Canals Of London (Part 1)

We're walking all the towpaths in London, from east to west along 25 miles worth of canals, to explore and see what we can find. This is the first of four videos in this series.

[@philrabe910]

Wow, Thanks! Most Americans don't know London's watery history. I got exhausted just watching you walk so far!

[@Postdog]

Love London, love these memories and insights....memories on canals because I spent many Sundays biking from Chingford to Camden Lock using the canals. Brilliant series all round...thank you Londonist

[@neilpavett3413]

I lived in Bow years ago and could never walk past "Bow Locks" without sniggering.

[@8ballphoenix]

That comment about the lock ladder enabling fish to swim through the lock. Quality! :)

[@TheSheepKnowThings]

I had no idea London had such an extensive network of canals.

[@ednuttah]

TheSheepKnowThings Massive, it was the original railways if you think about it, and the best method of freight transportation in London by early 19th century. Let's not forget Thomas Telford stated "the only thing railways should be used for is delivering coal to provide fuel for canal barges"! Honest!

[@TheDicamillo]

That's because you're ignorant.

[@rax816]

What things did you know

[@Coltnz1]

i. rob There are quite a few things that I know I don’t know, there’s a huge amount of things that I don’t know that I don’t know.

[@angusmeigh5141]

There used to be a canal in south London that went all the way from Surrey docks in Rotherhithe, over Crystal Palace to Croydon.

[@alanlake5220]

Always enjoy your videos, and learn something new each time , thanks and keep up the good work .

[@empressmarowynn]

I lived in London about 15 years ago just a few blocks from Mile End Park. I used to love walking along the canal there.

[@voxer99]

Great stuff! I lived in London for a year many years ago but I don't know it like Geoff. I love these little urban nooks and crannies.

[@GedUK]

Very enjoyable! Thanks! I go around the 3 Mills/Bow Locks area regularly, so it was great to find out something new about the Euston Arch.

[@Dangoldmedia]

Outstanding series Geoff.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

A London that I never knew of! Great start of a series!

[@oc2phish07]

I have walked the stretch of canal beside Victoria Park many times, and relaxed in the Chinese Pagoda. You video brought back some great memories. Thanks, a lovely presentation.

[@sophiecat2161]

Me too! Valentines Park too.

[@andrewholloway231]

An enjoyable video Geoff, looking forward to the next part.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Brilliant video! I'll look forward to the rest of the serices!

[@blchamblisscscp8476]

Great series, appreciate the little tidbits of info. My family and I tool a walking tour from Little Venice to Camden a few years ago. It was a very pleasant walk along the Regents Canal and some side trips.

[@chrish.950]

Looks like a very nice spot to relax - I'll keep that in mind for my next trip to London!

[@zachb4268]

"I like trains". "District line". You just have to.

[@helenae3321]

H

[@alexleo172]

"I like trains" *asdfmovie train noises*

[@ih82r8]

I would love to see more on the canals as well as the railways. Canals and locks are so cool!

[@sixftsenpai6172]

This is great!

[@AndrewTGreen]

Brilliant! Thanks!

[@fotoautomatmusic]

I have a weird obsession with the canals, lived right in front of the one near Camden road back in 2004/5/6. Aunty lived on one beside fish island 2007-2016. Since moving back to australia ive gotten really into them and cant wait to come over in a weeks time and stay at air bnbs on kingsland basin and in hackney wick and do multiple of these walks over the course of a few weeks.. :)

[@OfficialBobCorp]

Geoff, have you ever read The Lost Rivers of London by Nicholas Barton? It's a great book that looks at London's many lost and disused waterways. Great read!

[@michaeloconnor7133]

BobCorp Sure, The Lost Rivers of London is a fascinating book. I got onto it by reading the fiction of Ben Aaronovitch, beginning with Rivers of London

[@valentinemcguire8772]

I really enjoyed that..just won't I needed 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👌👌👌👌👌

[@CommunistLenin]

I love this video!

[@GariSullivan]

Great video!

[@LucasFGodoy]

London is wonderful

[@usernametentwo]

love these canals! i cycle here all the time for leisure :")

[@lc3909]

I remember when I went past the Olympic Stadium on my dad's narrowboat when it was being built.

[@ip5799]

Leah Clevett ok

[@simonfoster6430]

Love these videos

[@gunner678]

Excellent!

[@Sequoia204]

Great video! You're probably familiar with the 'Battle of Wolverton' in 1834, when Robert Stephenson instructed LBR to build an illegal railway bridge over a canal at Wolverton overnight after they failed to reach an agreement with the canal company - interesting bit of history right up your alley!

