Bodies of Water in London
THE 10 BEST London Bodies of Water
Bodies of Water in London
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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20 results sorted by traveller favourites
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Recommended Outdoor Activities (140)
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Bodies of Water • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Paddington
Historic Sites • Bodies of Water
East End / East London
Bodies of Water • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Bodies of Water • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Bodies of Water
Bodies of Water • Scenic Walking Areas
Historic Sites • Bodies of Water
Speciality & Gift Shops • Health Clubs
What travellers are saying
- I visited this place🇺🇸🇫🇷🇳🇱🇬🇧🇨🇭Israel37,541 contributionsPROS
* A central and important and essential part of London
* A means of tourism, transportation and commerce and industry
* Many scenic sites and many nice bridges
* A number of tourist excursions on boats
CONS
* It is wide
* It is not as clean as it should be
"I VISITED THIS PLACE"...
... because it is the center of London and every visitor will see this.
This time, I took the Uber Clipper boat from Westminster Bridge to Greenwich. That was great!! We passed all the scenic sites, including passing under Blackfriars, London and Tower Bridges.
I didn't walk along the shoreline so much this time and I also donly crossed the two classic Westminster and Tower Bridges.
There were as always both excursion tourist boats, commuter boats and also a fair amount of commerce and transport of products and raw materials.
WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
Yes
WOULD "I VISIT THIS PLACE" AGAIN?
Yes
ADVICE
Do a boat excursion.Written 15 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Shaun LClanfield, UK2,902 contributionsWhilst it’s not the cleanest canal walk you will find the Regents Canal walk from London Zoo around to Camden and onto Coal Drops Yard is a mix of bridges, canal boats, houses and just good old London character. There are a couple of places where you can hire a boat or kayak etc but I’m not sure I’d want to fall in or swim in that water.Written 3 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elle SBournemouth, UK12 contributionsSunny day in Hyde park so we decided to try the pédalos.
Great fun.
Can fit 4 in each.
Easy to use them - we handed control over to our 2 12 year olds!
Large space to cover in the pédalos.
Service was great.
We didn’t queue at all even though it was warm sunny day and lots of people on boats.
We took the 30 mins and that was enough for us as we were fitting it into a bunch of other things on a day trip to London.Written 17 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - mike cTotnes, UK583 contributionsI live in Devon so spoilt for choice for year round swimming...however i read about the swimming ponds (and the recently released film) so in i went on a fairly cold February morning!...nice diving board and really helpful attendant who took photographs ... i will certainly be back...Thank you.Written 10 February 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- nowpackingDallas, TX4,468 contributionsNice canal side area with restaurants and some food trucks. Grab some pastries at Gail’s and sit or walk along the canal. You can walk from here to Camden Market but be sure you don’t go down the Grand Union Canal as that is not the scenic area.Written 2 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- violetmoon240Greater London, UK17 contributionsBig Olympic size pool 🏊♀️ with lots of green area to sit around for picnics in summer bring your family and friends 👬 they will
Enjoy swimming and the atmosphere is safe and clean 🧼 they also have a cafe area with sitting areaWritten 12 December 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Matt R26 contributionsA very beautiful park.
Accessible for all people.
Many people walking dogs and families strolling about (Boxing Day afternoon).Written 26 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - therichastillStevenage, UK3,527 contributionsShadwell Basin is a short walk from Shadwell station which is served by the Docklands Light Railway and the London Overground with trains running to Highbury & Islington, Dalston Junction in the North and New Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon in the South.
The Basin was formerly a place where ships from around the world would arrive in London to unload as well as take on products we would export. With the changes over the years the area fell into disrepair but from the 1980's onwards Docklands was rejuvenated. There are some nice properties surrounding the basin but that's about it.
