Thames River Guide: Regent's Canal

Narrowboat Tour

Journey along the canal by narrowboat. Jason's Trip goes from Little Venice to Camden Lock Market in a 90-minute round trip, with all the traditional colour and character you could hope for.

You can learn all about narrowboats, their cargoes and the horses that pulled them at the London Canal Museum. As this fascinating museum is in a 19th-century ice house, you can also find out about the history of the ice cream trade.

Royal Park: The Regent's Park

In 1811 John Nash transformed Henry VIII's former hunting ground into the landscaped gardens you see today, with lakes, playing fields and rose gardens. Dubbed "the jewel in the crown", Regent's Park has served as a location in many London-based films. These include Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, About a Boy, An American Werewolf in London, Withnail and I and - one of the all-time classics - Brief Encounter.

Animal Magic at ZSL London Zoo

A trip to Regent's Park wouldn't be complete without a visit to ZSL London Zoo. Once inside you can come face to face with some 650 different species of animal including camel, tiger, giraffe, hippopotamus, pelican, bird-eating spider, python, seahorse, lion and...dragon! The komodo dragon is native to Indonesia. Rather than breathing fire, this prehistoric-looking reptile kills its prey with bacteria-ridden spit!

Outdoor Theatre at Regent's Park

As dusk sets in and the fairy lights start twinkling, the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park is simply the most magical theatre venue in London. It's open during the summer months and is perennially popular among tourists and Londoners alike.  

Celebrity Village: Primrose Hill

Haunt of rock stars, actresses and their yoga instructors, Primrose Hill is a hamlet of exclusive boutiques, restaurants and gastro pubs along Regent's Park Road. You'll find quaint bookshops, organic greengrocers, designer bathroom showrooms and specialist lingerie and perfume shops. You can also enjoy a bit of alfresco dining outside Lemonia, a popular Greek restaurant, and watch all the beautiful people go about their lovely lives.

Teen Spirit at Camden Markets

Chances are you'll hear the music or catch the whiff of deep-fried food before you see the stalls that make up Camden Market. On Saturdays and Sundays the roads in Camden are awash with indie and arty types looking for that alternative accessory, one-off clothing item, piercing or tattoo.

But it's not just for teenagers. There are also indoor and outdoor stalls selling antiques, furniture, rugs, pottery and general paraphernalia.

Back to School

For an idea of how education has evolved over the past 130 years, visit the East End's Ragged School Museum. In 1876 Dr Barnado turned the Victorian canalside warehouses at 46 Copperfield Road into a ragged school, a free school for poor children aged between five and 10.

The museum's permanent exhibitions include a reconstruction of a Victorian classroom, complete with dunces' hats, inkwells and slate boards.

Eating, Drinking and Sleeping: Camden Hotels

Sip coffee and eat croissants in full view of Camden Lock at Caffé Crema. Or, if you'd prefer to eat on the canal and enjoy Peking duck, book a table at the floating Chinese restaurant Feng Shang Princess.

If you need a bed for the night, there are some great B&Bs in Camden and the surrounding area. Try one of these:

• 66 Camden Square (with Japanese-style bedrooms)

• 30 King Henry's Road (for the luxury of a country house hotel)

Getting There

Depending on which section of the canal you visit, the nearest Tube stations for the Regent's Canal (going from west to east) are Maida Vale, Camden Town, Chalk Farm and Mile End. There's also a DLR station at Limehouse.

For more information, see our travel section.