London Canal Museum
London Canal Museum
4.5
Speciality MuseumsHistoric SitesHistorical & Heritage ToursBoat ToursHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Full view
About
A waterside museum of London's canals and the Victorian ice trade, set in a former ice warehouse of the 1860s. It tells the colourful story of the canals, their people, horses and trade. Peer down into a huge ice well, uniquely preserved, and learn about the ice trade. Go inside a narrowboat cabin, meet the horse, and watch archive film. Free MP3 audio tour for download from the museum website for your own player. Pre-bookable boat trips operate on selected dates .
London, England
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
380 reviews
Excellent
182
Very good
143
Average
32
Poor
14
Terrible
9
Friends Of Grand Union Canal
Edgware, UK5 contributions
Feb 2022
We arranged a group visit to the museum, and this meant we got a great introductory talk (tailored to our interests) before we explored the museum. We were able to bring our lunch to eat on their canal side mooring (Tesco Express is nearby for cheap lunch items). The museum also arranged a walking guide for us, and we spent a very informative 45 minutes or so walking to Camden. If you'd like to arrange a group trip, please email groups@lcmemail.co.uk
The museum itself is a delight, the gift shop is full of canal related items at sensible prices and so much better to be able to see them than to try and view on the internet.
The history of the building (Ice House) is fascinating and takes you back to 1850 to imagine what life was like back then.
The museum is well signed from the FRONT of Kings Cross station, but please take a look at Google maps as you cannot reach the museum from Battlebridge Basin itself. The only entrance is on New Wharf Road (unless you arrive by boat).
The museum itself is a delight, the gift shop is full of canal related items at sensible prices and so much better to be able to see them than to try and view on the internet.
The history of the building (Ice House) is fascinating and takes you back to 1850 to imagine what life was like back then.
The museum is well signed from the FRONT of Kings Cross station, but please take a look at Google maps as you cannot reach the museum from Battlebridge Basin itself. The only entrance is on New Wharf Road (unless you arrive by boat).
Written March 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your review
Written April 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John and Anne Edwards
Epsom, UK14 contributions
Feb 2020
Although so close to the bustle of Kings Cross, this museum is a little haven of peace with much to see including an outdoor basin with canal boats. It brough back many memoriies of canal holidays and we loved the sound of the canal recording of a bolinder engine on a narror boat.The staff are very friendly and helpful and the entrance is great value and the other visitors also seemed to enjoy their visit.
Written September 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RSPBjosh
Blackpool, UK26 contributions
Mar 2020
I found this place quite by accident, I was looking for somewhere near Kings Cross to kill some time before my train. About 10 minutes walk from Kings Cross tube station, this dinky little museum is a real hidden gem. It’s well known how the railways revolutionised Britain’s industry, however this museum does more than its share of work in highlighting the valuable role the canals played in the early years of the Industrial Revolution, and telling the stories of those who lived and worked on our inland waterways. It is only a small museum, however there’s enough there to keep you wandering and reading for an hour or so.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review!
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
alymoorf
Nottingham, UK58 contributions
Jan 2020
Very pleased we did some research before travelling as I don't think we would have found this Museum if not. We spent a couple of hours exploring the interesting and informative exhibits whilst the staff kindly watched our overnight bags. Learned a lot about the importation of ice from Norway as well as many interesting facts about the life and cargoes of the barges over the years.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review!
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stefan Lang
Oxford, UK78 contributions
Jun 2021
London's canals might not hold the economic importance they once did, but they remain places of leisure and tranquility amidst the busy streets of the capital. Yet many of us know little about their history.
The London Canal Museum will change that, with a succint and interesting overview of the development, decline and regeneration of London's canals. Along with the informative history boards are a wide range of objects relating to the operation of the canals and the unique culture of those that plied their trade and lived on these crucial inland waterways.
Only £5 entry this is an excellent stop off and can be coupled with a nice stroll along Regent's Canal up to Camden Town and beyond.
The London Canal Museum will change that, with a succint and interesting overview of the development, decline and regeneration of London's canals. Along with the informative history boards are a wide range of objects relating to the operation of the canals and the unique culture of those that plied their trade and lived on these crucial inland waterways.
