experience but also a unique way to escape the city’s hustle.

So, step aboard and get ready for a boat ride to remember.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

London Canal Museum Narrow Boat Trips in 2024

The London Canal Museum (LCM) has launched its new summer season of canal boat trips on the Regent’s canal. Booking is open now and the trips start on 28th March.

This is the museum’s second season of trips made possible by a collaboration with the nearby Angel Community Canal Boat Trust (ACCT) who have been taking disadvantaged kids & adults on canal trips for almost 50 years. Their purpose built 75 ft narrowboat takes up to 12 passengers on week-long cruises on the canals but is not particularly suited to short day trips in London.

So when a short (45 ft) narrowboat became available, both organisations agreed to buying and jointly operating the ironically named ‘ Long Tom ‘, which can carry 12 passengers in a glass enclosed cabin.

“It seemed like a marriage made in heaven,” explains the London Canal Museum chairman, Martin Sach. “Our areas of skills and expertise are complimentary. They are competent in boat management. We are good at marketing and ticket selling. So between us we have all the expertise needed to run a [short trip] boat.”

Long Tom is based at the LCM in Battlebridge Basin near Kings Cross and spends half the week operating the LCM’s programme of short trips (25 mins – 90 mins), and longer day trips eastbound to Victoria Park and westbound to Little Venice.

One of the most popular short trips passes through the Islington Tunnel, which separates the two organisations. It is 960 yards (0.88 kms) long and takes 20 minutes to navigate in each direction.

Boat trip tickets include entry to the museum, and, except on the short 25 min trips, a guide/narrator for the trip.

The London Canal Museum

The museum is worth a visit by itself. Housed in an historic canal warehouse, it has displays and artefacts on two floors. They tell the story of canals from their construction, the goods and industries that relied on them for transport, the lock keepers, boatmen and their families who worked on them, the boats themselves, and the means of propulsion from horses to engines.

Ground floor (Swipe left or click arrow for more…)

First floor, London Canal Museum

The museum building itself was a specialised warehouse built in 1858 on Battlebridge Basin for the restaurant owner and ice cream maker, Carlo Gatti. It was an ice store.

In the century between 1820 and 1920 (when mechanical refrigeration took over), ice was carved from lakes and glaciers in Norway, cut into 2ft square blocks and shipped across the North Sea and up the Thames to London where it was used extensively by fishmongers, butchers, restaurants and other food trades, including ice cream makers. It was big business. The museum building had two deep ice wells that could each store up to 750 tons of ice.

One of those ice wells has been opened up so visitors can see into it.

Ice well (Swipe left or click arrow for more…)

Ice well signage

Model of the ice well

You don’t even have to visit the museum to see it. They have a controllable ‘live’ webcam in it (Ignore non-https warning). To be honest…. it’s not the most exciting livestream you’ll ever watch, but there you are!

The museum does have plans for the future. At some point it would be ideal to replace Long Tom with a more environmentally-friendly electric boat, but before that Martin Sach has his eyes focused on a new exhibit. They now have planning permission for a new pontoon in Battlebridge basin which will be the home of an 1898 horse-drawn cargo canal boat that the Canal & River Trust are giving to the LCM as a floating exhibit. 

Declaration: I was on a press visit. Museum entry was complementary.

Website : London Canal Museum

Getting there : London Canal Museum 12-13 New Wharf Road London N1 9RT

Boat Trips (2024) There are five itineraries…

• Tunnel boat trip . From the museum through Islington Tunnel, three-quarters of a mile long, and back. Approx. 50 minutes. Available on Thursdays and Sundays.
• Long trips to Little Venice in west London via St. Pancras, Camden locks, Regent’s Park, and the Maida Hill Tunnel. Departs 1100 on alternate Fridays, and takes around two hours each way.
• Long trips to Victoria Park (Bethnal Green). Departs 1130 on alternate Fridays. The trip takes about two hours outward and 90 mins for the return journey which terminates at Islington near Angel Underground station.
• Cream Tea cruises. Every Thursday afternoon. The 90 min trip, with traditional cream tea, passes through the Islington Tunnel and the City Road Lock before returning to the museum.
• Short trips. On limited dates short trips are operated lasting about 25 minutes. These don’t go through a lock or tunnel, or offer refreshments.

