Narrowboat Holiday Blog

There’s no doubt your canal boat holiday in London will be a unique experience.  But for those of you wanting to immerse yourself fully into the history and culture of the waterways, then don’t miss these special events that will give you a real ‘insiders’ view into the sights and sounds of this famous capital city.

Situated at King’s Cross, The London Canal Museum is a fascinating place where you can learn about the history of London’s canals, about the cargoes carried, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats.

This museum is housed in a former ice warehouse built in about 1862-3 for Carlo Gatti, the famous ice cream maker and on 20th July it is featuring ‘Gatti’s Ice House Ice Sunday’.    This special event allows you to descend into the ice wells and learn about this unique part of London’s heritage. Also planned are demonstrations of Victorian ice cream making and short talks about the ice trade and Carlo Gatti.  Find out more at www.canalmuseum.org.uk.

The Canalway Cavalcade 2014 will take place over the May bank holiday weekend 3rd-5th May at Little Venice.  This unique waterways festival will be fun for all the family with a boaters’ gathering, a pageant of boats, trade shows and stalls, bands, kids’ activities, competitions, Morris Dancers, a real ale bar, a wide variety of snacks and food.  Find out more at www.waterways.org.uk

Heading through Little Venice you’ll come across the Canal Cafe Theatre, a charming little theatre, which features a variety of local shows.  On Monday 5^th May you can see ‘Best of Spark London’ where comedian Charley Harrison introduces ordinary Londoners with extraordinary stories to tell. Handpicked from open mic nights across London; expect the unusual, the hilarious, the tragic and the heart warming. www.canalcafetheatre.com

Travelling with kids?  Then don’t miss the Puppet Theatre Barge, a theatre in a boat, which travels down the Thames putting on shows. You’ll usually find the theatre moored at either Little Venice or Richmond.  The theatre specialises in puppet shows featuring marionettes. It’s perfect for all the family. www.puppetbarge.com

At the Museum of London Docklands you can join long-term local resident Brian Grover for a guided tour of London’s mysteries of the Orient in the docklands and hear about the first settlement of the London Chinese community.

Find out more at www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands.