London Canal Museum
@canalmuseum.bsky.social
One of the most-visited waterways museums in the UK, located in central London. On two floors we tell the story of London's canals, their people, arts and crafts, boats, horses and engineering. We offer a programme of regular boat trips from the museum.
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Explore the London Canal Museum
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Uncover a hidden side of the city at the London Canal Museum. Explore the rich history of our canals and ice trade, and peek into a Victorian ice well. Our boat tours offer an unforgettable way to experience London's unique heritage.
Plan your visit: www.canalmuseum.org.uk ⚓️🧊
Plan your visit: www.canalmuseum.org.uk ⚓️🧊
There's still time to get tickets for our night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event, tomorrow evening 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
There's still time to get tickets for our night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event, tomorrow evening 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment - for more details, and to book: http://lcm.me.uk/mh
Join us next Saturday (8 November) for a night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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November 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Join us next Saturday (8 November) for a night of laughter, music and nostalgia at our Gatti's Music Hall event 🎭
Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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Experience the magic of Victorian-era entertainment with The New Players' Theatre Company. Enjoy a step back in time with an evening of fun entertainment.
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Our book recommendation this month comes from our volunteer Alison - Boater: A Life on England’s Waterways by Jo Bell
As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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November 1, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Our book recommendation this month comes from our volunteer Alison - Boater: A Life on England’s Waterways by Jo Bell
As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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As a former archaeologist and canal laureate, Jo Bell's book Boater makes for a fantastic read.
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We've had such fun celebrating Halloween this year, thanks to all who visited us this week.
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
October 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
We've had such fun celebrating Halloween this year, thanks to all who visited us this week.
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
We asked our visitors to draw the scariest monster, and we've been blown away by the creativity - here are some of our favourites!
If you are joining us today, tomorrow or Friday, we're bringing some Halloween fun to the museum 👻
Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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October 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
If you are joining us today, tomorrow or Friday, we're bringing some Halloween fun to the museum 👻
Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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Board our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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If you are joining us today, 29 Oct 2025, be aware that we'll be taking some photos to promote our Halloween events. No interviews are due, but your likeness may appear in our photos. We'll use the photos online and potentially in print. Please speak to a staff member if you have any questions.
October 29, 2025 at 9:03 AM
If you are joining us today, 29 Oct 2025, be aware that we'll be taking some photos to promote our Halloween events. No interviews are due, but your likeness may appear in our photos. We'll use the photos online and potentially in print. Please speak to a staff member if you have any questions.
From Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 October, we bring a little Halloween fun to the museum and the Regent’s Canal 👻
Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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October 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM
From Wednesday 29 to Friday 31 October, we bring a little Halloween fun to the museum and the Regent’s Canal 👻
Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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Join our narrowboat ‘Long Tom’ for a trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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It's our third and final part of our short history of Gatti's music halls.
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
It's our third and final part of our short history of Gatti's music halls.
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
What happened to the Charing Cross Music Hall?
The hall changed names a few times, to Hungerford Music Hall, Gatti’s Under the Arches, and Gatti’s Charing Cross Music Hall.🧵1/4
Welcome to our second of three lunchtime posts on Gatti's music halls.
In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
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In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
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October 22, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Welcome to our second of three lunchtime posts on Gatti's music halls.
In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
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In 1867, Gatti returned to the City of London and applied for a license to turn two arches in Villiers Street, under Charing Cross Station, into a billiard room, restaurant and double-height music hall.
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In preparation for a special evening of music hall entertainment at the museum on 8 Nov (tickets and booking info here: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/music-hall.htm), join us as we share a short history of music hall.
Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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October 21, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In preparation for a special evening of music hall entertainment at the museum on 8 Nov (tickets and booking info here: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/music-hall.htm), join us as we share a short history of music hall.
Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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Follow along over the next few days.
Today's thread starts here👇
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We are saddened to share that Mrs Dinah Hutchinson, the founder of the London Canal Museum, passed away earlier this month, aged 90.
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
October 20, 2025 at 7:30 AM
We are saddened to share that Mrs Dinah Hutchinson, the founder of the London Canal Museum, passed away earlier this month, aged 90.
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
Read more about her story, and the opening of the museum: https://www.tumblr.com/canalmuseum/797906457664323584/remembering-dinah-hutchinson-19352025-founder
Our free digital guide showcases highlights from our collections including a 'Top ten things to see' and a 'Family fun' tour aimed at children and parents. Dive deeper into our stories from across the museum with our collections on the guide.
