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Angel to Limehouse Short Walk

The Regents canal, Victoria and Mile End Parks

Easy London

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Thu, 11-Jan-24 Evening Walk: Cruising the Canal (Angel to Limehouse) 11 dark and slightly misty conditions
Thu, 19-Oct-23 Evening Walk - Angel to Limehouse (without Victoria Park) 5 some rain
Thu, 12-Jan-23 Evening Walk: Cruising the Canal (from Angel to Limehouse) 4 dry breezy dark
Sat, 20-Aug-22 Angel to Limehouse or Tower Bridge 5 strong sunshine
Thu, 16-Jun-22 Evening Walk - Angel to Limehouse 8
Thu, 18-Nov-21 Evening Walk: Cruising the Canal from Angel to Limehouse (without Victoria Park) 7 mild dry evening
Thu, 03-Dec-20 a Evening Walk - The Return of the Rule of Six : Angel to Limehouse (w/o Victoria Park) 5 dry but cold
Thu, 26-Dec-19 Angel to Limehouse 15
Thu, 11-Jul-19 Evening Walk - Angel to Limehouse (The Regent’s Canal, Victoria and Mile End Parks) 12 somewhat sultry summer conditions
Thu, 17-Aug-17 Islington to Limehouse - An evening stroll 16 fine

Thursday 11-Jan-24

Stargazer

Evening Walk: Angel to Limehouse (without Victoria Park) T=Short.29

Distance: Approximately 4.8 miles/7.7 km

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Meet: 18:30 at Angel Underground Station

Finish: Limehouse -- DLR or Canary Wharf – Jubilee Line

This variation of the Angel to Limehouse walk always makes for a nice winter evening walk, along the Regent canal with less traffic than usual. There is usually plenty of light to see the way forward….Refreshments can be had mid-route at the very interesting Palm Tree in Mile End (cash only) and at the end at the Grapes or further along into Canary Wharf where there are a number of chain establishments….

More information about the route can be found here.

Enjoy the walk!

  • Fri, 12-Jan-24

    11 assembled at the specified time and place (more or less on time), with some newcomers to the evening program. We set off at pace in dark and slightly misty conditions . The route along the canal is atmospheric in the dark. We all traveled back in time and enjoyed a generous stop in The Palm Tree where all imbibed. We had some excitement with one of our party feeling light-headed....Eventually, all but 2 set off for Limehouse where 8 decided to try their luck with the Grapes. It was our lucky night as there was space available and a very kind group offered to move so we could use two tables adjacent to each other. Most had a meal or small bite....with most staying on for a second drink -- finally heading our way after the final bell rang!

    A fun night in good company! It is great to be back!

Thursday 19-Oct-23

Thomas G
Length: 7.7 km/4.8 mi
Height Gain: negligible
Meet 18.45 hours prompt outside Angel Station (Northern Line - Bank Branch, Zone 1), travel time from Bank 5 minutes, from King’s Cross 2 minutes.
Finish: Limehouse DLR and Mainline (Zone 2).
“A canal-side walk through North and East London. This is a simple walk, (keep the canal on the right) and ideal for early-autumn evenings.
Walk Options: bail out at Mile End (Central Line), after 4.7 km.

Refreshments: The Palm Tree (on Grove road in Mile End, across the park). Bread Street Kitchen & Bar and The Grapes, both a little off route at the end, in Narrow Street.

For a detailed route map, gpx/kml file, some photos and pdf directions click here. T=short.29

  • Tue, 17-Oct-23

    Just to mention the Palm Tree has proved to be a popular mid-walk refreshment stop in the past. So if you're planning to visit you'll need to dust off some hard currency as it's a cash only Pub.

