# London Canals > London's waterways history ## Posts - [The Grand Surrey - The old canal route through the Surrey Docks](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/the-grand-surrey-the-old-canal-route-through-the-surrey-docks/): The old route from the Thames to Plough Way was taken over by the large Surrey Docks complex. The docks themselves have been redundant since the 1970’s and are mostly filled in. The original route of the Grand Surrey from the Thames to the Greenland Dock was obliterated as the expansion of the Surrey Commercial Docks progressed. However, it roughly went via what were known as the Stave Dock and Russia Dock. Today only part of the Russia Dock remains. The original canal lock was situated part way down the site of the Russia Dock, and when Greenland Dock was… - [The Grand Surrey - the canal that aimed for Portsmouth...!](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/the-grand-surrey-the-canal-that-aimed-for-portsmouth-2/): The Grand Surrey Canal …is the canal that aimed for Portsmouth but only got as far as Camberwell! An introduction to the Surrey Canal The Grand Surrey’s story really begins back in 1696. This was the year that the Howland Great Wet Dock, was dug. This was the largest ship dock ever built at the time. By 1763 it had been renamed Greenland Dock, which is synoymous with the Grand Surrey Canal. The Canal’s Act of 1801 initially authorised a route from Rotherhithe to Epsom with a possible extension to Portsmouth. The development of a larger dock system than orignally… - [The Fleet River from St Pancras to Camden Town](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/09/the-fleet-river-from-st-pancras-to-camden-town/): Having run past St Pancras church the Fleet heads towards Camden. Slight traces of the valley can be discerned here and there, mostly on an alignment to the west of the Regents Canal. The river was culverted around the time of the canal’s construction between Camden and Kings Cross. The canal formerly ran on the contours following the higher side of the Fleet Valley between Camley Street and the top end of Pancras Road, but this is no longer so obvious because of buildings lining the sides of the canal. In 2005-2007 building work took place near the Constitution Inn… - [The Fleet from Kings Cross Bridge to St Pancras Church](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/09/kings-cross-bridge-to-st-pancras-church/): Kings Cross Bridge – old street name sign on the side of the Scala entertainment centre. This sign can be seen from Kings Cross station (see below)A general view of Kings Cross Bridge. The Scala is on the right. There is still a ‘bridge’ here, it crosses the Metropolitan/Circle/Hammersmith lines. The Fleet River would have flowed from left to right on its way from Hampstead to Blackfriars. The Scala is sited on what would possibly have been a wharf for boats at the head of navigation on the river prior to the 14th century. Kings Cross still sees boats –… - [The Fleet River from Baggnige Wells to Kings Cross Bridge](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/09/the-fleet-river-from-baggnige-wells-to-kings-cross-bridge/): In nearby Frederick Street, just off Kings Cross Road, is this small community gardens set in a depression. Its pretty obvious this was once the bed of the river itself. The Fleet River now flows in its ‘sewer’ from Cubitt Street to Grays Inn Road, where it turns to cross over the underground railway line to Kings Cross. Originally it was to run parallel to the railway but the potential for flooding saw the conduit or sewer altered to run under Grays Inn Road instead. The section along the railway was relegated to minor drainage purpose, and this connects with… - [The Fleet River from Mount Pleasant to Baggnige Wells](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/09/the-fleet-river-from-mount-pleasant-to-baggnige-wells/): At one time the Fleet river gently meandered between Mount Pleasant and Baggnige Wells. However by 1830 its course had been straightened out and that alignment now forms a large part of the alignment of Phoenix Place and Pakenham Street, and it is this alignment along which the Fleet Sewer now runs.There are clues as to the river’s existence if one looks eastwards from Grays Inn Road. Virutally all the roads off this major thoroughfare dip to the east, beyond which the land rises steeply to form the heights upon which Rosebery Avenue and Islington are built. The dip in… - [The Fleet's course from Farringdon to Mount Pleasant](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/09/the-fleet-river-from-farringdon-to-mount-pleasant/): Past Onslow Street the river headed across Clerkenwell Road northwards towards Ray Street. Much confusion over the Fleet’s alignment arises because of the massive changes to the valley as a result of the building and presence of the Metropolitan/Circle lines in the area. Many people think the railway was built in the bed of the Fleet River, whilst others assume that the Fleet River’s course took it along Farringdon Lane and past the Clerk Well. I found the information on the area to the north of Farringdon Station a mass of confusion. An investigation of the situation was therefore neccessary.… - [The Fleet's former route from Blackfriars to Farringdon](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/09/the-fleets-former-route-blackfriars-to-farringdon/): New Bridge Road and Farringdon Road are the main throroughfare here and the Fleet River was arched over with substantial stone blocks. Later it was strengthened with several courses of brickwork. The evidence for this can be seen in this picture from Thames water’s archives. There are a number of photographs from urban explorers showing what a twin tunnel section of the Fleet sewer. Previoulsy it had been thought this was actually further north however plans seen recently shows that this section actually passes under the District lines at the west end of Blackfriars station. A comparable situation can be… - [The Fleet River and its Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/09/the-fleet-river-and-its-canal-2/): The Fleet River must be the one and only natural river which enabled boats to reach any part of the inner metropolis of London, long before the Grand Junction or the Regents Canal were built. By decree of its route through some of old London’s most populated areas, the river was used as a sewer and certainly a most unhealthy waterway below Kings Cross. No doubt this explains why there is virtually no records of the boats or their trade that plied the river. Consequently its difficult to determine the extent of navigation, and when it began or ceased. The… - [Croydon Canal Maps 2](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/croydon-canal-maps-2/): 4) Sydenham to Anerley5) Anerley to Selhurst6) Selhurst to West Croydon THE MAPS:Page one covers: new cross~brockley / brockley~honor oak / honor oak~sydenham.Page two covers: sydenham~anerley / anerley~selhurst / selhurst~west croydon. Map sources : Lost Navigations – The Croydon and Grand Surrey – Bernard Brown, Canal and Riverboat, 1986; Retracing Canals to Croydon and Camberwell – Living History Publications, Bromley, 1986; South Norwood and the Croydon Canal – Ken Maggs and Paul De Athe, North Downs Press, Westerham, 1984; The Croydon Canal – A Dissertation by Peter Gow, 2000; Croydon Local Studies Library. THE CROYDON CANAL PAGES:hatcham / new cross / barriedale / shardeloes rd / brockley & honor oak / forest wood / davids… - [Croydon Canal Maps 1](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/croydon-canal-maps-1/): 1) New Cross to Brockley2) Brockley to Honor Oak3) Honor Oak to SydenhamThe maps continue next page. THE MAPS:Page one covers: new cross~brockley / brockley~honor oak / honor oak~sydenham.Page two covers: sydenham~anerley / anerley~selhurst / selhurst~west croydon. Map sources : Lost Navigations – The Croydon and Grand Surrey – Bernard Brown, Canal and Riverboat, 1986; Retracing Canals to Croydon and Camberwell – Living History Publications, Bromley, 1986; South Norwood and the Croydon Canal – Ken Maggs and Paul De Athe, North Downs Press, Westerham, 1984; The Croydon Canal – A Dissertation by Peter Gow, 2000; Croydon Local Studies Library. THE… - [The Croydon Canal 20) Route Maps](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-20-route-maps-2/): These maps are approximate. The actual canal route might vary slightly!These Croydon Canal maps are not scale representations of the canal’s former route. They are just approximate indications of the old canal alignment. More detailed maps can be found in the local library archive centres at Croydon and other places en route. THE MAPS:Page one covers: new cross~brockley / brockley~honor oak / honor oak~sydenham.Page two covers: sydenham~anerley / anerley~selhurst / selhurst~west croydon. Map sources : Lost Navigations – The Croydon and Grand Surrey – Bernard Brown, Canal and Riverboat, 1986; Retracing Canals to Croydon and Camberwell – Living History Publications,… - [The Croydon Canal - Route Maps](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-20-route-maps/): These maps are approximate. The actual canal route might vary slightly!These Croydon Canal maps are not scale representations of the canal’s former route. They are just approximate indications of the old canal alignment. More detailed maps can be found in the local library archive centres at Croydon and other places en route. THE MAPS:Page one covers: new cross~brockley / brockley~honor oak / honor oak~sydenham.Page