London Canal Museum

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...on the way and learn about a way of life whose transformed legacy is more relevant than ever in our fast-paced times."

Pick up your copy of 'Water Ways' in our bookshop 📚

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In this insightful book, he takes us all on a journey of discovery. How do you navigate a barge? What defines a canal? Who were the pioneers in canal making? And who fought to sustain them after their decline?

Diving deep into a fascinating subculture, we meet many inspiring characters...

Our book recommendation for March comes from volunteer Julia - Water Ways by Jasper Winn.

"When Jasper Winn is asked to be the writer in residence for the Canal & River Trust, he sets out to spend 2 years exploring canal life in the UK with all its historical layers, communities and quirks.
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And the answer is.... There are lots of ways to calculate this, but basing it on GDP per capita and average earnings, we think it’d be £275 million! Learn more about the canal mania period in our ‘Building Britain’s Canals’ exhibition.

Men bow-hauling small boats on the River Irwell while larger barges are pulled along the Bridgewater Canal by two horses. (London Canal Museum archives)

It's another #MysteryMonday - The privately funded Bridgewater Canal, which triggered an explosion in canal building, cost just over £100,000 in 1777. How much would this cost today?

Leave your answer in the comments, and we'll confirm the answer later this week 🔍

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It examines the rich history of the area: the people, the goods and raw materials, passenger transport and the evolution of associated industry and infrastructure.

Illuminating and well-illustrated with heritage material, it’s highly recommended!

Pickup your copy in our bookshop 📚

Museum volunteer Tony stood in front of the London Canal Museum holding the book: The King’s Cross Story: 200 Years of History in the Railway Lands by Peter Darley

February's book of the month is from Tony - The King’s Cross Story: 200 Years of History in the Railway Lands by Peter Darley.

This book focuses on the former King’s Cross Railway Lands, from the 19th-century canal and railway eras to the present redevelopment for modern business and leisure.
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...and the answe is... the image shows rubbish being loaded at Paddington Basin bound for Middlesex brickfields. Contractors continued to carry rubbish on this route until the 1940s.

Our narrowboat cabin is having a repaint over the next couple of weeks - if you are visiting, the cargo hold and cabin may be unavailable during your visit. The rest of the museum is open as normal.
View more about the story of Coronis on our digital guide: www.canalmuseum.org.uk/visit/bloomberg.htm

Material being loaded to a boat at Paddington basin

It's our first #MysteryMonday of the year - these boats are being loaded with something at Paddington basin - what was it, and when did it stop being carried by boat from here? Leave your answer in the comments, and we'll confirm the answer later this week 🔍

An advertisement for Lucy Worsley's Victorian Murder Club

Did you catch the start of Lucy Worsley's Victorian Murder Club? This programme follows a cold case of a Victorian killer, who deposited body parts in the Regent's Canal and the Thames. Can Lucy and her team unmask the killer? Watch on @BBCiPlayer, or Mondays at 9 pm on BBC2 to find out!

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...Taking in the wildlife and fauna that add wonder to the man-made canals.

How her partner, Simon and she adapt to the physical chores and skills needed to steer Pike, secure her moorings and negotiate locks throughout their travels.'

Pick up your copy of 'Adrift' in our museum bookshop 📚

Our Jan book of the month is from Colin - Adrift by Helen Babbs.

'An intimate telling of life on London’s canals and waterways on the canal boat Pike.

A ten-month journey, starting from Walthamstow Marsh along the River Lea in the east, winding all the way through to Uxbridge in the west...
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A snowy Regent's Canal in the winter of 1984

We wish you a happy and relaxing Christmas break, and look forward to welcoming you at the museum from Saturday, 27th December.

Our #MuseumCollection picture today is of the Regent's Canal in the winter of 1984, a much snowier scene than today! ❄️

...and the answer is that a total of 89 were built, but the tugs were numbered up to 91 (numbers 13 and 15 were not used). We'll be back with more #MysteryMonday in January

December opening hours at the London Canal Museum - Closed on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December

Explore our free digital guide on Bloomberg Connects at any time

Visit us for more information: www.canalmuseum.org.uk

If you are joining us over the holidays, please note that we'll be closed for a few days over Christmas and New Year's.

You can always visit our free digital guide at any time - search for Bloomberg Connects and the London Canal Museum.

The tug Bantam IV moored at the London Canal Museum

It's #MysteryMonday, and today's is in honour of our tug, which has returned to the museum after a major engine overhaul. The Bantam tugs were developed by E.C. Jones in the 50's and 60's. Can you tell us how many were built? Leave your answers in the comments, and we'll confirm later this week 🔍

Carols and Ices - a group of carollers singing at the bottom of an ice well

Ice cream making demonstration - Mandy dressed as Mrs Agnes Marshall talking to a crowd during a demonstration

Visit us for more information - www.canalmuseum.org.uk

🕯️Tonight: Experience the magic of Carols & Ices - a unique museum late

Step into a festive evening unlike any other - carols sung in ice wells, mulled wine and mince pies, and Victorian ice cream making demos.