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October 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Our free digital guide showcases highlights from our collections including a 'Top ten things to see' and a 'Family fun' tour aimed at children and parents. Dive deeper into our stories from across the museum with our collections on the guide.
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From 29-31 October, we're bringing Halloween fun to the museum 👻
Join us for a boat trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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Join us for a boat trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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October 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
From 29-31 October, we're bringing Halloween fun to the museum 👻
Join us for a boat trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
🧵1/3
Join us for a boat trip through the Islington Tunnel, with scary stories and Halloween lights, served up with ghoulishly hot drinks and a spooky cookie.
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Our theme for the Halloween Family Fun day is Underwater Monsters! 🍂🍁
This October half-term, bring the whole family for a day of thrills, chills, and plenty of hands-on fun at the London Canal Museum!
What monsters lie underwater? .....
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This October half-term, bring the whole family for a day of thrills, chills, and plenty of hands-on fun at the London Canal Museum!
What monsters lie underwater? .....
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October 14, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Our theme for the Halloween Family Fun day is Underwater Monsters! 🍂🍁
This October half-term, bring the whole family for a day of thrills, chills, and plenty of hands-on fun at the London Canal Museum!
What monsters lie underwater? .....
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This October half-term, bring the whole family for a day of thrills, chills, and plenty of hands-on fun at the London Canal Museum!
What monsters lie underwater? .....
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Time for another #MysteryMonday - here's a print from 1901 depicting a sailing barge on a canal which received Royal Assent in 1793, at the height of Canal Mania. Which canal is it? 🔍 Add your answers to the comments and we'll confirm later!
October 13, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Time for another #MysteryMonday - here's a print from 1901 depicting a sailing barge on a canal which received Royal Assent in 1793, at the height of Canal Mania. Which canal is it? 🔍 Add your answers to the comments and we'll confirm later!
At 4:55 am, on 2nd October 1874, a convoy of five barges carrying gunpowder exploded beneath the Macclesfield Bridge in Regent's Park. The explosion was so powerful that three men died, a boat's keel landed on a house 300 yards away, and animal cages at the zoo were damaged.
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October 2, 2025 at 7:15 AM
At 4:55 am, on 2nd October 1874, a convoy of five barges carrying gunpowder exploded beneath the Macclesfield Bridge in Regent's Park. The explosion was so powerful that three men died, a boat's keel landed on a house 300 yards away, and animal cages at the zoo were damaged.
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This month's book recommendation comes from Adam, "Dark side of the cut" by Susan C Law.
"The development of the canal systems in the Victorian period is often seen as a marvel of the industrial revolution but look beneath the surface and you will find dramatic tales of crime, theft and murder
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"The development of the canal systems in the Victorian period is often seen as a marvel of the industrial revolution but look beneath the surface and you will find dramatic tales of crime, theft and murder
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October 1, 2025 at 7:01 AM
This month's book recommendation comes from Adam, "Dark side of the cut" by Susan C Law.
"The development of the canal systems in the Victorian period is often seen as a marvel of the industrial revolution but look beneath the surface and you will find dramatic tales of crime, theft and murder
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"The development of the canal systems in the Victorian period is often seen as a marvel of the industrial revolution but look beneath the surface and you will find dramatic tales of crime, theft and murder
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It's another #MysteryMonday - can you tell us which lock is shown in this image, and, bonus points if you can tell us an interesting fact about the Inn! 🔍 Add your answer in the comments and we'll confirm later this week!
September 15, 2025 at 11:02 AM
It's another #MysteryMonday - can you tell us which lock is shown in this image, and, bonus points if you can tell us an interesting fact about the Inn! 🔍 Add your answer in the comments and we'll confirm later this week!
We were delighted to welcome Cllr Jason Jackson, Mayor of Islington to the museum earlier today, for his trip to Angel Canal Festival aboard Angel - hope everyone enjoys the day!
@IslingtonBC
@IslingtonBC
September 7, 2025 at 11:15 AM
We were delighted to welcome Cllr Jason Jackson, Mayor of Islington to the museum earlier today, for his trip to Angel Canal Festival aboard Angel - hope everyone enjoys the day!
@IslingtonBC
@IslingtonBC
We are excited to be at the Angel Canal Festival today ☀️
If you are attending please do come say hello - we'll be in Graham Street Park with our historic towpath tractor and museum volunteers.
