A Guide to Little Venice
Published on Thursday 13th May, 9.36am, Written by Amy Whiting
You don’t have to travel to the Continent to get a touch of Italian culture; just head to London’s very own Little Venice instead.
Tucked away just north of Paddington station in Maida Vale lies a quiet and idyllic area known as Little Venice. Situated where the Grand Union and Regent’s Canal meet, it’s a spot you can go to really escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The picturesque streets and relaxing atmosphere make it the ideal place for a weekend wander.
Little Venice
The river is naturally the main focus of the area, with riverboats moored up along the banks, and while it may not be quite as romantic as Venice (full of gondolas and honeymooning couples), it definitely has its own charming character. The many boats are all hand painted and beautifully decorated.
If you want to spend some time on the river, then there are plenty of waterbuses that offer trips from Little Venice up to Camden Lock, and they sail past London Zoo. They run regularly throughout the day and are a great way to explore the area, as many of them have tour guides on board. What’s best, if you book one of Show and Stay’s sightseeing tours, then you can travel this route with Jason’s Canal Boat Trips absolutely free.
There are plenty of other attractions in the area that are worth a visit. The Cascade Floating Art Gallery is situated on a former barge and holds regular art exhibitions, while the Canal Café Theatre is the place to head if you like comedy. It sits on the edge of the canal, above The Bridge House Pub and has hosted NewsRevue since 1979. It’s the longest running live comedy show in the world and would make a great way to finish off your day in Little Venice.
There are plenty of shops to browse around too. From bespoke furniture shops, to designer florists and a cake shop, these boutique-style stores have something for everybody.
For when you get peckish, there are a variety of places to stop and refresh in the area throughout the day. Head to the Waterside Café for a spot of light lunch, or if it’s later in the day try The Boat House Restaurant. It is in an ideal location on the riverside and a great place for an excellent evening meal. The Waterway on the Grand Union Canal is also worth a visit – they serve food all day long and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a drink outside with wonderful views of the river.
The Warwick Castle and Warrington Hotel are great pubs to visit in the area if you fancy a well-deserved drink after a long day wandering around the canals.
With so much to see and do, Little Venice is bursting with character and is one of the few parts of the capital that isn’t flooded with tourists.
It’s the ideal place to visit if you want to experience something different on your next London break.