two covers: sydenham~anerley / anerley~selhurst / selhurst~west croydon. Map sources : Lost Navigations – The Croydon and Grand Surrey – Bernard Brown, Canal and Riverboat, 1986; Retracing Canals to Croydon and Camberwell – Living History Publications,… - [The Croydon Canal 19) The former canal terminus basin site at West Croydon](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-19-the-former-canal-terminus-basin-site-at-west-croydon-2/): From Spurgeons Bridge, the canal swept round to the left in this deep cutting, said at the time to be beautifully turfed, to enter the terminal basin at West Croydon. The right hand side of this approach was used for stabling trains operating the Southern railway’s abortive overhead eletrification scheme of the early 20th Century, and the surplus track on the right, that is the headshunt from this yard, is on the alignment that the canal took towards West Croydon. Its ironic overhead eletricfication has returned to West Croydon in the form of trams!The journey along the route of the… - [The Croydon Canal 14) The former canal terminus basin site at West Croydon](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-19-the-former-canal-terminus-basin-site-at-west-croydon/): From Spurgeons Bridge, the canal swept round to the left in this deep cutting, said at the time to be beautifully turfed, to enter the terminal basin at West Croydon. The right hand side of this approach was used for stabling trains operating the Southern railway’s abortive overhead eletrification scheme of the early 20th Century, and the surplus track on the right, that is the headshunt from this yard, is on the alignment that the canal took towards West Croydon. Its ironic overhead eletricfication has returned to West Croydon in the form of trams!The journey along the route of the… - [The Croydon Canal 18) The Bird in Hand and the walkway to Spurgeons Bridge](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-18-the-bird-in-hand-and-the-walkway-to-spurgeons-bridge-2/): The Bird in Hand must be the only remaining hostelry in London that no longer has a canal whose boatmen it could serve!This is the footpath that parallels the railway towards West Croydon. It must owe its origins to the canal which once ran along here. It is possible that the towpath afforded a popular route in this area and the railway may have been obliged to provide a suitable replacement between Gloucester Road bridge and Spurgeons bridge. At this point, the Croydon canal was on a low embankment as it crossed this particular area, known as Croydon Common. Traces… - [The Croydon Canal 13) The Bird in Hand and the walkway to Spurgeons Bridge](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-18-the-bird-in-hand-and-the-walkway-to-spurgeons-bridge/): The Bird in Hand must be the only remaining hostelry in London that no longer has a canal whose boatmen it could serve!This is the footpath that parallels the railway towards West Croydon. It must owe its origins to the canal which once ran along here. It is possible that the towpath afforded a popular route in this area and the railway may have been obliged to provide a suitable replacement between Gloucester Road bridge and Spurgeons bridge. At this point, the Croydon canal was on a low embankment as it crossed this particular area, known as Croydon Common. Traces… - [The Croydon Canal 17) Norwood Junction to Gloucester Road (and site of summit locks)](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-17-norwood-junction-to-gloucester-road-and-site-of-summit-locks-2/): The start of the canal’s summit level was located on Croydon Common where two locks were supplemented by a pumping engine. The entire area is now the railway junction between the London Bridge and the East Croydon/West Croydon linesThis mural is under Portland Bridge, and depicts a canal scene of sorts. Below: From the steps up to the station, looking back the area in front was the site of the swing bridge. Behind was Norwood Wharf, and the South Norwood Working Mens Club can be seen just to the right of the bridge height discAt Norwood Junction Station, these cars… - [The Croydon Canal 12) Norwood Junction to Gloucester Road (and site of summit locks)](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-17-norwood-junction-to-gloucester-road-and-site-of-summit-locks/): The start of the canal’s summit level was located on Croydon Common where two locks were supplemented by a pumping engine. The entire area is now the railway junction between the London Bridge and the East Croydon/West Croydon lines. This mural is under Portland Bridge, and depicts a canal scene of sorts. Below: From the steps up to the station, looking back the area in front was the site of the swing bridge. Behind was Norwood Wharf, and the South Norwood Working Mens Club can be seen just to the right of the bridge height disc.At Norwood Junction Station, these… - [The Croydon Canal 16) Penge Road and South Norwood Lake](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-16-penge-road-and-south-norwood-lake/):   The street layout of Norwood has its origins in the lengthy canal loop here. The village was built around the canal and the present arrangement reflects the canal route stronglyThis is about the third lot of flats that we have seen built on or alongside the canal’s alignment. Whist there does not seem to be any reason that this block of flats on Penge Road should have to be built on the canal’s alignment, it is indeed and gives clues to the former canal route towards the circuitous Norwood loop. Having crossed Penge Road and passed along the block… - [The Croydon Canal 15) The concrete trough at Betts Park](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-15-the-concrete-trough-at-betts-park-2/): The canal through Betts Park was considerably more attractive before the improved concrete trough was built!Moving on from the previous section, we are on the other side of these flats adjacent to Betts Park which stand on the actual course of the canal. There was a bridge here but it was likely of brick or stone bridge, hence the suggestion that railings along the side of the road come from the canal bridge are doubtful. Right: Looking from the opposite side of the road, the railings can be seen. It is obvious they are of later origin, and may even… - [The Croydon Canal 11) Betts Park and Norwood](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-15-the-concrete-trough-at-betts-park/): The canal through Betts Park was considerably more attractive before the improved concrete trough was built! Moving on from the previous section, we are on the other side of these flats adjacent to Betts Park which stand on the actual course of the canal. There was a bridge here but it was likely of brick or stone bridge, hence the suggestion that railings along the side of the road come from the canal bridge are doubtful. Right: Looking from the opposite side of the road, the railings can be seen. It is obvious they are of later origin, and may… - [The Croydon Canal 14) The Anerley Tea Rooms Gardens](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-14-the-anerley-tea-rooms-gardens/): Anerley Tea Rooms and Gardens were a popular tourist destination in Victorian times. A great day out for all was had with a boat trip on the canal, a walk through the gardens, beverages in the tea rooms, then a trip up to Crystal Palace to round off the dayThis stretch of canal was part of the Anerley Tea Rooms leisure gardens which survived into the late part of the Victorian era and so it has not suffered so much obliteration in terms of tracing the alignmentAfter the industrial estate at Meaford Way, south of Penge West station, these properties… - [The Croydon Canal 13) Penge Station and the mythical 'canal loops'](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-13-penge-station-and-the-mythical-canal-loops-2/): The pictures showing a horse grazing as the canal makes a very tight loop at Penge is a somewhat romanctised view of the canal. Maps of the canal show that the bends at Penge weren’t even acute. The artist who did the paintings had been drinking too much!The section beyond Sydenham through Penge is difficult, as traces of this section do not exist. There may be some slight evidence of the canal seen by train observing the spur towards Crystal Palace Low Level immediately south of Sydenham Station. There is absolutely no trace of it on the east side of… - [The Croydon Canal 10) Penge, its mythical 'canal loops' & Anerley](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-13-penge-station-and-the-mythical-canal-loops/): The pictures showing a horse grazing as the canal makes a very tight loop at Penge is a somewhat romanctised view of the canal. Maps of the canal show that the bends at Penge weren’t even acute. The artist who did the paintings had been drinking too much! The section beyond Sydenham through Penge is difficult, as traces of this section do not exist. There may be some slight evidence of the canal seen by train observing the spur towards Crystal Palace Low Level immediately south of Sydenham Station. There is absolutely no trace of it on the east side… - [The Croydon Canal 12) From Thriftwood to Venner Road](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-12-from-thriftwood-to-venner-road/): The canal that wouldnt go away! The houses in Thriftwood kept subsiding and eventually the cause was attributed to poor drainage caused by the filling in of the old canal routeThe house, seen above, is in Thriffwood, just off Silverdale. Behind the house is a fence forming