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Kings Cross → Camden → Little Venice
Discover London like a local — everyday charm, quiet corners, and waterside wandering.

Distance: 5.5 km / 3.4 miles
Duration: 2–3 hours + stops
Difficulty: Easy — flat towpath the whole way
Start: King’s Cross Station
End: Little Venice / Paddington

A slow stroll through London’s canal heart – floating homes, friendly towpath cafes, and a peek into real local life.

London Walk: Regent’s Canal

There’s a moment on every London trip when the crowds wear you down — when the shuffle through the Tube barriers starts to feel like a rugby scrum and the buzz you arrived for becomes a headache.

That’s when stepping off a busy London street and finding a ribbon of leafy calm of Regent’s Canal winding through the city is magical.

It’s like a backstage corridor lined with café tables, colourful houseboats, curious wildlife, and pockets of history that most visitors never see.

This Urban Footprints city walk follows its most atmospheric stretch.

Why Locals Love Regent’s Canal Walk

London’s Regent’s Canal walk is one of the best free things to do in London — a peaceful escape, just steps from busy transport hubs and city crowds. This route links cultural hotspots like Kings Cross, Camden Market and Little Venice, yet stays wonderfully calm and scenic.

Not only is this one of the best things to do in London, but you’ll find it is a lot quieter than the bustling tourist area of the Thames Riverwalk.

If you love exploring cities like a local — and capturing real-life moments on camera — this walk is perfect.

Get prepared: purchase a London Walk before you arrive.

Map of The Regent’s Canal

This republished map gives you an overview of The Regent’s Canal walk, with nearby tube and train stations.

How to Walk Regent’s Canal (The Best Route)

A perfect half-day London escape — camera in hand, curiosity switched on.

How Long is the Regents Canal Walk?

The Regents Canal Walk is 8.6 miles (10.62 km) and crosses north London from Paddington Basin to Limehouse Basin on the River Thames.

Officially, Regent’s Canal starts at Little Venice in Paddington and ends at the Docklands in East London.

You can walk all of it — or enjoy it in bite-sized sections:

You’ll find Tube stations all along the way — easy exits if the legs complain!

A Quick Look at Canal History

Before the Eurostar and before the Tube — even before the railways — Regent’s Canal was London’s lifeline.

• 1812–1820: Constructed to move goods inland

• Named after the Prince Regent, later King George IV

• Narrowboats were once horse-towed along the same path you’ll walk today

• Warehouses lined the banks — now reborn as bars, galleries & tech hubs

By the 1960s, the canal was unloved and fading. Today, it’s a beloved David-over-Goliath urban greenway — a place where London can breathe.

Step by Step Route: Plus Stops

While there are various options to start your walk, one of the most rewarding sections of Regent’s Canal is to walk from King’s Cross to Little Venice.

If you are arriving on the Eurostar at St Pancras International from Brussels, Paris, or Amsterdam, it’s only a two-minute walk to the King’s Cross St Pancras Underground exit.

However, if you arrive at Euston Station from Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, or Liverpool, King’s Cross is only a 500-metre walk away.

To start your Regent’s Canal walk, you have a couple of options:

• Make a stop at the nearby London Canal Museum at 12-13 New Wharf Road, or
• If museums aren’t your thing, then exit via King’s Boulevard, heading toward the new development and the canal.

Stop 1: London Canal Museum

The London Canal Museum, near King’s Cross, is where you can learn more about the history of early trading in London. The museum was previously a warehouse for storing ice in the 1800s.

While there, you can view the interior of a narrowboat cabin, the boat that travels the canal.

You can follow the canal’s towpath, history, and modern-day happenings online at the Canal & River Trust—Regent’s Canal. 

And when you have enough information, take York Way to Canalside Green Steps and The Granary.

Stop 2: Canalside Green Steps

Between The Granary and the Regent Canal Towpath is a natural amphitheatre called Canalside Green Steps.

The grassy steps face down towards the canal, making it a lovely place to stop and spend some time. The park often hosts events, including outdoor cinema evenings.

What to do here

• Grab a takeaway coffee for the walk

• Sit on the grassy steps and people-watch

• Look for events — summer brings music + outdoor movies

Photography tip:
The railway arches frame the canal perfectly—step halfway down the steps for balance.

Stop 3 — Granary Square

0.2 km / 3-minute walk

A modern square revived from its industrial era — old warehouses are now offices, bars and restaurants.

