If you squint hard enough, you may just be able to tell where Little Venice gets its name from. The picturesque waterside oasis is thought to have gotten its nickname from poet Robert Browning, a former resident of the area in the late 19th century who had spent some time in Italy (and probably wanted to push his house price up).
Neatly bordering the west London neighbourhoods of Paddington and Maida Vale, Little Venice serves as the meeting point of the Grand Union Canal and Regent’s Canal. Once thronging with barges loaded up with coal and other commodities, nowadays it’s a tranquil area to explore. Narrowboats bob up and down on the water and Regency-era white-painted stucco buildings line the streets, lending the area a distinctive charm that makes it popular with Londoners and tourists alike.
Matthew Gilder/Flickr
The best time to visit Little Venice is the early May bank holiday weekend, when the annual canal-boat festival takes place. During the day, dozens of colourful canal boats glide into the basin, surrounded by pop-up bars, street food stalls and live music, before they sail away along the canals at dusk in a beautiful illuminated parade.
That said, Little Venice is a charming area to explore year-round – in summer you can dine in waterside restaurants and relax in the leafy parks; later in the year, the neighbourhood makes an excellent starting point for a crisp autumn stroll along Regent’s Canal passing the zoo, Camden Market, and King’s Cross before ending up in East London.
We’ve put together a big guide to Little Venice below (and you can get a feel for it all in our reel right here)…
JUMP TO: Restaurants in Little Venice | Pubs around Little Venice
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LITTLE VENICE
Barge Along The Canals
To take in the charms of Little Venice from the water itself, hop aboard one of London Waterbus Company’s traditional narrowboats and take a leisurely cruise along Regent’s Canal towards Camden Market. The 45-minute journey begins at Blomfield Road (opposite Warwick Crescent) and passes through the grounds of London Zoo along the way (look out for warthogs and African wild hunting dogs in their canalside enclosures). You’ll also meander past the meticulously manicured back gardens of stately homes and modern villas, travel through the somewhat spooky depths of the 249-metre Maida Hill Tunnel, and pass under some pretty ornamental iron bridges. The standard cruise comes with a little guided commentary so you can soak up some history, but they also run cruises with music and cocktails instead.
Details: Waterbus Wharf, Blomfield Road, London W2 6NG | £16-21.20 (single trip) | Book here
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Or Be The Captain of Your Own Ship (/Small Motor Boat)
Prefer to tackle the high seas yourself? Hire a private electric Go Boat from Paddington, and take in the scenery at your own pace as you steer along the canals. Don’t forget to pack a picnic to enjoy as you chug along.
Details: Merchant Square, London W2 1AS | £65+ per hour (up to 8 people) | Book here
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Catch Offbeat Comedy at the Canal Café Theatre
Smack bang in the heart of Little Venice is the Canal Café Theatre. The comedy, cabaret and theatre venue – which sits above the charming Bridge House pub – has been a beloved neighbourhood gem since it first opened in the ‘70s. Despite only seating 60 people, it manages to boast an impressive programme of world-class theatre and comedy, including the world’s longest-running live comedy show, NewsRevue. Notable names to have graced the stage include John Oliver, Miranda Hart and Eddie Izzard, so you know you’re in for a treat.
Details: 13 Westbourne Terrace Rd, London, W2 6NG | Book tickets and see what’s on
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Sunbathe in Rembrandt Gardens
Hideyuki Kamon/Flickr
Rembrandt Gardens were opened in the 1950s but renamed after the Netherlands’ most famous artist in 1975, when the city of Amsterdam donated thousands of tulips to the park. The well-kept waterside gardens boast plenty of green space that’s perfect for picnicking, or else bring a book and soak up the tranquil atmosphere.
Details: 6 Warwick Ave, London, W2 1XB
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Pick Up A Plant Baby at Clifton Nurseries
Clifton Nurseries is the oldest – and arguably most impressive – of London’s plant shops, a veritable oasis tucked among the fine townhouses surrounding Little Venice. Since 1851, it has been the go-to gardening emporium for aspiring green thumbs and established horticulturalists alike. Even if you’re the type who can’t manage to keep a single house plant alive, it’s well worth a visit for a stroll through the palatial glasshouse and a gander at the lush greenery and exotic flowers. Once you’ve gotten your foliage fix, hotfoot it to the garden café, Flotsam & Jetsam.
Address: 5A Clifton Villas, London, W9 2PH | See the Clifton Nurseries website
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Step Aboard the Puppet Theatre Barge
For over 30 years, the Puppet Theatre Barge has been a source of delight for children and adults alike. The converted Thames barge puts on a year-round programme of puppet show performances in its surprisingly spacious 55-seat floating theatre space moored up in the heart of Little Venice. Specialising in traditional puppetry using long-string marionettes, there is a distinctive old-world quality to each performance, enhanced by the soft lighting and plush golden curtain. Step aboard to be transported back in time, even if just for an hour.
Details: Opposite 35 Blomfield Road, London, W9 2PF | Book tickets and see what’s on
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Watch A Film In The Lap of Luxury
Now we’re not suggesting that you go and make a special trip to Little Venice just to go to the cinema – after all, Everyman is, increasingly, everywhere. But what could be nicer after a bracing walk along the canalside, a cruise on the waters or a picnic in the shade of weeping willows than settling into a plush velvet loveseat for two, and watching the latest release in a stylishly retro setting. Build your own knickerbocker glories, and have them delivered directly to your seat.
Details: 215 Sutherland Ave, London W9 1RU | See what’s on & book tickets
THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN LITTLE VENICE
London Shell Co.