    Also, Tower Hamlet's policy to close Victoria Park at dusk appears to have been relaxed post-covid. Anarchists might like to know all park gates were open at 8pm this Tuesday, but please note there are no Street Lights in the East section of the park. However this does make for an atmospheric ramble through the Old English Garden and new Orchard area where you can find Bridie's Bench at https://what3words.com/flips.sugars.petty

  • Wed, 18-Oct-23

    Small towpath diversion just before Limehouse Basin

    The gasworks in this area were due to complete in September but have slipped 🤭, so there's a small diversion off the towpath, details at https://www.quitenear.me/lhd/map.png

    Also more info at The Canal River Trust

  • Thu, 26-Oct-23

    Enjoyed the walk. I started at 6 to get in some light. Stopped at the Palm Tree, quite busy, no food, only takes cash.

    The other 4, who started around 6.45 had gone to the Royal Inn, by Victoria Park. I went back and joined them for my most expensive fish and chips ever. Not the biggest of portions. The rain seemed to stop any further travel.

  • Thu, 26-Oct-23

    Forgot to say the Hophead in the Palm tree was excellent. 2 lovely pints. The East London Brewery Pale in the Royal Inn was beginning to turn.

  • Thu, 26-Oct-23

    As reported to me today:

    1 started off early to enjoy some of the route in daylight and he met up with 4 others who had started at the posted time at the pub by Victoria Park, after which most dispersed to nearby bus stops or tube stations. 5 some rain

Thursday 12-Jan-23

Stargazer

Evening Walk: Angel to Limehouse (without Victoria Park) T=Short.29

Distance: Approximately 4.8 miles/7.7 km

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Meet: 18:30 at Angel Underground Station

Finish: Limehouse -- DLR or Canary Wharf – Jubilee Line

This variation of the Angel to Limehouse walk always makes for a nice winter evening walk, along the Regent canal with less traffic than usual. There is usually plenty of light to see the way forward….Refreshments can be had mid-route at the very interesting Palm Tree in Mile End and at the end at the Grapes or further along into Canary Wharf where there are a number of chain establishments….

More information about the route can be found here .

Enjoy the walk!

  • Tue, 10-Jan-23

    Last year the Palm Tree only took cash.

  • Sun, 15-Jan-23

    Perhaps it was the heavy rain during the day...but just 4 assembled at the Angel station in dry breezy dark conditions. The route along the canal in the dark was as atmospheric as usual....spotted along the way a rather fine shark and several swans-a-swimming.....not too close to the shark, fortunately....

    At Mile End Park, we stepped into the time machine and enjoyed a leisurely break in the Palm Tree, enjoying its old world charms. Pulling ourselves away, we soon finished the walk on the doorstep of the Grapes where we found a table for 4 awaiting our arrival....all had a drink and 3 some food before heading to CW for various routes home. A fine night out, made extra enjoyable with some lovely Hungarian Christmas chocolates enjoyed en route!

Saturday 20-Aug-22

HollieB
7 miles / 11.5 km to Limehouse
This is an easy walk following the Regents Canal to Victoria Park and on through Mile End to Limehouse. From here you can extend the walk by a couple of miles to Tower Bridge following the Thames Path.
Meeting Place: Angel Underground Station 11:30 a.m.
Lunch/Refreshments - There a couple of cafes in Victoria Park, and plenty of eating and drinking places in the surrounding streets. The Thames Path will take you past several historic waterside pubs.
T=short.29
  • Thu, 18-Aug-22

    I just thought I'd mention that if you wish to continue to Tower Bridge then in the Extension to Docklands paragraph where it says Enter the park at Ropemakers field. Continue in the same direction until you reach Narrow Street. Turn right here and you will be on the Thames Path route westbound.

    In 100 meters,The Grapes awaits those who may fancy a libation and a bite to eat. Also, more information on this route can be found on Stargazer's Thameside Historical Walk - you may view this at https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/short-walk/thameside-historical/ (but bear in mind to do so in reverse).

  • Sat, 20-Aug-22

    Four intrepid walkers set off from the urban wilderness of Angel station and successfully navigated the busy thoroughfare of joggers and cyclists on this section of Regents Canal. Some picturesque views and quality time with a swan family including three very large but well behaved teenage cygnets.

