Little Venice is usually somewhere I associate with a quieter London walk: canals, boats and a chance to slow down beside the water. On this visit, though, I arrived for Canal Cavalcade. The boats were dressed for the occasion, the towpaths were busy and there was plenty to watch around the pool.
I started at Warwick Avenue station, took a detour into Clifton Nurseries for coffee and then headed down to the celebrations. This is a look back at my 2016 visit, from a tucked-away garden centre to an afternoon of decorated boats and a final pint nearby.
Coffee at Clifton Nurseries
Before reaching the canal, I wanted to show you Clifton Nurseries. The entrance is easy to pass without realising what is behind it. A narrow path between the houses leads away from the street, with plants lining the way. Once inside, it feels like a small escape from the surrounding roads.
I wandered through the displays of flowers, shrubs and pots before finding the café. There is a lovely contrast between the residential streets outside and all the greenery within. Even without a garden to fill, it made an enjoyable place to browse and take a few minutes before the busier part of the day.
For this visit, the coffee stop was the Quince Tree Café, set in the conservatory. I ordered a black Americano to take away. Coffee in hand, I headed back out towards Little Venice and the canal gathering.
Little Venice on Canal Cavalcade weekend
The atmosphere changed as I approached the water. Around the pool, people had gathered to look at the boats and enjoy the celebrations. Trees framed the scene, while colourful narrowboats and bunting filled the view below. It was a lively version of a place that can otherwise feel wonderfully peaceful.
I stopped to look across the water before exploring further. One of the pleasures of this visit was seeing so many different boats together. Their colours, painted details and decorations gave me plenty to point the camera at. Boats were moored side by side, turning the canal into a closely packed display.
This was an event-day visit, so the crowds and activities in the film should not be taken as an everyday picture of Little Venice. The gathering gave the walk its own rhythm: a short wander, a pause to watch the water, then another look at the stalls and boats.
A canalside wander and lunch
From the pool, I followed the busy waterside route towards Paddington. There were stalls to browse, people passing in both directions and boats alongside the path. With so much happening at the edge of the canal, I was in no hurry to get anywhere.
Eventually, the food stalls won my attention. I chose a beef brisket bun and chips from Union Café, then stopped for lunch before heading back towards the main gathering. Coffee, a walk and something to eat had turned into a very easy afternoon out.
Watching the decorated boats
Back near the pool, I found a spot to watch the decorated boats pass beneath the bridge. The parade was one of my favourite parts of the visit. Each arrival brought something different, and the people watching added to the fun with applause and encouragement.
There were playful themes and costumes, including a royal birthday tribute and pirates. These were boat crews taking part in the celebrations, with plenty of imagination on display. Rather than rushing along the towpath, I stayed to see what would come through next.
A final stop at the Warwick Castle
After watching the boats, I walked away from the water for a pint at the Warwick Castle. People were enjoying the sunshine outside, and it felt like a fitting way to finish the afternoon. The pub stop rounded off a route that had started with coffee and greenery and grown much livelier by the canal.
What I enjoyed most was the variety packed into the walk. Clifton Nurseries offered a quiet beginning, while Canal Cavalcade brought colour and activity to the water. Together, they made this a memorable Little Venice visit. Watch the original film below to follow the route and see the boats in motion.
