Canal day: Little Venice to King's Cross

The plan

1. 10:001
   

   Nature & gardens · 10:00–11:45 (1h45m)

   Regent's Canal Walk: Little Venice to Camden

   Traffic-free for most of the way; look out for London Zoo's aviary and enclosures from the towpath.

   A two-mile canal towpath walk from the moored boats of Little Venice, along the edge of The Regent's Park and past London Zoo's aviary and enclosures, to the markets at Camden Lock. It is traffic-free for most of the way, but there are steep steps where the path leaves the canal at the Maida Hill tunnel. Older children can walk it one way and take the waterbus back.

   FreeOutdoors

   • Café on site
   • Accessibility

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: canalrivertrust.org.uk

2. 11:452
   

   11:45–13:15 (1h30m)

   Camden Market

   Lunch from the street-food stalls (Hawley Wharf food halls open 11:30). Keep together; it gets crowded.

   A sprawling set of markets beside Camden Lock on the Regent's Canal, with hundreds of independent stalls and a huge choice of street food. It is busy and better suited to older children and teens than buggies. Waterbuses to Little Venice leave from the lock.

   FreeIndoors & out

   • Café on site

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: en:User:Grim23

3. 13:303
   

   Playground · 13:30–14:30 (1h)

   Gloucester Gate Playground

   Natural-materials playground with a 50 m zip wire and climbing kit; ages up to 12. Toilets and baby change on site.

   A natural-materials playground redesigned in 2019-20 with a 50-metre zip wire, climbing structures, sand and water play, zoned so the gentlest equipment sits in the middle. Wheelchair-accessible bridges and raised sand and water tables make it one of the more inclusive Royal Parks play spaces. Handy before or after London Zoo.

   FreeOutdoors

   • Baby changing
   • Toilets
   • Accessibility

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: royalparks.org.uk

4. 14:554
   

   14:55–15:45 (50m)

   Coal Drops Yard

   Traffic-free streets of shops and cafes; a short walk from the Granary Square fountains for a last snack.

   Converted Victorian coal stores at King's Cross, now traffic-free streets of shops, cafes and restaurants with heated terraces. It is a short walk from the Granary Square fountains and the canal, so it makes an easy lunch stop on a King's Cross day.

   FreeIndoors & out

   • Café on site

   From the day-trip listing

   Opening times, prices & map

   Photo: ClemRutter