Discovering London’s Scenic Canals

London’s canal routes are some of the prettiest and most peaceful corners of the city. Moreover, there’s also a thriving, diverse community living on narrowboats from Broadway Market to North Kensington. Photographer Julian Walter spent the winter of 2020 capturing the beauty of these places along the canals, as well as the inspiring individuals who call them home.

‘I don’t live here, but I’ve spent enough time on the water to feel at home in the community. I began this project – showing what life is like living on the canals – at the end of November, and it kept me happy during the shortest days of winter. The people I met during this time – it took me almost three months to complete the series – were incredibly warm and friendly during the most difficult period of lockdown.’

‘It’s amazing to see what people have done to run businesses out of their boats. I strongly recommend making an effort to visit some of them if you’re up for a unique outing. I met bakers from Venezuela selling croissants and mulled wine, a French cook gearing up to sell fresh meals from his boat. The King’s Cross area probably has the most accessible businesses: local Londoners running a shop called Word on the Water, while nearby, you can find Merlin, the tarot card reader, as well as Matt, the barber.’

‘Since I was mostly walking around in wintertime, I became partial to lively neighborhoods such as Angel and Islington, all the way to Victoria Park. In the summertime, the most beautiful areas are around Hackney Marshes or through Regent’s Park. My personal favorite canal routes are the Regent’s Canal from Angel to Hackney Wick and then the River Lea up through the marshes. Stop for a street food lunch at Broadway Market, sit down for drinks at Coal Drops Yard, or grab and go at one of the bakeries or cafés featured in this series.’

Beautiful Spots along London’s Canals

These are some of the most picturesque locations along London’s canals and the stories of the remarkable people who live here.