Regent's Canal walking tour - Sunday 2 March 2025 10.30am

Join Open City 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.

Join tour guide Lettie Mckie to explore its 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.

Key information

Meet: Bonner Gate to Victoria Park, Sewardstone Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9JW

End: Islington Tunnel, Colebrooke Row, London N1 8AP 

Distance: 2.4 miles

Duration: 2.5 hours

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.