New news - for a change

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 11:05

Those of you who follow our blog and those of you who know me will realise that I write because I enjoy it. I love the historic research I do. Photography is another hobby and it is great to put all this together with our cruising on nb Epiphany. It is our log which became a blog!

Warwick Avenue Bridge and canal beyond

So the "frustrated journalist", as someone recently dubbed me, is delighted to bring you "a new waterway" ......

We have cruised down this waterway once before, way back in our early Continuous Cruising days and I blogged a little about it then. But now we have more experience and see things with different eyes. So here goes ...

The Regents Canal was built on the back of the success of the Grand Union's Paddington Arm. Water transport was the "new technology" of its day. Designed by John Nash, it was part of the development around Marylebone which included Regents Park. The first section to Camden was open by 1815.

Cut around Regents Park Zoo

The final bit to Limehouse (or Regents Canal Dock), linking it to the River Thames, was finished by 1820. It joined with the Hertford Union, the Grand Junction and Old Union canals to become the Grand Union Canal. By the 1960s trade had ceased and the idea of filling in the Regents Canal and building a road was mooted. The GLC (Greater London Council) did one good thing - they dropped the proposal and now many areas around the canal are being redeveloped.

Sights like this were nearly lost to walkers and boaters alike

So to our cruising - Maida Hill Tunnel is quite short, but, as I said yesterday, it was my sister Lois' first ever tunnel. It did not seem to phase her! The tunnel passes under Edgware Road and Maida Hill is 120 feet, the highest part of London W1.

Maida Hill Tunnel portal

Beyond, the cut to Regents Park passes Marylebone Wide and the Lisson Grove moorings there. This area was once a large interchange between rail and water transport.

Archimedes and Ara at Lisson Grove moorings (fuel boat and butty)

One of the features of the Regents Canal are the water buses, which are quite frequent and the passengers seem to enjoy waving at passing boats! Once again we were an exhibit on the move! Lisson Grove, on the perimeter of Regents Park, is very very posh. It lines the off side (east bank) and changes the character of the canal immediately.

One of the first large white houses

The towpath side is also lined with posh houses and flats, but a little more hidden away behind fences and gardens. Beyond is St John's Wood and Lord's Cricket Ground. The walk along the canal must be one of prettiest in London and as we cruised it was difficult to believe that we were in North West London ......