Worth knowing

• Once a central goods hub feeding London’s factories

• 1,000 choreographed fountain jets dance daily 08:00–20:00

• The fountain jets, recessed in paving stones and individually controlled, create a mesmerising display. They are lit at night, creating a spectacular feature to watch.

• Granary Square is one of the new must-see places in London.

Stop 4 — Camley Street Natural Park

0.4 km / 5-minute walk

A tiny wild oasis beside the tracks — ducks, reed beds, city quiet.

Optional detour (adds +10 min)
Walk through for a peaceful reset before returning to the towpath.

Photo moment:
Contrast — office glass towers vs. pond lilies.

Stop 5 — Towpath toward Camden

1.4 km / ~20 minutes
Slip under a few bridges; the noise drops away as houseboats multiply.

Look for

• Boat residents brewing tea on board

• Painted watering cans + herbs on roofs

• Street art under bridges

• Dogs proudly patrolling their boat

Insider note: These longboats once hauled cargo—today, many are full-time homes.

Stop 6 — Camden Lock Market

2 km from start / 30–40 mins in
The buzz returns — in the fun way.

Camden Lock Market is a diverse community of creative sellers, street food traders, and independent stores, located next to the Regent’s Canal.

What to enjoy

• Over 1,000 stalls and street food kitchens

• Global flavours (easy vegetarian + vegan finds)

• Independent crafts and vintage

Best toilets: inside the Camden Market Stables section

Photography moment:
Stand on the bridge overlooking the locks — capture movement as boats rise & fall.

It is open daily and is a great place to stop for lunch because of its great vibe and ideal spot for people-watching.

For further information about the market, click here ➡ Camden Market.

Stop 7 — Regent’s Park Zoo Peek

Look right while walking the towpath past Camden

You’re passing London Zoo — keep eyes open:

• Aviary glimpses

• Zebras or camels, depending on luck

Fun fact:
Animals once arrived by canal barge

Stop 8 — Regents Park Villas

Elegant Regency terraces lining the water.

Take a moment

• Park benches are dotted along paths where you can watch the canal boats meandering along.

• Calm water → perfect reading break

Photo prompt:
Photograph the homes reflected in the canal—early or late light gives magic.

Stop 9 — Little Venice

Finishing point — 5.5 km / 3.4 miles total

A peaceful tangle of waterways where boats bob gently at their moorings.

Things to enjoy

• Waterside cafés for celebratory coffee or wine

• Watch swans glide between moored narrowboats

• The iconic blue bridge photo

Optional:

• London Waterbus Camden shuttle (50 mins one way)

• Stroll 10 mins to Paddington Station (transport links galore)

End of walk — well done!
You’ve just explored the hidden London locals love

Book a London Water Bus cruise

If you don’t have the time to walk The Regent’s Canal, you can always take the London Water Bus.

This water bus runs between Camden and Little Venice, taking 50 minutes each way for about £13-17. They provide onboard commentary, stop at London Zoo and offer special pricing for the zoo entry.

You can even grab a coffee at a narrowboat moored at Little Venice.

For further information, click on this link ➡ London Water Bus.

 

Little Venice to Paddington

After leaving Little Venice, you can wander to Paddington.

Here, you’ll find the Grand Union Canal (Paddington Branch), another famous canal in England.

You might see the most wonderfully decorated barge and its delightful owner. Or you could stop at Sheldon Square in Paddington. It’s an oasis of green among the shiny, bright office buildings.

A lovely green space for workers to enjoy their lunch break.

Here you can get a train from Paddington Station or take the London Underground to your next destination.

Suggested Timing for Best Enjoyment

Accessibility Notes

• Flat the whole way

• Some narrow sections by Camden can bottleneck

• Avoid peak commuter hours if using mobility aids

• Bike traffic present — listen for bells

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Safety + Etiquette

• Keep right on the narrow towpath sections

• Respect residents living on the water

• Mind the edges: no railing in some parts

• Avoid after midnight — low lighting

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Quick Reference Summary

Take a London City Walk

Walking is one of the best options to explore London’s historic and modern city.

The Regents Canal walk is a pleasant way to spend a few hours between Camden Town and Little Venice. It is also a way to discover new places in London away from the tourist crowds.

If you love the freedom of planning your self-guided London walk, you can enjoy more of London on foot here ➡ Notting Hill & London City Walks.

We have found so many great places to see in London and want to share the best of London with you.

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