Take a stroll along the canals through Little Venice, with peaceful surroundings leading to lively dining and entertainment as you wind toward Paddington. Enjoy the eclectic boats parked along the way; maybe the On Air sign will be lit on the radio boat. Be sure to visit Rembrandt Gardens at the canal fork, then decide if you"ll head left toward Regent's. Of course we'll return. read more

Little Venice - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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A wonderful part of the city near Paddington Station where you can walk along and around the canal area and just take in the scenery. It was nice and quiet in the morning, there were a few cafes close by in the area as well. While on the path keep an eye out for bike riders going by as they use the canal path too. read more

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OK, so there's a Little Tokyo in LA, a Little Saigon in San Francisco, a Little Paris in both Brooklyn and London, and yes, there's Little Italy in NYC...but apparently the name of this quaint neighborhood is relatively new as there is no long line of Venetians who moved here. Two canals converge into a basin, and a boating community was born. I only found out about it when I saw it ranked #7 on the 101 Things to Do in London in Time Out London. It was an easy ride to the Warwick Avenue tube station and then a quick stroll to leafy Rembrandt Gardens and the basin where long boats and gondolas were clustered. It was frankly too hot for us to consider a tourist boat ride, but we had a lovely breakfast at Clifton Nurseries nearby (review: https://bit.ly/3R2I2uT) and leisurely walked along Regent's Canal to Regent's Park. The passing boats made for a unique sight in this charming, undertouristed part of London. RELATED - Exploring London? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx read more

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Great hidden gem, away form the hustle and bustle with minimal tourists. Couples spot, romantic and secretive. read more

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Honestly one of my favorite finds in London. This little Italian haven is located in a surprisingly quiet, peaceful corner of London (close to Paddington Station). There is not a ton going on in this area, but there was a little floating cafe boat on the canal. We got breakfast and tea on the tiny boat and it was one of the sweetest, most romantic experiences. Everything was very unassuming, there weren't many tourists and it was the best way to start the day. I've heard that there are also small floating book shops on this canal, but they weren't there (or at least I didn't see them) while roaming this area. Definitely come check it out! read more

I hate to say 'hidden gem' because this is really not all that hidden, however it seems like not many people venture to this pleasant walking trail when in London. This trail is very quiet and serene, at least on weekday mornings. There were only a few other people walking/biking, so I felt like I had it all to myself. While I did not try any of the boat restaurants, many of them looked interesting, and I think you could probably make a nice evening out of hanging around Little Venice. Even though you're in a huge city, it barely feels like it, since it's so quaint and really quite cute. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

The kind of experience really depends on the weather, it's that kind of place. The walking trails are quiet and peaceful, not too busy or noisy. Some of the paths next to water quite narrow. There is a park facing the canal. Lot of boats docked alongside the walking path, some are converted into cafes or event space for rent. Other boats you can see the living space inside, would be cool to try it out. It's a very miniature version of Venice and some say the phrase was joined originally as a joke. You can go on one of the boats 10£ for a 45 min ride. read more

Little Venice - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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One of my regrets was that I didn't take some time to have a coffee on one of the boats that were docked at the side of the canal here. Mind you, this part of London is hardly like Venice, especially since you don't have house boats docked in the canals, and while there are a number of canals meandering through London, it is hardly the same as either Venice or Amsterdam. However, this part of the city is still quite nice in a way, though the boats are always changing and moving (I believe that you can't dock the boat permanently here, and you aren't supposed to double park either, but people do it). It is actually a short walk from Paddington Station, and does present a side of London that is slightly different as well. However, once again I would recommend at least having a coffee here. read more

