Regents Canal Walk

The Regent’s Canal is approximately 9 miles (14km) long, connecting Paddington in the west to Limehouse Basin in the east. Completed in 1820, it was once a busy transport route for goods, but now it’s a popular towpath for walkers, joggers and cyclists. This is one of my favourite walks in London, as you passing through residential areas, historic docks, parks and fun neighbourhoods. It offers a great insight into different parts of London life, whilst giving you some escape from noise of the city. I love that you can complete the entire route in a day. or enjoy shorter sections of it, with plenty of cafes, pubs and attractions along the way! Here is a detailed guide on the Regents Canal Walk and all the best spots to stop along the way.

The Regent’s Canal Walk

The full walk starts at Little Venice, a picturesque basin where the canal meets the Grand Union Canal. From here, the towpath passes through Maida Hill Tunnel and skirts Regent’s Park, offering views of London Zoo. Continuing east, the route runs through Camden Town, known for its market and music venues, before heading towards King’s Cross and the redeveloped Coal Drops Yard. Further along, you pass through Islington Tunnel (where you’ll need to detour onto streets) and follow the canal past Victoria Park in Hackney. The final stretch runs to Limehouse Basin, where it meets the River Thames.

I love doing this walk at different times throughout the year, to enjoy the changing seasons and different scenery that brings. From spring blossom to autumnal leaves, every season brings a different vibe! I recommend going at different points throughout the year if you’re able to.

Best Parks in London

Best Places to Stop along the Regents Canal Walk

There are so many great places to stop along the Regent’s Canal;

Little Venice – A peaceful starting point with waterside cafes and boat trips.
Regent’s Park – Access via nearby entrances; home to gardens and open green spaces.
Camden Market – Street food, independent shops and live music venues.
King’s Cross & Coal Drops Yard – Modern development with restaurants, shops, and fountains.
Granary Square – A public square with wide steps overlooking the canal.
London Fields – Cute neighbourhood with the amazing Broadway markets over the weekend
Victoria Park – Big park with lakes, playgrounds and a good weekend market.
Limehouse Basin – Historic dock with waterside pubs and a connection to the Thames Path.

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Little Venice to Camden Town; Shorter Walks

If you want a shorter walk, Little Venice to Camden Town is one of the most popular sections along the route. At around 2.5 miles (4km), it take approximately one hour to complete at a leisurely pace. This stretch offers peaceful water views, passes the edge of Regent’s Park and you’ll be treated to sneak peaks of London Zoo! You’ll end in Camden, where you can explore the market, get food/drinks in the sun and just enjoy the buzzing vibe of the area. This is one of my favourite walks in London without doubt!

Regent’s Canal Walk FAQs

How long does it take to walk the full Regent’s Canal?

At roughly 9 miles in length, the entire route takes around 4–5 hours, depending on pace and stops.

Is the Regent’s Canal Walk Safe?

For the most page, the walk is safe. However as a woman, I wouldn’t recommend walking down the canal late at night in the dark!

Is the towpath suitable for cycling?

Yes, you can cycle along the towpath. But it does get narrow and very busy at times – particularly on weekends. If you are going to cycle, be prepared to go slow and have to stop at points. This isn’t the place for a training ride, as you’d have with Richmond Park or Regents Park Laps.

Can I do the walk in sections?

Yes, you can break up the whole walk into smaller, more manageable sections. As the canal goes through a number of transport links, it’s easy to join or leave the Regent’s Canal Walk at different points.

Is the walk signposted?

There are signs at major points, but you might want to use a GPS/Google Maps/AllTrails too. Once you’re on the walk, it’s mostly obvious where to go. There are a couple of points where you need to go back up to street level and join the path from round the corner, but there are signs posts here to help with that.

Are there places to eat along the canal?

Yes, there are lots of places to eat – especially around Camden, King’s Cross and Little Venice. I also love that there are a few restaurants and cafes hidden along the path too!