Toby Patrick explores some picturesque walks along the canals of our local area.
While the River Thames is one of the more common river walks in the capital, there are plenty of other places to visit and enjoy a nice stroll along the river or even a canal. The EC1 area of the city is nothing short of a good riverside walk. Whether you are next to Regent’s Canal or the wonderful King’s Cross, this part of central London is great for strolling!
The options are endless in terms of distance, offering perfect routes for weekend walking or even just a lunchtime stroll to catch the rays outside the office. It’s the perfect way to discover different parts of the city and help escape the hustle and bustle of London.
Angel Basin to King’s Cross
There is no doubt that this is one of the finest walks located in EC1, which follows Regent’s Canal from Angel Basin all the way towards King’s Cross. Although this spot is located in the heart of London, this particular area is extremely peaceful and takes you away from the beeping horns of the cars in the city streets.
For this walk, you start at the City Road Basin, where you can enjoy the stunning colourful houseboats and magnificent canal infrastructure before going towards King’s Cross. The best part about this walk is that it is mostly flat, so it is perfect for all abilities, especially those with dodgy knees.
The highlight of the walk has to be at Granary Square, where the canal-side setting combines industrial heritage with modern architecture. The waterside cafes and restaurants along the way are also great for a pit stop and a quick snack to keep you going. The route consists of:
- Start at City Road Basin (Angel)
- Join the Regent’s Canal towpath
- Walk west past canal moorings and City Road Lock
- Continue towards the Islington Tunnel entrance
- Follow the towpath towards Battlebridge Basin
- Finish at Granary Square and King’s Cross
City Road Basin Circular
For a more enjoyable route that breaks up the day, the City Road Basin Circular walk is a fantastic stroll and a shorter stride. In fact, City Road Basin is one of the more attractive walks in the waterside area of EC1. This spot used to be the commercial hub on Regent’s Canal, but now, it has been completely transformed into a vibrant urban waterfront which is full of residential developments, cafes and moored narrowboats.
A circular walk around this part of London is the perfect introduction to London’s canal network, not to mention that it really shows off the rich industrial history that London has built over the years. Additionally, this walk is a bit of a history lesson as you can learn more about how the goods were transported into central London before the city was taken over by the modern transport network.
The basin looks fantastic in the early mornings and later on in the evenings when the sun reflects off the water.
- Start at City Road Basin
- Walk around the basin perimeter
- Explore the waterside paths and moorings
- Continue along Shepherdess Walk
- Return via Wharf Road
- Finish back at City Road Basin
King’s Cross Waterfront Walk
Over the last two decades, King’s Cross has undergone one of the most impressive regeneration projects in the capital. It is now one of the most dynamic waterfront destinations in central London.
On this walk, you start strolling around Granary Square, Battlebridge Basin, and the surrounding canal network, which provides a great mix of both old and new architecture. This is where you can see very historical warehouses/ factories that stand alongside modern, contemporary buildings. Then you have the more restored buildings that take you back to the area’s past.
The waterside pathways are well looked after, which is always nice for your long walk. Furthermore, in the summer months, there are plenty of great seating areas to catch some rays in the sun. The public spaces here can become very lively, where you can feel a part of London if you want to stop midway through your walk.
- Start at Granary Square
- Walk west along Regent’s Canal
- Pass Battlebridge Basin
- Continue to Gasholder Park
- Walk alongside Camley Street Natural Park
- Return via King’s Boulevard and Coal Drops Yard
Clerkenwell to Regent’s Canal Walk
This walk begins in Clerkenwell which showcases a range of historical London streets with beautiful waterside scenery. This route heads north towards Regent’s Canal, where walkers can enjoy the quieter side of London. Expect to see converted warehouses, colourful narrowboats and picturesque canal bridges, which offer plenty of opportunities to get a stunning backdrop in your Instagram pictures. After all, Clerkenwell has been voted one of the best places to live so it’s certainly worth exploring.
With this walk not being too far away from the City of London, the canal is fantastic for those who are looking to escape the busy city centre. Not to mention getting the perfect opportunity to explore one of EC1’s most distinctive waterways in the city centre.
- Start at Clerkenwell Green
- Walk north via Exmouth Market
- Continue through Islington
- Reach City Road Basin
- Join the Regent’s Canal towpath
- Follow the canal towards Angel Basin
- Optional extension to King’s Cross
Summary
As temperatures begin to rise and Londoners look for things to do outside, it’s well worth considering a stroll around the EC1 area. If you want to escape the overcrowded green spaces of central London, why not try one of the routes laid out above and get to know the wonderful area of Clerkenwell and surrounds.
