I am always looking for inspiration- pounding the pavement in the hunt for feeding the brain (try the Philosophy of Walking). This walk along Regent’s Canal was new to me and I loved it so so much. It is a vibe like the canals in Amsterdam- serene, approachable in scale, littered with local plants allowing people to pass through.
Started around Cafe Cecilia and walked towards Queensbridge Road, but honestly I could have walked all the way to Coal Drops Yard. What a great idea- I will do this when I return to London and take more comprehensive photos. I had never spent much time in Hackney but I really liked what of I saw, which was really just the street with Broadway Market.
Notes from Gemini:
Distance & Walking Time
- Distance: Approximately 2.4 miles (3.9 km).
- Time (Strict Walking): About 50 to 60 minutes at a steady, uninterrupted pace.
The Crucial Navigation Step: The Angel Detour
For most of this walk, you are on a peaceful, continuous towpath. However, you cannot walk along the canal the entire way because of the Islington Canal Tunnel, which has no pedestrian path.
When you reach the eastern mouth of the tunnel near Colebrooke Row (Angel), you must leave the canal and walk the detour over the hill:
- Take the ramp up from the canal at Colebrooke Row.
- Walk up to Upper Street (A1).Where to Run in London
- Cross Upper Street and head past the Angel Tube station.
- Cut through Chapel Market or follow Tolpuddle Street/Maygood Street.
- Rejoin the canal towpath at Muriel Street / Caledonian Road, which will lead you directly into Coal Drops Yard.
Along this route, you will pass the historic Gasholder Park, the London Canal Museum (near Battlebridge Basin), the legendary Word on the Water floating bookshop, and several great towpath coffee spots.
