The Hertford Union Canal Guide

Date post added: 11th June 2026

It’s short, straight as an arrow and intended as a commercial shortcut. But what the Hertford Union Canal lacks in length, it makes up for in history and charm.

At only a mile long, it’s easy to overlook the Hertford Union Canal. But you’d be missing out on a beautiful towpath walk beside an enchanting canal in East London. Along the route, you skirt the south east side of the popular Victoria Park. You can spot the impressive. Olympic Park. You can spot symbols of its industrial past and relax in charming canalside cafes and pubs. And you’ll pass colourful barges at their moorings.

We’re big fans of exploring some of the lesser-known routes in London. That said, it’s hugely popular with local commuters and cyclists. So, here’s your guide to East London’s Hertford Union Canal.

Where is The Hertford Union Canal?

It’s in the East London borough of Tower Hamlets. It starts at the Hertford Union Junction between Mile End Lock and Old Ford Lock on Regent’s Canal. It travels to Bow Wharf and on to Grove Road. Then without twisting or turning, it runs along the south east side of Victoria Park. Finally, it joins the Lee Navigation, just above Old Ford Lock (the bottom lock).

A brief history of the Hertford Union Canal

In the early 19th century, canals were the hot new thing. Industry was booming. Road and rail weren’t yet the preferred option. So, transportation by boat was the way to go. Canals were being created to enable goods to get into London easily. The Regent’s Canal opened in 1812. East London neighbour, the Limehouse Cut was established in 1770.

Like the Limehouse Cut, the purpose of the Hertford Union Canal was as a shortcut. It was to provide barges with a smooth passageway between the Regent’s Canal and the River Lee Navigation.

It was British landowner and politician Sir George Duckett who pushed for the Hertford Union Canal to be created. He had high hopes for what was to be London’s shortest canal. The waterway became known as Duckett’s Canal in recognition of its founder.

Sadly, the canal never lived up to Duckett’s expectations. It didn’t become the great commercial success he envisaged. Duckett was not a good businessman and set too high a toll, so the canal was rarely used. For several years in the mid-19th Century it was totally unnavigable.

In 1929, Hertford Union Canal was acquired by The Grand Union Canal Company. Today, it’s maintained by the Canal and River Trust. It’s been revitalised and is known as one of the best mooring spots in London.

What to see along the Hertford Union Canal

Bow Back Rivers

This is where the River Lee Navigation (the canalised section of the River Lea) separates into multiple channels – the Bow Back Rivers. The Three Mills area reminds you of its industrial past. You can still see mills that, originally, would have milled corn, gunpowder and more. The two mills you see today, milled grain for gin distilling.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Built for the 2012 London Olympics, the stadium is now home to West Ham United Football Club. The park has numerous walking trails, kid-friendly activities and sports facilities. And there’s the unmissable ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture which is also the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide. Art and adventure collide (and hopefully the sliders don’t).

Old Ford Lock

Old Ford Lock is a collection of three locks. Their names are slightly unimaginative, but they do what it says on the tin – Top Lock, Middle Lock and Bottom Lock.

Top Lock is Grade II-listed and is to the south of Victoria Park. There, you’ll find Parnell Road Bridge, a cast iron footbridge built in 1830 along with the lock. Bottom Lock is often used as a location for films and photoshoots as it has particularly gritty, urban appeal.

You may remember Old Ford Lock from Big Breakfast days. That’s where it was filmed, so look out for the lock keepers’ cottages.

Bow Wharf

This canalside conservation area was redeveloped in the 1990s. It’s now home to waterside apartments, shops, cafes and bars.

Chisenhale Road

Chisenhale Road runs parallel to the canal and the renowned Roman Road. It’s here that you can see the former Chisenhale Road factory which was built in the late 19th century. In the 1940s, it made wood veneers for aircraft and other uses. CHN is evident in the brickwork, not for Chisenhale but for it’s early owner, Morris Cohen. This closed in 1972.

It became the home of Godson’s Brewery for a while. Since the 1980s it’s been a valuable arts space. Now, it’s where you’ll find Chisenhale Art Place – an important East London space for contemporary visual arts and dance.

Hackney Wick

It’s here that the Capital Ring – a circular walking route in London – crosses the canal.

Hackney Wick is known for being hip. It has a creative and contemporary vibe. You’ll find eclectic eateries, craft breweries and bars, cool cafes and artisan coffee shops.

It’s particularly arty too. Hackney Wick is home to artist studios in former industrial spaces. The area’s been described as the biggest concentration of artists in Europe. Many of them practise their creativity on the buildings and walls there.

Our canal guide, Roger advises, “If you’re thinking of walking the eastern end of the canal, near the junction with the Hackney Cut, you need to like graffiti and regard it as an art form.”

And if you’re a fan of urban graffiti, join our East London Street Art walk to explore incredible work.

Victoria Park

The Hertford Union Canal runs alongside leafy Victoria Park. It’s a wonderful green space that opened in 1845 and is London’s oldest municipal park. The 213-acre park has about 9 million visitors a year. Weekends are particularly busy when markets take place. It also holds numerous festivals and events throughout the year.

Our East London Canal Walks

We run private tours as well as our scheduled guided walks. Check our London canal walks or contact us to arrange a tailored private group tour.

Hertford Union Canal

If you’d like to learn more about this stretch of water, our canal expert Roger would happily guide you along the Hertford Union Canal on a private group tour. Starting at Mile End tube station and finishing at Hackney Wick tube station, you’ll hear the interesting history of this area and discover sights that you’d otherwise miss. Drop us an email to book in your tour.

The Secrets of the Northern Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Meeting point: Stratford underground station

Discover lesser-known tales of the Olympic Park; its history and contemporary tales. This walk only takes place occasionally, but we also offer it as a private tour.

The Regent’s Canal: Mile End to Limehouse

Meeting point: Mile End underground station

You’ll be introduced to a London where time slows right down – to the pace of horse-drawn canal barges. Discover a London from 200 years ago. And then the gateway to the UK canal network at Limehouse. This walk only takes place occasionally, but we also offer it as a private tour.

Limehouse – River Thames – Docklands

Meeting point: Westferry DLR station

The historical pickings don’t come much richer than at Limehouse Basin. We explore this area that’s transformed dramatically over the years and has endless stories to tell.

Royal Victoria Dock to East India Dock

Meeting point: Royal Victoria DLR station

If these docks could talk… Discover London’s only lighthouse, the settlers’ monument and the former home to the famous East India Company. And that only scratches the surface. This walk only takes place occasionally, but we also offer it as a private tour.

The Olympics, Three Mills and Bow Back Rivers walk

Meeting point: Bromley-by-Bow tube station

Run as a private tour, this walk will show you the highlights we’ve mentioned in this guide. From the relatively recent Olympic park to the centuries-old mills and the river running through it.

How long is the Hertford Union Canal?

The Hertford Union Canal is around a mile (1.6km) long. It’s London’s shortest canal.

Where does the Union Canal start and end?

The Hertford Union Canal connects the Regent’s Canal to the River Lea in Tower Hamlets, East London. It runs in a straight line from Bethnal Green to Bow and Hackney.

What are some popular activities to do along the Hertford Union Canal?

It’s a popular towpath for walking and cycling. Enjoy a canalside cafe by Victoria Park or Hackney. Go wildlife spotting, looking out for urban creatures along the canal banks. And stop to admire the street art, particularly at the eastern end of the canal.

Take a waterside walk with us

We’re big fans of stepping off London’s pavements and onto its canal towpaths. As you view aqueducts and locks, barges and canal communities, you see London from a different perspective.

Our canal walks are created in conjunction with the IWA (Inland Waterways Association). You’ll be guided by someone with unparalleled knowledge of the route and its stories. There’s nothing like it.

Discover the best London canal walks to see which one’s for you.