The Grand Union Canal – Little Venice & Paddington Green

Warwick Avenue underground station, London

Guided by Canal Guides

Walk Times

Day	Walk Type	Start Time	End Time
17 April 2022	Tour du Jour	2.30 pm	4.30 pm	Winter

Short read: Good walk for discovering… well, read on.

Long read: For discovering a secret corner of London closed to the public for 200 years. But now the padlock’s off. It’s been opened up. Welcome to one of London’s newest – and oldest – large “water spaces.” Bridges that are engineering and artistic marvels calipering the two shores. Thomas Hetherwick’s Rolling Bridge being a prime example. What else? Well, there’s Paddington Green – once the centrepiece of an attractive countryside village that folks from London – Samuel Pepys, for example – regularly visited. Think rural retreat. Here, shimmering back through time, we’ll catch a glimpse of Emma Hart, later better known as Lady Hamilton. Let alone hobnob with London’s first famous private detective –”the keen penetration of Paddington Pollaky – Grace of an Odalisque on a divan – The genius strategic of Caesar or Hannibal –  Skill of Sir Garnet in thrashing a cannibal” as Gilbert & Sullivan served him up. And there’s the pub which gave its name to Maida Vale.

And Little Venice of course, arguably the most beautiful residential neighbourhood on the planet. It’s not just for the eye, Little Venice. There’s no little satisfaction in meeting the locals, past and present. All those poets, authors, actors and playwrights who’ve lived in Little Venice and/or been inspired by it. And finally, one of London’s “lost rivers.” Hidden it may be but we’ll find it.

In sum read: Another London Walk that just keeps on giving.

Also discover our top 10 suggestions of things to do in and around Little Venice which you can fit in before or after your walk!

GRAND UNION CANAL WALK – THE PRACTICALS

The Grand Union Canal – Little Venice & Paddington Green walk takes place at 2.30 pm on Sunday, TBA

Meeting place is at  Warwick Avenue Tube Exit

The Grand Union Canal – Little Venice & Paddington Green walk is one of a series of Regent’s Canal and other Inland Waterways walks that we conduct in partnership with the IWA (Inland Waterways Association). There are now getting on for a dozen different canal and Inland Waterways walks. The canal walks’ regular slot is the 2.30 pm Tour du Jour offering on the first and third Sunday of every month. And there are usually a handful of “guest appearance” canal walks that run as “Specials” on selected dates in any given Summer or Winter London Walks programme.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING

N.B. the guides for the Regent’s Canal and other Inland Waterways walks are all members of the IWA. They have some serious expertise – know the canals better than “ordinary mortals” And – how special is this – they donate their fees to the IWA. So you’re supporting a good cause – doing a seriously good turn – when you go on one of our London canal walks.