Little known to most visitors to London is a tranquil stretch of water cutting through the northern neighborhoods of England’s largest city.

Regent’s Canal is lined with contrasts, from celebrity mansions to bohemian house boats, from stately gardens to recently revived urban blight.

Stroll or float by shaded parks, floating gardens, waterside cafes and street art on a London Regent’s Canal tour.

Here's all you need to know about Regent’s Canal, one of the most exciting attractions in London.

How much do Regent’s Canal tour tickets cost?

The prices for boat tours on Regent’s Canal cost around £15 per person.

Group walking tours cost £20 per person, and private walking tours cost £175 per group of up to six people.

Who is eligible for discounts?

Water bus tours offer reduced price tickets of £11 per student or senior with ID. Children’s tickets are £10 per person. Children’s tickets for walking tours are £12 per person.

Children 4 and under are admitted for free on both water bus and walking tours. Tickets for boat tours with music are one price for all ages.

Should you book in advance?

Although Regent’s Canal tours are not one of the best-known London attractions, it is wise to book your trip ahead of time to ensure your spots. However, with several tours per day, a spontaneous decision to take a tour is possible.

What are the best Regent’s Canal tours

Regent’s Canal waterbus boat trips

Relax on a 45-minute waterbus boat trip outing between Little Venice and the Camden Market.

One-way trips start at either Little Venice or Camden Market and pass by parkland, stately homes and eclectic former warehouse districts that have become art hubs.

Learn the ups and downs of the canal’s 200-year history as you absorb your surroundings.

Guided Regent’s Canal musical punting tour

For a festive or romantic excursion, book a 45-minute tour on a Cambridge punting boat with a live musician to accompany the lovely scenery. Bring your own picnic and wine to round out the experience.

Local acoustic musicians lend to the atmosphere as you cruise through the shaded waterway.

Regent’s Canal walking tours

Enlist a guide for a fact-filled 90-minute walking tour along the canal banks, either on a group or private tour.

Hear two centuries of history, from manufacturing to celebrity influence to artistic revival as you ramble the paved pathway that follows the Regent’s Canal.

What will you see there?

Though designed for a practical purpose, the Regent’s Canal has now become a hotspot for leisure and entertainment.

Parks, gardens, stately homes and entertainment districts attract visitors wanting a respite from the bustle of London.

Camden Market is a common starting point for a tour on the canal. Browse the eclectic stalls, enjoy some live music and grab a meal at one of the many international eateries there before starting your tour.

Walking and boating tours both start or finish at the Camden Locks. Witness the flow of water into one of the locks makes boat travel possible along the canal’s 14 kilometer length.

Pass by the Pirate Castle, a modern interpretation of a medieval fortress that houses a charity, and through a warehouse district that has been refurbished into shopping and nightlife venues.

Spy street art by Banksy before continuing on to the green spaces of Regent’s Park.

Along the south banks of the canal is a swath of park land that encompasses the London Zoo, a running path, monuments and gardens.

Moored here is the Feng Shang Princess, a two-story pagoda boat that houses a famous Chinese restaurant. As you pass the zoo, keep your eyes and ears out for birds, African hunting dogs and warthogs in their enclosures.

On the north banks across from Regent’s Park, marvel at the mansions and gardens of celebrities in Primrose Hill.

The neighborhood rose to fame in the '90s as celebrities like Kate Moss and Ewan McGregor settled here. You may spot homes of the current “Primrose Hill Set,” Harry Styles, Daniel Craig and Suki Waterhouse.

If you choose a walking tour, the route will take you to lesser-known sections of the canal for history-filled jaunt. Make your way from Angel to Broadway market, east of the Camden Market, for the only tour that takes you toward the canal’s junction with the Thames. Learn about Alfred Hitchcock’s former stomping grounds, check out the lively Hoxton Market and grab a bite at a cafe.

Just past Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill is the Maida Hill Tunnel that leads you to Little Venice, also known as Maida Vale. Imagine life in the colorful houseboats moored canalside with their deck top flower gardens and picture windows.

Boats may moor in this section of the canal for as long as one week. As tours either start or end in Little Venice, finish your tour with a waterside drink at one of the many restaurants or cafes found here.

How to get there?

It is simple to get to points along the Regent’s Canal on foot or by subway. For boat tours that start or end in Little Venice, the walk from Paddington Station is about 15 minutes, or 1.25 kilometers.

To arrive in less than 5 minutes, take the Bakerloo subway line north from Paddington to Little Venice near Warwick Avenue.

For walking tours and boat tours starting at Camden Market, there are several public transit options from Paddington that have you at your destination in under 30 minutes.

The quickest route is by subway on the Elizabeth and Northern lines stopping in Camden Town. Also from Paddington, the 27 bus line conveniently runs every 10 minutes from the station. Alight at stop H.

To take advantage of the sights nearby, the 4.5 kilometer walk from Paddington to Camden Market can be pleasant and passes alongside green spaces and the zoo. The walk takes just under 1 hour.

When is the best time to visit the Regent’s Canal?

Late spring to early fall is the best time to visit Regent’s Canal. Benefit from warmer weather and greenery of the wooded surroundings and waterside gardens.

Visiting the Regent’s Canal after a few days packed with sightseeing can be a peaceful respite from London’s major landmarks.

Which other attractions can be visited in London?

Travel tips

Bring a sweater and/or rain jacket to prepare for weather changes.
There are no restrooms aboard tour boats, so plan accordingly.
Wear comfortable shoes for walking tours.
Bring sun protection.

Regent's Canal: Tickets and Tours