Transport on the Regent's Canal

Several private boat companies operate services which provideTransport on the Regent's Canal.The services run along theRegent's CanalinLondon,England,UK,and are open to the public. They provide both leisurecruisesand regular scheduled "water bus"services along the canal betweenLittle Venice,London ZooandCamden Lock.

Regent's Canal

Locale	London,England,UK
Waterway	Regent's Canal
Transit type	Waterbusservices
Operator	Jason's Canal Boat Trips Walker's Quay London Water bus Company
No. of lines	1
No. of vessels	Narrowboats: Jason's - 1 Walker's Quay - 1 London Waterbus Co. - 4
No. of terminals	3

Operators

The boat companies running services include the London Waterbus Company,Walker's QuayandJason's Trip.The companies are licensed to operate on the canal by theCanal and River Trust.The services are not part of theLondon public transport systemwhoseticketscannot be used on the canal.

Vessels

TheLondon Waterbus Companyhas a fleet of four traditional canalbargesornarrowboatswhich have been converted to carry passengers as a water bus service. Two of the vessels are of historic interest and are noted on theNational Register of Historic Ships.

Walker's Quayoperate theJenny Wrencruise boat, and also thewidebeamrestaurant boat,My Fair Lady.

Jason, run by Jason's Trip, is over 100 years old and is one of the oldest narrowboats in use on the Regent's Canal.

Services

The Jenny Wren passing through Regent's Park

The London Waterbus Company runs daily scheduled water bus services all year round, with regular services running between Camden Lock and Little Venice, as well as Zoo Express services into London Zoo (including zoo admission). They have online ticketing with additional limited walk up availability for seats with card payments on board.

The narrowboat, known as theJenny Wrenhas been operating since 1968 and follows a similar route, offering a scheduled pleasure cruise service fromCamden LocktoLittle Veniceand back with a tour guide. Uniquely for scheduled cruises, she also goes through thelockatCamden Town(commonly known asCamden Lockbut properly called Hampstead Road Lock) at the start and end of the cruise.During the winter months, the boat is available for private hire only.My Fair Ladycan be booked as required. Tickets can be bought online or at the canal on the day, and both cash and card payments are accepted for the cruise.

Jason's Trip has operated public trips from Little Venice to Camden since 1951. Jason operates from the first weekend in April to the first weekend in November.

Route

London Waterbus
Little VeniceWarwick Avenue A5 Maida Hill Tunnel 272 yards (249 m) Chiltern Main Linebridge A41 London Zoo Cumberland Basin A5205 West Coast Mainlinebridge 1 Camden Lock Camden Town Camden Road

The water bus services run between "Little Venice" andCamden Town.The area known as "Little Venice" inMaida Vale,north-west London, at the junction of the Regent's Canal and theGrand Union Canal.This part of the canal was originally called Browning's Pool, after the English poetRobert Browningwho lived here from 1862 to 1887, and who is believed to have coined the name "Little Venice".

From Little Venice, the canal passes under the ancient Roman Road ofWatling Street(today theA5 road) through the 272 yards (249 m) Maida Hill tunnel, and then passes throughSt John's Wood,curving parallel to Prince Albert Road around the northern edge of Regent's Park. The London Zoo water bus stop lies on the zoo side of the canal and can only be accessed by London Zoo visitors (there is no access to Regent's Park without buying a zoo ticket).

At the Cumberland Turn, the junction with the formerCumberland Basin,the canal bends left past a floating Chinese restaurant. The service terminates at theGrade II listedCamden Lock,onlytwin lockremaining on the Canal. The locks were constructed in 1818–20 byJames Morgan,and are located in theCamden Townarea. Jason and The London Water Bus Company's cruises terminate or turn round above the locks, whereby Jenny Wren passes through them.

See also

• London River Services

External links

• London Waterbus Company
• Jason's Trip
• Walker's Quay(theJenny Wren and My Fair Lady)
• The Floating Boater(LapwingandThe Prince Regent)