the Dacres Wood boundary. The height of this fence indicates the removal of a low embankment for the properties at Thriffwood. Several of these houses actually sit at the level of what was once the bottom of the canal bed, and suffered subsidence problems when first built in the early 1950’s. People had… - [The Croydon Canal 11) The canal's remnants at Dacres Wood](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-11-the-canals-remnants-at-dacres-wood-2-2/): There is a myth about the Croydon Canal which is quite wrong. It is asserted that the only remains of the canal are at Betts Park, further south near Anerley, where it is often cited that the Betts Park section “is the only surviving part of what used to be the Croydon Canal” and thats not quite the case!This excellent stretch of canal at Dacres Wood is never mentioned in most literature, all the more surprising since the section at Betts Park is just a concrete monstrotity designed to ‘improve’ the stretch of waterway there. Dacres Wood is the canal… - [The Croydon Canal 9) The canal at Dacres Wood & to Venner Road](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-11-the-canals-remnants-at-dacres-wood-2/): There is a myth about the Croydon Canal which is quite wrong. It is asserted that the only remains of the canal are at Betts Park, further south near Anerley, where it is often cited that the Betts Park section “is the only surviving part of what used to be the Croydon Canal” and that’s not quite the case! This excellent stretch of canal at Dacres Wood is never mentioned in most literature, all the more surprising since the section at Betts Park is just a concrete monstrosity designed to ‘improve’ the stretch of waterway there. Dacres Wood is the… - [The Croydon Canal 10) Towards Sydenham Park and the site of the reservoir](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-10-towards-sydenham-park-and-the-site-of-the-reservoir/): The is some debate as to the exact route the Croydon Canal took after Forest Hill. Some possible evidence shows it may have taken an alignment slightly further west, but this all depends on how large the ‘wide’ on the canal existed at this pointThe short passageway emerges by the southern end of the platforms at Forest Hill Station, then runs south along the railway alignment for a short distance before indicating the canal turning south west into a long bend that brought it back to the railway at a footbridge connecting the two halves of Sydenham Park. This is… - [The Croydon Canal 9) The route past Forest Hill Station](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-9-the-route-past-forest-hill-station-2/): Forest Hill was an important location on the canal, with a wharf and swingbridges. Nowadays its just an urban crossroads with shops and a railway stationLooking back towards Davids Road. Immediately in front stood the site of Forest Hill Swing Bridge. The main road seen here is Dartmouth Road, but the section to the right was still called Canal Road long after the waterway had closed. The buildings on the opposite side curve away from Dartmouth Road into the alignment on Davids RoadAlthough a bit of a dog-leg layout nowadays, we can see the canal route (above) as it made… - [The Croydon Canal 8) The route at Forest Hill Station & Sydenham Park](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-9-the-route-past-forest-hill-station/): Forest Hill was an important location on the canal, with a wharf and swingbridges. Nowadays its just an urban crossroads with shops and a railway station. Looking back towards Davids Road. Immediately in front stood the site of Forest Hill Swing Bridge. The main road seen here is Dartmouth Road, but the section to the right was still called Canal Road long after the waterway had closed. The buildings on the opposite side curve away from Dartmouth Road into the alignment on Davids Road. Although a bit of a dog-leg layout nowadays, we can see the canal route (above) as… - [The Croydon Canal 8) The Davids Road elevated walkway at Forest Hill](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-8-the-davids-road-elevated-walkway-at-forest-hill-2/): The houses along Davids Road are said to be built on the bed of the canalLooking south east towards the Dartmouth Road junction in Forest HillNew Mural in Davids Road The canal route in Forest Hill, as mentioned previously, runs along Davids Road approaching the environs of Forest Hill via a raised pavement which is a descendant of the former towpath itself. The houses were built on the canal bed.In 2003 the local council had part of the Davids Road footpath wall rebuilt as a mural featuring the different phases of transport systems through Forest Hill over the centuries. As… - [The Croydon Canal 7) The Davids Road elevated walkway at Forest Hill](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-8-the-davids-road-elevated-walkway-at-forest-hill/): The houses along Davids Road are said to be built on the bed of the canal. Looking south east towards the Dartmouth Road junction in Forest Hill. New Mural in Davids Road The canal route in Forest Hill, as mentioned previously, runs along Davids Road approaching the environs of Forest Hill via a raised pavement which is a descendant of the former towpath itself. The houses were built on the canal bed.In 2003 the local council had part of the Davids Road footpath wall rebuilt as a mural featuring the different phases of transport systems through Forest Hill over the… - [The Croydon Canal 7) Through the former Forest Wood](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-7-through-the-former-forest-wood-2/): Forest Wood was a quite large tract of woodland up in the hills above London. To give an idea of what the route must have looked like, the only similar comparision would be that of the Wey and Arun Junction Canal as it traverses Sidney WoodAfter Honor Oak Park, the route of the canal passes round the back of properties in Boveney and Devonshire Road southwards. It was considered one of the most attractive parts of the canal, being largely through what was once known as Forest Wood. This began the penultimate level of considerable length towards Croydon, winding through… - [The Croydon Canal 6) Through the former Forest Wood](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-7-through-the-former-forest-wood/): Forest Wood was a quite large tract of woodland up in the hills above London. To give an idea of what the route must have looked like, the only similar comparision would be that of the Wey and Arun Junction Canal as it traverses Sidney Wood. After Honor Oak Park, the route of the canal passes round the back of properties in Boveney and Devonshire Road southwards. It was considered one of the most attractive parts of the canal, being largely through what was once known as Forest Wood. This began the penultimate level of considerable length towards Croydon, winding… - [The Croydon Canal 6) Honor Oak Park and the site of the top of the 28 locks](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-6-honor-oak-park-and-the-site-of-the-top-of-the-28-locks/): The top of the long climb from New Cross culminated in a staircase lock with a swing bridge across the lower chamberThe previous set of pictures looked at the canal route as it passed through the crematorium and out into the stadium ground. Here we look east down Honor Oak Park towards the railway station. On the far right is No. 193 Honor Oak Park (the white building) and in front are the pair of semi detatched houses. (191a etc.) No. 193 was built after the canal was closed, on land made vacant when the lock keepers house was demolished.… - [The Croydon Canal 5) From Brockley up 'the locks' to Honor Oak](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-5-from-brockley-up-the-locks-to-honor-oak-2/): This was the location at which the canal rose steeply on its climb to Honor Oak – no other such comparable broad canal ascent can possibly be found anywhere on the south eastern waterways. Even on other waterways those such as the famous Grand Union Canal’s Hatton flight pales into insignificanceTraces of the canal route so far have been quite difficult to find. But at Brockley Station, indications of the former canal can be seen, and nearby is the Brockley Barge – indicating links with the canal. At this point the canal began its climb and the first of the… - [The Croydon Canal 5) From Brockley & 'the locks' to Honor Oak](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-5-from-brockley-up-the-locks-to-honor-oak/): This was the location at which the canal rose steeply on its climb to Honor Oak – no other such comparable broad canal ascent can possibly be found anywhere on the south eastern waterways. Even on other waterways those such as the famous Grand Union Canal’s Hatton flight pales into insignificance. Traces of the canal route so far have been quite difficult to find. But at Brockley Station, indications of the former canal can be seen, and nearby is the Brockley Barge – indicating links with the canal. At this point the canal began its climb and the first of… - [The Croydon Canal 4) Along Shardeloes Road](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-4-along-shardeloes-road/): One of those quite rare stretches of waterway that have now become a road (this is however NOT a ‘rarity’ in London when one considers the total mileage of the Croydon, Grand Surrey, Kensington, Romford, Woolwich Arsenal canals and the Ruislip feeder that are now completely under tarmac.) Having initially seen the block of flats from the Goldsmiths grounds at