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Guide To The London Canal Museum

The London Canal Museum

Located in the vibrant King's Cross area, The London Canal Museum is housed in a building that was built in the 1860s as an ice warehouse adjoining Battlebridge basin on the Regent's Canal. This unique Museum delves into the rich past of the city's inland waterways, from the Regent's Canal to those who lived and worked on them.

 

Immerse yourself in narrowboats, locks, and horses as you explore the interesting exhibitions and activities the Museum offers.

 

The London Canal Museum

A Brief History of the London Canal Museum

The history of the London Canal Museum dates back to its opening in 1992, aiming to preserve the legacy of London’s canals. Housed in a former ice warehouse built between 1862 and 1863, the Museum’s building has a history of its own. Today, the Museum stands as the only one of its kind in London dedicated to the city’s inland waterways.

The Building: A Victorian Ice Warehouse

The London Canal Museum is located in a building with great historical significance. Originally constructed for famous ice cream maker Carlo Gatti, it was used to store ice imported from Norway via ship and canal barge. It still has two well-preserved ice wells beneath its foundation.

One of the wells is open to the public, providing a unique opportunity to see the vast underground storage facilities that were vital for the ice trade in the 19th century.

 

London Canal Museum

Ice cream and canals at the centre of the museum

Exhibitions and Attractions

The centrepiece of the Museum is the butty Coronis. With its reconstructed authentic narrowboat cabin into which visitors can go to marvel at the cramped conditions in which a family of six might have lived.

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Facilities


  • Accessible Entrance
The London Canal Museum Information

12/13 New Wharf Rd, London N1 9RT.

Phone

02077 130836

Social Media

There are displays of canal art and Measham pottery, renowned for its beauty and strong association with the canals and their workers.

The story of London’s canals, the people who worked and lived on the boats, and the horses that pulled their boats is told. There is an archive film of a 1924 journey through London on the Regent’s Canal.

The 1949 “Pusher” tug Bantam IV is moored outside, where there is also room for short-term moorings for visitors arriving by boat.

Carlo Gatti and the Ice Trade

One of the main displays at the London Canal Museum highlights the history of Carlo Gatti, an ice cream maker, and the thriving ice trade in the 19th century. Visitors can explore the transportation methods, difficulties endured by the ice industry, and innovative solutions used to preserve and store ice.

Museum Details

The museum is spread over two floors, and there is a wharf outside where you can view the tug Bantam IV. Most visitors take between one and two hours to visit. The museum does not have a cafe although there are plenty nearby. Drinks and Ice Creams are available in the museum’s shop.

The Museum has a programme of evening talks on waterway-related topics and other special events throughout the year. There is a museum shop selling a range of canal-related souvenirs and a good choice of books on waterway themes.

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

NOTE: Venues often have seasonal opening hours or can be subject to change, so it's always wise to check with the venue before visiting.

The Regent’s Canal: A Vital Waterway

The Regent’s Canal was an important transport route in London’s history, enabling the movement of goods and people across the city. The London Canal Museum displays the canal’s rich history, engineering feats, and influence on the city’s growth.

Additionally, the charming Battlebridge Basin, which can be accessed from the back of the Museum, provides a chance to appreciate the canal’s scenic beauty and the surrounding environment.

The canal towpaths are ideal if you’d like to take a stroll. Heading west, you’ll reach the bustling Camden Market with its enormous range of quirky stalls. Further still is Little Venice and Regents Park, which is home to London Zoo. Heading east, you’ll reach Canary Warf, home to the London Docklands Museum.

You can also experience the canal from the water itself. You can hire a self drive day hire boat or go on a skippered boat trip. Or why not enjoy a weekend, mid week or week break on a hire boat on the Grand Union and Regents Canal

The London Canal Museum Reviews

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Review from Google Places

9 December 2024

Wonderful experience a must place to visit in London and it’s not too expensive. The boat ride is about 1 hour and the tour guide is very knowledgeable.

Niecey

Review from Google Places

1 November 2024

A lovely museum that is a decent size With lots to see downstairs and upstairs. Downstairs it has a canal boat that you can actually go inside and have a look around. For me it was an experience because I have never see inside a canal boat before. It also has the history about ice cream, a display talking about different boats, a tractor and much more. Plus the staff are friendly and there is a souvenir shop or books you can buy with more information.

o s

Review from Google Places

26 October 2024

It’s a relatively lesser known museum in London but it’s worth a visit. It dealt into the Victorian ice trade that once kept London supplied with ice for chilling food. Visit the first floor and watch archive film and learn about the origins and history of the canals. Check also online for schedule of cruise down the canal.

Wendy Leung

Review from Google Places

24 October 2024

I went on the boat ride thinking an hour is too long. It turned out too short bc it was so relaxing. The museum is independently run and you will learn a lot. Clearly, a lot of thought has been put into both upstairs and downstairs. It’s not just about boats. Learn about ice cream, pottery, wildlife on the canal, etc. Highly recommended.

Lia Johnson

Review from Google Places

2 October 2024

Booked their “cream tea narrow boat trip”. The ticket includes the entrance to the museum. The trip was fun, about 1.5 hours long. We went through the Islington tunnel and experienced going up and down at one lock. The cream tea was delicious, scones were baked freshly on the day by a local bakery. The guide lady was very engaging and knowledgeable.

Gina Wang

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