    We met a fifth walker at the entrance to Victoria Park and proceeded in an orderly fashion to the shops on Lauriston Road, where we stocked up on picnic lunches at Pophams and Boulangerie Jade then stopped to eat in the Old English Garden in the park. The beauty and tranquility of the setting made a nice contrast to the warring sound systems gearing up for the All Points East festival and I was relieved to be back on the canal and heading towards Mile End Park.

    Here we visited the Ecology Park, took the Green Bridge over Mile End Road and said goodbye to a fifth of the group at Mile End. Four carried on through the park and along the water to Limehouse Basin in increasingly intense heat and strong sunshine. With no chance of getting a seat on the terrace at The Grapes, we gradually dispersed on the way to Wapping. I struggled on to Tower Hill but I find this section of the Thames Path very erratic so it was the least enjoyable part of the walk for me.

    Overall a.very fine day out in an underrated part of London

  • Sun, 21-Aug-22

    5 strong sunshine

Thursday 16-Jun-22

Thomas G

Length: 11.4 km/7.1 mi; Height Gain: negligible

Meet 18.45 hours prompt outside Angel Station (Northern Line - Bank Branch, Zone 1), travel time from Bank 5 minutes, from King’s Cross 2 minutes.
Finish: Limehouse DLR and Mainline (Zone 2).
“A canal-side walk through North and East London. This is a simple walk, (keep the canal on the right apart for the Victoria Park extension) and ideal for mid-summer evenings.
Walk Options: bail out at Mile End (Central Line), after 8.5 km.
Refreshments: The Narrow and The Grapes, both in Narrow Street.
For a detailed route map, gpx/kml file, some photos and pdf directions click here. T=short.29
  • Tue, 14-Jun-22

    Is there a height gain or loss. Depends on which pub the walk ends.

  • Wed, 15-Jun-22

    24 metres ascent and 50 metres descent. You could probably deduct 7 or so metres from both if you stayed on the canal and didn't cross the Green Bridge at Mile End, so no need to rope up then 🙂

  • Thu, 23-Jun-22

    "...at least 8" on this walk, I was told today

Thursday 18-Nov-21

Stargazer

Evening Walk: Angel to Limehouse (without Victoria Park) T=Short.29

Distance: Approximately 4.8 miles/7.7 km

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Meet: 18:30 at Angel Underground Station

Finish: Limehouse -- DLR or Canary Wharf – Jubilee Line

First off, apologies for the late post. I have been studying the forecast in the hopes of offering a real treat under a bright full super micro beaver moon…..however, the forecast continues to show cloudy conditions for both Thursday and Friday evenings…so have opted for a more “local” outing…..who knows, we may still get some nice views of the moon….

This variation of the Angel to Limehouse walk made for a nice winter evening walk last year, along the Regent canal with less traffic than usual. There was plenty of light to see the way forward….Refreshments can be had at the Grapes, the Narrow or further along into Canary Wharf where there are a number of chain establishments….

More information about the route can be found here.

Enjoy the walk!

  • Fri, 19-Nov-21

    Six assembled at the appointed meeting point and set off along the Regent's canal on a mild dry evening with occasional sightings of a full micro beaver moon . The canal was very atmospheric in the dark with plenty of soft light from the moon and nearby buildings to find our way. Some of the gates of Victoria Park were open, so we wandered in for a change of scenery...Near Victoria Park, the walk writer materialized, making for a total of 7, and convinced us that we should stop at the quirky Palm Tree pub for a mid-walk hydration stop...given the place looked derelict from the outside we were not sure, but gave it a shot and pushed open the door to step through a time machine into a really fascinating old world pub where live music has left its mark (apparently including Amy Winehouse). After our drinks, we managed to pull ourselves away and continue the walk. One dropped off at Mile End, another carried on to Canary Wharf, leaving 5 in the Grapes for post walk food and drink....We then all headed to Westferry with two last seen waiting for the bus...possibly back up to the Palm Tree to catch the Jazz act.....