Barriedale, they are now in full view here. They’re just off Shardeloes Road as it makes a turn by the junction with St. Donats Road. The Croydon Canal ran between the flats and the boundaries of properties to the right,… - [The Croydon Canal 3) Through Goldsmiths to Barriedale](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-3-through-goldsmiths-to-barriedale/): This section of former canal route as far as Barriedale, is on land belonging to Goldsmiths College and is not open for public access. Permission for these pictures was sought from the Goldsmiths Estate Office. A problem with surveying the old canal route along here is the amount of spoil dumped from the adjacent railway cuttings. It leaves one having to use their imagination trying to envisage how far the canal was (or may still be!) beneath this spoil. Inside the grounds of Goldsmiths College the geography is disproportionate compared to those days the canal existed. The canal began its… - [The Croydon Canal 2) The route through New Cross](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-2-the-route-through-new-cross/): The Croydon and Rotherhithe company lost its opportunity for an independent route to Rotherhithe, having to share a common route with the Grand Surrey Canal. The company at this point decided to drop the ‘Rotherhithe’ from its title to become the Croydon Canal. In the years since this feature was first written, new evidence has shown that some of the published research into the canal has been in error. One common assumption was that the canal was built over in its entirety by the new London and Croydon railway. However new evidence has shown that very little of the old… - [The Croydon Canal 1) The junction with the Grand Surrey Canal near Hatcham](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-canal-1-the-junction-with-the-grand-surrey-canal-near-hatcham/): In the begining plans for the canal anticipated a connection with the Thames, thus it was known officially as the Croydon and Rotherhithe Canal. The Grand Surrey Canal Company were the ones who made the river connection and the Croydon company had to settle for a junction near Coldblow Lane, in the vicinity of New Cross. The un-named location for want of description and consistency with the Grand Surrey feature was entitled Coldblow Junction by London Canals. It is sometimes referred to as the junction near Hatcham. After closure of the Croydon Canal, the route as far as Lock 1… - [The Croydon and Rotherhithe Canal - Tracing the former route into Surrey](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/07/the-croydon-and-rotherhithe-canal-tracing-the-former-route-into-surrey-2/): The canal’s full title to begin with was the Croydon and Rotherhithe Canal, in anticipation of a direct link to the Thames. The Croydon Canal, as it finally became known as, opened at the same time as the Grand Surrey in 1809. It was swept away by the new line from London Bridge to Croydon in 1836. Several lengths unsuitable for the railway survived a little longer and carried on trading (the receipts from boat traffic in 1837 were surprisngly higher than those in the previous half year on a canal that had offically closed!) It is possible this trade… - [The Cumberland Arm](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/the-cumberland-arm/): The Regents Canal’s long lost branch to the Euston/Great Portland Street area View of the entrance to the Cumberland Arm, with the chinese restaurant visible at left The Cumberland Arm served the market area and military facilities to the north of the Euston Road in Central London, and was about a half mile in length. It was built at the same time as the rest of the Regents Canal and opened in 1816. The arm saw heavy active service during the wars and military conflicts. Alas it was the last world war that put an end to the use of… - [Congreve's Hydro-Pneumatic Canal Lift](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/congreves-hydro-pneumatic-canal-lift-a-humbug/): The abortive lift scheme on the Regent’s Canal Before any locks were built on the Regent’s Canal, problems with acquiring a reliable water supply, forced the company to look at other methods of transferring boats from one level to another. This came in the form of Congreve’s lift which existed at Camden between 1814 and 1819. It was an experiment that failed, and conventional locks were finally built. Congreve’s lift delayed the opening of the Regent’s Canal as a through route to Limehouse by several years. It was located by where Camden lock – aka Hampstead Road locks – can… - [Canute's Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/canutes-canal/): King Canute – and the earliest London canal that never was? The story of Canute’s Canal that was supposedly built to by pass London Bridge in order to attack the City of London in 1016 is perhaps a myth and nothing more. There is much speculation about what form Canute’s Canal took. Some arguments suggest that the land south of the Thames was low enough for ships to cross on very high tides, where others assume that existing ditches were used and deepened. ‘Canute’s ditch’ and the route it is envisaged to have taken What ever the format was it… - [Other towpath projects - Hackney, Lee Valley, Grand Union](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/other-towpath-projects-hackney-lee-valley-grand-union/): Other towpath projects Hackney’s unique towpath projects Another type preferred by Hackney – ‘Canal Markers’ Canal Marker with detail giving us the scheme’s origins. Canal Markers were specific to the Hackney section of the Regents Canal, and despite being labelled as ‘British Waterways’ they were actually comissioned by the LB Hackney with funding from the Dalston City Partnership. At least the Kingsland Road sign still remains (May 2013.) Hackney’s Regent’s Canal towpath descriptive information boards. Almost all have been vandalised. This is Haggerston bridge. Haggerston bridge west side – yet more vandalised Regent’s Canal info boards! At least those info… - [Other towpath projects in London - Islington tunnel, Green Chain, Green Link etc](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/other-towpath-projects-in-london-greenway-etc/): Other towpath projects in London As previously explained, by 1977 the towpath had been improved right all the way across London as far as Hackney. Despite the GLC’s Canal Way scheme, the eastern London Boroughs were more into what seemed rather more local initiatives, such as the Green Link walk, Lea Valley Walk or the Bow Heritage Trail (Victoria Park/Hertford Union canal section) Hackney had the most diversive mix with its own set of huge signs with comprehensive informaton on the canal and its locality. Islington had its own brand which were specifically towpath markers over the top of the… - [The Canal Way Plaques & what remains](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/the-canal-way-plaques-what-remains/): The Canal Way Plaques Plaques sited underneath bridge arches are in poor condition, often rusting, due to repeated cleansing in removing graffiti off the walls. Those on stand alone posts or on offside/inaccessible walls are as a rule in generally good condition. Notes: ‘BWB’ denotes the old British Waterways Board. *No longer on site or severely damaged The strange bollards at Stonebridge Lock on the Lee Navigation may have been a prototype Canal Way marker, later deemed unsuitable and given to BWB for other uses. Observers will note the symbol used on the Canal Way plaques and markers. This also… - [The GLC's Canal Way Project](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/the-glcs-canal-way-project/): A project initiated by the Greater London Council By 1977 the towpath had been improved in the direction of Hackney. This made a grand total of five and half miles and this became the first section of the Greater London Council’s Canal Way Parks initiatitve. The gardens at Bonner Hall bridge were also created for the scheme. However it seems the section east of Islington tunnel was never officially embraced as part of Canal Way by the relevant boroughs (e.g. Hackney, Tower Hamlets) only the London boroughs to the west were active in bringing the project around. Canal Way was… - [London's Canal Towpaths and their improvements - Canalway](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/05/londons-canal-towpaths-and-their-improvements-canalway/): Canalway – the background People often ask what ‘Canalway’ stands for when referring to the annual Cavalcade boating festival in London’s Little Venice each May. Canalway (or more correctly, Canal Way) is a project that began in the 1970’s with a substantial implemention of works and improvements made during the Queens Silver Jubilee 1977. This explains why the Silver Jubilee symbol is present on the many Canal Way plaques that are still dotted around London’s canal network. In fact the Silver Jubilee walk and the Canal Way were a combined effort at creating a network of walking routes in the… - [Interesting buildings near London's Canals - Spitfire & Palmer Works](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/interesting-buildings-near-londons-canals-spitfire-palmer-works/): Palmer and Spitfire Works NW8 The descriptive mural on the front of the Palmer building. Built for the Palmer Tyre Co and used to make aircraft parts during WWII, this 97,00 sq ft 1920s industrial building made parts for WWII fighter planes. The buildings were re-designed by Terry Farrell in 1988 providing light industrial units and offices, which included