The London Canal Museum
Situated at King’s Cross in the centre of the city, The London Canal Museum is a fascinating place where you can learn about the history of London’s canals, the cargoes carried, the people who lived and worked on the waterways, and the horses that pulled their boats. As well as two floors of permanent displays, you can also venture inside a traditional working narrowboat cabin.
The London Canal Museum is located beside the Battlebridge Basin on the Regent’s Canal, which is an incredibly popular route for canal walks in London. You can venture out on the canal as part of one of the museum’s sightseeing tours, on which the sightseeing barge Long Tom transports passengers along a variety of routes throughout the summer season.
This museum is housed in a former ice warehouse built in about 1862-3 for Carlo Gatti, the famous ice cream maker. Not only does the museum offer excellent insight into the legacy of canals in London, but it also shines a light on the history of the ice trade and the ice cream business, which had a colossal impact on restaurants and food stores around the city.
Find out more at www.canalmuseum.org.uk.
The Canalway Cavalcade
One of the biggest London canal events of the entire year is the Canalway Cavalcade, organised by the Inland Waterways Association. This unique waterways festival is always 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, and a wide variety of snacks and food.
The Canalway Cavalcade usually takes place over the first May bank holiday weekend at Little Venice in Paddington. Held on and around a section of Regent’s Canal, the boats that reside here throughout the year get decked out in festive glory, along with other visiting vessels that travel up for the annual event.
The Inland Waterways Associations organises this event as a fundraiser but also as a way to celebrate the narrowboat community in and around London. You can visit at any point during the weekend to enjoy the stalls and admire the boats, but a highlight is the illuminated canal barge procession on the Sunday night.
Canal Cafe Theatre
Another of the best things to do beside the canals in London is to visit the Canal Cafe Theatre. Heading through Little Venice near Paddington, you’ll come across a charming little theatre which features a variety of local shows, including comedy, cabaret and family-friendly drama.
The theatre has been part of the most popular canalside attractions on Regent’s Canal since the 1970s, which has hosted a number of very famous actors and comedians over the years in the early days of their careers. It’s a fantastic place to visit on the London canal network, offering some of the city’s best culture in a truly unique venue.
The season of shows at the Canal Cafe Theatre changes throughout the year and covers a wide range of different genres, so you’re bound to find something you want to watch. The venue only seats 60 people, so make sure you book your tickets in advance!
Puppet Theatre Barge
Travelling on canal boats in London with kids? Then you don’t want to miss the Puppet Theatre Barge, a theatre in a boat, which travels down the Thames putting on shows for families.
The Puppet Theatre Barge is the only floating theatre in the UK and has been combining puppetry with theatre for over forty years. Seating up to fifty audience members inside their converted canal barge, you’ll usually find the theatre moored at either Little Venice on Regent’s Canal or Richmond on the Whitton Park Canal.
The theatre specialises in puppet shows featuring marionettes but also hosts musicians for performances that simply showcase musical talent. It’s perfect for all the family, combining culture with one of the most unique vessels on London’s canals.
Museum of London Docklands
At the London Museum Docklands, you can immerse yourself in the history of the city’s docks and the surrounding East End, home to some of the past century’s most fascinating stories. Located at West India Quay in Canary Wharf, it’s a brilliant place to visit for several hours of exploration across nine different galleries.
The museum is free to explore with no need to book, making it a brilliant option for families or any visitors wandering the canals of London looking for something to do. As well as the permanent exhibitions, there’s also a brilliant calendar of events, talks and tours.
Canary Wharf is an area of London known for its modern architecture and economic status, so it’s very interesting to see how the buildings and businesses around the water have developed over the years. As well as all the exhibitions, there’s also a cafe and a souvenir shop, making it the perfect spot for a day out in London.
Summary
Whether you’re enjoying a canal trip in London or are visiting the city looking for things to do, there is a great selection of London canal events and attractions on offer. From cultural offerings to annual events and places to learn more about the city’s past, London is a brilliant destination for a holiday.
For more inspiration on things to do around the canals in the UK, take a look at our blog. You can also browse our collection of canal holidays in England if you’re thinking of planning a trip on the country’s stunning waterways.
