Canal Walks in London

The iconic River Thames isn’t the only waterway that winds its way across London. Our network of canals have been a vital infrastructure for the city for centuries. Think transport for barges and home to canal boats. And now, their towpaths are hotspots for cyclists, dog walkers and visitors to the many chic canalside cafes as well as our knowledgeable, indeed, nonpareil walking tour guides.

Canal walks can take you from West London, through Central London and across to East London. As you follow canal paths, you’ll take in sights like Regent’s Park, London Zoo, Olympic Park and Camden Market.

Our Docklands walks open your eyes to the history of this ever-changing area beside the Thames, including Limehouse Cut which is London’s oldest canal. Or, discover the fascinating stories of East London, walking via Hackney Wick, Mile End Park, Victoria Park and more.

Regent’s Canal is particularly popular, flowing from Little Venice via Kings Cross and along to Docklands. It’s known as “the loveliest inland waterway in England” for good reason, as our programme of Regent’s Canal walks reveals. Our expert guides will show you pretty green spaces, hidden nooks and historic sites on our Regent’s Canal walking tours.

All the London Walks canal guides are members of the Inland Waterways Association and many of them are barge owners themselves, so they have genuine expertise, local knowledge, amazing insights and first-hand stories to draw on. It’s a rich repast, informed, uniquely, by their personal perspective of London life on and along the waterways. It’s the reason London Walks’ canal walks are the gold standard.

Below you’ll find the full programme of London Walks canal walks, which range from London towpath walks out to the Grand Union Canal and beyond.