London has a lot of incredible places and one you can’t miss is Little Venice. Close to Paddington and inside Maida Vale, in this place Regent’s canal and the Grand Union canal converge, is because of this Little Venice is called this way. Thanks to this ambient this place became an oasis for tourists and locals that need a break from the agitated city of London.
Both canals are full of boats and most of the landscape is green, making this site one of the dreamiest places you can go if you are visiting London. Little Venice is a gorgeous place to go full of attractions and things to do if you want to experience a more relaxed side of the city without leaving it or going too far from it – and if you don’t we got you.
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How can I get here?
The best way to get here is to ask the locals, of course, or look the direction on google maps. In case you want to take a walk, you can just go to Paddington Central and take a short walk to Maide Vale, the residential area where Little Venice is located. Another way to get here is by tube stations on Warwick Avenue.
Around Paddington are a lot of maps so you won’t get lost if you are walking, you will find some signs to welcome you to Little Venice, these also indicate where are you. Whatever method you choose, we recommend you to just to ask the directions, everyone will know where you want to go.
What can you do in Little Venice?
Even if this is a serene place, there are a lot of things to do in more tranquil peace, admiring the views, have rides on boats, and many more. You can also visit tons of pubs and restaurants, this way you can enjoy the nightlife as much as the evening activities. We recommend you to:
Take a walk by the canal
A perfect way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery is by walking, you can familiarize yourself with the place and you can also take photos of the boats and your surroundings. This might sound unappealing but enjoining the peace of this place can be an incredible experience if you like outdoors and green places.
Visit Rembrandt Gardens
It’s no coincidence that this garden shares its name with this famous painter. After the walk, we mentioned you can go there and admire some of the most beautiful places in London. Even though spring is the best season to go there, when everything is blooming and you can enjoy the tulips, this place is always beautiful no matter what.
Watch a puppet show
Theatre and spectacle have many forms and you will appreciate this in London. A good show doesn’t need big productions or too many people and here in Little Venice, you can see why. In the Puppet Theatre Barge, you can watch a live puppet show, performing many famous classics flawlessly.
For more than 30 years this theatre has been doing these presentations and is an Iconic place you must visit. Only fifty people can fit in the theatre without any problem, which means you can enjoy the show comfortably.
Laugh at the Canal Café Theatre
If puppets are not your thing, you have this alternative instead. This local Cafe Theatre specializes in comedy performances and we can guarantee you will laugh. Located at the edge of the canal, this pub is very cosy and offers performances four times a week, so you won’t have any excuse to miss them.
We recommend you to go early, or book a seat before going because it only has a capacity for approximately 60 people – it has only 60 seats. If you still doubt if you should go, from time to time The Mighty Boosh – the ones from the show – drop a performance here.
Celebrate holidays with the Canalway Cavalcade
In case you can do this trip during a bank holiday or during a special one, you could catch this celebration. During the Cavalcade, the canal becomes busy but is worth it thanks to the view the colourful barges give and the abounding food and drinks you could get.
Get a boat ride
This activity is a must here and is the perfect way to truly enjoy the canals in Little Venice. The boats are similar to the Venetians gondolas, but the ones here have their character and you can admire the beautiful waterways just the same. There are many types of trips, but we suggest you take the ones that dig deeper into the story of the area.
Our pick on places where you should eat in Little Venice
Another big aspect of this area of London is the number of cafes, restaurants, and places where you could grab a bite. There are too many to mention but we did our best to pick the best and share the ones we liked more:
Waterside Cafe
Waterside Cafe is a restaurant that works on a boat and the tables are on the side of the canal, making this a very iconic cafe here. You can sit outside or indoors, if you are going to dine, the menu is simple but every single place from here is tasty.
Café La Ville
If you like Mediterranean cuisine, you will want to go here and try some of the plates they sell. If that’s not enough, you can also order many types of pasta here, offering you alternatives from two different European countries.
The Warwick Castle
This Victorian pub is the place you want to go if the days are just too cold. Is cosy, the service is excellent and their speciality is a Sunday roast. Get close to the fire and enjoy this wholesome meal if you travel here on a cold holiday.
The Waterway
In case you are into gastropubs and you are a foodie who wants to enjoy a more modern meal, you need to go to this place and try their dishes. Another attraction of this pub is the outdoor area, perfect for catching a glance at the beauty of the scenery here.
