With good weather on the way I’m planning a little trip along London’s canals. This is the route I’ll be taking.
There’s a fantastic pub on the Thames called The Grapes. It was mentioned in the Charles Dickens novel “Our Mutual Friend” and if you get there when it isn’t too busy then it’s an excellent spot for a pint.
The great thing is, between my house and the pub you can complete the majority of the route along Regents Canal.
It’s a route steeped in industrial history with fantastic pub and cafe stops and a non-stop green setting.
I’ll be joining it from near Regent’s Park. Pedalling towards Camden and through King’s Cross I won’t encounter a single car. Then, if we’ve set off early enough, it’s breakfast in Angel along the Camden Passage which has the Breakfast Club.
With a full stomach, it will be back to the gentle pace of the canal path. We’ll pass The Narrowboat and Towpath. Which are two amazing spots to stop for a drink and food.
Then, it’s onwards, past Victoria Park and Mile End Park. Eventually, after the Limehouse Link it will time for a pint.
Easily one of the most pleasant cycle routes in London.
Of course, it’s in the London Cycle Routes eBook.
Are you planning any cycling this weekend?
See also:
This is my regular weekend potter about route. The Grapes is fantastic – and if you can get a spot on the deck out the back when the sun is shining it is just fantastic (it does get busy quick though!) And you might even spot Gandalf the Grey as Sir Ian McKellan lives just next door.
When the canal gets a bit samey it’s nice to skip off the towpath and ride through Victoria Park (which has just had all it’s paths – which are as wide as roads – resurfaced).
The Palm in Mile End park is great when it is a sunny afternoon too.
Maybe see you out there!
Good stuff Mark – plus good knowledge on who lives next door 😉 catch you down there!
Doing my first ever charity bike ride this weekend. Its a twenty miles, so for me that’s just about right !! Good weather forecast, I’m assured not many hills and all in a good cause Cancer Research UK. Usually cycle on my own but have pursuaded a friend to join me, so should be good.
Good stuff – I think these rides are always more fun when you’ve got someone to keep you company. Even if after a few miles you tend to get quite quiet!
Ooh and the London Green Fair will also be on at Regents Park.
It’s so relaxing cycling along the canals…just wish the path was slightly better in terms of surface.
Enjoy. 🙂
Thanks Angi – it’s the tight bends I’m worried about. Always worried some cyclist is going to swing round too fast and send me flying into the canal! But I enjoy the slow pace it forces
I take it the weather is set to be pretty good from now on?
If so, fantastic! Haven’t cycled for ages due to poor weather but mainly GCSE exams.
Hope you didn’t have to do that impossible question they set in one of the maths papers? Or was that A level?
Lovely route for the weekend. Nothing long or difficult, just nice and easy with lots of great places to stop for food and drinks. It is the Regent’s Canal though, not the Grand Union.
Ooops – corrected!
nice stuff and thanks for your sharing 🙂
Are we having a laugh here? In good weather canal paths are blocked solid with pedestrians, aren’t they? Best of luck, squire….
Hey Phil, as long as you set off early-ish you’ll be fine. This does tend to be the busiest of the canal but other parts such as the Paddington branch are much quieter. This is more of a casual ride
I was thinking of headng south exploring one of the national cycleroutes down to Brighton, pit stops might be limited to ice cream vans though as my locks are still at work (too much weight tolu around on the off-chance you might need it)
It’s worth picking up the Greenway at the eastern edge of Victoria Park, or following the canal (The Hertford Union Canal?) to seeing the work going on at The Olympic Park. Worth it for a cuppa and a slab of cake at View Tube too.
Good tip 😉 the cycle though Vicky Park is nice and yep, if you spot signs for the Jubilee Greenway then that’s another excellent continuation of the route.