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I love Little Venice! It's a beautiful canal juction just north of Paddington, where the Grand Union canal meets Regent's canal. It's nice to walk here from Paddington Station, through the new Paddington Basin development. I often walk here along the canal from the Great Western Road, where the Union Tavern stands. There is a great cafe, which is a converted barge. It has planty of seating outside, so is a great spot in the spring and summer. There is also The Bridge House pub, which is next to the bridge over the canal at Westbourne Terrace Road. The pub also houses the Canal Cafe Theatre upstairs. You often get pre-Edinburgh Fringe tryout performances here. There is also a barge that houses a puppet theatre. On the other side of the bridge, there is a small turning called Warwick Place, which is the home to the Warwick Castle. The Warwick Castle is more like a local's pub, which also serves the type of British fayre that also attracts some tourists. Going west along the canal is the Waterway. It's a high end (price wise) gastro pub and the Summerhouse on Blomfield Road. This place overlooks the canal and is a great spot. It used to be called Jason's and from here you would board Jason's barges to Regents Park Zoo and Camden Lock. You now have to board the barges on the other side of the canal next to the Waterside Cafe. Every year during the first Bank Holiday in May, Little Venice hosts the Canalway Cavalcades, which has taken place since every year since 1983. It attracts about 130 barges from all over the canal network, who moor here for the event. It's a colourful event with lots of activity including Morris dancers, a spit roast stall, real ale is available. There'll also be trade stalls, live music, children's activities including a Punch and Judy show and other refreshments are served. They even have areligious service, where the barges are blessed by a priest from St Mary Magdalene a church that sits on the side of the canal, opposite the Waterway. All in all, it's a great place to visit, especially if you looking for an alternative side to London, to Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. read more

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Cute place to visit if the weather's nice! You can walk around and take pictures of the canal boats. They're really colorful and cool to look at. Pretty relaxing place to take a walk and enjoy some time away from the crowds. read more

Little Venice - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

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Its such a pretty place for an evening walk. Very soothing and calming. Barely any traffic in the area. There are even a couple of cafes, if you would like to stop for a coffee. This area is perfect for a relaxing evening stroll read more

Little Venice - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Technically, Little Venice is the point where the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal meets the Regents Canal - the name was coined by the playwright Robert Browning. However, in most people's minds it covers the whole area south of Warwick Avenue and its restaurants, pubs and canals. The Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal (or Grand Junction Canal as it was then known) was opened in 10th July 1801. The Regent's Canal, built to link it with Limehouse, was opened in 1816 as far as Camden and throughout in 1820. It remained a busy canal basin, with commercial traffic holding up despite the coming of the railways, until the 1950s when competition from road traffic finally began to cause it to decline. By this stage, however, the use of canals for leisure was firmly established, and the basin has remained busy ever since, both for recreation and for residential use - there are a number of permanent house boats in the area, as well as boat trips along the Regent's Canal stretch to London Zoo. As other reviewers have said, it provides a wonderful oasis from which to escape the bustle of London, and the recent completion of the commercial development around the Paddington arm has made it more popular than ever, especially with office workers at lunchtimes. read more

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It's a really beautiful place, not busy when I was there! It's nice to have a walk along the canals admiring the beauty of the place ! You shouldn't go in the area just to see it though! It wouldn't be worth it!! Un très bel endroit, avec peu de monde quand j'y suis allée! C'est super sympa de se balader le long des canaux et d'admirer la beauté du lieu! Cependant ça ne vaut pas le coup de se déplacer dans cette zone juste pour ça ! read more

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Canalway Cavalcade, the annual celebration of canal boats and all things Little Venice, is a fabulous way to spend a few hours outside the bustle of central London. Fun activities for kids, a Punch & Judy show, lots of food booths and crafts for sale, and many people raising money for charities, museums, and boat restoration societies. Wear your comfy shoes and expect to spend 2-3 hours taking in the sights. The rest of the year it's a more leisurely stroll through a historic and well-heeled neighborhood while trying to peep into the lives of houseboat residents. read more

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This is a great little area where you can get away from it all without actually being all that far away. Just a short walk from Paddington Station, (Hammersmith and City Line actually exits onto the canal), the area is generally quiet and serene (can be a little busier on the weekends and bank holidays). There are restaurants and places to get food and drink at nearby Sheldon Square so you can spend your time just relaxing and chilling out there. I think it's a great place for a quiet walk with your other half or family. Walking along the canal will get you to Regents Park and Camden Town if you so wish, and while they are great areas to walk around too, Regents Park doesn't have the transport links to make it truly accessible, and Camden, while more convenient for me as I live there, is just a little more busier, noisier and messier for my liking! There are areas of the canal that I would use for walking with an aim to get somewhere, but Little Venice is the area I go to just to enjoy. read more

I've been down here a few times, twice for the annual cavalcade of canal boats where beautifully decorated barges moor up and show off their brasswork. On those occasions with large crowds mingling along the banks under the bunting and browsing the nick-nacks on offer in the various stalls the canal is a buzzing place, not quite what it was like as a working tributary I suspect but still very different to on other occasions when it is peaceful and serene. Lots of nice pubs around here as well From here you can walk up past the back of London Zoo to Camden Town and that is very pleasant. read more