his own architectural practice. Palmer advert 1949 Next door to the Palmer Works is the Spitfire Building, with its unusual wing decorations. This is the more attractive building in Hatton Street and it clearly reminds us of aeroplanes. The rest of… - [Buildings of interest near London's Canals - St Pancras](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/buildings-of-interest-near-londons-canals-st-pancras/): St Pancras International Station Despite not actualy being on the canal, St Pancras has always formed a backdrop to the prospect from the locks of the same name on the Regents Canal. Since the station’s expansion to form an international terminal, its actually closer to the canal than ever before, especially where the canal turns to meet Goodsway The famous clock tower & the boarded up arches. These arches were the entrance to the grand hotel. Right: View of St Pancras from Kings Cross The arcade. Its a popular shopping and dining venue amongst the trains. Its the largest station… - [Buildings of interest near London's Canals - North, South Bank, Park Villas](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/buildings-of-interest-near-londons-canals-north-south-bank-park-villas/): The Nash Villas along the Regents Canal – The North and South Banks John Nash built a substantial number of villas and town houses along the Regents Canal. Many more were planned but in the event only around half got off the drawing board. Of those that were built, around half have disapperaed. The largest estate of Nash built Houses was located at what were called the North Bank and South Bank between Lisson Grove and Park Road. They were demolished to make way for the new railway line that was built by the Great Central at the very end… - [Buildings of interest near London's Canals - Nash Villas](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/buildings-of-interest-near-londons-canals-nash-villas/): The Nash Villas along the Regents Canal John Nash built a lot of houses along the Regents Canal. Probably more than half of these have disapperaed. The largest estate of Nash built Houses was located at what were called the North Bank and the South Bank, sited between Lisson Grove and Park Road. Nash originally envisaged that 56 classical houses would be built alogside the Regents canal within Regents Park. In the event only eight were built. Of the original eight only Nuffield and Hanover Lodge stil stand. Further houses were built by Nash alongside the Regents canal’s extension to… - [Buildings of interest near London's Canals - Metesco's](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/buildings-of-interest-near-londons-canals-metescos/): The Metropolitan Electricity Supply Works – Randolph Mews, W9 Just behind Blomfield Road is little known Randolph Mews. And even less known is this excellent red brick built structure that used to be a sub-station belonging to M.E.S. Co. Ld., a company more widely known by the name METESCo. Who, or what was, METESCo? The company’s smart badge as used on its equipment. METESCo was a pioneering electrical supply company based mostly in Central London, with operations in parts of the surburbs. Its origins began in 1887 when it was known as the South Metropolitan Electric Supply Company, but changed… - [Historic locations near London's Canals - Marylebone goods depot](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/historic-locations-near-londons-canals-marylebone-goods-depot-2/): The Great Central Railway depot at Lisson Grove (Marylebone) Very litte is mentioned about this important part of Marylebone’s history. The Great Central Railway Company built its new rail facility (usually known as Marylebone Goods Terminus) and it opened on April 10th 1899, some weeks after the main passenger terminus. It was a large terminus on an east-west alignment sited between Park Road and Penton Street. It had a facility for loading and unloading goods to and from canal boats at what is now known as the Lisson Grove moorings (otherwise called Marylebone Wide) The construction of both the main… - [Places of interest near London's Canals - Edgware Road](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/places-of-interest-near-londons-canals-4/): Edgware Road Edgware Road is the oldest main throroughfare in London, At least 2,300 years ago it was a trackway through the Middlesex Forest. When the Romans invaded Britain, they created one of their major routes from this trackway – Watling Street. This began at Cannon Street and its route through present day W2 paralled the Titchbourne, a ditch along the west side. It was sometimes known as Aegceswer Road, being the original name for Edgware. In Elizabethean times Shakespeare is said to have been an actor at the Red Lion Inn sited where the Marylebone flyover is. Tyburnia and… - [Places of interest near London's Canals - Derry & Tom's](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/places-of-interest-near-londons-canals-3/): Derry & Tom’s Roof Gardens NOTE: The roof gardens closed a few years ago. This post is now a historical adjunct to the former roof gardens. A bus trip from Little Venice is the best way to get here. Many boaters moored at Little Venice make the mistake of getting buses from Paddington, when the best stops are in fact at the bottom of Westbourne Bridge Road just a few minutes walk away! From here the 27 bus takes one to Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate and High Street Kensington. If one’s boat is moored within the Paddington basin area it… - [Buildings of interest near London's Canals - Crockers Folly](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/buildings-of-interest-near-londons-canals/): Crocker’s Folly Some might think that Crockers Folly is a strange inclusion into this category for it doesn’t, at first glance, seem to be on any canal. That is not so – it is above the Regents Canal! Crockers Folly is where the Maida Hill Tunnel passes through its ground and the pub is seen by thousands of towpath walkers each year as they make their way above the canal tunnel between Blomfield Road and Lisson Grove. The pub is sited about 150m from the major junction and pedestrian crossing at Blomfield/Edgware Roads Crocker’s Folly in relation to the alignment… - [Places of interest near London’s Canals - Camden Market Horse Tunnels](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/camden-market-the-horse-tunnels/): The market at Camden Lock has lost some of its old character. Plans for major redevelopment were approved despite opposition and work began in 2007. By December 2007 a large swathe of the market to the north of the railway viaducts had been swept away. One small consolation is the retention of the Horse Tunnels, which were actually planned for demolition, but their historical significance saw a late change of plans and they have been saved for prosperity, although perhaps not in the way that would have been best in keeping with canal tradition. These pictures show the older areas… - [Places of interest near London's Canals - Bayswater](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/places-of-interest-near-londons-canals-2/): Bayswater (and the Westfield Centre by tube) Bayswater is a useful shopping area with various ameneties such as Whiteley’s cinema and the Queensway skating rink. Its about 15-20 minutes walk from Little Venice. Westfield is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK and is reached by tube from Royal Oak stationHow to get there from Little Venice. This shows the nicer route from Little Venice visitor moorings via Westbourne GreenAt the west end of the visitor moorings leave the towpath and enter Delamere TerraceTurn right and descend along Lord Hills Road towards the open spaces. There are two… - [Places of interest near London's Canals - Abbey Road](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/02/places-of-interest-near-londons-canals/): Abbey Road Studios & the famous crossing In this inauspicious corner of St Johns Wood is a shrine to many of the world’s rock bands, especialy the Beatles. Abbey Road Studios is the world’s renowed recording studios and many top artists such as the Beatles and Pink Floyd, have recorded here. The white boundary wall outside the studios must be the most continously painted in the whole wide world. Its painted every few months or so and yet is always covered in graffiti and writing dedicated to the various rock bands and their personalities The Abbey Road studios. The property… - [London Canals' Archive Pictures](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/01/london-canals-archive-pictures/): The ‘Old Order’ in London This page looks at some old London canal scenes. The Thames isnt actually a canal but the pics are of interest so they are included as it was an IWA cruise that was making its way to the National Waterways Rally in Osterley Park, near Brentford. All pictures by the author. 1) Little Venice & Paddington This scene from January 1985 shows Alex Prowse’s Barge Crook which was his art gallery for 23 years. The interest here is the simple gold lettering ‘A & J Prowse.’ The tower block visible in the distance was at… - [The Basingstoke Canal's lost section](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/12/14/the-basingstoke-canals-lost-section/): The Basingstoke is one of those canals which has an interesting mixture of a waterway that is working, and a ‘lost’ or derelict section. Other… - [The Croydon and Rotherhithe Canal - Tracing the former route into Surrey](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/12/12/the-croydon-and-rotherhithe-canal-tracing-the-former-route-into-surrey/): The canal’s full title to begin with was the Croydon and Rotherhithe Canal, in anticipation of a direct link to the Thames. The Croydon Canal,… - [The Fleet River and its Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/12/09/the-fleet-river-and-its-canal/): The Fleet River must be the one and only natural river which enabled boats to reach any part of the inner metropolis of London, long… - [The Grand Surrey - the canal that aimed for Portsmouth...!](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/12/06/the-grand-surrey-the-canal-that-aimed-for-portsmouth/): The Grand Surrey Canal …is the canal that aimed for Portsmouth but only got as far as Camberwell! An introduction to the Surrey Canal The… - [An introduction to the Lee Navigation (River Lea)](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/12/03/an-introduction-to-the-lee-navigation-river-lea/): The Lee Navigation was actually built in stages from the 1600’s to the Mid 1800’s, with the main body of the work being undertaken in… - [The history of the place name known as 'Little Venice'](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/11/17/the-history-of-the-place-name-known-as-little-venice-and-the-facts-that-are-ignored/): The ‘Little Venice’ facts that are ignored As most people will know, Little Venice is that well known area tucked away in W2 between Paddington… - [The Grand Union's Paddington Arm](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/11/10/the-grand-unions-paddington-arm/): The Padddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal (formerly the Grand Junction Canal) like all the Grand Union routes, was actually owned by the Regents… - [Regent's Canal intro & Little Venice - Maida Hill](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/11/08/regents-canal/): The Regents Canal Following on the success of the Grand Union’s Paddington Branch, the Regents was opened to exploit the potentialities offered by water transport.… - [The Romford Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/11/05/the-romford-canal/): A waterway that took 65 years to plan & construct – and unfinished! The first plans for a canal to Romford were seen in 1809… - [The Slough arm 1](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/10/31/the-slough-arm-of-the-grand-union-canal/): The Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal The 5 mile Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal was opened in 1882. It has been… - [The Basingstoke Canal's lost section](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/the-basingstoke-canals-lost-section-2/): The Basingstoke is one of those canals which has an interesting mixture of a waterway that is working, and a ‘lost’ or derelict section. Other… - [The lost route to Basingstoke.](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/the-lost-route-to-basingstoke/): The pages covering the Basingstoke canal’s lost five miles beyond Greywell tunnel are on London Canals once again! The page links are as follows: Introduction… - [Ringway - Basingstoke](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/ringway-basingstoke/): Nearer to Basingstoke, the canal route remains quite traceable, but not for very long. After crossing the River Loddon (there was never an aqueduct at… - [Basing House - Swing Bridge](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/basing-house-swing-bridge/): Basing House bridge still stands and forms part of the driveway to Basing House. This section has probably been the most well known and publicised… - [Rainbow Close - Musket Copse](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/rainbow-close-musket-copse/): After the M3, the canal sweeps round in a long arc, almost encircling The Hatch, to enter Basing in a north easterly direction. It passses… - [Mapledurwell - Hatch](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/mapledurwell-hatch/): Past Frog Lane the canal passed through a small copse before emerging onto this field, which of course was bisected by the canal when it… - [Penny Bridge - Frog Lane](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/penny-bridge-frog-lane/): The route continues from the west side of Up Nately and the end of the watered section of the Basingstoke canal at Penny bridge is… - [The tunnel - Brick Kiln](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/the-tunnel-brick-kiln/): Greywell Tunnel: Greywell tunnel is or was 1232 yards long and the second longest in southern England. It opened in 1794 and the last boat… - [Greywell Hill](https://londoncanals.uk/2022/09/10/greywell-hill/): NOTE: This guide was written more than fifteen years ago! The route was last checked in 2009 and it seemed pretty much as it was.… - [Welcome to London Canals](https://londoncanals.uk/2020/11/23/welcome-to-london-canals/): London’s waterways history is comprehensively covered within these pages. Its simply an upgraded version of the older HTML site which began around 25 years ago.… - [London Canals Site Map](https://londoncanals.uk/2020/11/23/london-canals-site-map/): Archive pictures of the London Canals Archive – Recent old pictures of the London Canals Attractions/Buildings near the London Canals Abbey – The famous road, crossing, studios… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #9](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/09/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-9/): The streets of Hayes #2 This section is entirely on street walking and very little is to be seen of the former feeder. However its… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #8](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/08/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-8/): The streets of Hayes #1 This section is entirely on street walking and very little is to be seen of the former feeder. However its… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #7](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/07/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-7/): Charville Lane Estate to Yeading The eastern end of Weymouth Close is the next location at which the canal feeder can be seen. It is… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #6](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/06/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-6/): Gutteridge Wood to Charville Lane Gutteridge Wood is one of the better woodlands in London. The only bugbear is the area’s extremely poor public transport,… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #5](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/05/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-5/): Sussex Road to Cutthroat Wood Above and below: The section of feeder just off Sussex Road, with its wider than usual accommodation bridge, looking like… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #4](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/04/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-4/): Ickenham to Sussex Road Hillingdon In this view looking towards West Ruislip station, there is this new-ish fencing. If one looks through the wire mesh… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #3](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/03/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-3/): Greenway to West Ruislip     At the Greenway is a large concrete bridge of a rather interesting but austere design. Marked by Hillingdon trail signs, the… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip #2](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/02/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip-2/): Clack Lane Aqueduct to the Railway As aqueducts go, this is a bit of an odd affair. However it did carry the Ruislip canal feeder… - [The Grand Junction Canal Feeder from Ruislip](https://londoncanals.uk/2013/02/01/the-grand-junction-canal-feeder-from-ruislip/): Intro & the route to Clack Lane One of two major GJCCo feeders in the London area, this was one of the longest ever built.… - [Along the Grand Surrey route – Evelyn Street to Surrey Canal Road](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/11/01/along-the-grand-surrey-route-evelyn-street-to-surrey-canal-road/): A rather mucky, unadopted road (not always shown on the maps) off Evelyn Street is known as Canal Approach. This utilises the old canal route.