Regent’s Canal : Limehouse to Islington

This walk was actually completed in 2011, when it was one of a series of walks in an AA guide book. The walk actually starts slightly away from the Canal in Limehouse, but here I have extracted just the canal part of the route. I did not have my GPS unit switched on for the walk, so the plot in GoogleMaps was a pre-prepared route rather than the actual recording.

The can starts off as it enters the Limehouse basin, as can be seen in another canal walk (starting at Bow and going in a loop around Regent’s Canal and the Hertford Union Canal). Anyway, we join the canal by Salmon Lane lock, on a moderately bright Sunday afternoon.

Salmon Lane Lock

The canal heads generally to the north east until it reaches this rail bridge, where it swings through about 60 degrees to the north west.

Rail Bridge (60)

To the eastern side of the canal are several green open spaces and the feeling is one of light and quiet.

Victory Bridge (59)

Locks on this section are relatively evenly spaced.

Gunmakers Arms Bridge (58)

The bridges and locks are generally surrounded on the west by buildings but on the east, by a wall and overhanging trees.

Mile End Road Bridge (57)

Things become a bit busier as one approaches Mile End Lock, and new larger builings open out the vista to the east.

Mile End Lock

The contrast, looking back, is quite striking, between the old brick and then the new metal of the latest buildings.

Mile End Lock looking back to Mile End Road bridge

It looks like there has been some repairs made to the top gate of Mile End Lock.

Upper gate of Mile End Lock

 

Looking back into Mile End Lock

Moored boats approaching Roman Road Bridge (55)

There is a short stretch of mooring south of Roman Road bridge.

Old Ford Road Bridge and the junction with the Hertford Union Canal

Perhaps one of the prettiest areas along this stretch is the junction with the Hertford Union canal, where a brick bridge to the east links the north and south towpaths of the Hertford Union canal, beside another small bridge, next to Old Ford Lock.

Old Ford Lock

Old Ford Lock is also quite picturesque, reminding the walker that the canal is rising up at this point heading towards north London.

Looking back down part Old Ford Lock

After Old Ford Lock, a run of moorings takes advantage of the shade from nearby trees. To the right is Victoria Park, along which, on the southern boundayr, runs the Hertford Union Canal.

Moorings just past Bonner Hal Bridge (53)

The scenery changes slightly now to a mixture of urban industrial and housing, generally with the housing on the north side.

Canal curves southwards before Mare Street Bridge (51)

Back gardens give way to walkways with iron railings as the canal undergoes a slight curve, before becoming relatively straight for the next mile and a half.

The interestingly named Cat and Mutton Bridge (49)

There are three remaining locks before the canal reaches the Islington tunnel and Actons lock is the first of these.

Acton’s Lock

The towpath here was quite busy and there were lots of people milling around, having lunch and generally relaxing by the water.

A moment to reflect

Several road bridges criss-cross the canal and a local resident made use of his yellow plastic kayak.

Queensbridge Road Bridge (48)

There are a few small inlets along this stretch, making quite secluded moorings.

Small side basin

A rise in the path signals a bridge over the entrance to the Kinsland Basin .

Approach to Kingsland Basin

The canal here is quite wide and relatively straight.

Approaching New North Road Bridge (41)

In the late summer sun, the algae was thick in the water wherever it stagnated – it was clear that Sturt’s Lock had not been opened recently.

Wharf Road Bridge

Sturt’s Lock – water, not pea soup!

 

Mooring opposite Wenlock basin

The towpath widens here, opposite Wenlock and City Road Basins, and the view to the south gives sight of tall buildings of the City.

The Shard rises in the distance over the basin

City Road Lock was also holding back a tide of algae, which added to the greenness of this area, with the overhanging willow trees.

City Road Lock

Shortly after passing the City Road Locl, Froglane bridge comes into view and then, behind it, one can see the entrance to the Islington tunnel.

Approaching the Islington Tunnel

The towpath ceases at the entrance to the tunnel and a few brave souls held onto the bricks at the side of the entrance whilst swinging out for a better luck. I decided not to risk my camera, just in case.

Peering into the tunnel – no footpath!

When I looked into the tunnel I could see a light advancing and hear a boat’s engine. A few minutes later, a boat emerged, having traveled the 960 yards from the western entrance.

Emerging from the east end of the tunnel

Well, that was as far as I could go, so I used the path by the side to climb up to the level of the roadway and made my way to the nearby Angel tube station, then back home.

Looking back eastwards from the Islington tunnel

On the other side of the tunnel, the canal stretches as far as Paddington, but that was too long a walk to complete straight after this one, so it was left for another day.

I did not log this walk with the GPS, but Google Maps informs me that it is 4.7 miles long.

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2 thoughts on “Regent’s Canal : Limehouse to Islington

    1. wpadmin Post author

      You are welcome! And I like your Bradshaw walks. I usually walk at weekends so maybe we will cross paths one day, though you might be at the outer parts of London as I have now walked most if the inner canals and the Thames, so this year’s walks are further out. Enjoy and hope we get decent weather!

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