Boat hire—Grand Union Canal - Bulls Bridge to Thames

AFTER the junction at Bull's Bridge, the waterway heads for the Thames at Brentford, but before reaching this it drops down through the difficult Norwood Locks, difficult as it seems they have little use so both paddles and gates are stiff to operate.  There is also the problem that it is the residents of a certain creed living above the locks that demand when eating a certain food, its remains must be thrown into water—usually the  canal, and complete with wrappings.

In between the locks are Three Bridges, one of the very few waterway attractions on this stretch, a rail bridge at the bottom with the canal over, then a road bridge over the waterway.

Finally, then, through a great deal of new development onto the tidal Thames, with access of course strictly limited depending on the tide. Hire boaters tend to use this as a route to and from the non-tidal Thames at Teddington.

Paddington Arm/Regent's Canal
Leaving the main line of the Grand Union Canal at Bull's Bridge, and the handy canal-side supermarket, the canal sweeps through Southall and the North of London, though all is not built-up during this early section, with parks and golf courses.

Then there is the famous Kensal Green Cemetery, with a Sainsbury's canal-side. Though there are visitor moorings at Little Venice, these are mostly taken up, no matter what time of day, but there are safe moorings  in Paddington Basin, right by Paddington Station, with security guards patrolling.

Regent's Park Zoo

Then the boater is on the Regent's Canal through Maida Vale Tunnel and the attraction of Regents Park and its zoo, with an aviary by the side of the waterway as a free attraction.

Camden Town locks are surrounded by bars, so it is advised to  steer clear during the evenings, but there is the famous market that is always of interest.

Battlebridge Basin is the home of the London Boat Museum, with visitor moorings outside. This boasts an original ice well where ice cream was stored, as well as many waterway artefacts, and is well worth a visit.  There are many arms off the Regent's Canal, but none offer visitor moorings as mooring space is extremely expensive  in the city, so is used for permanent moorings.

After the rail terminus around St Pancras Station the waterway becomes closed-in by its ever growing high developments and is somewhat oppressive, but locks are few and far between as the waterway drops through Tower Hamlets and eventually into Limehouse Basin with its sea-going yachts and the tidal Thames.

Gain access

Limehouse Basin is on the tidal Thames, and is normally used by narrowboaters to gain access to the river through London to gain entry to either the Grand Union at Brentford or the non-tidal Thames at Teddington. Hire companies do not usually allow their boats on this part of the river however.

Along the route there is plenty of shopping, with canal-side supermarkets, and others just off the waterway. There are many interesting buildings along the way, and some attractive Regency houses around Maida Vale. Leaving the boat moored is a risky business unless at designated moorings, and these are usually full. Paddington Basin (pictured) is the most likely.

Through route

Though the Paddington Arm posses little problems for hire boaters, the Regent's Canal is not really recommended as many vandal activities and robberies have been reported, even stabbings.  However it could be used as a through route to the Lee Navigation.

There is a tendency to leave lock gates open on the Regent's canal, that can be somewhat of  a problem. There is normally very little boat traffic unless there is an event such as the Little Venice Boat Rally.

From it junction with the main line of the Grand Union Canal to Limehouse the waterway is 21 miles and 13 locks. There are two tunnels.

Ease of operation ✪✪✪✪✪
Ease of passage ✪✪✪✪✪
Features ✪✪✪✪✪
Boat facilities ✪✪✪✪✪
Shopping ✪✪✪✪✪
Moorings ✪✪✪✪✪
The more black stars the better.