As there is a large expanse of water that is not safe to go into the area is not as welcoming as other areas but is still very nice to have a walk around. Certainly worth visiting to see some London history.Written 16 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Veronica H151 contributionsWell-maintained footpaths and great scenery. Convenient for public transport. Cafe a great community hub and great facilities for the playgroup. Friendly staff, just a bit overwhelmed when the lady with a large order couldn't persuade the machine to read the card on her 'phone (my pet hate). Made for a lengthening queue behind - but the quick-thinking staff asked us to sit down, and brought our drinks over when things calmed down. Food choices looked good too. The only slightly negative comment would be that it could do with redecorating - but if budgets don't stretch to that, then at least the place is still open and doing OK.Written 5 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- leuveenLondon, UK1,351 contributionsA really nice stretch of river Lea, with plenty of interesting buildings and nice boats. Tends to be quiet even of the weekends, making for a great spot dor a walk. Watch out for the cyclists!Written 12 September 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TravelingSoccerLoonSaint Paul, MN8,072 contributionsLocated in Kensington Gardens and near Kensington Palace. Very scenic spot and part of a peaceful stroll through the park. Many water fowl can be seen here and you might get a whole army of swans or ducks after you if you bring some bread crumbsWritten 26 January 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Phil L6 contributionsPalm 2 what a little gem in Clapton Pond , it is a general store with a massive twist to it , let me explain. While visiting our son in Clapton we stayed in a apartment in Clapton Pond . New to the area my wife and I went exploring and with in 5 minutes we come across Palm 2. We entered the store with some reservations as it is quite old looking and a bit messy. From here were things change rather rapidly, the amazing aromas that hit you from the home made bread and pastries are to die for . We were greeted by the owner how invited us to taste some of the pastries , a recipe from his mothers just brilliant. We were after a coffee and he said we have the best coffee around , that was fine but no where to sit apparently, here comes the last twist Abdul said follow me out the back we go up the stairs and into this amazing second story dinning room so great and he was right the coffee was top of the wassa . So if in the area this place is a must see and coffee is a mustWritten 10 January 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- If on a winter's night a traveller5 contributionsThis is very old-fashioned, rustic bathing pond, perfect for swimming a few rounds after work (or in the morning) in a park. The water's murky, pleasantly cool and (for the most part) deep; this is not a place for little children or non-swimmers. Changing rooms are bare-bones, to say the least, and there's no lockers, so don't bring valuables. Don't expect a café or any such thing either. There's (cold) showers, however, and lifeguards are on duty. All in all it's a quaint and lovely alternative to London's modern pools.Written 22 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Sarah GraceLondon, UK7,236 contributionsVisited this canal yesterday and it was a lovely outing with nice walk paths and well signposted.
Had a cooling drink then dinner at The Navigation by the canal with option for indoor or outdoor seating. Friendly, well staffed and delicious food.
Lovely seeing house boats on the canal and beautiful surrounding.Written 21 August 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LovelyOnyxLondon, United Kingdom140 contributionsThe Walthamstow Reservois are located half way between Tottenham Hale (Victoria line and National Rail) and Blackhorse road Tube station (Victoria Line and Overground).
The entrance is located opposite The Ferry Boat Inn pub.
At the entrance you will see the ranger's office on the right, to enter you must pay a permit ... it is £1/per day for birdwatching more if you want to go fishing.
To get the permit just take the 2nd door, fill in your details and in the enveloppe provided put a pound coin and then pop it into the letter box located just on the outside of the office.
Then you can explore around the differrent reservoirs. So just follow the main path by the Marine engine House.
Please note that NO map is provided so you will need to do your own exploring... twice the fun!
Summer is the quiet season, but you can still see a few birds.
It is not really advertised as an attraction as the reservoirs belongs to Thames water so it is really quiet!!
But as long as you have a permit that's fine ... even so that no one checked it, but you never know.
On one of the reservoir, you have a hide as well to observe the wildlife.
Nene geese, swans, heron, ducks, wildfowl, ....
You will also see the old Copper Mill as a bonus!
There is plan that the council will develop the reservoirs and officially open them to the public.
In the meantime, public can still visit it for birdwatching but it is not marketed.
Toilet facilities: Yes inside the Marine Engine House
Wheelchair accessible: in theory yes, but it is not paves, just a dirt track, so I guess it will be difficult to navigate around.
There are 7 reservoirs which you can see.
The birds will change according to the season.
For exemple Frebruary will be good to see Heron nesting. November to see some migrating birds.
For fishing/angling Please contact Thames Water for special permit, only some of the reservoirs are open for fishing.Written 24 June 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
