Camden Locks on the Regents Canal

Friday, 19 August 2011 13:02

Now we became a real exhibit, as we attracted a huge audience to watch us through the first two Camden locks.

Water bus turns his back on us, returning to Little Venice

The water bus above was waiting to reverse out from its stop in Dingwall's Basin as we arrived. I am afraid I made him wait as I had no intention of rushing ......

Last time we were here it was the end of November and much quieter; what a difference experience it was today. This is really the beginning of Camden Market, now the fourth most visited visitor attraction in London. The old market was redeveloped in 2007 but the Horse Tunnels remain as a reminder of the atmosphere and character it once had.

John had to get off at the front onto the small space at the jaws of the lock and I hung around waiting whilst he and the crew from another hire boat filled the lock. It was their first ever lock and despite a little bewilderment at first they managed well. Of course, John offered the required advice.

Waiting at the top lock, known as Hampstead Road Locks

These are the only remaining paired locks on the canal. They are surrounded by the market and cafés and restaurants. The balance beams overlap as there is not enough room with both locks and I was very conscious that our every move was being scrutinised. Last time we were here the "education barge" from Paddington Basin was going up and down the left hand lock with a group of school children.

In Hampstead Road Locks, the lock keepers house is the white castellated building, no longer used by Lockies sadly

The middle lock Camden or Hawley Lock is approached through this bridge - more gongoozlers

There was a major fire here a few years ago and now the market is right beside the lock; there were loads of people eating at the stalls and on the towpath. By now there was a sneaky wind blowing me across to my left and the large pound proved tricky for the hire boat as we waited for another narrowboat to come up through.

Above Hawley Lock

The building on the right of the photo above, with the egg cup look-alikes, was once the TVam studios. It was whilst I waited for the lock to fill that an American lady began asking all the usual questions. She stayed to watch us through the lock and went away much more informed about living on the water! Some guys who worked on the Thames also asked about speed limits and engines. I must remember to look out for their yellow RIB when we do the tidal bit: it sounds as if they move rather fast.

A last look back at Hawley Lock and Camden Market

The paired locks have become single locks with the other lock acting as an overflow weir - an unwary boater might just get caught out except that the unused locks have no gates and are full of rubbish/infill? The bywashes were running well - you can just see all this detail in the above photo. The exit to the lock is tricky as there is a large bend in the pound and with a wind it took a little nouse to get Epiphany into the lock landing where there is really only room for one boat.

Kentish Town Lock was much quieter but we waited for another narrowboat to come up

So that was Camden Locks over and done with - on to the next bit of the Regents Canal .......