I spend lots of my free time strolling throughout the gorgeous hills of West Yorkshire however not too long ago I took a visit right down to London for the day for a unique form of stroll. With no different plans than to stroll the size of Regent’s Canal from Kings Cross to Paddington Basin I set off on the early morning Saturday practice.
Regent’s Canal, London is an 8.6 mile stretch of canal that connects the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal to the River Thames on the Limehouse Basin. It gives a stroll absolutely of pleasure along with an entire new method to view town.
Arriving at Kings Cross at 8.30am I spent a while wandering by way of Coal Drops Yard, the pretty current improvement at Kings Cross and residential to a variety of unbiased retailers, cafes and bigger retail model names.
At 8.30am it was a London I hadn’t seen; all the things was simply beginning to open up and there was an amazing feeling of expectation within the air.
I made my method to Granary Sq. simply off Coal Drops Yard to eat an alfresco breakfast on the large inexperienced carpeted steps that led right down to the canal and the beginning of my stroll.
There’s a lot historical past about this space and it’s fabulous to see the way it has been regenerated right into a vibrant and fascinating space so close to Kings Cross.
The solar was popping out from the clouds and I spent a while watching the world and the boats go by earlier than beginning my journey.
Residing in West Yorkshire I’m very at residence on canal towpaths and love the calmness and sluggish tempo of life you get on these beautiful waterways. Strolling alongside this canal, it was laborious to imagine I used to be within the capital metropolis. The trail was secluded, leafy and so peaceable.
My first deliberate cease off was Camden and I noticed the long-lasting lock as I approached this buzzing space. As I left the canal, I felt a wave of pleasure visiting this nice eclectic place stuffed with color, characters and creativity.
I wandered fortunately by way of the market and the streets of Camden taking within the sights and sounds earlier than rising on the different aspect and again onto the canal.
My subsequent cease off was Primrose Hill the place I strolled by way of this village-like space with its grand Victorian terraces and Regency townhouses and up the trail to the highest of the long-lasting hill.
As one of many 6 protected viewpoints in London, the fabulous panoramic view of Regent’s park and town past didn’t disappoint. The highest of Primrose Hill was busy with households, runners and vacationers all having fun with the view of the London skyline.
I headed down from Primrose Hill to Regent’s Park, one in every of London’s eight Royal Parks and likewise residence to London Zoo. With its tree lined paths and large open areas, it was a fantastic cease off and a whole distinction to Camden.
As I received again onto the canal, I realised I used to be passing by way of the outer edges of London Zoo and the Snowdon Aviary which is the house to the japanese black-and-white colobus monkeys. I used to be so fortunate to see quite a few these mischievous monkeys roaming and leaping in regards to the architectural construction that’s their residence.
At this level, with the solar shining and bouncing off the water, I discovered a bench on the towpath and had my second breakfast of the day with a small glass of fizz I had introduced alongside, watching the water and the world go by earlier than I made my method to Little Venice.
The stretch of canal from Regent’s Park to Little Venice is an enchanting one. House to quirky houseboats lining the canal by way of St John’s Wooden and Maida Vale and wonderful homes and structure above the far aspect of the canal. There have been positively some ‘wow, who should dwell there?!’ moments!
Reaching the Puppet Barge Theatre, I knew I had arrived at Little Venice and my subsequent cease off. Poet Robert Browning is assumed to have been the primary to call the world Little Venice and it’s such an amazing place. It was busy and buzzy with a fab, laid again sunny weekend vibe.
I took the chance to discover a sunny spot exterior the beautiful canal aspect restaurant/bar, The Waterway, for a calming rose whereas Duffy’s tune ‘Warwick Avenue’ performed in my head.
My final cease was Paddington Basin and that is the place the Regent’s Canal meets the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal. This final stretch is pretty industrial with fabulous fashionable workplace blocks alongside the canal interspersed with quirky floating cafes and retail barges – an amazing place to work I’d think about.
This was the tip of my Regent’s Canal stroll and it was fabulous! A stroll stuffed with historical past, grandeur, quirkiness and character. A stroll with peaceable stretches earlier than the sensory hit of Camden and the views of Primrose Hill. A stroll with fabulous wall artwork, structure and monkeys! A stroll that might stretch out all day with a leisurely lunch, a visit to the zoo, a experience on the London Waterbus, and time within the Royal Park.
It was seeing London from a unique, much less touristy view, and it’s positively a stroll I will likely be doing once more.
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