  • Sun, 21-Nov-21

    I've been meaning to pop this link up about East London Pub so here it is at last ... https://www.10best.com/destinations/uk-england/london/nightlife/east-londons-best-historic-pubs/

    As Stargazer mentioned we visited two of these historic establishments on this walk and I thought it might be nice to device a further walk calling in at two of the other pubs mentioned, perhaps during the festive season...

    The Blind Beggar is quite near Whitechapel station which has morphed into cathedral like proportions ready for the long awaited Elizabeth Line and might make a suitable ending for such a walk.

Thursday 03-Dec-20

Thomas G

Please note that on 'my' walks, punters are expected to give me their contact details for track-and-trace purposes at the start, and that walkers are expected to immediately split into groups of six or fewer and to stay in those sub-groups for the rest of the walk. If you find that beyond your abilities, please do not come on this walk!

Length: 7.7 km/4.8 mi; Height Gain: negligible

Meet 18.30 hours prompt outside Angel Station (Northern Line - Bank Branch, Zone 1), travel time from Bank 5 minutes, from King’s Cross 2 minutes.
Finish: Limehouse DLR and Mainline (Zone 2).

Walk Options: bail out at Mile End (Central Line), after 6.0 km.

“A canal-side walk through North and East London. This is a simple walk, (keep the canal on the right).”

Victoria Park is shut after dusk, so the route is ‘canal-only’ and much shorter than normal.


Refreshments: The Narrow and The Grapes, both in Narrow Street.

For a detailed route map, gpx/kml file, some photos and pdf directions click here. T=short.29.a


  • Anonymous
    Mon, 30-Nov-20

    Be aware of the shark!

  • Thu, 03-Dec-20

    5 on a dry but cold evening.

    This works quite well as an evening walk, what with far fewer cyclists and other walkers about compared to during daylight hours, so much so that the - at times - narrow path is actually very nice to walk along. Plenty of lights from residential or office buildings help for most of the length so that head torches were not used once. It also helped that the moon was still near full and only little cloud cover about. One of us though got run into by a jogger (presumably one with eyesight problems).

    The shark was in good fettle, as was the one flamingo (at safe distance from the shark) and much later we also saw a (live) swan.

    We got to Limehouse Basin for 20.00 hours, where one headed for the DLR on account of an early morning flight back home for Xmas (we wish her well), while 4 walked on to Canary Wharf for the Jubilee Line, stopping off at The Grapes for a well earned pint or two of beer/cider/mulled wine and some accompanying 'substantial' meals. On separate but close tables...

Thursday 26-Dec-19

Mike A
Mike A
This is a squelch free walk (ok, there may be a few puddles) for those who may wish to stretch their legs after the festivities. The walk can be extended to Greenwich for those with an appetite for a longer outing

Length 7 miles (11.5 km)
Toughness 1 out of 10

Getting there

Angel underground station is served by TFL's Northern line (Bank branch). There are also many bus routes through the area.
Meet at the exit of the Underground Station's ticket hall for 10:30 am

Getting back

Catch a DLR from Limehouse, Jubilee line/DLR from Canary Wharf or DLR from Greenwich. The DLR has many connections with the tube network,

Tickets

An Oyster Card covering your starting zone and zones 1 and 2 or use your contactless credit/debit card.


Overview

An easy flat walk on towpaths and footpaths. This walk initially passes the "Hanging gardens of Islington" along Regents Canal before passing through Victoria Park. The recommended pub stop is The Crown just beyond this park (although there are many other hostelries en route). Although the walk finishes at Limehouse, walkers may continue to Canary Wharf at Docklands. From Canary Wharf it is also possible to continue to Greenwich by following the Canary Wharf start of the Greenwich Park walk (pages 5/6 of the PDF).

Get all the gen here

Lastly, Season's greetings to all our walkers and as ever, thanks to our writers, posters and organisers for their untiring efforts. Let's hope 2020 is another great year for walking.


t=short.29
  • Anonymous
    Mon, 23-Dec-19

    Thanks for this posting

    See you all there

  • Tony
    Wed, 25-Dec-19

    [Checks TFL website whilst considering a second portion of Christmas pudding...] Doh! No tube to Angel station on Boxing Day. Plenty of buses from King's Cross St. Pancras? Alternatives? Limited Overground service e.g. Haggerston?