Sure, Little Venice may not have gondolas, but it still knows how to do floating romance. Step aboard this candlelit barge for a phenomenal five-course seafood menu served alongside an English sparkling wine list, all while you gently wind your way down Regent’s Canal from Paddington to Camden.
NOTE: If you’d rather stay stationary, their sister boat The Grand Duchess is moored up in Paddington Basin.
Details: The Prince Regent Boat, Moored by Sheldon Square, W2 6PY | Make a reservation at London Shell Co
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The Hero
This pub carries a bold name, but if anyone can live up to it, it’s the team behind The Pelican: a revamped Notting Hill pub that became an instant smash hit thanks to an inviting blend of earthy-toned decor, a well-curated drinks offering and a stand-out food menu thanks to the leadership of Brawn’s Owen Kenworthy. The team have just cut the ribbon on this, their second project, which offers relaxed pub dining and drinks on the ground floor, and a more formal menu upstairs in the Grill Room. The roaring fireside seals the deal in wintertime.
Details: 55 Shirland Road, Maida Vale, W9 2JD | Make a reservation at The Hero
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Paulette
Paulette is a dream of a French restaurant. As in, if you closed your eyes in a wine and Camembert-induced stupor, this is exactly what you’d dream of. Chequered tablecloths thrown over round bistro tables; chintzy pendant lights and chandeliers; beaten wood floorboards and an entire walls of wine: it’s the fantasy definition of a French restaurant. The food is exceptionally good, drawing on generations-old recipes and introducing creative twists. Try a ‘tarte tatin’ reimagined with white onions and blue cheese, or beef cheek croquettes with a dollop of chilli mayo. Of course there’s snails with garlic butter; fresh fish; and steak frites – plenty to please the traditionalists. And the directly-sourced wine list is very special: they also run tastings here once a month.
Details: 18 Formosa Street, London, W9 1EE | Make a reservation at Paulette
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Kateh
Kateh is one of Little Venice’s best-kept secrets. Despite appearing in the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand restaurant, the Persian eatery still manages to fly under the radar. With Iranian chef Narges Pourkhomami at the helm, the menu features a selection of authentic stews and salads alongside chargrilled meats and traditional Persian desserts. The elegant dining room seats just 75, while a private dining room downstairs and a pretty garden terrace offer additional space.
Details: 5 Warwick Place, Warwick Avenue, W9 2PX | Make a reservation at Kateh
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The Summerhouse
The Summerhouse is where you go when the city grind is getting you down and you want to pretend you’re thousands of miles away. Fresh seafood? Tick. Fabulous canal-side views? Tick. Glamorous clientele? Tick – now that you’ve walked in, you handsome devil. As its name suggests, this place is in its prime in the warmer months, so book ahead for a spot in the sunshine and linger for hours over Champagne and lobster.
Details: Blomfield Road, London, W9 2PA | Make a reservation at The Summerhouse
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Cafe Laville
Perched atop the Maida Hill Tunnel, Cafe Laville is the perfect place to sit and soak up the scenery of Little Venice as you watch the colourful canal boats drift below you. The balcony offers the best seats in the house, but the floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights lend the interior a bright and airy feel, no matter the time of year. No doubt you’ll come for the views, but stay for the food: there’s a sizeable pizza menu with all the favourites, plus a variety of pasta and other Italian classics.
Details: 453 Edgware Road, London, W2 1TH | Make a reservation at Café Laville
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Tokyo Pizza
In a neon-lit, bunker-style izakaya setting, classic pizzas are given the Tokyo treatment with the addition of Japanese ingredients. And it’s just weird enough to work. There’s the salami pizza topped with shichimi tomato sauce and shishito pepper, a mushroom pizza elevated with sweet soy truffle glaze, and a spicy wagyu pizza with roast tenderstem broccoli on a sweetcorn cream base.
Details: 47 Maida Vale, London, W9 1SD | Make a reservation at Tokyo Pizza
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BEST PLACES TO DRINK IN LITTLE VENICE
The Warwick Castle
The Warwick Castle is a locals’ haunt that prides itself on its convivial charm. The Little Venice stalwart has been around since 1867, and maintains its old-school appeal with wood-panelled interiors, ornately etched windows and a marble fireplace. Have a glass of wine at one of the outdoor tables, or settle in for a hearty Sunday roast by the open log fire – and don’t forget to order the sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
Details: 6 Warwick Place, London, W9 2PX | Make a reservation at the Warwick Castle
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The Prince Alfred
Travel back in time to the 19th century at The Prince Alfred, where very little seems to have changed since 1856. The Victorian pub is a hit amongst locals and visitors alike for its lavish interior, complete with ‘snob screens’ that separate the different sections of the bar. The secret cellar downstairs, originally used for storing coal, has been thoughtfully transformed into an intimate space for private parties and gatherings.
Details: 5A Formosa Street, London, W9 1EE | Make a reservation at The Prince Alfred
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The Warrington
Honestly, we’re running out of ways to convey that Little Venice is full of well-preserved historic pubs. The last stop on your crawl should be The Warrington, tucked back a little way from the canal but highly worth the detour thanks to its impressive interiors. A stately tiled porch leads into a cavernous main bar area, where an art nouveau canopy jostles for attention alongside flamboyantly patterned carpets and ceilings, and a staircase pinched from an old ship. The opulent makeover was a Victorian intervention to lend the place an air of respectability after its time as an upmarket brothel. It’s definitely one of the more unique places for a pint in London…
Details: 93 Warrington Crescent, London, W9 1EH | Find out more about the Warrington
Enjoy discovering new neighbourhoods? Check out The Nudge’s Itineraries for the best of every area