Top Things to Do Around Camden Lock on Regent’s Canal
Date post added: 8th January 2026
Running from Paddington Basin in West London to Limehouse Basin in East London, Regent’s Canal is a scenic and atmospheric waterway. It’s around nine miles (14 km) long, passing through urban landscapes and some of the capital’s most famous green spaces (Regent’s Park in the west and Victoria Park in East London).
Camden Lock’s one of the busiest stretches of Regent’s Canal. There’s plenty to explore in Camden itself, and we’ll go into some of those delights here. Camden Lock’s also a great starting point for a walk along the Regents’ Canal towpath. You can head west to Paddington and Little Venice. Or you could venture east to King’s Cross, Mile End and on to Limehouse Basin in Docklands.
Along the way, you’ll pass narrowboats, canal boats and houseboats. You can stop to take in your surroundings in cute canalside cafes and encounter London landmarks along the route.
Here, we’ll share a diverse range of things to do around Camden Lock and Regent’s Canal. But our number one activity would be – you guessed it – a long walk to truly discover this vibrant area.
What is Camden Lock?
Camden Lock is a small part of the better known Camden Town. It’s a three-way lock on the Regent’s Canal combining Hampstead Lock, Hawley Lock and Kentish Town Lock. The eagle-eyed reader will have noticed that Camden Lock isn’t actually listed as one of the three locks. That’s because it isn’t one. In truth, Camden Lock doesn’t actually exist as one of the locks along the Regent’s Canal. It’s simply a colloquial term for that area of Camden.
To get here from Camden Town tube station, follow Camden High Street down to the canalside.
Explore Camden Lock
Picture Camden Lock and you probably think of the bustling markets. The area’s a hub of creativity, awash with street art, live music and diverse street food stalls.
Camden Market actually comprises six separate markets. There’s Buck Street Market (also called BOXPARK), Camden Stables Market, Hawley Wharf, Electric Ballroom, Inverness Street Market, and finally, Camden Lock Market. It’s a major London tourist destination, particularly amongst the more alternative crowd seeking out edgy and vintage finds.
On Camden High Street, look out for The Elephant’s Head. It’s a traditional Victorian pub with an exceptionally long bar. They serve beers on tap and host regular live music events. Camden stalwarts Dingwall’s and The Roundhouse are nearby and not to be missed.
Camden Lock: Waterside
On the south side of the canal, you’ll see MTV studios. Back in the 1980s, it was the home of TV:AM, ITV’s original breakfast TV show. That explains the egg cups on the roof.
Look out for the old lock keeper’s cottage here which dates back to 1815. A sign of the times, it’s now a well-known chain coffee shop. But the lock’s history is reflected by a mural on the wall inside, and the Canal Information Centre just inside the door.
From Camden Lock, you can take a waterbus trip along the canal to Little Venice. Run by London Waterbus Company, it’s a lovely 45 minute jaunt along the water.
Feeling active? You can paddleboard or kayak on the canal water. Landlubbers can run or cycle alongside the water on the canal towpath.
What attractions and activities are available around Camden Lock on Regent’s Canal?
There are plenty of things to see and do on this stretch of the Regent’s Canal. Take your time to walk along the canal and stop at canalside cafes (or those actually on the water – on boats). This blog details 16 of the very best activities on Regent’s Canal in detail. Here, we’ll share a few of our favourites.
- London Canal Museum: Discover the history of London’s waterways at this fascinating museum on Battlebridge Basin. Step on board a narrowboat and learn about the people who lived and worked on the canals.
- Islington Tunnel: At this point on the canal, there’s no way along the towpath. We can’t go through it, we have to go over it. The Islington Tunnel‘s 875 metres long and it took three years to build between 1815 and 1818.
- Dead Dog Cut: This Grade II listed footbridge over Dead Dog Cut dates back to 1846 and is used by a million people a year. The eye-catching diagonal bridge has recently been restored to its former glory with its original Indian Red paint colour. Look out for it in the James Bond film, Spectre.
- Regent’s Park: Further west along the canal towpath, you’ll come to the beautiful Regent’s Park. It’s one of London’s finest green spaces and is home to London Zoo. You can catch a glimpse of the impressive aviary from the towpath.
- Paddington Basin: This area’s been transformed in recent years. It’s now full of smart offices and places to eat. Look out for two impressive bridges – the Fan Bridge and the Rolling Bridge. And of course, try to find a certain bear from Peru at Paddington station.
Camden Lock and Regent’s Canal FAQs
What is the Regent’s Canal?
It dates back to the 19th century when Britain’s waterways were vital transport links. The Regent’s Canal was intended to connect Birmingham and the Midlands with the River Thames and the Grand Union Canal. In 1812, the Regent’s Canal Company was formed to cut this new canal from the Grand Junction Canal’s Paddington Arm through to Limehouse Basin.
It was then that architect and town planner, John Nash suggested it should be used to transport goods from west London to east London. It took eight years to complete the 14km long waterway and it opened in 1820.
How many locks are on Regent’s Canal?
Regent’s Canal has 13 locks along its route. Several are clustered around Camden, including Kentish Town Lock, Hawley Lock and Camden Locks. That makes this one of the most active sections of the canal.
Where is the best place to start the Regent’s Canal walk?
Camden Lock’s one of the best starting points if you want atmosphere straight away. It’s lively, well connected, and easy to walk either east or west from here.
We start several of our Regent’s Canal walks at King’s Cross tube station. Kings Cross is roughly halfway along the route. You could start at Paddington or Little Venice for a slightly longer walk by the canal.
Kings Cross, Granary Square and St Pancras
Kings Cross, Granary Square to Camden
Kings Cross circular tour to the London Canal Museum
Why walk Regent’s Canal from Camden?
Walking is the best way to take in your surroundings. And walking by water’s wonderfully calming.
Walking from Camden, the canal offers you the perfect mix of urban culture and relaxing waterside walking. You can dip in and out of busy areas and quiet stretches without ever leaving the path. You’re still in Central London, but you’re away from the hustle and bustle. Plus, there’s a lot to see along the Regent’s Canal towpath.
How long is Regent’s Canal Walk?
The full canal runs about 9 miles (14 km) from Little Venice to Limehouse Basin. But, from Camden Lock you can take a wide range of shorter walks to areas like Primrose Hill, Maida Vale, Mile End or Hoxton.
Walk the waterways with our supremely knowledgeable guides
If you’re keen to explore London’s waterways further, the best way is to take a London canal walking tour with one of our expert canal guides. Their knowledge is far-reaching and wide-ranging, just like the waterways themselves. Come walk with us!
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.