… - [The Slough arm 3](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/03/05/the-slough-arm-of-the-grand-union-canal-4/): The un-numbered pipeline bridge. The conveyor belt bridge on the site of an old bridge so clearly gets number 2. The first of the three… - [The Slough arm 2](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/03/05/the-slough-arm-of-the-grand-union-canal-3/): The Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal Industry on both sides near St Mary’s bridge. This is Langley Business Park. The offside is known… - [The Slough arm 1](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/03/05/the-slough-arm-of-the-grand-union-canal-2/): The Slough arm of the Grand Union Canal The 5 mile Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal was opened in 1882. It has been… - [The Salters Cut (Sabey's Canal and Rickmansworth Wharf)](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/03/05/the-salters-cut-sabeys-canal-and-rickmansworth-wharf-2/): Salter’s Cut was a 500yd cut opened in 1804 (or 1805 as some sources claim) and served Salter & Co’s Brewery, but later also extended… - [The Salters Cut (Gasworks Arm/River Chess) Rickmansworth](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/03/05/the-salters-cut-gasworks-armriver-chess-rickmansworth/): This was a 500yd cut opened in 1804 (or 1805 as some sources claim) and served Salter & Co’s Brewery. The firm’s director, Stephen Salter,… - [The Royal Arsenal Canal today](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/07/the-royal-arsenal-canal-today/): Looking from the former canal entrance, across the coal pier, towards the Woolwich free ferry, the Thames Barrier, Canary Wharf and Central London. The flats… - [History of the Royal Arsenal Railway](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/07/history-of-the-royal-arsenal-railway/): (The following section on the railway was kindly written for London Canals by Ian Bull of the Crossness Engines Trust) The Royal Arsenal’s railways began… - [The Royal Arsenal Canal - The waterway serving the Woolwich military complex](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/07/the-royal-arsenal-canal-the-waterway-serving-the-woolwich-military-complex/): The Royal Arsenal (or Woolwich Arsenal) canal was designed by Lietunant Colonel Pilkington and built between 1812-14, and extended again by 1816. It had a… - [The Romford Canal 6](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/the-romford-canal-6/): Romford Canal – The final section The canal route passes through what is now known as The Chase nature reserve (Barking & Dagenham confusingly calls… - [The Romford Canal 5](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/the-romford-canal-5/): The canal route to the C2C/District railway crossing at Elm Park By these houses on Roosevelt Way, there is evidently a rise in the ground.… - [The Romford Canal 4](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/the-romford-canal-4/): Romford Canal – From Rainham Road to Elm Park The canal heads slightly northeastwards towards Elm Park along a much narrower Beam Valley. The crossing… - [The Romford Canal 3](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/the-romford-canal-3/): ‘The lock’ to Rainham Road A depression is obvious here, although there doesn’t seem to be any trace of the lock chamber walls now, perhaps… - [The Romford Canal 2](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/the-romford-canal-2/): New Road to Beam Bridge lock Dagenham New Road bridge (the Beam Bridge) over the Beam River, once a busy main road but nowadays most… - [The Romford Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/the-romford-canal-7/): A waterway that took 65 years to plan & construct – and unfinished! The first plans for a canal to Romford were seen in 1809… - [Along The Roding (Ilford) Navigation](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/along-the-roding-ilford-navigation/): This navigation is still in use – sort of. From its confluence at the Thames it is known as Barking Creek, a winding, tidal waterway.… - [The Roding (Barking and Ilford) Navigation](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/05/the-roding-barking-and-ilford-navigation/): From its confluence at the Thames it is usually known as Barking Creek, a winding, tidal waterway. Once it reaches Barking it becomes the River… - [Regent's Canal - Mare Street to Limehouse](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/03/regents-mare-street-to-limehouse/): Gasometers near Mare Street, Hackney. Busy summer scene by Northiam Street. Boats and cyclists by Bonner Hall bridge in Victoria Park. Old Ford Lock –… - [Regent's Canal - King's Cross to Acton's Lock](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/03/regents-kings-cross-to-actons-lock/): London’s hidden canal aqueduct! Goods Way – where the unknown aqueudct is sited. Canal at left, railway at lower right. The location at which the… - [Regent's Canal - Camden to St Pancras](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/03/regents-camden-to-st-pancras/): The canal at the top of Camden Market. On the left is the Pirate Castle. The entrance 2 the disused Dead Dog basin is on… - [Regent's Cumberland Turn to Pirate Castle](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/03/regents-cumberland-turn-to-pirate-castle/): Towpath walkers and a waterbus at St Marks Gate bridge, near the junction from which the old Cumberland Arm began. At the end of the… - [Regent's Canal - Maida Hill to London Zoo](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/03/regents-maida-hill-to-london-zoo/): London Waterbus Perseus at the eastern end of Maida Hill Tunnel. Marylebone Wide from Lisson Grove Road with Beauchamp heading westwards. East Portal of Lisson… - [Regent's Canal intro & Little Venice - Maida Hill](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/03/regents-canal-2/): The Regents Canal Following on the success of the Grand Union’s Paddington Branch, the Regents was opened to exploit the potentialities offered by water transport.… - [Pudding Mill River Requiem - part three](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/pudding-mill-river-requiem-part-three/): The Pudding Mill River clearly extended southwards as far as the old bridge that formed a link between Marshgate Lane and a scrapyard to the… - [Pudding Mill River Requiem - part two](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/pudding-mill-river-requiem-part-two/): Looking down knobs Hill in 2005 from the junction of Marshgate Lane and Knobs Hill Road. The dip under the Northern Outfall is obvious. Knobs… - [Pudding Mill - Requiem for a lost London river](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/pudding-mill-requiem-for-a-lost-london-river/): The Pudding Mill River (known also as Pudding Mill stream or Hunter’s Mill stream) was a major waterway forming part of the network known as… - [Paddington & its transport systems - 3](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/paddington-its-transport-systems-3/): Paddington & its transport systems – 3 The Great Western Railway This was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and it is interesting that his railway… - [Paddington & its transport systems - 2](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/paddington-its-transport-systems-2/): Paddington & its transport systems – 2 The canal – Brunel’s bridge: This was an early Brunel structure, predating the major works at Paddington Station… - [Paddington and its transport systems - 1](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/paddington-and-its-transport-systems-1/): Paddington and its transport systems – 1 The building of the Grand Junction Canal between Braunston and Brentford brought the canal network to the River… - [Grand Union Paddington Arm Part 5 - Ladbroke Grove to Little Venice](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/the-grand-unions-paddington-arm-part-seven-acton-lane-to-westbourne-park/): The former Porta Bella dock, now another of those useless water features that people seem to like turning canals into. Whats all this talk of… - [Grand Union Paddington Arm Part 4 - Harlesden to Kensal Green](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/the-grand-unions-paddington-arm-part-six-harlesden-to-acton-lane/): A slightly scruffy looking stretch of canal belies these electricity substations and their service bridges east of Acton Lane, Harlesden.This was the site of METESCo’s… - [Grand Union Paddington Arm Part 3 - Alperton to Acton Lane](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/paddington-arm-part-xx/): The canal has a lengthy run past Horsenden Hill Golf Course as far as the WLCC at Alperton. Despite the location it is surprisingly ruralThe… - [Grand Union Paddington Arm Part 2 - Northolt to Horsenden Hill](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/part-three-northolt-to-greenford/): Northolt boatyard, offering services, gas and diesel. Its operated by High Line Yachting of Iver. This is the last opportunity to fill up before London.… - [The Grand Union's Paddington Arm](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/02/01/the-grand-unions-paddington-arm-2/): The Padddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal (formerly the Grand Junction Canal) like all the Grand Union routes, was actually owned by the Regents… - [A look at the McMurrays Canal sites around Wandsworth](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/19/a-look-at-the-mcmurrays-canal-sites-around-wandsworth/): Youngs Ram Brewery in Wandsworth, closed in 2006. The canal basin was sited just behind the works’ iconic chimney. Site of the canal basin within… - [The Wandsworth or McMurrays Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/19/the-surrey-iron-railways-wandsworth-or-mcmurrays-canal/): Allegedly claimed to be the shortest canal in London, but debatable especially with the modernised Grosvenor canal near Victoria, The sole reason for the existence… - [London's Three Canal Tunnels - Maida Hill photo gallery](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/19/londons-three-canal-tunnels-maida-hill-photo-gallery/): The Regents Canal’s two western tunnels, Maida Hill and Lisson Grove are without a doubt the most well known of the London canal tunnels. A… - [London's Three Canal Tunnels - Islington Tunnel](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/19/londons-three-canal-tunnels-islington-tunnel/): The western portal of Islington Tunnel. This location is just a stone’s throw from the very busy central London locations of Kings Cross, Caledonian Road… - [London's Three Canal Tunnels](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/19/londons-three-canal-tunnels/): Three