[@motorheadmalc]

Hi Geoff, with both Islington and Maida Hill tunnels on the Regent's Canal, I guess you have the best of both worlds. Waterway, and underground. ;)

[@KlunkerRider]

They should breed huskies & labradors so blind people can go faster

[@jelletje8]

Thank you

[@antifugazi]

Fbat neas was my fav

[@Mr3344555]

They should also breed Belgian Malinois and Czechoslovakian wolfdogs so cuckolds can man up and respect those who aren't as fortunate as them. Also breed squids because cuckolds can't problem solve a simple solution of going around, so the squid will assist in problem solving.

[@Elitist20]

@@Mr3344555 There are two types of people: those who got the word 'cuckold' from Shakespeare and those who got it from Pornhub.

[@denelson83]

Say _what?_ 2:52

[@cedricklyon]

Merci pour la visite ! :)

[@ui1]

Thanks it was great

[@Harveysart]

Opposite the Pink Olympic Sign was the house that was used by Many years as The Big Breakfast House

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Geoff, thanks for mentioning the pedestrian priority rule.

[@kr1886]

Not that it will make a blind bit of difference. I gave up walking the canals because of those inconsiderate buggers.

[@zennor_man]

Itchycoo Park.....Love it...

[@thebuzzah]

Looking forward to Parts 2-4.

[@kerrychaney14]

Love your video

[@Dovietail]

Freaking LOVE canals. MOREMOREMORE!!!!!

[@camilocuervo6046]

I do enjoy cycling up north by Hackney marshes ending at cheshunt. Its a great experience.

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

Geoff, I have done the long walk of the Regent's Canal from Warwick Avenue to Limehouse Basin. I was exhausted after that walk.

[@jsma9999]

thank you keep then coming

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Walking would take a few days depending on how you want to break it up. Some of it is grim and industrial but some is unexpectedly beautiful. The canals of London are Regents Canal, Paddington Branch Grand Union Canal River Lea Navigation

[@WowzersNoWay]

Why am I watching all these videos? I have never even been to london

[@indianweddingphotographerbipin]

This summer canal walks are going to be done very early in the morning. This is the best wayto see London

[@DuanLeadingham]

Very nice in some places especially near stratford and the football stadium with some activities like the pedal geese boats

[@PinkThorn242]

Guess the Battersea Park got a fair bit of exposure when the London round of the Formula E world championship took place there.

[@archstanton6102]

Am 2 mins into the video and it's far more entertaining than I expected

[@sophiecat2161]

Is anyone from Downsell Rd in the 70s? I lived at 78, the Randall family. Trying to find my family on dad's side...

[@chrisstephens6673]

Now you have gone and spoiled it, everybody will want to go there now. :>) Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@TrainDriverSparky]

Surprised you didn't mention the Channel 4 Big Breakfast House.

[@TransportCambs]

Please more!

[@aucourant9998]

You skipped out on showing us the views along one of the most beautiful stretches of canal, the part of the Hertford Union Canal (just after the Growing Concerns Garden Centre) that runs alongside Victoria Park, past the bridge at Gunmakers Lane to eventually meet with the Regents Canal. I've cycled and walked along the whole canal system from the Thames to Regents Park in one direction and along the River Lea to Waltham Abbey in the other direction, and this is my favourite stretch of all.

[@Chrnan6710]

3:39 dodged a bullet there

[@BomberFletch31]

I visited London a year and a half ago and stayed in Hayes, right by the Grand Union Canal. I didn't walk 25 miles along it, though, that's only for crazy people like Geoff :)

[@PlanesTrainsFan]

Geoff in the 8:57 that toe path a little closer to haggerston i think the TFL Rail runs over the canal

[@richardgriffiths694]

Hi, we are focusing on Regents Canal as a topic with my Year 4 class for the first two weeks of the new school year. It would be great if you could direct me to which of your videos focuses the most on Regents Canal. Thanks

[@dragosd460]

Ive been at the three mills just 2 weeks ago seemed like an interesting building didnt get to visit it though

[@tommcglone2867]

The back gate at my home opens out onto the worlds first industrial canal. The Bridgewater Canal predates the more well known Manchester Ship Canal which still does see the odd ship sailing down from Liverpool

[@chancer2]

Who built the Fossdyke then??

[@framedman]

I wonder if Geoff likes Victoria Park and Battersea Park because they both have Chinese Pagodas in them? Also, disappointed you went past Old Ford Lock and didn't talk about the Big Breakfast being filmed there. Also Masterchef is now filmed at Three Mills Studios, right by the old gin distillery. Great video, this one. Only just found these.

[@jacksugden8190]

Only ever go on the Regents Canal at Baring Street (Hoxton) or Danbury Street (Islington) once a year, as scared of those very deep locks.

[@SeverityOne]

What are those cylindrical lattice frames like you can see around the 3:55 mark? You see them all over the UK and I haven't a clue what they are, because I doubt I've ever seen them elsewhere.

[@paulsengupta971]

3:07 - what a load of Bow Locks! Ahem, sorry...

[@davidgriffiths1563]

I LIKE TRAINS - Geoff Marshall

[@bulman07]

ArcelorMittal Orbit sneaking in there at 5:48. Still think it looks like a roller helter coaster skelter.

[@simonprice8737]

how many hours did it take you to walk the whole length, they look a lot nicer and accessable than they were in the mid sixties when. knew them, nice video, keep up the good work, cheers....

[@Kub5008]

I like trains. Could be a reference to ADSF

"I like trains"... still waiting for the train...

[@thelatenightgamer2624]

........ STAND BACK .TRAIN APPROACHING .................

[@rafaelstevens9720]

cool

[@GLENHARTSHAMAN]

love to cycle the canals

[@tileajb1]

I have been meaning to look at this video since I first saw it appear on your channel as I am a subscriber. I have few stories I could tell regarding what is in this clip as I was born in 1947 in Lichfield road Mile End and moved away in 1970, did you know for instance that there was a medium sized factory occupying the stretch of land running from Grove Road to the canal bank at the beginning of your clip, I worked there (twice) and my father worked there for many years and received a 25 year long service award during his time until retirement. If you would like me to relate them I would be only too pleased to do so.

[@Tsass0]

New series, new series - All The Lock in England - travelling by barge of cause. Vicky can do the great C19 'castles' the Mills.

[@jacksearle5485]

did I see a s stock at 4:11? best trains ever

[@ailaG]

How long does a walk like this take? And do you have an approximate map by any chance?

[@jeremyblatherwick3794]

Those lock gates in the water were to stop boats going onto another company's water without paying the appropriate fee: hence stop-lock.

[@watchmemv]

What video editor do you use?

[@andyelliott8027]

3.29 A load of Bow locks !

[@jonathanlinseed5858]

“I like trains, district line” hehehe

[@goodwood-rc4nx]

read somewhere that they might put back the euston arch as part of the HS2 redelovopment of the station

[@jamie2866]

I read that on a toilet wall as well, do you live around Hammersmith?

[@spinba11]

That's not the only pink sign left, if you get off the Jubilee line at Straford head to the steps down to the subway, there is one in the lift next to the steps.

[@b5ndy]

You passed the Olympic stadium, with no mention of the Big Breakfast house, which is just beyond the pink sign you spoke about.

[@BenjaminDAuver]

how can one hire a boat and ride around the canals?

[@yux.tn.3641]

the local govt should utilise the canals and thames river for passenger transport as a new alternative for travelling in london might also helps alleviate the tube

[@alizaerom1019]

took this walk yesterday

[@rjg011]

there are 3 more so enjoy this one

[@AdriLeemput]

03:40 Geoff suprises the viewers

[@moviepenguin]

at 5:31 there is a caption noting a ladder for fish, how do fish use ladders exactly? Assuming its not a conventional ladder but still confused how fish can swim up an incline that needed a lock

[@WardyLion]

Daniel Bennett If I recall correctly, fish ladders are "steps" made up of enclosures arranged like a flight of stairs which fish can jump up / down. They're provided so fish that migrate up or down river to spawn can get round man-made obstructions, such as locks or flood gates.

[@DJWerkz]

Looks like a load of old Bow Locks to me 😂

[@ninjagoggles]

Wee Geoff...😅❤️

[@tph2558]

When you have scaled up the chimney at 01.50 and had a sniff don't strike a match cos itll blow your socks off

[@Tabukium]

I live in tower hamlets, ive seen all of these canals.

[@huxby]

You mentioned the Big Brother house, but not the Big Breakfast house which was the old lock keepers cottage at Old Ford Lock.

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Geoff how do the fish climb the ladder? they don't have any hands or feet

[@ednuttah]

Oh do I sense another series coming on? PLLLLLEEEEASSE GEOFF don't make me beg!

[@leylamaxamed107]

7:42 this is right near my house

[@stephenhookings1985]

... I said Bow Locks Davina!!!

[@saharelsadig4648]

1:28 a ha I caught you one Canada square.

[@harryturner8701]

That tower... My local area