🎟️ Details & Booking: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/carolsandices.htm

This Thursday, join us for Carols & Ices - We've got carols sung in our historic ice wells, mulled wine in the bar, a complimentary mince pie, and Victorian ice cream-making demonstrations.

🎟️ Don't miss this once-a-year event - book here: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/carolsandices.htm

Mince pie cruises - a yellow teddy bear with a London Canal Museum t-shirt, a mince pie with cream and a mulled drink

Visit us for more information - www.canalmuseum.org.uk

🥧 Friday and Sunday - Mince pie boat trips
Our popular Islington Tunnel trip, also taking in the King's Cross Christmas Lights - all served up with your choice of hot drink and handmade, locally baked artisan mince pie.

Details and how to book: www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/index.html
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Carols and Ices - a group of carollers singing at the bottom of an ice well

Ice cream making demonstration - Mandy dressed as Mrs Agnes Marshall talking to a crowd during a demonstration

🕯️ Thursday - Carols & Ices event
Listen to carols sung from our historic ice well, experience a candlelit museum, mulled wine and mince pies, and Victorian ice cream-making demos! Plus, see the King's Cross Christmas Lights by boat.
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King's Cross Lights by Water - the boat Long Tom motoring past King's Cross

🎄Coming up this week, 8-14 December, in our festive season at the museum: 

✨Tuesday - King's Cross Christmas Lights boat trips
The museum will stay open on Tuesday evening for boat trips to view the King's Cross Christmas lights along the Regent's Canal, accompanied by a warming hot chocolate!
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... St Pancras, taking in the King's Cross Christmas Lights. Guests are served a hot drink and a handmade mince pie. A guide on board will tell you about the history of the canal, the tunnel and the route. 

View our website for details of how to book: www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/index.html
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Mince pie cruises - a yellow teddy bear with a London Canal Museum t-shirt, a mince pie with cream and a mulled drink

King's Cross Lights by Water - the boat Long Tom motoring past King's Cross

Visit us for more information - www.canalmuseum.org.uk

December is a magical time to explore the Regent's Canal. Starting today, and running on most Fridays and Sundays for the rest of the month, our Mince Pie Cruises are a perfect opportunity to view London from the water.

Journey through the Islington Tunnel, then on to ...
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Someone holding a mobile phone with two hands, the phone displaying the London Canal Museum digital guide

The exterior of the cabin of the boat Coronis, at the London Canal Museum

Dive deeper into our stories from across the museum with our free digital guide available on a browser or app.

📲Simply scan the QR codes at the museum for Bloomberg Connects, or head to www.canalmuseum.org.uk/visit/bloomberg.htm to download the Bloomberg Connects app and explore at home.

King's Cross Lights by Water - the boat Long Tom motoring past King's Cross

Visit us for more information - www.canalmuseum.org.uk

✨Escape the city hustle - our King's Cross Christmas Lights boat trips start this evening! Enjoy the lights from the Regent's Canal, complete with a warming hot chocolate.

We're open late every Tuesday evening in December. Book your spot for tonight!

🎟️ Book via: www.canalmuseum.org.uk

David’s creatively illustrated guides are bestsellers in our bookshop – and canal connections abound. I learned mill owners prevented a canal running alongside the Wandle, instead giving rise to the pioneering Surrey Iron Railway."

Pick up Green London in our shop - a perfect gift for Christmas! 📚🎁

Museum volunteer Joanna holding David Fathers' Green London book stood next to the river Wandle

December's book of the month comes from Joanna:
"For city explorers, David Fathers’ Green London will take you on new journeys. 

I walked from Morden along the Lower Wandle Valley, discovering wetlands, a city farm, signs of an ancient priory, a working watermill, and William Morris's history.

Mince pie cruises - a yellow teddy bear with a London Canal Museum t-shirt, a mince pie with cream and a mulled drink

Visit us for more information - www.canalmuseum.org.uk

🥧 Most Fridays and Sundays - Mince pie cruises
Our popular Islington Tunnel trip, also taking in the King's Cross Christmas Lights - all served up with a hot drink and a handmade, locally baked mince pie

View our website for details: www.canalmuseum.org.uk
#London  #VisitLondon  #Christmas
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King's Cross Lights by Water - the boat Long Tom motoring past King's Cross

✨Tuesday evenings through December - King's Cross Christmas Lights boat trips
The museum will stay open on Tuesday evenings for boat trips to view the King's Cross Christmas lights along the Regent's Canal, accompanied by a warming hot chocolate!
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