Regent's Canal Walking Tour with Open City Friends, Sunday 28 September 10.30am

Join Core and Keystone Friends for a walking tour exploring the rich history and compelling architecture of London’s Regent’s Canal

The story of London's Regent's Canal (1812) provides a fascinating insight into Georgian industrial infrastructure in early 19th century London. From an early speculative entrepreneurial scheme it became a bustling commercial waterway in the Victorian era, before falling victim to wider post-war industrial decline in the 20th century.

Now transformed by developer-led regeneration into a once again busy urban thoroughfare, albeit one driven by leisure seeking and gentrification, today walking along the canal provides us with a pertinent opportunity to reflect on the changing city in all its diversity.

Tour guide Lettie Mckie takes us through the Canal's eastern stretch from Victoria Park to the Islington Tunnel. The tour will take in surrounding buildings and landmarks ranging from Regency villas to Victorian gasholders, lock-keepers cottages to new developments and converted warehouses.

The tour will last approximate 2.5 hours and cover 2.4 miles.

Lettie Mckie is an architectural historian, tour guide and cultural events programme manager. She specializes in London’s early 19th century architecture in Britain and works at the National Portrait Gallery. She is passionate about the adaptive re-use of historic buildings of all styles and periods, especially in light of the climate crisis.  

Please note this tour is for Core and Keystone Friends of Open City only. Please contact friends@open-city.org to learn how to attend.