Little Venice

Explore the charming waterways where the Grand Union Canal meets Regent’s Canal

Little Venice is one of London’s most enchanting hidden gems, where colorful narrowboats bob gently on the water and tree-lined towpaths offer a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

Highlights

• Cruise along picturesque waterways on a traditional narrowboat tour, seeing London from a completely different perspective.
• Watch a unique puppet performance aboard the Puppet Theatre Barge, a floating venue offering shows for both children and adults.
• Stroll along scenic towpaths from Little Venice to Camden, taking in the elegant architecture and tranquil canal views along the way.

Tickets & Prices

While access to Little Venice itself is free, boat tours along the canals require tickets. Jason’s Canal Cruises typically offers sightseeing trips between Little Venice and Camden, with around three departures daily from each end, depending on the season.

While reservations aren’t strictly necessary, they’re highly recommended during summer months and weekends to avoid disappointment. For the best experience, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure from Little Venice and 15 minutes before departure from Camden.

Tours

Canal boat trips are one of the best ways to experience Little Venice’s unique charm. The most popular option is Jason’s Trip, which typically takes you on a scenic 45-minute journey between Little Venice and Camden Lock, with availability varying by season.

Along the way, you’ll glide past elegant waterside homes, colorful houseboats, and even get glimpses of London Zoo. For those seeking a more active adventure, stand-up paddleboarding sessions are also available for a different perspective of the canal, primarily during the warmer months.

Opening Hours

Little Venice is an open public area accessible at all times, though individual attractions have their own hours. The Puppet Theatre Barge is only moored in Little Venice from October to mid-July (relocating to Richmond-upon-Thames during the summer months) and runs shows on weekends and during school holidays during this period.

Canal boat tours generally operate daily from morning until late afternoon, with schedules varying by season – typically offering more frequent departures during the summer months and weekends. It’s always best to check current schedules before visiting, especially for these seasonal activities.

What to See and Do

When exploring Little Venice, you’ll find plenty of charming activities and picturesque spots that showcase this unique corner of London. Here’s what not to miss during your visit.

Cruise the Junction of Two Canals

The heart of Little Venice is where the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals meet at a tranquil pool often called Browning’s Pool. This watery intersection creates the perfect starting point for your adventure.

Standing on one of the elegant bridges spanning the canal, you get that signature Little Venice view – colorful narrowboats moored alongside tree-lined banks, with white stucco-fronted mansions peeking through the foliage. I love watching the light play across the water, especially in early morning when the canal is at its most peaceful.

The pool itself is named after poet Robert Browning, who lived nearby at Beauchamp Lodge for over 25 years. While the origins of the “Little Venice” name are disputed (some credit Browning, others suggest it was a humorous reference by Lord Byron), what’s undeniable is the area’s unique charm.

Board the Puppet Theatre Barge

One of Little Venice’s most delightful attractions has to be the Puppet Theatre Barge, a truly one-of-a-kind venue. This 55-seat theater is housed inside a converted barge that’s moored along the canal specifically from October to mid-July.

The theater presents intricate marionette productions that captivate audiences of all ages, but only operates in Little Venice during this October to mid-July period, typically offering weekend shows and additional performances during school holidays.

What started as a passion project has become a beloved institution, operating for over 40 years. The productions range from fairy tales to adaptations of more complex works, all brought to life through traditional puppetry.

Wander Along the Tranquil Towpaths

The canal towpaths offer some of London’s most peaceful walking routes. From Little Venice, you can head east along Regent’s Canal toward Camden Market – a journey that takes you through a fascinating cross-section of London.

The walk to Camden takes around 45-60 minutes at a leisurely pace, passing through Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill before arriving at the bustling Camden Lock. Along the way, you’ll spot everything from luxury houseboats with rooftop gardens to quirky floating homes decorated with potted plants and eclectic ornaments.

If you’re walking with children or prefer a shorter stroll, just meander along the paths near Rembrandt Gardens, where benches offer perfect spots for watching the world float by. The gardens themselves provide a quiet retreat with views of passing boats.

Bear in mind that the towpath can be fragmented in places, occasionally requiring detours onto nearby roads. The path also passes through the Maida Hill Tunnel (272 yards long), where you’ll need to walk above ground across Edgware Road before rejoining the canal at Lisson Grove.

Visit Rembrandt Gardens

Tucked where the Grand Union meets Regent’s Canal, Rembrandt Gardens offers a serene escape with well-maintained flower beds and comfortable benches overlooking the water.

What many visitors don’t realize is that these gardens were once called Warwick Avenue Gardens. They were renamed in 1975 to honor Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary and its relationship with Westminster.

While some locals describe them as underwhelming, particularly out of season, I find their unassuming nature part of the charm – they’re never overcrowded and provide the perfect spot to pause with a coffee and watch narrowboats navigate the junction.

The gardens feature several benches positioned for optimal canal-viewing, making it an ideal location for a quiet break or impromptu picnic on a sunny day.

Discover Hidden Gems at Clifton Nurseries

Just a short walk from the canal on Clifton Villas lies one of the area’s best-kept secrets: Clifton Nurseries. This beautiful garden center feels like stumbling into a verdant oasis in the middle of the city.

Established in 1851, it’s London’s oldest garden center and offers much more than plants. Wander through displays of exotic flowers, browse unique garden accessories, or stop at their café for refreshments surrounded by lush greenery.

