Back by popular demand, today I want to share another of my free self-guided London walking tours with you. This one is a Little Venice London walk in one of the most beautiful local parts of the UK capital. If you love getting off the beaten path and discovering the city’s waterways, this route is for you. As always, I’ve included a map as well.
Little Venice London Walk
What a lot of people don’t realize is that when it comes to London, the River Thames doesn’t have a monopoly on all things water.
There’s a system of canals running through the UK capital that offers a calmer, more relaxed alternative to walks along the Thames in London. It’s perfect for taking canal walks.
Regent’s Canal is the main one people walk along, not least because it has a well-trodden towpath. The Grand Union Canal is another. Both waterways are lined with colorful boats, and they’re popular places to explore.
Little Venice is the ideal place to see them. Right by the junction of the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal, Regent’s Canal, and the entrance to Paddington Basin, it’s well positioned for discovering London’s beautiful waterways.
Little Venice is home to waterfront cafes, pretty pubs, and attractive houses. A residential area in the northwestern part of central London, it emulates its Italian counterpart in beauty.
Self-Guided London Walking Tours
If you want to explore beyond this area, I’ve also published guides to canal walks in London. One will take you from Little Venice and Maida Vale all the way east to Hackney. Another is a Regent’s Canal walk from King’s Cross to London Fields.
If you’re interested in more, I’ve published a lot of free self-guided London walks and pulled them all together in my London walking tours blog post and my London walking map.
There are additional walks outlined in the book London’s Hidden Walks, too. You can get it here. There are more ideas in my London walking books post as well.
Little Venice London Walking Tour
My self-guided Little Venice walk in London will take you from the waterways to the pretty streets of the neighborhood. Along the way you’ll discover everything from elegant houses to canalside cafes and hidden pubs.
The route of this London walking tour goes by lots of good places to eat and drink, so you can stop to get a meal, snack, or coffee as you go if you need a break.
The Route
This loveliest of Little Venice walking tours starts at Warwick Avenue station. It’s on the Bakerloo line of the London Underground, so it’s easy to get to by tube.
There are also local buses that serve the area, or you can arrive on foot, by bike, or on a scooter from central London.
Whatever way you choose to get here, exit the station and walk south down Warwick Avenue (you can sing the famous song as you go if you want to).
When you reach Warwick Place, turn right and walk down to the end. You’ll pass by a hidden pub called The Warwick Castle here, so you can start your walk with a drink or a meal if you’d like to.
Little Venice
When you arrive at the end of Warwick Place, turn left on Blomfield Road. Follow it as it curves around. You’ll soon find yourself in the heart of Little Venice.
The triangle of water to your right has lots to see, including canal boats, Rembrandt Gardens, a boat-turned-cafe, and a small island. You can walk across Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge and down to the water to spend some time taking it all in.
This is the heart of the area, and it’s worth exploring it at a leisurely pace. The details here are what make this part of London so special.
Regent’s Canal
When you’re done soaking up the scene, hop on the Regent’s Canal towpath and head up to Blomfield Road when you reach the gate. Walk northeast alongside the water and keep an eye out for colorful boats as you go.
You’ll get a feel for the slower pace of life on the canal while you’re here. You’ll also see some eye-catching heritage architecture on your left.
When you’re near Edgware Road, you’ll find yourself in front of a cafe and a bridge over the canal. You can stop for a drink or snack if you want to, or continue your Little Venice walking tour by turning right on Edgware Road.
Right after you do, take another quick right on Maida Avenue to walk back down towards Rembrandt Gardens. You’ll see the same stretch of canal you just walked along, but from the other side.
When Maida Avenue brings you back to Warwick Avenue, turn left. Walk along Rembrandt Gardens and admire the green space on your right and the elegant houses opposite it.
When you reach an entrance to Rembrandt Gardens, head into the park and explore for as long as you want to.
Paddington Basin
When you’ve finished exploring, continue your Little Venice walk by heading out the southeastern exit of the gardens and turning left to stroll along the canal towpath. As you go, you’ll pass a park and make your way down into Paddington Basin.
After walking under the Westway, you’ll reach a pedestrian bridge. Cross over it and check out the waterfront restaurants, bars, and cafes in Paddington Central on the other side. This is a great place to stop for a snack, meal, or drink if you need one.
You can also take a peek at Sheldon Square and Merchant Square while you’re in the vicinity. These places are examples of how much development has taken place in the Paddington area over the years.
When you’re done exploring, make your way back to the towpath, turn left, and continue along the opposite side of the water from the way you came. You’ll walk up to the triangle where you started your Little Venice walk.
Grand Union Canal
When you reach it, walk along the towpath on the south side, passing the canal boat cafe before you reach Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge.
Walk under the bridge and continue along the Grand Union Canal towpath as it takes you up Delamere Terrace. You’ll pass by more colorful canal boats and waterfront restaurants as you go.
Eventually you’ll reach a pedestrian bridge that crosses over to Blomfield Road and Formosa Street. There’s a park just beyond it that you can explore if you want to. If not, cross over the bridge and turn right on Blomfield Road.
Little Venice
Blomfield Road will take you past elegant houses and local restaurants as you make your way down to Clifton Villas.
When you get there, turn left and admire the homes on either side and the church steeple at the end of the road. Partway down the street you’ll see the entrance to the famous Clifton Nurseries on Bristol Gardens on your right.
You can walk in and check out the beautiful garden center if you have time, or continue your Little Venice walk by continuing straight towards the church.
When you reach the intersection of Clifton Villas and Warwick Avenue, you’ll be back at the tube station where you started. Your self-guided Little Venice walking tour ends here.
You can pick up the tube or a bus, bike, or scooter here, or spend more time exploring the area.
Map and Details of the Little Venice Walk in London
Little Venice London Walking Tour
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Little Venice walk and that it’s inspired you to get out and explore London’s waterways beyond the Thames. This local area is worth discovering, and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do when you visit. Happy walking!
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