canal tunnels exist in London. Two of them are on the popular western end of the Regents Canal between Little Venice and Regents Park,… - [Little Venice's lost aqueduct and the Westbourne River](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/17/little-venices-lost-aqueduct-the-kilburn-aqueduct-and-the-westbourne-river/): The Kilburn Aqueduct and the Westbourne River There were just two aqueducts on the London canal system in it’s early days. Besides the substatial crossing… - [Part 3 of the tour around London's waterway oasis](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/17/a-tour-around-little-venice-w2-part-3-of-the-tour-around-londons-waterway-oasis/): A tour around Little Venice Part 3 The Blue (and Green) plaques of Little Venice Generally Blue Plaques are those of English Heritage and the… - [Part 2 of a tour around London's Little Venice](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/17/a-tour-around-little-venice-w2-part-2-of-a-tour-around-londons-waterway-oasis/): A tour around Little Venice Part 2 Brownings Pool is the largest feature and it is the junction of three waterway routes. It is named… - [Around Little Venice - London's waterway oasis - Part 1](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/17/a-look-around-londons-waterway-oasis-with-a-sprinkling-of-history/): A tour around Little Venice – with a sprinkling of history Map of Little Venice produced in 2009 The canal west of Lord Hills bridge… - [The history of the place name known as 'Little Venice'](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/17/the-history-of-the-place-name-known-as-little-venice-and-the-facts-that-are-ignored-2/): The ‘Little Venice’ facts that are ignored As most people will know, Little Venice is that well known area tucked away in W2 between Paddington… - [The Limehouse Cut - first navigable canal ever built in London](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-limehouse-cut-first-navigable-canal-ever-built-in-london/): The now demolished Premier Metropolis factory, Burdett Road, Limehouse Flats on the site of the Premier Metropolis factory ‘The Pier’ or whatever! Useful observation platform… - [The Limehouse Cut](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-limehouse-cut/): The first canal scheme in London: The Limehouse Cut was the first navigable artifical waterway (the much earlier New River was built as a water… - [In Retrospect: Is the Lee Navigation a canal or river?](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/in-retrospect-what-is-the-lee-navigation-a-canal-or-river/): From Hertfordshire.com“The River Lee (or Lea) runs through Hertford on its way to London and it is joined in Hertford by three other rivers, the… - [The Lee Navigation - Ware Park, New Gauge and Hertford](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-ware-park-new-gauge-and-hertford/): The final section of the Lee Navigation is just over three miles long. The course of the River Lea has been utilised since the weir… - [The Lee Navigation - Stanstead lock and Gazebos](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-stanstead-lock-and-gazebos/): The River Lea conitnues to be used by the Lee Navigation as far as Stanstead Lock, after which it returns to its own artificial cut,… - [The Lee Navigation - Kings Weir to Rye House](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-kings-weir-to-rye-house/): Immediately after Kings Weir is Wormley, a popular mooring spot. There are good walks in all directions from here, from viewing the spectacular cascade at… - [The Lee Navigation - Rammey Marsh to Kings Weir](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-rammey-marsh-to-kings-weir/): The 1835 iron bridge at Rammey Marsh Lock. It was closed recently due to structural faultsRammey Marsh is the second of two partially mechanised locks… - [Lee Navigation - the old order at Waltham](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/lee-navigation-the-old-order-at-waltham/): The Lee Navigation once connected into the actual River Lea for a short distance from a point just above the M25 at Rammey Marsh as… - [The Lee Navigation - Rammey Marsh and Waltham Abbey](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-rammey-marsh-and-waltham-abbey/): The lock and 1835 iron bridge at Rammey Marsh.This section of the Lee Navigation was the last to be constructed outside of London, and the… - [The Lee Navigation - Brimsdown to Enfield Lock](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-brimsdown-to-enfield-lock/):   The noted covered wharf at Brimsdown – the only example left in London on a through waterway.The Lee Navigation (actually as the Enfield Mill… - [The Lee Navigation - Picketts, Ponders & the Turkey Brook](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-picketts-lock-to-brimsdown/): Picketts Lock looking down the navigation towards EdmontonPicketts Lock is the first of the manual locks on the Lee Navigation – and what a big… - [The Lee Navigation - Through Tottenham and Edmonton](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-through-tottenham-and-edmonton/): The River Lea continues from Springfield Park past moored boats belonging to the local marina and the remnants of industry that gave the navigation some… - [The Lee Navigation - Hackney Canal & Springfield](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/the-lee-navigation-hackney-canal-springfield/): The River Lea leaves the navigation at this point. As one’s boat enters Old Ford locks, technically they are on a canal. This was known… - [An introduction to the Lee Navigation (River Lea)](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/16/an-introduction-to-the-lee-navigation-river-lea-2/): The Lee Navigation was actually built in stages from the 1600’s to the Mid 1800’s, with the main body of the work being undertaken in… - [The Kensington Canal - West Brompton to Olympia](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/14/the-kensington-canal-from-west-brompton-to-olympia/): View looking from the bridge at West Brompton to Earls Court exhibition centre two. The interesting aspect of this picture is the railway boundary as… - [The Kensington Canal - Lots Road to West Brompton](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/14/the-kensington-canal-the-route-from-lots-road-to-west-brompton/): The council highways depot off Lots Road, built on the canal’s former alignment. The space between warehouses and railway (on far left) was the full… - [The Kensington Canal - West London's navigation](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/14/the-kensington-canal-the-waterway-that-served-west-london/): The opening of the Regents Canal in 1820 and its success led the way for a canal to be built in Kensington. Lord Kensington desired… - [The Isle Of Dogs (or City) Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/14/the-isle-of-dogs-or-city-canal/): The canal by where Canary Wharf now stands The Isle of Dogs canal as it was popularly known, was the third canal to be built… - [The Hertford Union (or Ducketts) Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/14/the-hertford-union-or-ducketts-canal/): A short-cut from the Regent’s to the Lea/Lee Also known as Ducketts Canal as the main text will explain. The Hertford Union is the shortest… - [The Grosvenor Canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/14/the-grosvenor-canal/): The former canal route from the Thames to Victoria The Grosvenor Canal was the shortest canal built in London. Its no longer in use, simply… - [The Grand Surrey - The Peckham branch & canal wharves](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/the-grand-surrey-the-peckham-branch-canal-wharves/): The route to Peckham was added as an afterthought, and was the last bit of the Surrey Canal ever to be built. Its probably the… - [The Grand Surrey Canal - It's bridges and buildings](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/the-grand-surrey-canal-its-bridges-and-buildings/): Oxestall Road bridge. The last bridge ever to be built over the Grand Surrey Canal. The bridge and surrounding estate were built in the 1960’s,… - [The Grand Surrey's junctions & and place names](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/the-grand-surreys-junctions-and-place-names/): The Surrey Canal’s junctions Two junctions existed on the canal, connecting the Peckham and ‘Croydon’ sections. The junctions did not appear to have any official… - [The Grand Surrey Canal - To Old Kent Road and Camberwell](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/the-grand-surrey-canal-to-old-kent-road-and-camberwell/): From Ilderton Road to the Old Kent Road there isnt really anything to see of the canal’s route as the route is occupied by warehouses… - [Along the Grand Surrey route - Plough Lane to Surrey Canal Road](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/along-the-grand-surrey-canal-route-plough-lane-to-blackhorse-bridge/): Council estates were built in the 1960’s around the canal, which at that time was still busy at work as far as the Old Kent… - [The Grand Surrey - Greenland Dock and drop down lock - start of the canal](https://londoncanals.uk/2010/01/11/the-grand-surrey-greenland-dock-and-its-unusual-drop-down-lock-start-of-the-canal/): The former entrance to the Grand Surrey Canal. The very tall building, known as Eddystone Tower which stands along the canal’s alignment at the Pepys… ## Optional - [Agent (MCP protocol)](websites-agents.hostinger.com/londoncanals.uk/mcp) [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)