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Amongst the hustle and bustle of London is a rather quaint corner known as Little Venice. Little Venice is one such hidden gems of this city and one of the things to do in London.
Based in the heart of the city is a small section of waterways. This waterway provides a tranquil spot for Londoners and the millions of visitors each year. This is where the Grand and Union Canal meet and home to the narrowboats for many years.
Things to know about Little Venice.
Historically some parts of Paddington and Maida Vale around the canals were referred as London’s Venice. This was due to the waterways but only later on Little was added to this. The name was attributed by the poet Robert Browning who lived here and Lord Byron who compared it to Venice.
How to get to Little Venice
How to get to Little Venice? Little Venice is easily accessible by Public Transport. You can get to Little Venice by bus or Warwick Avenue tube station on the Bakerloo Line.
Post Code for Little Venice – If you are looking to travel by car then the closest post code would be W9 2PF. If you visit the area on a Sunday there is plenty of free parking around this area.
There are a few private companies that operate a lunch cruise on the canal.
A water bus service operates from Little Venice to Camden Town and is a great way to enjoy the Canal on a bright summer’s day. The water bus passes through Regent’s Park and you can hop off at the famous London Zoo if you want.
GoBoat London
I could not think of a better way of enjoying Little Venice than getting on a GoBoat with a beverage and picnic on board. GoBoat London is the only self-drive, powered boating experience and the best way to see the life on the Canal.
Start your ride from their base on Merchants Square and sail down the Canal to Little Venice. Do you need experience to drive a Goboat? You do not require any previous experience to get on one of their boats.
The boats are eco friendly and made from 80% recycled bottles and wood so get ready to go GoBoat.
GoBoat also operate from Kingston Upon Thames.
Little Venice is the perfect get away from the crowds and rush of the City and a very popular spot for Londoners especially in the summer.
Little Venice
Architecture around Little Venice – Things to do in London.
It is not just the canal but the whole area itself is beautiful with majority of the buildings built in Regency style architecture with white painted stucco facades and a photographer’s paradise. Little Venice is one of London’s prime residential areas and a house could set you back millions. The area boasts of some of the finest independent shops and restaurants that you could walk into and spend a few hours as well.
Pubs in Little Venice
There are a few pubs and restaurants that have become synonymous with the area such as the Waterside café, The Summerhouse Restaurant and Café LaVille.
The Summerhouse is a favourite and can be very busy on a sunny day so make sure to book a table in advance.
We visited the Café La Ville which has some stunning views overlooking the canal and for a moment I forgot I was in London.
Things to do around Little Venice
There are a few attractions along the canal one of them being the Canal Café Theatre which hosts several shows, dramas and comedy events through the summer months.
The Bridge House a traditional English pub is in the same building as the Canal Cafe Theatre and is the perfect place to have a pint in the old fashion English way.
Another great attraction to visit is The Puppet Theatre which is on a converted barge and seats around 55 people. It is mainly moored in Little Venice through the year but makes its way down the Thames touring in the summer months.
The perfect afternoon spent exploring Little Venice in London.
So next time you are in London make sure you don’t miss this hidden gem.
If you enjoyed Little Venice you might enjoy visiting the Royal Exchange in London.
When I read the title I thought it will be about Venice, but I was surprised to read that there is one portion in London which is called Little Venice. A great way to explore a city is to see what’s hidden from the usual eyes, you brought the same out. I always perceived london as a historic and busy city. To add, view from cafe la ville looks peaceful.
Thanks. Indeed a beautiful place on the heart of London
I haven’t visited Little Venice in London – after reading your article I must. Such a pretty area! Cafe Laville has got my name on it – what a great place to have a cafe. I can see myself enjoying an afternoon there with friends. I wonder if you can spend a night or two on one of the narrowboats?
Hope you can make it there soon.