Boat trip dates, details and booking here .

Prices (2024) :

* Trip tickets include museum entry ** Museum family ticket £ 15

Museum Opening Hours (2024):

Tuesdays to Sundays, 1000 to 1630 (last entry 1600). The museum is closed on Mondays, except bank holidays.

Related Stories

You may like this, musée des arts et métiers, paris.

National Slate Museum hopes to become a world-class visitor attraction

World of Volvo opens this week

Review: D-Day Omaha Museum, Vierville

New ‘Jolly Roger’ display at the Submarine Museum, Gosport

Join the Conversation →

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

This is a niche blog about technically-minded travel. It reflects my own interests in the mechanical, technical, historical, engineering, transport and military world.

COPYRIGHT © MECHTRAVELLER 2016-2024, including all images unless indicated otherwise.

Little Venice to Camden boat trip – explore the hidden canals of London

When you make purchases through links on this website we may earn a commission. Read more .

• Little Venice to Camden

The Venice to Camden boat trip is one of the most popular things to do in London , yet many visitors are completely oblivious to this hidden waterway snaking its way in and out of well-known areas. Weeping willows sway and bend in the breeze as they lap at the water’s edge of two meeting canals.  Canal boats , offering both tours and accommodation for those who live on the water, move through the calm waters. 

It’s as though we’ve found a hidden city, tucked away inside the busy roads and residences at Maida Vale, just north of Paddington.  This is the London version of Venice, and this is our comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about how to make the most of your Little Venice to Camden boat tour.

Little Venice London

Regents canal history, little venice boat trips and prices, cruising from little venice to camden, walk the regents canal from little venice to camden, arriving at camden lock, places to eat nearby, how to get here, other london resources.

It’s a great find, tucked away in this busy city, and usually not something you’ll find noted in any first timers guides to London. This makes it a perfect “off the beaten path” activity for those who want to explore more of London.

The area is known for luxurious mansions and even more incredible gardens.  It’s hard not to try and have a sticky beak through the fences as we pass by.

Start your exploration of the area known as Little Venice starts on the pretty light blue wrought-iron bridge overlooking the area where the Grand Union and the Regents Canal meet.  The Grand Union canal runs for 220 kilometres north-north-west of Little Venice until it reaches Birmingham.  Regents Canal is almost 14 kilometres long, linking the Grand Union Canal to the Limehouse Basin in the east and, ultimately, the Thames River.

In summer, this is the perfect place to hang out, and if the weather is behaving itself, the area is alive with people.  We were blessed with reasonable weather on the day we were here, so everyone was out enjoying a little sunshine.  The towpaths, alongside the canals, were a hectic mix of bicycles, skateboards and people. 

People running, strolling, walking with intent, reading, chatting, eating, and queuing.  The queues belonged to the canal boats that can be hired to take groups of people up and down the canals, mostly toward Camden Lock.

It’s quite a business to queue for these boats as they fill up fast, and there’s a rather antiquated, inaccurate process of booking your voyage. 

Long before motorised road transport and railways, canals were used as the transportation methods for many industries.  Horse-drawn boats were pulled along the waterways, hence the name “towpath” given to the small service lanes that run alongside the canals.  The Regents Canal was built to link the Grand Junction Canal through to the River Thames at the Limehouse Basin.  The name Regents Canal was used to honour King George IV, who before his coronation was also known as Prince Regent. 

Legislation was required to be passed first to allow the canal to be built.  The Regents Canal Act was formerly passed in 1812.  The first portion of the canal, to Camden Lock (known officially as the Hampstead Road Lock), was opened in 1816, with the remainder opening in 1820.

During the 1840’s canal traffic started to decline as the use of the railways ramped up.  However, during World War Two, the canals were once again used as an alternative and contingency to trains.  The towpaths ceased being used for horse-drawn boats in 1956, and by the 1960s the canals had become a redundant commercial highway.  

Today, like most of the canals in the UK and Europe, they are used as an important part of the tourism sector. 

Related reading >> Read all about our luxury barge journey on the Canal du Midi in the south of France

Three boat companies run canal boat trips up and down the Regents Canal, but only two of them stop at Little Venice.