The greenhouse-style café makes a perfect retreat on rainy days, with its abundant plant life creating an atmosphere of being somewhere far more exotic than central London.

Even if you’re not in the market for plants, the nurseries are worth visiting simply for their tranquil atmosphere and beautifully arranged displays that change with the seasons.

Enjoy Canalside Dining

Little Venice offers several charming spots to enjoy food and drinks with waterside views. The Bridge House pub, dating back to 1848, sits right at the heart of Little Venice and makes a perfect stop for traditional pub fare with canal views.

For something special, head to Café Laville, which actually spans the canal, offering panoramic views through its large windows. Sitting here with a coffee or glass of wine, watching boats pass directly beneath you, is one of those unique London experiences that stays with you.

For theater enthusiasts, don’t miss the Canal Café Theatre located above The Bridge House pub. This intimate venue hosts the UK’s longest-running comedy show, NewsRevue, alongside other performances throughout the year.

While the area doesn’t have the same concentration of eateries as East London’s canal spots, what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in character and scenic settings.

Attend the Canalway Cavalcade

If you’re lucky enough to visit during early May, you might catch the annual Canalway Cavalcade festival. This waterway event has been running since 1983 and transforms Little Venice into a vibrant celebration of canal culture.

The festival features decorated boats, a boat parade, live music, food stalls, and various entertainment for all ages. Boat owners come from across the country to participate, decorating their vessels in elaborate themes and competing for prizes.

The event typically takes place over the May bank holiday weekend and provides a rare opportunity to see the canals at their most lively and colorful. It’s well worth planning your visit around this time if you’re interested in canal heritage and want to experience the waterways at their most festive.

Directions

Little Venice is easily accessible via public transport, with Warwick Avenue tube station (Bakerloo Line) being the closest Underground stop. From the station, it’s just a 2-minute walk to the canal – simply head south down Warwick Avenue toward the water. Alternatively, Paddington Station is about a 10-minute walk away, convenient for those arriving via National Rail services.

If you’re already exploring central London, the area can be reached on foot from Paddington Basin or by following the Regent’s Canal towpath from Camden Town, which offers a scenic approach for those who enjoy walking.

Nearby Places

Paddington Station: Just a short walk from Little Venice, this historic railway station is not only a major transport hub but also home to the famous Paddington Bear statue and a variety of shops and eateries.

Regent’s Park: Following the canal northeast from Little Venice leads you to this magnificent royal park, featuring stunning rose gardens, an open-air theater, and the London Zoo.

Camden Market: Continue along the canal towpath for about 45 minutes to reach this vibrant market known for its eclectic shops, global street food, and alternative fashion scene.

Hyde Park: One of London’s largest and most famous royal parks is within walking distance of Little Venice, offering vast green spaces, the Serpentine lake, and numerous monuments and memorials.

Alan Turing’s Birthplace: Located at 2 Warrington Crescent in nearby Maida Vale, the birthplace of computing pioneer Alan Turing is marked with a commemorative blue plaque.

Did you know that: (5 Interesting Facts!)

1. The name “Little Venice” was hotly disputed – some attribute it to poet Robert Browning who lived nearby, while others claim it was a humorous reference made by Lord Byron.
2. Before becoming the romantic spot it is today, the area was known as Paddington Broadwater and served as a working canal junction for industrial boats.
3. The Puppet Theatre Barge has been entertaining audiences with marionette shows since 1982, making it one of London’s most unusual and enduring theatrical venues.
4. Alan Turing, the pioneering computer scientist and codebreaker, was born at 2 Warrington Crescent, just a stone’s throw from Little Venice.
5. The Maida Hill Tunnel, which the canal passes through, was built in 1816 and is 272 yards long – at the time, canal boats had to be “legged” through by men lying on their backs and walking along the tunnel walls.

History

• 1801: The Paddington arm of the Grand Junction Canal (later part of the Grand Union Canal) opens, connecting with the Regent’s Canal and creating the junction that would become Little Venice.
• 1816: The Maida Hill Tunnel is completed, allowing the Regent’s Canal to continue its journey toward Camden and beyond.
• 1820: The Regent’s Canal is completed, creating the waterway network that defines Little Venice today.
• 1848: The Bridge House pub is constructed, later becoming a filming location for the 1950 film “The Blue Lamp.”
• 1862-1887: Poet Robert Browning lives at Beauchamp Lodge near the canal junction, lending his name to Browning’s Pool.
• 1950s: The area begins to transform from a working industrial waterway to a leisure destination as commercial canal traffic declines.
• 1970s: The name “Little Venice” becomes firmly established, and the area starts to develop its reputation as a picturesque part of London.
• 1975: Warwick Avenue Gardens are renamed Rembrandt Gardens to honor Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary.
• 1983: The first Canalway Cavalcade festival is held, beginning an annual tradition celebrating canal life.
• Present day: Little Venice has become a beloved tourist destination and desirable residential area, combining historical charm with a tranquil atmosphere rare in central London.

FAQ

Map & Address

Little Venice is located at the junction of the Grand Union and Regent’s Canals in northwest London, between Blomfield Road, Warwick Avenue, and Maida Avenue.

Nearest tube station: Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo Line) Postcode area: W9, London