Regents Canal Walk : Kings Cross to Regents Park

Walk Distance: 3km

Walk Duration: 55 mins

OS Map: OS Landranger 176 West London, OS Explorer 173 London North;

Suitable for:  pushchair, bike, family of all ages.

Walk features: waterside walk, points of historic interest, culture, Regents Park (London Zoo), Camden Market

Walk description:

Weaving its way unnoticed through London’s backgarden, Regents Canal makes a wonderfully peaceful pushchair walk or traffic-free cycle ride. Completed in 1820, Regents Canal links the Grand Junction Canal at Paddington in West London to the Thames at Limehouse in East London and winds past many points of historical, scenic and cultural interest in between.

This pushchair walk takes in the stretch of Regents Canal that runs from close to Kings Cross to Regents Park, although you can continue on the canal as far as Paddington and Little Venice in West London. Regents Canal is also a great jogging route for running with a pushchair.

The Regents Canal pushchair walk starts outside Kings Place (90 York Way) – an art venue and concert hall just a few minutes walk from Kings Cross Station. If you are looking for refreshments before you set off, there is a cafe and restaurant inside Kings Place and some waterfront outdoor tables at the rear of the building.

Entrance to Regents Canal

To begin the pushchair walk, turn your back to Kings Place and turn right and over the canal bridge. On the other side to your right you will find some steps and a ramp leading down to Regents Canal. Turn right and join the tow-path as it passes under the road bridge. You pass the steps to the Kings Cross Visitors Centre on your right and many signs of the nearby railway hub on the horizon of the south bank, including the railway bridge with its frequent trains rumbling overhead which the path passes under a short way into the walk.

Regents Canal is perfectly posed in sleepy contrast to the remnants and reminders of industry past and present that line its lazy waters. Pretty painted narrow boats and weeping trees nestle along the edge of the water whilst the hustle and bustle of real London peeps down at you from bridges, walls, houses and old industrial structures along the route.

There are a couple of short slopes but nothing to tax those doing the walk with a pushchair.

Eclectic stalls of Camden Market

Approximately forty minutes into the walk the path passes through Camden Market. Camden Market borders Regents Canal with its eclectic stalls spilling out towards the water, making it difficult to walk by without a quick bit of exploration. Camden Market makes a fantastic lunch stop. You can quite literally eat your way around the world with the amazing variety of food on offer. Peruvian, Caribbean, Thai, Indian or even enormous slices of home-made cakes – take your pick! There are picnic tables to perch on although if you are doing the pushchair walk you may find it a little tight finding room for a pushchair when busy.

Regents Canal reluctantly releases itself from Camden Market after the food stalls and the canal path continues west. Another fifteen minutes leisurely stroll brings you to the edge of Primrose Hill and Regents Park. There is a signpost directing to Primrose Hill on your right but continue walking along Regents Canal to the next signpost, marked Regents Park and London Zoo. For those with a pushchair walk up the ramp here from canal to street level.

Painted narrowboats on Regents Canal

Unless you are planning to continue towards Paddington, say goodbye to the canal here and exit next to St. Mark’s Church. Turn left and you will find the entrance to Regents Park and London Zoo immediately on your left. A bus stop is located just beyond from where you can catch the 274 to Lancaster Gate, including stops at Baker Street and Marble Arch (for Islington, leave from across the road). For Kings Cross, connect by bus from either Baker Street (no. 30) or Caledonian Road and Barnsbury Station (no. 91 from stop L). If you are keen to walk a little further, why not explore Regents Park or enjoy the fantastic views across London from the top of Primrose Hill – both make a great pushchair walk or flat-surfaced stroll.

Map of Route:

Directions:

This pushchair walk starts from outside King’s Place on York Way, just a few minutes walk from King’s Cross Railway Station. King’s Cross St. Pancras underground station is accessible by lift with a pushchair. The 390 bus stops on York Way, with the number 10, 17, 30, 45, 46, 59, 63, 73, 91, 205, 214, 259 and 476 stopping at King’s Cross.

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