London Canal Museum

12-13 New Wharf Road
King's Cross
London
Greater London
N1 9RT
England

Website

London Canal Museum Online

www.canalmuseum.org.uk

Education Website

www.canalmuseum.org.uk/education

What's On section

www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson

Venue hire website

www.canalmuseum.org.uk/venue

Museum podcasts

www.canalmuseum.org.uk/podcast

Mobile Website

www.canalmuseum.mobi

E-mail

General enquiries

info@canalmuseum.org.uk

Education Enquiries

education@canalmuseum.org.uk

All Internet matters

webmaster@canalmuseum.org.uk

Venue hire

hire@canalmuseum.org.uk

Press Officer

press@canalmuseum.org.uk

Telephone

General

020 7713 0836

Fax

Fax

020 7689 6679

All information is drawn or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Colourful stern of boat with tiller, doors open to see inside cabin
baby changing facilities icon Shop icon Library icon Study area icon Visual disability facilities icon Wheelchair access icon

London Canal Museum tells the story of London's canals, their people, cargoes, and the horses which pulled their boats.

Venue Type:

Museum, Heritage site, Industrial heritage site, Transport heritage site

Opening hours

Tues-Sun 1000-1630
Last entry 1600
Open bank holiday Mondays
Late opening to 1930 1st Thusday of each month.

Closed: 24-26 December, 31st December, Mondays (except bank holidays)

Admission charges

Adults £4.00
Senior Citizens (60 and over), £3.00
Students, Unemployed £3.00 with identity
Children 5-15 £2.00
Family 2A+2C or 1A+3C £10

Discounts

  • Museums Association
  • English Heritage
Getting there

King's Cross is one of the biggest transport interchanges in Europe and is just a 5 minute walk from the museum. Bus 17, 91(northbound), 59(southbound), 259(northbound), 390(southbound) stop in Wharfdale Road, a 2 minute walk from us.

Additional info

Free mooring for visitors arriving by boat during their visit.
Overnight mooring (fee payable) - book overnight in advance if possible.

Centrepiece is the narrowboat Coronis with a reconstructed cabin into which visitors can step, listening to the sound of a family having their meal and discussing their lives. Our collection includes "roses and castles" canal art and other decorative art, lifting, handling and weighing equipment for cargo, horse care equipment, and the working Bantam IV tug which is moored outside.

Collection details

Trade and Commerce, Social History, Science and Technology, Personalities, Land Transport, Inland Waterways, Industry, Decorative and Applied Art, Costume and Textiles, Archives

Key artists and exhibits

  • Canal life
  • Canal costume
  • Canal art
  • Lifting, handling, weighing
  • Bantam Tug
  • The ice trade & ice wells
  • Horse Power - London's working horses
  • The Regent's Canal
  • Boats
Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.
In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

26 May 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

Somerset coal canal

Illustrated Talk: The Somerset Coal Canal by Patrick Moss.

6 June 2013

Patrick will tell us about the search for the remains of that lift and about the local Society's work uncovering the remainder of this unique canal.

Suitable for

  • 18+
  • 16-17
  • Not suitable for children

When

7:30-8:30pm

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

9 June 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

23 June 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

Illustrated Talk. The Work of the Port of London Authority Harbourmaster, by Mark Towens, Deputy Harbour Master [Upper] PLA.

4 July 2013

Mark will explain PLA's role in promoting the Tidal Thames and keeping it safe for all who use it. Recently the PLA have introduced various Codes of Practice for Recreational River Users. Mark will update us on how these are working out in practice

When

7:30-8:30pm

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

14 July 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

28 July 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

Guided Towpath Walk

1 August 2013

Departing from the museum at 1930, to Camden Town.

When

7:30-8:30pm

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

11 August 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

25 August 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

Illustrated Talk: The Stort Story, by Richard Thomas.

5 September 2013

Richard Thomas tells us about the history of the river and shows us its charming scenery .

When

7:30-8:30pm

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

8 September 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

22 September 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

Illustrated Talk: Archive photos of the early 1960s.

3 October 2013

Roger Butler returns to offer part two of the amazing archive of canal photos kept in his family albums. Rare photos of the working canals, combined with comments on them, provide an overview of the past journeys of a talented waterways photographer.

When

7:30-8:30pm

In Islington Tunnel

Guided Tunnel Boat Trips

13 October 2013

Lasting about 50 minutes, your guide will explain the history of London's longest canal tunnel as you cruise through it, passing deep beneath the streets of Islington in the darkness of the three-quarters-of-a-mile long tunnel. Opened in 1820 and in use ever since. You are very strongly advised to book online in advance. Trips begin at 11:00am, 12:00 noon, 14:00pm, 15:00pm, and 16:00pm.

Suitable for

  • Any age
  • Family friendly

When

11am-4:50pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£8.30 adult, £6.00 child.

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/tunnel

Halloween skeleton amongst London Canal Museum exhibits

The Amazing Halloween Experience.

26 October 2013

The event includes story telling in the museum by our witch whose spine-chilling tales will make your flesh creep, decorations, and a trip through the three-quarter-mile-long Islington Tunnel on a decorated narrowboat in the dark!

Suitable for

  • 5-6
  • 11-13
  • Especially for children
  • Family friendly

When

3:45-10pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£10 adult £8 child including boat trip and museum

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/halloween

Halloween skeleton amongst London Canal Museum exhibits

The Amazing Halloween Experience.

27 October 2013

The event includes story telling in the museum by our witch whose spine-chilling tales will make your flesh creep, decorations, and a trip through the three-quarter-mile-long Islington Tunnel on a decorated narrowboat in the dark!

Suitable for

  • 5-6
  • 11-13
  • Especially for children
  • Family friendly

When

3:45-10pm

Where

London Canal Museum

Admission

£10 adult £8 child including boat trip and museum

Website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/halloween

Illustrated Talk: The Canal Pioneers: Brindley's School of Engineers. by Chris Lewis.

7 November 2013

James Brindley is recognised as one of the leading early canal engineers. He was also a major player in training others in the art of canal layout and building. Chris Lewis explains how he made such a positive contribution to the education of that group of early "civil engineers".

When

7:30-8:30pm

Illustrated Talk: Ice for the Metropolis by Malcolm Tucker.

5 December 2013

Well before the advent of freezers there was a demand for ice for food preservation and catering. Malcolm will explain the history of importing natural ice and the technology of building ice wells, and how London's ice trade thus grew.

When

7:30-8:30pm

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.
Boxes, objects and other kit

Horse Power Exhibition

We tell the story of London's working goods carrying horses on the streets and the canals. A repreoduction of a stable stall from the building is complemented by displays and artifact exhibitions about the care of the horse, harness, and horse boating.

Creator

  • Canal Museum Trust

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Permanent display to museum visitors

Ice Wells in Victorian Ice Warehouse

The two huge ice wells that once supplied ice to Victorian London are uniquely preserved under what is now London Canal Museum. Visitors can peer down at a brick lined cavern and learn about the ice trade.

Creator

  • Carlo Gatti

How to obtain

On permanent display to museum visitors

Digital and online resources

Barging Through London - Film

1924 film on video of a journey through London by horse drawn barge on the Regent's Canal. Shows street scenes and extensive footage of the canal and its traffic.

Creator

  • Parkingson, Harry

Publisher

  • Canal Museum Trust

How to obtain

Shown at London Canal Museum during normal hours. Also copies available (VHS format) by post, send cheque for £11.95 payable to Canal Museum Trust to 12-13 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RT (UK only - please enquire for postage charge if outside the UK)

Canal Art and Decoration

Display of traditional folk art and design applied to canal related objects.

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Permanent display to museum visitors

Canal Costume

Display of traditional canal families costume, a mixture of antique and reproduction pieces.

Creator

  • Hales, Freda

How to obtain

Permanent display to museum visitors

Canal Tunnels of London

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/history/tunnels.htm

A set of pictures and interpretation on London's three canal tunnels, including some historical images.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Carlo Gatti

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ice/gatti.htm

Brief story of Carlo Gatti (1817-1878) the Swiss immigrant who built up a large business empire in London, as an ice importer, ice cream merchant, and restaurateur.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Children's Activity Zone

A corner of the London Canal Museum equipped with a range of books for children on canal related topics, fact and fiction, plus interactive activities on a whiteboard, and a fun bridge-building activity - build an arch bridge and stand on it!

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Visit to museum 1000-1630 Tuesdays to Sundays. Groups of children by appointment (Tel 020 7713 0836 or e-mail jandmgwalter@easynet.co.uk). Children must be accompanied by an adult.

"Coronis" Narrowboat

Narrowboat butty "Coronis", with walk-in reconstruction of a Grand Union Canal Carrying Company cabin. Recorded sound of a canal family at dinner (by Keepers Lock Theatre) enables adult of child visitors to understand more of the social history and lives of canal workers.

Creator

  • Grand Union Canal Carrying Company
  • Keepers Lock Theatre Company
  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

On permanent display.

Croydon Canal

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/history/croydon.htm

Brief history of the Croydon Canal with illustration.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Online

Education Online - the canal education website

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/education

Online education resources covering the development of canal transport in the UK. Set of 49 linked illustrated exhibits with additional information and illustrations covering the social and economic history of the way canals made the industrial revolution possible. Education website is divided into a learning zone, a family zone and a teacher zone.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Grand Junction Canal

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/history/grandjun.htm

Brief history of the Grand Junction Canal in London with illustration. The story of London's first long distance canal, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in London, in 2001

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Guided MP3 Towpath Tour

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/visit/podcasts.htm

A guided tour of the towpath of the Regent's Canal in London from Camden to King's Cross, presented by London Canal Museum in MP3 format for fre download. The tour is a historical commentary to be used on a portable MP3 player whilst walking the walk, and explains the history of the canal as you pass along it. Suitable for adults and teenagers. Available from the museum's main website and mobile site and through Itunes.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Free download

History of Ice Cream

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ice/icecream.htm

A brief history of ice cream with photograph of "stop me and buy one" cycle in London Canal Museum

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

History of Ice Cream Exhibition

Exhibition of the history of ice cream with a wide range of ice cream artifacts.

Creator

  • Canal Museum Trust

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Permanent display to museum visitors

Interactive Regent's Canal Quiz

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/education/quiz.htm

An interactive online quiz about the Regent's Canal, suitable for children or adults. Test your knowledge!

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

London Waterways Map

(from April 2007) a very large map of London's waterways showing historical and geographical detail.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Visit to London Canal Museum

Mrs Marshall, Queen of Ice Cream

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ice/marshall.htm

A brief illustrated look at Mrs Agnes B. Marshall, the Victorian mistress of ice cream and cookery. She invented the ice cream cone, and taught cookery to thousands. Had she lived later, she would without doubt have been a television cookery star!

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

Norway's Ice to London - Victorian ice import

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ice/iceimport.htm

Illustrated story of how Norwegian ice was imported to supply Victorian London with ice. Includes archive pictures and map graphics. Ice was imported by sea and then carried on the Regent's Canal to be stored in ice wells, then distributed by horse and cart.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum
  • Unknown photographers

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

Oral History Collection

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/collection/oral-history-mp3.htm

An extensive collection of oral history recordings is available on the museum's website to download and listen to at home, as well as shorter excerpts for listening in the museum.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Free download

Regent's Canal

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/history/regents.htm

Brief history of the London's Regent's Canal with list of key dates and pictures

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Regent's Canal Exhibition

Exhibition on the story of London's Regent's Canal.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Visit to museum 1000-1630 Tuesdays to Sundays

The Ice House at 12-13 New Wharf Road

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ice/1213nwr.htm

The story of 12-13 New Wharf Road, King's Cross, which is now the London Canal Museum. Built as an ice warehouse its changes of use reflect changes in technology and society.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Video - The Regent's Canal

1992 video giving a general overview of the Regent's Canal

Creator

  • Canal Museum Trust

Publisher

  • Canal Museum Trust

How to obtain

Shown at London Canal Museum during normal hours. Also copies available (VHS format) by post, send cheque for £11.95 payable to Canal Museum Trust to 12-13 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RT (UK only - please enquire for postage charge if outside the UK)

Weighing and Handling Exhibition

Display of equipment for cargo handling including weighing machines, wall mounted hoist, and other equipment.

Creator

  • Canal Museum Trust

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Permanent display to museum visitors

Face to face resources

Website Teacher Zone

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/teacher

The Teacher Zone of the London Canal Museum website is a complete catalogue of our very wide range of educational resources including free lesson plans, activities, and workshops in the museum, backed by teachers' notes, practical information and advice and all sorts of other useful information about the great range of educational resources at Key Stages 1-3 that we offer.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Paper-based and downloads

London Canal Museum - Education Worksheets for Schools

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/education/teacher

The museum offers a wide range of free downloadable resources. There are too many to list here but teachers should look at the Teacher Zone on the museum's extensive website where resources are grouped by Key Stage of the National Curriculum. Some of these resouces are teacher-led activities that may also be used by parents.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

Available online, free of charge

Resources

London's Minor Canals

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/history/minor.htm

Brief history London's minor canals, the Hertford Union, Limehouse Cut, Grand Surrey, Kensington and Grosvenor canals.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Screen from multimedia app. shows tug with extra text and option for video

Multimedia Guide

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ookl

We offer a multimedia museum guide on the OOKL platform. This is available for Android and iPhones, and on the worldwide web. The guide offers additional interpretation of items in the collection and around the museum, including video and audio content that explains how things work.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London canal Museum

How to obtain

Online, or using OOKL Android and iPhone applications

The Ice House

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ice/index.html

Introduction to the ice trade and ice cream, with links to other related pages.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

The River Lee Navigation

http://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/history/lee.htm

Brief history of the River Lee navigation, a river which became a commercial waterway through man made improvements.

Creator

  • London Canal Museum

Publisher

  • London Canal Museum

How to obtain

online

Getting there

King's Cross is one of the biggest transport interchanges in Europe and is just a 5 minute walk from the museum. Bus 17, 91(northbound), 59(southbound), 259(northbound), 390(southbound) stop in Wharfdale Road, a 2 minute walk from us.

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