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London Canal Museum

@canalmuseum.bsky.social

110 followers 53 following 99 posts

One of the most-visited waterways museums in the UK, located in central London. On two floors we tell the story of London's canals, their people, arts and crafts, boats, horses and engineering. We offer a programme of regular boat trips from the museum.

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · May 30

Uncover a hidden side of the city at the London Canal Museum. Explore the rich history of our canals and ice trade, and peek into a Victorian ice well. Our boat tours offer an unforgettable way to experience London's unique heritage.
Plan your visit: www.canalmuseum.org.uk ⚓️🧊

Explore the London Canal Museum

YouTube video by London Canal Museum

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

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For our younger visitors, our popular Top Ten Trail has a ghostly twist this season! Can you uncover all the spooky surprises hidden along the way?
Visit our Halloween page for more info and to book tickets:

Halloween tunnel boat trips London

Tunnel boat trips in London's longest canal tunnel

www.canalmuseum.org.uk

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

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Or join us for a ’Scream Tea’ trip through the Islington Tunnel - listen to tall tales as you devour your scones & shockingly pale cream with blood-dripping jam!

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

From 29-31 October, we're bringing Halloween fun to the museum 👻

Join us for a boat trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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Museum volunteer Jane dressed up in a Halloween costume

Our Trustee Tim dressed up for Halloween onboard Long Tom

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

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....Kids can bring their imagination alive and make their own creations at our craft session – following your boat trip, complete with ghost stories and spooky decorations!

Find all the info here: www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/family-fun-days.htm

#FamilyDayOut #London #CraftsForKids

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 1d

Our theme for the Halloween Family Fun day is Underwater Monsters! 🍂🍁

This October half-term, bring the whole family for a day of thrills, chills, and plenty of hands-on fun at the London Canal Museum!

What monsters lie underwater? .....
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Long Tom narrowboat in front of the London Canal Museum

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 2d

Time for another #MysteryMonday - here's a print from 1901 depicting a sailing barge on a canal which received Royal Assent in 1793, at the height of Canal Mania. Which canal is it? 🔍 Add your answers to the comments and we'll confirm later!

A print from 1901 of a sailing barge moored up on a canal

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 13d

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The accident led to the Explosives Act, which brought in tighter controls on the carriage of dangerous goods. Learn more about this tragic accident at the museum.

#LondonHistory #Canal #History

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 13d

The Regent's Canal was an important trade route with the Midlands, and barge carriers were paid premiums to carry gunpowder used for mine blasting, as the railway companies considered it too risky.Remarkably, 100 men worked tirelessly to reopen the canal in just five days.
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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 13d

At 4:55 am, on 2nd October 1874, a convoy of five barges carrying gunpowder exploded beneath the Macclesfield Bridge in Regent's Park. The explosion was so powerful that three men died, a boat's keel landed on a house 300 yards away, and animal cages at the zoo were damaged.
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Print dated 1927 of the Macclesfield Bridge in Regents Park, depicting an intricatley decorated bridge, a canal boat passing beneath and two people on horseback passing above

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 14d

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This book tells fascinating stories, including those relating to the Regent’s Canal - the embezzler Thomas Homer, and the thieves and gangs who operated on the opening of the new canal. It’s a must read to see the darker, human side of canal history"

Find Dark side of the cut in our bookshop 📚

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 14d

This month's book recommendation comes from Adam, "Dark side of the cut" by Susan C Law.

"The development of the canal systems in the Victorian period is often seen as a marvel of the industrial revolution but look beneath the surface and you will find dramatic tales of crime, theft and murder
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Trustee Adam holding "Dark side of the cut" by Susan C Law

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 27d

...and the answer is Enfield Lock, we think around 1910. The Swan and Pike was one of the first public houses to be nationalised during the First World War

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 15

It's another #MysteryMonday - can you tell us which lock is shown in this image, and, bonus points if you can tell us an interesting fact about the Inn! 🔍 Add your answer in the comments and we'll confirm later this week!

A lock with loaded canal barge, lock house and Swan and Pike pub

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 7

We were delighted to welcome Cllr Jason Jackson, Mayor of Islington to the museum earlier today, for his trip to Angel Canal Festival aboard Angel - hope everyone enjoys the day!
@IslingtonBC

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 7

We are excited to be at the Angel Canal Festival today ☀️

If you are attending please do come say hello - we'll be in Graham Street Park with our historic towpath tractor and museum volunteers.

More info about the event on the festival website: https://www.angelcanalfestival.co.uk/

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 2

Great to welcome Sarah Lohman, culinary historian, to the museum today for a research visit from the USA to learn more about Victorian ice cream making from our volunteer Mandy, who delivers ice cream demonstrations in the dress, and style of Mrs Agnes Marshall 🍦

Culinary historian Sarah Lohman with London Canal Museum volunteer Mandy, who delivers ice cream making demonstrations

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 1

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Full of detailed descriptions, images and directions, it works well as a guide if you’re new to the city. As a Londoner, I’ve learned so many different stories and seem to always have an unusual new fact ready for my next walk with friends or family!"

Find London's Oddities in our bookshop 📚

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 1

This month's book of choice is from Kiara - London’s Oddities by Vicky Wilson.

"This book doubles as a walking guide and a history lesson for those interested in the eclectic!
A whole section on the Regent’s Canal includes Islington Tunnel and Macclesfield Bridge (aka Blow-up Bridge).
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London Canal Museum volunteer Kiara holding London’s Oddities by Vicky Wilson

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 29

🛍️ New items in our shop.
Our shop has a wide range of souvenirs, magnets, stationary, model boats, books, and hand painted canal ware. The next time you visit, check out our two newest items: our keyring and drawstring bag ⚓

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 21

...and the answer is...Thomas Homer was convicted of embezzling funds and sentenced to seven year's transportation to Australia (he never made the journey). This, plus a combination of other factors, led to the Regent's Canal costing double the orginal estimate, at £772,000.

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 18

The canal was first proposed by Thomas Homer, who became Secretary of the Regent's Canal Company. How did Homer's relationship with the company end just three years later?

🔍 Add your guess in the comments and we’ll reveal the answer soon!
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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 18

It's time for another #MysteryMonday.

This month we celebrated the anniversary of the opening of the first section of the Regent's Canal (12 Aug), and the full Regent's Canal (1 Aug)...
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The Regent's Canal between Camden and Paddington. A person is walking along the towpath, sunlight is shining through the trees

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 12

The lock free section of the Regent's Canal, from Paddington to Camden opened midday on 12 August 1816, the Prince Regent's 58th birthday. Elegant barges full of people and regimental bands were towed along, and spectators lined the banks.
#canalmuseum #canal #history #london #onthisday

Albert Terrace footbridge crossing
Regent's Canal, 1907

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London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 11

Glad you enjoyed the visit! 🧊

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 3

🧊And that's a wrap for Ice Weekend, thank you to all who joined us.

📸 We'd love to see your photos from the weekend - please tag us in any you post.

📩 Stay up to date with our events and museum news by joining our email update: https://stats.sender.net/forms/e73Yr8/view

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