  • Anonymous
    Wed, 25-Dec-19

    Go to Highbury and Islington, then walk to Angel in 15 minutes, or get bus.

  • Wed, 25-Dec-19

    There's good bus connections from Barbican and Kings Cross too.

    TFL for planning details

  • Anonymous
    Wed, 25-Dec-19

    Buses 30 or 73 from in front of King's Cross station. Around a 12 minute bus journey or 20 minute walk up Pentonville Road. Alternatively a 20 minute walk from Highbury and Islington south along Upper Street. Haggerston is about 5 minutes north of the canal and the group should reach that bridge about 20-25 minutes after setting off, so a little before 11. Making this your best bet if you are late, but possibly only 3 trains an hour on Boxing Day.

    Andrew (living in Angel)

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 26-Dec-19

    15 on this walk.

    Weather fine and bright during the morning,

    rain after lunch.

    Thank you to Mike for posting this walk,

    absolutely perfect for Boxing Day.

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 26-Dec-19

    15

Thursday 11-Jul-19

Thomas G
Length: 11.4 km/7.1 mi; Height Gain: negligible
Meet 18.45 hours prompt outside Angel Station (Northern Line - Bank Branch, Zone 1), travel time from Bank 5 minutes, from King’s Cross 2 minutes.
Finish: Limehouse DLR and Mainline (Zone 2).
“A canal-side walk through North and East London. This is a simple walk, (keep the canal on the right apart for the Victoria Park extension) and ideal for mid-summer evenings.”
Walk Options: bail out at Mile End (Central Line), after 8.5 km.

Refreshments: The Narrow and The Grapes , both in Narrow Street .
For a detailed route map, gpx/kml file, some photos and pdf directions click here . T=short.29
  • Mon, 08-Jul-19

    Just a heads up to say there's a funfair just past the Green Bridge at Mile End (Irvine Leisure) This will be easy enough to go around and rejoin the towpath. (Unless you'd like to stop to have a go on the Dodgems or something a bit more extreme like the Megaspin!)

  • Tue, 09-Jul-19

    Intend going

  • Sat, 13-Jul-19

    11 gathered outside the bustling Angel tube station -- one with a bicycle who sped off shortly after doing names....However, he did resurface in Victoria Park and provided some nice personal insights into route....With a latecomer catching us early along the canal, we made for a group of 12 in total in somewhat sultry summer conditions .

    I had never done this walk before and found it a great summer evening outing...Initially, the canal from Islington is quite a busy multi-use super highway -- but we all managed along with no one ending up in the drink...One could certainly get distracted along this stretch with some quite fun and funky looking canal-side hostelries….but the more disciplined members of the group (not me) kept us on track until at least the far side of Victoria Park where we did finally stop to rehydrate...Most carried on to Limehouse -- but as it was getting quite late by then...we continued directly to Canary Wharf for transport....

    A nice evening in good company...

Thursday 17-Aug-17

Mike A

Islington to Limehouse

A walk along the Regents Canal and its environs

This is a canal led walk

Length : 9 km or 5 miles

Toughness : 1 out of 10

Getting there : Catch a tube/bus or walk to the Angel

Meeting point : Angel Tube Station for 6:30 pm

Tickets : Oyster, Travelcard, Freedom pass

A small section of the canal towpath has been shut due to a fire, so I've taken the opportunity to extend the walk further into Victoria Park and revise the directions to suit

Brief Description

A canal side walk through N orth and East London. As this is a simple walk, (keep the canal on the right), I've just put the directions in this post. If you'd like to download a PDF with a map you may click here


Directions

Leave the Angel Tube Station Ticket hall by the north facing side entrance with the RBS bank on your right and proceed along Islington High Street for about 200 metres to The York pub. Turn right down Duncan Street here. In 150 metres cross Duncan Terrace (where the New River used to flow), Then cross Colebrook Row using the pedestrian crossing and immediately pass between two brick pillars to join the Regents Canal towpath as the Canal emerges from the tunnel under Islington.

