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Grand cruise from Basin

Cruise this route from : London

View the latest version of this pdf Grand-Union-Canal-cruise-from-Limehouse-Basin-London-Cruising-Route.html

Cruising Days : 8.00 to 0.00 Cruising Time : 37.00 Total Distance : 76.00 Number of Locks : 54 Number of Tunnels : 4 Number of Aqueducts : 0

Explore the astonishing density of London's canalside neighbourhoods along the Regents Canal.

Turning onto the Grand Union Mainline at Bulls Bridge, this route offers 17 miles of free cruising from to Cowley Lock near Uxbridge.

The landscape changes from industrial to suburban to glorious English countryside.

Cruising Notes

See & Rivers Trust website if you wish to pre-book moorings in London https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/our-regions/london-waterways/pre-booked-visitor-moorings-in-london Along the Regents Canal moorings are provided at Kingsland, Battlebridge and Cumberland Basins all by prior arrangement, and at St.Pancras, east of Tunnel, Little Venice, Bulls Bridge, Cowley Lock, Limehouse, and Brentford Gauging Lock. Also moorings at Little Venice, Camden, Kings Cross, Islington, Victoria Park- Lock 8(just before the junction with the Union canal) ,

For Tourist information about London http://www.visitlondon.com

A skipper can be provided for this boat if required, or if you would like them on board for part of your journey, for example the outward journey to Little Venice, they only stay on board whilst you are cruising and leave you at the end of each day , and arrive at a time convenient to yourselves each morning. Enquire for details .

Day 1 The Regent’s Canal is one of London’s best-kept secrets - a peaceful haven often hidden by the surrounding buildings. Locks are padlocked, you will need a Watermate key.

From your mooring in head north along the Regents Canal, which is to the north west of the basin, do not take the to the north east.

There are 3 locks within the first mile, so remember your training as you prepare for the first lock. Once you have done one lock you are an expert !!, but before you arrive for your holiday have a look through the Boaters handbook and the various information videos we have on our website : https://ukcanalboating.com/videos.html and https://ukcanalboating.com/downloads.html. The locks are not difficult to do and you do not need any experience .

Salmon Lane Lock is first followed by Johnsons Lock and then Lock is by Bridge 57. Pass by Mile End Psrk on your right.

At the junction with the keep straight on off (slightly to the left) with Victoria Park on your right. Pass through . Victoria Park Visitor Moorings are on the right before Bonner Bridge 53 and you can stop for the night here as it is just under 2 hours from Limehouse to here.

Day 2

The scenic Pavilion Cafe in Victoria park serve Breakfasts from 8am, they are open until 7pm. Close to Bridge 51 is the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities , this tiny museum has a unique collection of objects, including a 2-headed kitten & occult artwork. Half a mile south of the bridge is the V & A museum of childhood - lots of historic toys and games from 19c through to present. Including a great collection of 70s/80s/90s stuff like early consoles. Half a miles south of Bridge 45 is Geffrye Museum of the Home with Re-created domestic interiors from 1600 to the present, with a walled herb garden. The Canal continues to climb passing 2 Canal basins before plunging under Islington through a 1/2 mile long tunnel - yhe attractive borough of Islington lies to the north of the tunnel, and there are useful shops, a street market and a launderette. This is a one way only no-passing tunnel, even though it is wide you won't know if the oncoming boat is a wide-beam or not! Watch out for unlit boats, canoes, rowing boats etc which can be a menace here. The Sadlers Wells Theatre is half a mile to the south and the classic facade hides cutting-edge interior hosting ballet, modern dance and children's shows. Close to Maiden Lane Bridge 36 is Kings Cross and St Pancras stations- you can get the tube station there. The Harry Potter Shop at Plaform 9 3/4 is in Pancras Road Kings Cross. Battlebridge Basin is the site of the London Canal Museum.

Before you will pass Camden market off to your right - Eclectic market with youthful vibe and stalls/shops selling fashion and accessories, music and more. You pass through 3 locks in a short space of time.

At the Cumberland Basin the canal swings away to your right , there is a large Morrisons Supermarket off to the right as you go over the railway. The Jewish Museum is close to here in , - Modern museum with a re-created Victorian Jewish Quarter, historical artefacts and Holocaust tales.

Regents Park was originally part of Henry V111's great hunting forest in the 16th C.The Park is surronded by very impressive Regency terraces & Gateways. London Zoo is off to your left as you pass through Regents Park - London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828 and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. In 1831 or 1832 the animals of the Tower of London menagerie were transferred to the zoo's collection. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847. Today it houses a collection of 698 species of animals, with 20,166 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom. London Zoo is situated canalside, moor just before footbridge 12 for access to the Zoo near the Cumberland Basin.

Park Road bridge 7 is the best access to Madame Tussauds & the Planetarium and the Sherlock Holmes Museum are along Park Road. Moor just after Lisson Grove bridge 2 and walk along the canal to Bridge 7.

When you reach the Tunnel , check for oncoming boats through the tunnel, as there is only room for one boat .