Jason’s Trip

Jason is not the name of the tour operator, it’s the name of the 100-year-old+ canal boat.  The canal boat season runs from roughly April to November but will be seasonally dependent.  “Jason” will take customers up and down the canal, with a one-way trip taking approximately 45 minutes.  A commentary in English is provided on board to highlight the key points of interest along the way.

The trip is direct from Little Venice to Camden, docking at Camden Market (and return).  There are no stops along the way where you can disembark. Tickets can be purchased as one-way or return.

The booking system is unfortunately not an interactive, real-time site. Reservations can be requested online , but emails are only managed Monday to Friday, and when the crew aren’t on the boats. So if you want to book a weekend boat trip, a same-day trip, or a trip during peak periods, don’t expect to get an immediate response. Be sure to give it enough time for someone to get back to you. It’s not ideal. Also, note in your booking request if you want a return trip. Additional sailings are scheduled during the peak summer months of July and August.

Tickets cannot be purchased online, so even if you have a booking, you will still need to pay for them on the boat. Tickets may be purchased with cash, VISA, Mastercard and AMEX or using the London Pass . 

We wouldn’t recommend turning up at the boat in the peak months without a booking, or you are bound to be disappointed. If you do try to wing it, be at the Little Venice waiting point at least 30 minutes before sailing time and 15 minutes before at Camden.

• The queues can be huge, so even turning up 30 minutes ahead of time may not secure you a passage at your preferred time if you don’t have a booking. Get there as early as you can.
• In summer, make sure you have a hat and water with you as it can get very hot standing in the sun on the edge of the canal.
• Try to get a seat along the outside of the boat. You’ll get a better view, and it’s easier to take photos. Don’t worry about getting splashed. These boats travel slowly and the water is calm.
• Please note that this boat is not wheelchair accessible.
• Book in advance online or use your London Pass, which you can buy online and in advance here.
• The boats are small inside and can be a bit tricky to board, so the less ‘stuff’ you are carrying, the better. Luggage, large bags, strollers that don’t fold etc won’t be allowed on board. These are not transit boats but more like a leisure boat.
• There are no toilets or catering facilities onboard.

Jason’s Trip is the original boat on the Regent’s Canal, making it a good historical choice for your boat ride. Ticket prices are currently £12 for adults and £9 for concessions (under 14/over 65). Return tickets are £18/£14.

LOCATION : You can find Jason’s Trip boats opposite 42 Blomfield Road by Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge and across from the Waterside Cafe.

London Waterbus Company

Moored across the canal from “Jason’s Trip” are the boats belonging to the larger business of the London Waterbus Company.  The only real difference with taking these narrowboats for a ride is there is a stop along the way for the London Zoo.  Tickets may also be purchased on board for the zoo. 

Their payment method is also the reverse of the abovementioned situation with Jason’s Trip. Cash is not accepted.  Payment is by credit card only.  They operate a similar timetable.  Make ticket purchases online. The London Pass is not able to be used here. Only people who have pre-booked tickets should join the queue as you can’t buy tickets on the boat.

We loved riding on “Jason”, but the booking process is just too inconvenient for most people, especially those who don’t live in the UK or close by. London Waterbus Company is our preferred option quite simply because it is more convenient and you can plan and get a confirmation immediately by booking online . This means you can choose the times you want and receive confirmation immediately, as opposed to having to wait for an email response from the other operator and then still having to pay for your tickets on the day.

SKIP THE QUEUE >> Buy your tickets in advance and onlin e to secure your Regents Canal boat ride from Little Venice to Camden

• Bring a hat and some water in summer to protect yourself while you wait to board the boat.
• Try to get a seat along the outside of the boat. You’ll get a better view, and it’s easier to take photos.
• These boats travel slowly along the canal so motion sickness shouldn’t be an issue.

LOCATION : Browning’s Pool Waterbus Wharf, Blomfield Rd, Maida Vale

Hire your own boat

If joining a throng of other people doesn’t excite you, why not hire your own boat for a few hours? While not narrowboats, the boats at GoBoat will allow you to move along the canal at your own pace, and you can invite your friends along too.

If you have your heart set on a narrowboat, you can book with Book A Houseboat .

The boat ride along the Regents Canal is often a competing mixture of obvious wealth and neglect, but it all comes together to provide an honest view of life in a leading world metropolis.

