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.
✨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.
🥧 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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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
🧵3/3
November 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🥧 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
🧵3/3
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
🧵3/3
✨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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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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November 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
✨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!
🧵2/3
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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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
🧵1/3
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
🧵1/3
🕯️ 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
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/2
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.
🧵1/2
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.
🧵1/3
As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
🧵1/3
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!
Join us for a ’Scream Tea’ trip through the Islington Tunnel - listen to tall tales as you devour your scones, pale cream and blood-dripping jam!
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?
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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?
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October 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Join us for a ’Scream Tea’ trip through the Islington Tunnel - listen to tall tales as you devour your scones, pale cream and blood-dripping jam!
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?
🧵2/3
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?
🧵2/3
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.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
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.
Join us for a ’Scream Tea’ trip through the Islington Tunnel - listen to tall tales as you devour your scones, pale cream and blood-dripping jam!
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?
🧵2/3
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?
🧵2/3
October 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Join us for a ’Scream Tea’ trip through the Islington Tunnel - listen to tall tales as you devour your scones, pale cream and blood-dripping jam!
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?
🧵2/3
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?
🧵2/3
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.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
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.
🧵1/3
In 1946, the hall reopened as the Players Theatre, presenting Victorian-style music hall and was very popular.
In 1987, the theatre had to close for building work above the station, but reopened in a different set of arches a short distance up Villiers Street.
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In 1987, the theatre had to close for building work above the station, but reopened in a different set of arches a short distance up Villiers Street.
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October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In 1946, the hall reopened as the Players Theatre, presenting Victorian-style music hall and was very popular.
In 1987, the theatre had to close for building work above the station, but reopened in a different set of arches a short distance up Villiers Street.
🧵3/4
In 1987, the theatre had to close for building work above the station, but reopened in a different set of arches a short distance up Villiers Street.
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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
The Palace continued until 1924, when it was converted into a full-time cinema and named ‘Gatti’s Cinema’.
The Cinema was damaged by bombing in 1940 and never reopened. It was demolished in 1950 to make way for a road extension.
Check back tomorrow for our final instalment
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The Cinema was damaged by bombing in 1940 and never reopened. It was demolished in 1950 to make way for a road extension.
Check back tomorrow for our final instalment
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October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The Palace continued until 1924, when it was converted into a full-time cinema and named ‘Gatti’s Cinema’.
The Cinema was damaged by bombing in 1940 and never reopened. It was demolished in 1950 to make way for a road extension.
Check back tomorrow for our final instalment
🧵7/7
The Cinema was damaged by bombing in 1940 and never reopened. It was demolished in 1950 to make way for a road extension.
Check back tomorrow for our final instalment
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To diversify the offering, Gatti’s became a home of early cinema in 1897 with the introduction of short films among the regular music hall acts. These short films became a huge hit with the audience and included footage of clowns, snowball fights, steamboats and more.
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October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
To diversify the offering, Gatti’s became a home of early cinema in 1897 with the introduction of short films among the regular music hall acts. These short films became a huge hit with the audience and included footage of clowns, snowball fights, steamboats and more.
🧵6/7
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What happened to the Palace of Varieties?
The Palace was opposite the Canterbury, the first purpose-built music hall.
By 1875, there were 375 music halls in London, so competition was strong.
The Palace and the Canterbury were upgraded multiple times throughout the 1800s.
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The Palace was opposite the Canterbury, the first purpose-built music hall.
By 1875, there were 375 music halls in London, so competition was strong.
The Palace and the Canterbury were upgraded multiple times throughout the 1800s.
🧵4/7
October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
What happened to the Palace of Varieties?
The Palace was opposite the Canterbury, the first purpose-built music hall.
By 1875, there were 375 music halls in London, so competition was strong.
The Palace and the Canterbury were upgraded multiple times throughout the 1800s.
🧵4/7
The Palace was opposite the Canterbury, the first purpose-built music hall.
By 1875, there were 375 music halls in London, so competition was strong.
The Palace and the Canterbury were upgraded multiple times throughout the 1800s.
🧵4/7
Katie Lawrence was a regular at Gatti’s. She was enormously popular in the 1890s due to the success of her song ‘Daisy Bell’. Walter Sickert, the eccentric painter, painted a controversial and unflattering painting of Katie performing. The painting had an awful reception.
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October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Katie Lawrence was a regular at Gatti’s. She was enormously popular in the 1890s due to the success of her song ‘Daisy Bell’. Walter Sickert, the eccentric painter, painted a controversial and unflattering painting of Katie performing. The painting had an awful reception.
🧵3/7
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The music hall was known as ‘Gatti’s in the Arches’ and the cafe next to it was the ‘Grand Café-Restaurant de la Confederation Suisse’ with the largest billiard saloon in the world, offering 30 full-sized tables.
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October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The music hall was known as ‘Gatti’s in the Arches’ and the cafe next to it was the ‘Grand Café-Restaurant de la Confederation Suisse’ with the largest billiard saloon in the world, offering 30 full-sized tables.
🧵2/7
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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.
🧵1/7
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.
🧵1/7