Little Venice is an oasis of tranquility. It's thought to have been so-named by the poet, Robert Browning. It is home to many boats, including a floating art gallery, puppet theatre and café. Lovely picnic spots include the Rembrandt Gardens. Grab your picnic hamper and enjoy the sunshine surrounded by flowers. Moorhens, Coots, Tufted Ducks, Pochard, Greylag and Egyptian Geese are all common sights on the canal and the local wildlife is never more alive than in the summer months. There are extensive moorings stretching west at Little Venice, also a pump out, toilets and full boater facilities. Groceries are available nearby.

Time to get out and explore!

It is 4 hours to here from Victoria park.

When you reach Little Venice the basin is to your left. However if you wish to get into the West End, Covent Garden, or any part of London, Paddington underground (Tube) station is very close and allows you to catch the Tube to all parts of the City. These days if you have a card with touch facility,you don't have to buy a ticket for trains or buses in London, you just touch your card at the beginning and end of your journey and your card will be automatically charged.

Day 3 Take the right turn at the junction, along the , to your left is the . You now have 17 miles of lock free cruising so time for your crew to relax! Between bridges 11 and 12 there is a useful Sainsburys supermarket right by the canal with moorings, and again by Bridge, just to the west. Horsenden Hill and Perivale Wood provide a long stretch of beautiful hilly parkland along with Greenford Golf Course which adjoins the Canal. At Uxbridge Road bridge 20 the Hamborough Tavern is canalside .

At Bulls Bridge Junction turn right passing through Hayes Town, and Cowley before stopping for the night at Cowley South visitor moorings , just south of Cowley Lock. There is a great pub Canalside at Cowley Lock called the Malt Shovel. It is just over 5 hours to here. (At Cowley Peach Junction ignore the Slough Arm of the Grand Union off to your left)

Day 4 Cowley and Uxbridge to your right is the last of the outer suburban belt that surrounds London, and you will soon leave all that behind.

There is a large shopping centre in Uxbridge, access from Bridge 186.

The Battle of Britain was directed by the late Air Marshal Lord Dowding from the RAF HQ in Uxbridge. The town has a selection of modern and futuristic buildings.

In the early 19th Century the Paddington Packet Boat used to run daily from Paddington to Cowley , pulled by 4 horses, it made the 15 mile lock free journey in a remarkable time, taking passengers up and down the canal. Uxbridge Lock is in an attractive setting with a lock-keepers cottage at the side, and a modern flour mill with lovely landscaped gardens right down to the waters edge.

Between the A40 Road bridge and 183 Denham Bridge there is a gravel wharf on the off-side loading into large barges, so beware of them operating and allow them to manoeuvre in the deepest part of the channel.

The canal continues northwards past the village of Denham through a landscape of lakes, woods and mills across Harefield Moor, a stretch of common land with much wildlife to enjoy.

East of Bridge 80 there are shops at South Harefield.

Black Jack's lock and Copper Mill Lock are very attractive with tiny timbered cottages, a small mill, and attractive canal side buildings. The big mill at Copper Mill was once a paper mill, but when the Canal was built it re-invented itself and made copper sheets for the bottom of boats.

There are canal side pubs at bridge 180 and 177.

After heavy rain there is a strong current between bridge 177 and Copper Mill Lock.

The canal turns eastwards towards Rickmansworth, and old chalk quarries adjoin the Canal. There are some interesting 16th century farm buildings close by to Stockers Lock.

You can Moor close to bridge 173 it is 4 hours to here , at Blatchworth Locks in a marquee on the lawn between the locks is Annis Kitchen serving drinks and snacks in conjunction with the Canal Centre there. You will be taking the right hand lock when continuing northwards. Just before the lock is a Tesco supermarket with moorings for patrons. Rickmansworth is off to your left north of bridge 173.

North of Rickmansworth is Common Moor to your right and Croxley to your left where part of the old village still survives with several attractive houses around the village green, and Watford where the canal keeps well away from the town and instead climbs through Cassiobury Park, a long and lovely stretch of wooded parkland. The park was once part of the 17th C gardens of the Earls of , and in the avenue of limes many of the trees are 300 years old. The Park stretches for 190 acres. You can moor here for the night if you fancy a lovely setting.

You can wind your boat at Lady Capel's just before the lock. It is 7.45 hours to here

Day 5 6 7 8 Its is 18.5 hours back to Limehouse Basin, so 3 full days cruising at around 6 hours per day.

Useful Links

Description : London Tourist information Website : http://www.visitlondon.com Telephone : n/a

Description : London pre bookable moorings Website : https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/our-regions/london-waterways/pre-booked-visitor-moorings-in-london Telephone : n/a

Description : Little Venice Website : https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/68-little-venice Telephone : n/a

The information above is provided in good faith to assist you with planning your canal boat holiday. Information accuracy cannot be guaranteed, however, if you do see something that needs updating, please don't hesitate to contact us.

PDF created : 30 Sep 2021 © https://ukcanalboating.com