London Canal Museum
@canalmuseum.bsky.social
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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Explore the London Canal Museum
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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 ⚓️🧊
Plan your visit: 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
We're open late every Tuesday evening in December. Book your spot for tonight!
🎟️ Book via: www.canalmuseum.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
✨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
We're open late every Tuesday evening in December. Book your spot for tonight!
🎟️ Book via: www.canalmuseum.org.uk
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.
"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.
December 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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.
"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.
Festive events and boat trips - join us for unique experiences this festive season:
🕯️ 11 Dec - Carols & Ices event
Listen to carols sung from our ice well, 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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🕯️ 11 Dec - Carols & Ices event
Listen to carols sung from our ice well, 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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November 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Festive events and boat trips - join us for unique experiences this festive season:
🕯️ 11 Dec - Carols & Ices event
Listen to carols sung from our ice well, 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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🕯️ 11 Dec - Carols & Ices event
Listen to carols sung from our ice well, 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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Want to be the first to hear about our events, exhibitions, news and more?
📩 Subscribe to our email updates: https://stats.sender.net/forms/e73Yr8/view
When signing up, we'll ask you to confirm your subscription via email - please keep an eye out for this in the hour after filling in the form.
📩 Subscribe to our email updates: https://stats.sender.net/forms/e73Yr8/view
When signing up, we'll ask you to confirm your subscription via email - please keep an eye out for this in the hour after filling in the form.
November 27, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Want to be the first to hear about our events, exhibitions, news and more?
📩 Subscribe to our email updates: https://stats.sender.net/forms/e73Yr8/view
When signing up, we'll ask you to confirm your subscription via email - please keep an eye out for this in the hour after filling in the form.
📩 Subscribe to our email updates: https://stats.sender.net/forms/e73Yr8/view
When signing up, we'll ask you to confirm your subscription via email - please keep an eye out for this in the hour after filling in the form.
We are excited to share that, following a major engine overhaul, our tug Bantam IV is finally back on the water and has completed a test run. We are now planning the tug's return soon.
Want to know more about the story? Check out our blog detailing the project here: https://canalmuseum.tumblr.com/
Want to know more about the story? Check out our blog detailing the project here: https://canalmuseum.tumblr.com/
November 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
We are excited to share that, following a major engine overhaul, our tug Bantam IV is finally back on the water and has completed a test run. We are now planning the tug's return soon.
Want to know more about the story? Check out our blog detailing the project here: https://canalmuseum.tumblr.com/
Want to know more about the story? Check out our blog detailing the project here: https://canalmuseum.tumblr.com/
It's another #MysteryMonday - The Brent reservoir was built between 1833 and 1835, and enlarged in 1854 by the Regent’s Canal Company to resolve its water supply issues. At its maximum extent, which London park or green space is closest in size? A - Hampstead Heath, B - Regent’s Park, C - Hyde Park?
November 17, 2025 at 8:30 AM
It's another #MysteryMonday - The Brent reservoir was built between 1833 and 1835, and enlarged in 1854 by the Regent’s Canal Company to resolve its water supply issues. At its maximum extent, which London park or green space is closest in size? A - Hampstead Heath, B - Regent’s Park, C - Hyde Park?
There's still time to get tickets for our night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event, tomorrow evening 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
There's still time to get tickets for our night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event, tomorrow evening 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
Join us next Saturday (8 November) for a night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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November 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Join us next Saturday (8 November) for a night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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Our book recommendation this month comes from our volunteer Alison - Boater: A Life on England’s Waterways by Jo Bell
As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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November 1, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Our book recommendation this month comes from our volunteer Alison - Boater: A Life on England’s Waterways by Jo Bell
As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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We've had such fun celebrating Halloween this year, thanks to all who visited us this week.
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
October 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
We've had such fun celebrating Halloween this year, thanks to all who visited us this week.
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
If you are joining us today, tomorrow or Friday, we're bringing some Halloween fun to the museum 👻
Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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October 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
If you are joining us today, tomorrow or Friday, we're bringing some Halloween fun to the museum 👻
Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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If you are joining us today, 29 Oct 2025, be aware that we'll be taking some photos to promote our Halloween events. No interviews are due, but your likeness may appear in our photos. We'll use the photos online and potentially in print. Please speak to a staff member if you have any questions.
October 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
If you are joining us today, 29 Oct 2025, be aware that we'll be taking some photos to promote our Halloween events. No interviews are due, but your likeness may appear in our photos. We'll use the photos online and potentially in print. Please speak to a staff member if you have any questions.
From Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 October, we bring a little Halloween fun to the museum and the Regent’s Canal 👻
Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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October 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM
From Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 October, we bring a little Halloween fun to the museum and the Regent’s Canal 👻
Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a 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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It's our third and final part of our short history of Gatti's music halls.
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
It's our third and final part of our short history of Gatti's music halls.
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
Welcome to our second of three lunchtime posts on Gatti's music halls.
In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
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In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
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October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Welcome to our second of three lunchtime posts on Gatti's music halls.
In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
🧵1/7
In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
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In preparation for a special evening of music hall entertainment at the museum on 8 Nov (tickets and booking info here: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/music-hall.htm), join us as we share a short history of music hall.
Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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October 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In preparation for a special evening of music hall entertainment at the museum on 8 Nov (tickets and booking info here: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/music-hall.htm), join us as we share a short history of music hall.
Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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We are saddened to share that Mrs Dinah Hutchinson, the founder of the London Canal Museum, passed away earlier this month, aged 90.
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
October 20, 2025 at 7:30 AM
We are saddened to share that Mrs Dinah Hutchinson, the founder of the London Canal Museum, passed away earlier this month, aged 90.
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
Our free digital guide showcases highlights from our collections including a 'Top ten things to see' and a 'Family fun' tour aimed at children and parents. Dive deeper into our stories from across the museum with our collections on the guide.
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October 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Our free digital guide showcases highlights from our collections including a 'Top ten things to see' and a 'Family fun' tour aimed at children and parents. Dive deeper into our stories from across the museum with our collections on the guide.
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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.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
October 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
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.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
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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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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October 14, 2025 at 7:31 AM
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? .....
🧵1/2
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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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!
October 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
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!
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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October 2, 2025 at 7:15 AM
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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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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"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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October 1, 2025 at 7:01 AM
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
🧵1/2
"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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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!
September 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
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!
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
@IslingtonBC
September 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
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
@IslingtonBC