The Regent’s Canal – Mile End to Limehouse

Short read: To get to know the Regent’s Canal is to tap into a completely different London – a London you wouldn’t normally see.

Longer read: It’s old, back-door, far from the madding crowd London. It’s a London where time slows right down – to the pace of the horse-drawn canal barges. Or I suppose you could say it’s a London where time stopped – nearly 200 years ago! At one time the Regent’s Canal’s Limehouse Dock was the gateway to the whole of the UK canal network. And what a gateway: it’s an impressive 10 acres of water and four acres of quays and wharves –- plus the entry lock into the Thames, two miles below London Bridge. And it’s not just what you see – it’s how you see it. Because guided as they are by members of the IWA, the Regent’s Canal walks show you special bits and bobs – tiny details that open up an age and an era, that explain the workings of the canals. N.B. The walk ends near Limehouse station. It’s part of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) system, which, if you think about it, makes for an almost dizzying transformation: from the Age of Canals to cutting edge 21st century London! The DLR is a completely automated, elevated whoosh – with lots of Wow! factor – through the largest urban redevelopment in Europe. And if you’ve got a 2-Zone Travel Card, well it’s a “ticket to ride” on the DLR.

LONDON WALKS PRACTICALS

Regent’s Canal – Mile End to Limehouse takes place at 2.30 pm on the following Sundays: TBA

The meeting point for the Regent’s Canal – Mile End to Limehouse walk is just outside the exit of Mile End Tube.

LONDON WALKS HORS D’OEUVRE

The Regent’s Canal – Mile End to Limehouse 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 getting on for a dozen different canal and Inland Waterways walks in their repertory. 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.

There’s more. The guides are all members of the IWA. They have some formidable 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 canal walks.

LONDON WALKS PRIVATE WALKS

If you can’t make one of the regularly scheduled, just-turn-up, public Mountain Building & Meteorites in the City of London walks it can always be booked as a private tour. If you go private you can have the The Regent's Canal – Mile End to Limehouse walk – or any other London Walk – on a day and at a time that suits your convenience. We’ll tailor it to your requirements. Ring Fiona or Noel or Mary on 020 7624 3978 or email us at privatewalks@walks.com and we’ll set it up and make it happen for you. A private London Walk – they’re good value for an individual or couple and sensational value for a group – makes an ideal group or educational or birthday party or office (team-building) or club outing.

GIVE THE GIFT OF LONDON WALKS

A private London Walk makes a fab gift – be it a birthday or anniversary or Christmas present or whatever. Merchandise schmerchandise (gift wrapped or not) – but giving someone an experience, now that’s special. Memories make us rich.

LONDON WALKS – STREETS AHEAD!

Don’t just take it from us.

OTHER TOURS YOU MAY LIKE

• Day trips from London
• Undiscovered London
• Ghost Walks
• Jack the Ripper walking tour