As part of a day out in London for a group of people, I hired a barge (with a bar of course!) for the afternoon and we spent it going up and down the Grand Union Canal. It's such a pretty place in parts and goes through Regents Park ending in Camden Lock at one end. Little Venice itself is a very pretty place full of decorated little barges. The walk along the canal would be just as nice too and there are some very pleasant watering holes and eateries along the way. read more

I visited Little Venice today on the bank holiday Monday so it was extremely busy. There were lots of stalls lining both sides of the canal which I presume aren't there usually, but the tourists definitely loved them today (with their suitcases, grr!). I got off at Paddington station which is definitely recommended as the canal is straight outside the tube and the actual Little Venice is only about 5 minutes to the left. Although it was beautiful and took some great photos which I of course Instagramed, I don't think it was quite as impressive as I was expecting - there weren't that many canal boats waiting, although the colours and bunting on all of them made up for this. We then walked on the regents canal and through to regents park which was really simple to get to, so a pretty nice bank holiday over all! read more

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Get a bike, get to Little Venice and the day will fly by in a mist of flowers, barges, cute little restaurants, falling leaves and sunshine. This all depends on the time of year, and granted I've only been the once (Mid-Sept), but still, it's a beautiful day out and provides a great alternative to the hustle, bustle, huffing and puffing of central London read more

Little Venice - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

Nothing great about this place.. Other then the canal boat ride till Camden locks. Canal taxi only takes credit card which u can buy on board the boat...it also stops at London zoo .. One way ride costs about 9£.. Walking by the canal is a better option till Camden. It's about 4 km walk.. read more

Besides the river Thames, London also has a lot of smaller canals all across the city. And a junction where different canals meet near Paddington station is called Little Venice. I have never been to Venice and I guess this name might stretch the reputation of Venice a little bit, but besides that, Little Venice is a lovely place to have a walk along the water. A few times a year, there is a festival with many boats and market stalls, entertainment and food. But usually, this area is not too busy and also not overrun by masses of tourists. Even most people in London probably do not know that such a nice little place exists. I also did not know about Little Venice before I moved to the area. I regularly walk from Paddington to Maida Vale, especially in summer. It is a short but nice walk, and you can pause on one of the benches or enjoy a coffee at the boat cafe moored in Little Venice. You can also take the London Waterbus to Camden Lock, if you want to explore North London from here, but I would probably prefer walking along the canal. read more

This area is attractive as a canal junction with a cafe on a boat and a puppet theatre on another. There are boat trips to Camley from here. It is surrounded by fine houses. The annual Canalway Cavalcade canal festival takes place here over the first bank holiday weekend of May each year (sometimes end of April). read more

Little Venice - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me

The Waterway is a gastropub in Little Venice, with good food, good booze (obviously), but best of all must be its position directly on the Grand Union Canal. In winter it's cosy with a gas fire and flat screen TV for those ever important rugby matches, but rowdy it's not. Most of the time the sound is turned down, allowing some peace for diners who'd rather eat without the grunts of a scrum echoing around them. For rugby fans like me it comes across as slightly spoilsportish but hey, you can't have it all. The Waterways really comes into its own in the summer, however, because this pub has a terrace on the tow-path with lots of seating and a crackling barbecue. However, if it's a sunny day and you don't like crowds, The Waterways may not be for you because this place heaves in fine weather; it's standing room only. In summer I recommend the barbecued squid - spicy and divine. In winter they do warming classics like confit de canard or tagine of lamb and for a light bite there's usually a selection of filled focaccias. If you live in the area, you probably know the Waterway already. If you don't, it's a great place to meet up with friends for a leisurely Sunday lunch, but do book ahead. 4 minute walk from Warwick Avenue tube. read more

Take a walk along the Grand Union Canal towards Little Venice. The waterways are lined with beautifully decorated barges and coupled with great bars and restaurants the area has a real bohemian vibe about it. Its a great place to start a day out too, their are canal cruises or Camden lock and Regents Park can be found further along the canal routes. I highly reccomend this in the spring summer when many of the barges have flower baskets in bloom. read more

Little Venice, as other reviews will tell you, is made up of loads of little Canal boats all bunched together in Maida Vale. One of my favourite things to do in London is walk this route starting from Little v. and continuing all the way along the canal, through Regents Park Zoo, on to Camden and finally ending up in Angel. A really interesting alternative to seeing London. read more