Guide to the Regent's Canal Information Centre

The Regent's Canal Information Centre is open all year round and it can be found on the ground floor of the Lock Keeper's Cottage at Hampstead Road Locks in Camden Town.

It is a community resource that shares a building with a Black Sheep Coffee store.

This visitor centre includes a dedicated exhibition area and a community table. There are canal maps and murals spread across the interior walls. Leaflet racks are available for promoting canal events and the community table can be booked by volunteer groups who want to hold canal-related meetings.

Wall displays

As you walk through the entrance you will see the leaflet racks and an electronic display. This display is managed by the Canal and River Trust and is updated periodically.

On the left wall at the rear of the building you will see a large map showing the whole canal, along with a map of the area surrounding this building.

On the far wall you will see a map showing the walking route to Little Venice.

In the corner between the two windows you will see a topological map of the local area along with photographs of items of interest along the canal.

To the right of the entrance you will see a walk-in exhibition area with five panels dedicated to the evolution of the Regent's Canal.

Local Attractions

The Pirate Castle

Water-based activities on the canal

Gilbey's Wharf, Oval Road, London NW1 7EA. Tel: 020 7267 6605

(Visit their website)


Jenny Wren Cruises

Public cruises and private hire

Walkers Quay, 250 Camden High Street, London NW1 8QS Tel: 0207 485 4433

(Visit their website)


London Waterbus Company

Passenger service to Little Venice

West Yard, Camden Lock Market. NW1 8AF

(Visit their website)


Heritage buildings

There are numerous industrial heritage buildings in the immediate vicinity, including this building, the three sets of locks, the Roving Bridge and the Interchange Warehouse. You will find photographs at the rear of this building.


Historical information about this building and the local area

This building has served the Regent's Canal since 1816. For over 150 years this was home to several generations of lock keepers. It now serves as a coffee house and a canal information centre.

In its heyday the canal was lined with industries and commerce served by a constant stream of canal boats. Factories, warehouses and wharves dominated the canal's banks from here to the Thames. This spot featured Dingwall's timber yard, an icehouse and Gilbey's Gin. This also became a major interchange point between the canal and the railways. Please visit the exhibition area (near the building entrance) to learn about the construction phases and the financial, political and technical challenges that were faced.

Facts and Figures

The Regent's Canal is 8.5 miles long (13.6km) and it drops 86 feet (26.1m) between Little Venice and Limehouse Basin. It passes through three tunnels and 65 bridges. This building adjoins Hampstead Road Lock, which is the first of the 12 dual locks on the eastbound descent. The water level drops by an average of seven feet at each lock over the next six miles.

Exploring the Regent's Canal

The best way to explore the canal is on a narrowboat. But you can also access most stretches of the towpath on foot.

There are several community boat clubs and commercial operators who provide boat trips or water-based activities along the canal. See more ...

If you walk upstream you can reach Regent's Park and Little Venice. Please check our westbound map (to the left of the rear window) to see where you need to circumvent the tunnels. See more ...

Maps of the wider waterways network

The Regent's Canal forms part of a 2,000 mile waterway network, which connects London to the Midlands, the West and the North.

Further information

If you have any questions about this information then please send an e-mail to friendsregentscanal@gmail.com