Expensive neighbourhoods with massive mansions line the banks.  We are told by our tour guide that “some boats along here pay £100,000 per annum to moor a boat” in certain parts of the canal.

There is also a growing trend in London of people on canal boats, once their source of affordable housing, being forced off the waterways as gentrification raises land (and water) values. This has only got worse in recent years.

The boat takes us underneath the historically controversial Maida Vale tunnel.  When the Regents Canal was being built, there was strong opposition to the route coming through this location, and so a tunnel was built to remediate the issue.  The overhead cafe that now affords diners a view of the canal boats is also controversial.

Boating behind people’s houses always feels a bit voyeuristic, but it’s enjoyable seeing how people utilise their patch of water frontage.  The deck built out over the water was one of our favourites.

Regents Canal is home to many who permanently moor their boats here and also to visitors who hire boats to cruise the canals on their holidays.

Walking the towpath alongside the canals is just something that has to be done.  With no traffic and narrow pathways, life slows down here as you walk alongside the canal boats that push slowly through the water. 

If it feels voyeuristic on a boat, it feels even more so when you are walking along the path.   Often, it feels as though you are in someone’s backyard.   Cyclists do use the towpaths, however, so you still need to have your wits about you.

There are certain times when you need to walk on the road due to maintenance works on the path and areas of private access only.  It is usually signposted to let you know where to go.

You will know you have arrived at Camden when you see the hive of activity, especially if you are going there on the weekend.  The end is signalled by the sight of the Dingwall Building and the double lock system, Camden Lock.

Camden is a lively mix of markets, food stalls, antiques, crafts, pubs, cafes and restaurants.  It’s also an emerging street art location too. 

More reading >> Read all about the street art of Camden and the amazing Camden Markets

We recommend planning your day around the boat ride. Depending on the time of your trip, why not stop for morning tea or one of the traditional English cream teas, or get a pub lunch from some of the good gastro-pubs nearby?

The Bridge House

Whilst there are several places to eat close by in Little Venice, we couldn’t pass up the English pub, The Bridge House, a well-known theatre pub with a cosy interior and an outdoor terrace alongside the canal.

LOCATION : 13 Westbourne Terrace Road, Maida Vale London W2 6NG

Cafe Laville

Without a doubt, this is one of the best places to get a view of canal boat life without actually being on one. Cafe Laville, an Italian-inspired eatery, is positioned on a busy road, but its glass exterior means that you get a great view from the tables along the window.

LOCATION : 53 Edgware Rd, London W2 1TH

The Waterway

This gastropub is a favourite with locals and visitors, and why not? With its view of the canals, it’s a great spot to sit.

LOCATION : 54 Formosa St, London W9 2JU

Waterside Cafe

This cafe is perfect for the total Regents Canal experience. This cafe is in a moored canal boat, and it is renowned for its English cream teas.

LOCATION : Warwick Cres, London W2 6NE

Little Venice is easily accessible.

If coming by tube , the nearest station is Warwick Avenue, on the Bakerloo line between Paddington and Maida Vale.  This will take 5-10 minutes to walk.  Alternatively, you can walk from Edgeware Road Station, which will take approximately 15-20 minutes depending on your walking speed.  It will also give you more of an opportunity to check out the surrounding neighbourhoods.

By train , the closest station is Paddington.

Buses connect from near Warwick Avenue and other tube stations. These bus routes will all get you to the Little Venice area: 6, 16, 18, 46, 98, 187, 332, 414

Limited car parking is available in the streets around Little Venice (metered on weekends), but given how busy it can be, public transport is recommended.  

Use the  London journey planner   to determine your most direct route to Little Venice.

Other things to do in London

Visiting London? Check out some of the other great things to do in and near London.

• An unusual afternoon tea in London: The Gin Lover’s Afternoon Tea
• Brick Lane street art: some of Shoreditch London’s best artwork
• Three cool, unusual and historical places to eat in London
• 16 reasons to visit the Borough Markets of London
• Things to do in Colchester, UK – an easy day trip from London
• Looking for pubs in Richmond London? Visit the unique Whitecross on the River Thames
• The Banksy (Leake St) Tunnel – a hidden graffiti art location in London
• Walk the streets on an historic pub and food tour in London
• Little Venice to Camden boat trip: explore the hidden canals of London
• Rick Steves London
• Fodor’s London

About The Author

Kerri McConnel

A former corporate business executive, Kerri is the content creator for Beer and Croissants, a trusted source of detailed guides on motorhome travel, road trip itineraries, and destinations.