More info about the event on the festival website: https://www.angelcanalfestival.co.uk/
If you are attending please do come say hello - we'll be in Graham Street Park with our historic towpath tractor and museum volunteers.
More info about the event on the festival website: https://www.angelcanalfestival.co.uk/
September 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
We are excited to be at the Angel Canal Festival today ☀️
If you are attending please do come say hello - we'll be in Graham Street Park with our historic towpath tractor and museum volunteers.
More info about the event on the festival website: https://www.angelcanalfestival.co.uk/
If you are attending please do come say hello - we'll be in Graham Street Park with our historic towpath tractor and museum volunteers.
More info about the event on the festival website: https://www.angelcanalfestival.co.uk/
Great to welcome Sarah Lohman, culinary historian, to the museum today for a research visit from the USA to learn more about Victorian ice cream making from our volunteer Mandy, who delivers ice cream demonstrations in the dress, and style of Mrs Agnes Marshall 🍦
September 2, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Great to welcome Sarah Lohman, culinary historian, to the museum today for a research visit from the USA to learn more about Victorian ice cream making from our volunteer Mandy, who delivers ice cream demonstrations in the dress, and style of Mrs Agnes Marshall 🍦
This month's book of choice is from Kiara - London’s Oddities by Vicky Wilson.
"This book doubles as a walking guide and a history lesson for those interested in the eclectic!
A whole section on the Regent’s Canal includes Islington Tunnel and Macclesfield Bridge (aka Blow-up Bridge).
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"This book doubles as a walking guide and a history lesson for those interested in the eclectic!
A whole section on the Regent’s Canal includes Islington Tunnel and Macclesfield Bridge (aka Blow-up Bridge).
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September 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM
This month's book of choice is from Kiara - London’s Oddities by Vicky Wilson.
"This book doubles as a walking guide and a history lesson for those interested in the eclectic!
A whole section on the Regent’s Canal includes Islington Tunnel and Macclesfield Bridge (aka Blow-up Bridge).
🧵1/2
"This book doubles as a walking guide and a history lesson for those interested in the eclectic!
A whole section on the Regent’s Canal includes Islington Tunnel and Macclesfield Bridge (aka Blow-up Bridge).
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🛍️ New items in our shop.
Our shop has a wide range of souvenirs, magnets, stationary, model boats, books, and hand painted canal ware. The next time you visit, check out our two newest items: our keyring and drawstring bag ⚓
Our shop has a wide range of souvenirs, magnets, stationary, model boats, books, and hand painted canal ware. The next time you visit, check out our two newest items: our keyring and drawstring bag ⚓
August 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
🛍️ New items in our shop.
Our shop has a wide range of souvenirs, magnets, stationary, model boats, books, and hand painted canal ware. The next time you visit, check out our two newest items: our keyring and drawstring bag ⚓
Our shop has a wide range of souvenirs, magnets, stationary, model boats, books, and hand painted canal ware. The next time you visit, check out our two newest items: our keyring and drawstring bag ⚓
It's time for another #MysteryMonday.
This month we celebrated the anniversary of the opening of the first section of the Regent's Canal (12 Aug), and the full Regent's Canal (1 Aug)...
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This month we celebrated the anniversary of the opening of the first section of the Regent's Canal (12 Aug), and the full Regent's Canal (1 Aug)...
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August 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM
It's time for another #MysteryMonday.
This month we celebrated the anniversary of the opening of the first section of the Regent's Canal (12 Aug), and the full Regent's Canal (1 Aug)...
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This month we celebrated the anniversary of the opening of the first section of the Regent's Canal (12 Aug), and the full Regent's Canal (1 Aug)...
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The lock free section of the Regent's Canal, from Paddington to Camden opened midday on 12 August 1816, the Prince Regent's 58th birthday. Elegant barges full of people and regimental bands were towed along, and spectators lined the banks.
#canalmuseum #canal #history #london #onthisday
#canalmuseum #canal #history #london #onthisday
August 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The lock free section of the Regent's Canal, from Paddington to Camden opened midday on 12 August 1816, the Prince Regent's 58th birthday. Elegant barges full of people and regimental bands were towed along, and spectators lined the banks.
#canalmuseum #canal #history #london #onthisday
#canalmuseum #canal #history #london #onthisday