“The Regent’s Canal is one of London’s best-kept secrets – a peaceful haven often hidden by the surrounding buildings. Today it is well-loved by boaters, walkers and cyclists all looking to escape the capital’s busy streets”

The 13.8 kilometre canal, completed in 1820, links the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal, just north-west of Paddington Basin in the west, to the Limehouse Basin and the River Thames in east London. I joined it one morning at Kings Cross and walked East.

The Islington Tunnel is 886 metres long and is just wide enough for two canal boats to pass. You have to leave the tow path here and walk along a well signposted path to quaint Angel in Islington where you can rejoin the canal path.

Angel

You walk past moored canal boats, some grand and others less so. “How much does a boat cost” I asked a young man arranging flower pots on the deck of his smart canal boat. “About £100,000” he said. “It costs another 6 to 7 grand a year to moor it in the river or canal.”

After a series of locks, you reach an area with new blocks of flats with large balconies, on both sides of the canal.

Pubs and cafes line the tow path and there were many sitting in the sun and drinking beer. We joined them.