I really need to go back here! I went to a part of Little Venice a few years ago but the canal was green and smelt. It looks like I either went to the wrong part or on a bad day as your photos make the area look simply gorgeous! Thank you for sharing as I had pretty much written this off as somewhere never to go again!
Not sure but it’s beautiful as you see in the photos. Try it again.
Actually it reminded me more of Giethrron in Netherlands. Similar canals and adjacent hotels and houses. It was amazing and Im sure this trip would be similarly awesome too!
Hope you can visit Little Venice and compare it for yourself
Looks very pretty
Thanks
Gran Union Canal is definitely one of the hidden gems of the city. So quaint and peaceful compared to some of the more busy areas of the city. Would love to be able to navigate through the canal by boat. And I love that the boat is eco friendly.
A great place in the middle of the city.
I love such peaceful and relaxed places in the corners of city which are not very crowded also. This canal really looks beautiful and not very crowded and truly it deserves the name Little Venice. Also boating in this canal must be fun. Good to know that Goboat are made up of recycled materials and a nice example of ecofriendly tourism. Would love to watch some drama or show in Canal cafe theatre during summer months.
Hope you can visit it one day and enjoy a ride on GoBoat.
I haven’t visited London yet and never heard about this part of the city before. It looks very different from the rest of the city and quite interesting. I would definitely like to visit if I ever make it to London.
Hope you can visit it soon
I haven’t been to London or Venice before, but from your pictures and what I heard of Venice, I do get why the area is named little venice. The waterways and the architecture are so beautiful.. it somewhat reminds me of the canals of Amsterdam. I like the idea of taking a goboat tour with picnic onboard!
Thanks. Great place to visit on a summers day
What a fantastic example of escaping the city without even leaving the city! This is a great find and something I never knew existed, even though I have been around London on previous visits to the UK. The Go Boats look like so much fun and a great way to leisurely cruise down the canal taking the atmosphere in and forgetting you are in a major city. The table and picnic set up on these boats look really good. Just a great way to spend a few hours, especially in summer if it isn’t too crowded.
Indeed a great way to enjoy a summers day with a picnic on the GoBoat
I was watching Vlog about London little Venice few weeks ago. I noticed that is better vibe, than Camden Town or other parts of London. My plan is to visit the place in June. Do you think will be still quiet?
It’s a great place and might not be as quiet in peak summer but still a great vibe away from the hustle and bustle.
The town of Little Venice is adorable!!! I would love to do the GoBoat when I do, as well as eat on a Lunch Boat.
I have never heard of The Puppet Theatre, but that sounds awesome and I would love to visit that!
You must try a ride on the GoBoat
Oh lovely, I’ve not been to Little Venice for ages, but remember some lovely walking there and a visit to the charming garden centre. I like the sound of the boat picnic experience, what fun!
Hope you can visit again soon
Your discovery of Little Venice makes me very envious indeed. I’ve spent 10 days in London, yet didn’t have any idea about the existence of this place. It looks so unlike London though, which is very interesting. I’m hoping to return to London this summer, so I’ll make it a point to visit Little Venice. Thanks for sharing this.
It is one of the hidden gems and hope you can experience it on your next visit
This year I wish to visit London and definitely this place will be on my checklist. The title itself intrigued me by knowing a place which resembles Venice in London.
You must visit on your trip to london
I hadn’t heard of Little Venice in London but now that I have I will be visiting soon. Beautiful pictures!
Thanks
I love reading your London posts. You always manage to find something in the city and around.Little Venice seems like a great place for relaxing evening. I love waterways and spending times with your friends and family. Its a great idea to go on a picnic on a boat. I would love to visit this place whenever I travel to london.
There are a few hidden gems in and around London that needs to be promoted and that’s what I try to do. Hope you can visit soon
Wow, Little Venice looks like a natural paradise in the heart of London. I am sure such a place will be quite refreshing in the midst of a busy city. Also, the place is quite environment friendly.
Indeed a great place to relax in London
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