Together with Stirling, they are motorhome experts, having independently road-tripped their way across much of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand since 1995. Back home in Australia, they own their own motorhome and can always be found on a regional road trips, taking in towns that often no one has heard of.

They are responsible travellers; long, slow trips in motorhomes, spending time in small regional communities where the tourists usually don't wander, and spending money in their small economies. And where possible, they travel in shoulder and off seasons, so they don't add to the tourist rush.

As an Honorary Barge Lady for Barge Lady Cruises and a regular on European Waterways vessels, Kerri is also an expert on luxury barge travel in Europe, having completed five barge cruises in France and Scotland.

Kerri is a Digital Travel Publisher Member and former board member and treasurer of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (2020-2023).

Everything written and produced on this site is our own work. there's no AI and if we've written about it, you can trust we've been there, done that!

Read more about Kerri here

19 thoughts on “Little Venice to Camden boat trip – explore the hidden canals of London”

I really loved London and since a few years I tried to visit the city as often as possible. Its so cool the see some new great places to visit – thank you so much for the great recommendation. I will definately go there next summer. Have a nice day Martina

I never knew of Little Venice in London but it looks worth visiting. Sailing though beautiful water canals must be a beautiful with all arched bridges and lovely sights. Thanks for sharing!

I visited London just one time a few years ago. I want to visit a lot of things and this is one of them ;) Very nice place.

Little Venice is indeed a gem off the beaten path. It is these kinds of places that do not figure on the “must see lists” which retain their pristine charm.I loved the arched bridge which reminded me of the Bridge of sighs and many others that span the grand canal in Venice. What we would absolutely love to do is walking the towpath alongside the canals, it sounds like a really amazing experience.

I had no idea this existed. I’ve always found waterways to be interesting, ESPECIALLY when they are the backs of people’s houses! I’ll have to put this on the list for next time I’m in London.

I’ll be going to London in April and was looking for “alternative” things to do – looks like this boat ride at Little Venice is up my alley!

I wish I had known about this before going to London. Oh well, I guess I will just have to go back again!!

Never heard of Little Venice in London place. Sounds like a great place to visit, an offbeat place also. I like to take a ride on the boat through the canal one day, definitely on my next visit.

All the times I’ve been to London, I’ve never come across this. Now, I really want to go, and especially eat at that Cafe! I would love to watch the boats underneath. How fun. It looks like a great day out.

Sadly never done this myself, despite having been to London 3 or 4 times. Camden & Little Venice look like they have plenty to see and do, I’ll check them out next time I’m there. I’ve done the boat tour from Greenwich and the actual, Italian, Venice so am sure I’d enjoy this! But yes you don’t need to tell me about the queues, people, queues, people side of London.

Learned so much reading this blog! Love it

Great read! Also, am I the only one who thinks that chicken Caesar looks amazing? Feels like I can taste it already haha.

I never experienced this when I lived in England…though I did frequent Camden Market. Ok then. It’s been pinned for when I visit family next time. I must do this. I’ve seen London this sunny about 3 times in my life lol.

The pea soup looks delicious. I had no idea a Little Venice even existed in London. Brilliant.

This is such a fab thing to do… we walked the entire 14km length of the Regents Canal from the Thames all the way to Little Venice last year asks it was lovely to get a completely different view of London!

I used to work in King’s Cross and walk this route on my lunch breaks. Always loved peering in those gardens! Must get around to taking the boat trip this year.

sounds great Mel

That’s such a fun day. Great photos here! It’s a fascinating trip up the canal to Camden Locks – I take all my overseas visitors.

Wow, sounds like going from the Little Venice side can be a bit of a pain. :\ When I was there last spring I did a roundtrip canal cruise with Walker’s Quay. I was able to buy my ticket in advance and also got to go through Camden Lock, which was a neat experience. Our boat did make a special stop in Little Venice to let someone off, though it’s not part of their typical tour. I was also lucky that it wasn’t busy, despite being a spring weekend – there were only a handful of other people on the boat. Such a fun way to experience a different side of London.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *