Regents Canal
For half a century the Regent's Canal was one of London's best kept secrets. Its thin blue line is barely visible on London's street maps, unlike the much wider River Thames, and it has become buried under the built environment that it helped to create.
However, in recent years footfall along the canal has exploded. Walkers and visitors have discovered its benefits for well-being; and community champions have worked hard with various stakeholders to reverse the disappearance of our industrial heritage. Also, the canal has become a selling point for any new buildings along its banks. In the past, housing estates were built with their backs turned onto the canal, but these days they are proudly fronting it.
Transitory visitors to Camden's markets can be forgiven for thinking that the canal is a self-contained water feature, akin to a boating lake at a Disney theme park. But if they stray beyond the neon signs, in either direction, or if they manage to visit the lesser-spotted canal information centre then they will soon realise that it is part of a 2,000-mile transport network that has served the nation for over two centuries.
Camden is one of five London boroughs that enclose the Regent's Canal. The Camden section descends via four locks from Cumberland Basin (near Regent's Park) to King's Cross over a distance of under two miles. The journey comprises a mixture of twists and turns and long straight sections and although the environment is mostly built-up there are wildlife havens at Bangor Wharf and Camley Street Natural Park.
The Regent's Canal has always been very important to Camden. In conjunction with the railways it has enabled the borough to flourish around it. It serves both as a celebration of early 19th century architecture and as a transport system that supports construction and other needs. Canalside buildings have come and gone since 1820 but the canal walls, its twelve dual locks, tunnels, basins, lock cottages and many of its bridges have survived. Most of its surroundings have become unrecognisable since it was first opened but the canal's own architecture has remained intact and it is still open for business.
Much of the Victorian architecture has disappeared from view but two major landmarks still dominate the canal scene. At the top end of Camden the Interchange Building towers above Camden Lock Market while at the lower end the Granary Building has become the centrepiece of King's Cross Central. These buildings are monuments to the interdependency between canals and railways. They have found new uses but their geographical relationship with the canal is unaltered. The nearby water tower and gasholders at St Pancras Lock also have huge historic significance but their geographical connection with the canal has faded because they have all been dismantled and relocated. Developers went to great lengths to preserve these artefacts and their actions speak volumes - firstly, these structures were worth preserving for the benefit of future generations, and secondly, there was fierce competition for the prime land they once occupied.
The Regent's Canal is open to the public all year round, it is steeped in history and it offers a welcome break from traffic and other urban stresses. Visitors are welcome to find their own way along the towpath or else they can book a guided walk. For further information please visit the Regent's Canal Information Centre or the London Canal Museum.
Written by Ian Shacklock, Chair. Friends of Regents Canal
Note: the Regent's Canal Information Centre is at 289 Camden High St, LONDON, NW1 7BX
http://www.friendsofregentscanal.org/information/CIC/canal-info-centre.html
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1244300
An excerpt of this can be found in ‘The Alternative Guide to the London Boroughs which can be ordered here: https://shop.openhouselondon.org.uk/products/pre-order-open-house-london-guide-2020