The walk starts with the Hanging gardens of Islington through the ever changing vistas of North and then East London. Google maps have captured a "Canal View" for the first part of the walk if you want a taster.

After about 5 kilometres the tow path kisses the edge of Victoria Park.


Enter the park through the Canal Gate and walk along the boundary avenue (clockwise) initially in a northerly then easterly direction. In about 700 metres exit the park at the Royal Gate (directly ahead) and cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Enter the eastern section of the park through the large gates to the right of the Royal Inn on the Park and continue in the same direction down the broad avenue in the park.

After 700 metres pass The People’s Park tavern and continue in the same direction, in a further 300 metres bare right along a path with woodland on the left. After 150 metres bear right onto a further avenue. Continue for a further 500 metres passing the London Bridge Stone Alcoves and St. Mark’s Gate.
150 metres past St. Mark’s Gate turn left on a path to exit the Park at Lock House Gate and in 10 metres turn right through an open gate following a path to the Hertford Union Canal tow path. Continue in the same directions (240 degrees) for 500 metres (initially alongside the park then under Old Ford Road followed by Victorian houses and two high rise blocks on your right). Leave the canal here by ascending the ramp to Grove Road and cross the pedestrian crossing. The Crown on the right offers options for a thirst quencher.
Turn right to continue the walk passing the Gym on the right and crossing Wennington Road. Enter Wennington Green and take the diagonal path, and in 150 metres bear slightly right then left on a grassy bank to rejoin the Regents Canal tow-path.

After a further 500 metres the canal approaches Mile End Lock. Leave the canal tow path here branching left on a footpath towards the Guardian Angels Church. If you wish to leave the walk here, you may catch a District/Central Line tube at Mile End Station 200 metres away.
Otherwise continue by climbing the path which traverses Mile End Road complete with trees flora etc. As the path descends, rejoin the towpath.

The towpath continues for a further 2 kilometres where it reaches Limehouse Basin and the Thames. Here you may cross the canal on a footbridge, continuing for 100 metres to catch a DLR from Limehouse station.

The suggested place to eat or drink at the end of the walk is The Narrow 44 Narrow Street, E14 8DP tel:0207 592 7950. To get there, turn left 50 metres after crossing the footbridge to keep the edge of Limehouse Basin on your left. Where the footpath meets a road, turn left onto the road continuing as it swings right until The Narrow appears at a road junction.

Those with an appetite to walk further may wish to explore Basin approach, Ropemakers field and the remains of the Thames Path to Westferry Circus (Thames Clipper Pier here) and the delights of Docklands

Enjoy! T=short.29



  • Fri, 18-Aug-17

    In fine weather, 16 walkers on this walk's premiere, who strode off at good pace to have a chance of finishing in daylight. 10.5 km we clocked up in the end. Plenty of interesting houses, industrial estates and newly gentrified areas of East London to look at, combined with the usual canal side hubbub of locks, boats, cafes and pubs, plus a very wide loop through Victoria Park and another smaller one through Mile End park. A good mix.

    Some argued the route through Vic Pk should stick less to the perimeter path and meander more through the centre instead, but either way: recommended.

    1 bowed out at Mile End (home), about 8 of the rest went for a drink in Limehouse, agreeing to try to find a space at The Grapes, but there wasn't any, not for eating anyway. So 3 went on to The Narrow and a riverside table (in the wintergarden).

  • Fri, 18-Aug-17

    Many thanks for all your feedback on this walk. I'll see it gets written up properly for next Summer. (with an alternative route passing the lakes and the Old English Garden in Vicky Park)

    The walk was inspired by Mike Biggs who many moons would ago put on eight or so mid-week Evening Walks in London over the Summer. They all started from a tube/railway station and ended at a hostelry. A great remedy to a hard day at work.

    Posters (and walkers) can find a link to his latest Self Guided Walks

    Here

    Next week... Wanstead Park!