Only £5 entry this is an excellent stop off and can be coupled with a nice stroll along Regent's Canal up to Camden Town and beyond.
Written June 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review!
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rhian S
1 contribution
May 2022
I work as a project manager for an inclusive arts charity in North London. I took a group of 8 young people with disabilities to visit the canal museum on a sunny Sunday in May. We had a brilliant day out! Highlights were the boat ride through the tunnel with our charismatic and informative guide, and then a demonstration on how to make victorian ice cream (with tasters!). The staff went above and beyond in terms of hospitality and also in leasing with me in the weeks approaching the trip to ensure that they met our needs and the trip was safe and memorable for all!
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your kind words, they are really appreciated. Very glad the day went so well.
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ersatzs66
United Kingdom160 contributions
Sept 2021 • Solo
When I finally located the place, I was desperately to use their toilet. This seemed to annoy the member of staff talking with a volunteer. The fact is that I didn’t want to risk the ire of the red caps policing the new development around King’s Cross by nipping into a pub or cafe for that purpose. I have seen how vigorously they assail people who don’t do what is outlined by their paymasters.
Inside, it was a small but eclectic mix of reasonable displays, genuine items and kitsch reconstructions. I’ve seen better. I’ve seen worse. The leaflet given to help you navigate the place was embarrassingly amateur and even a Y10 on work experience would have done better.
As I said, the staff, apart from the aforementioned volunteer, were grumpy and unwelcoming. I didn’t dawdle. I gave their shop a miss. I won’t be back any time soon. I wouldn’t really recommend the place to others.
Inside, it was a small but eclectic mix of reasonable displays, genuine items and kitsch reconstructions. I’ve seen better. I’ve seen worse. The leaflet given to help you navigate the place was embarrassingly amateur and even a Y10 on work experience would have done better.
As I said, the staff, apart from the aforementioned volunteer, were grumpy and unwelcoming. I didn’t dawdle. I gave their shop a miss. I won’t be back any time soon. I wouldn’t really recommend the place to others.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry that you did not have a better experience, this isn't the usual pattern. We are looking at a new miniguide of a different style, although I don't really think your assessment of the current one is right - but it could be better, we accept that.
Written June 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Campagnolo39-53
Brighton, UK263 contributions
Mar 2022
Spent a good 60 minutes here on a sunny Friday afternoon looking at the exhibits. Split into two halves, one half detailing the Canals around London and the Thames, the other detailing the life of Mr Gatti within whose building the museum is sited. The building is set upon two large ice rooms, one of which has been excavated a third of its depth to get a view of its width and construction.
You can also go outside on the quay to see a barge which is an exhibit, and also take in the environ of the area. The only access to the quay is through the museum.
The Museum is run by volunteers mainly, with two part-time employees.
Well worth spending the time and modest entry fee.
The shop is good as well.
You can also go outside on the quay to see a barge which is an exhibit, and also take in the environ of the area. The only access to the quay is through the museum.
The Museum is run by volunteers mainly, with two part-time employees.
Well worth spending the time and modest entry fee.
The shop is good as well.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for your review
Written April 15, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John A
Brentwood, UK450 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
What an interesting place. We travelled with a U3A group and we had a trip through the tunnel on one of their narrow boats, an exploration of the museum learning about the history of the canals and the ice trade followed by a fascinating talk about the history of ice cream including a demonstration and tasting! If you have never had marmalade ice cream then you have not lived!
The staff were all very welcoming and there was a lot of information - it did not always come over as the most enticing but if you spent a moment to start reading then there was loads of good stuff.
The ice cream talk was by far the highlight with the history of the site, its use for ice storage, the manufacture of ice cream covered in a clear and entertaining way. Probably because they are volunteers they have a real passion for the topics.
The staff were all very welcoming and there was a lot of information - it did not always come over as the most enticing but if you spent a moment to start reading then there was loads of good stuff.
The ice cream talk was by far the highlight with the history of the site, its use for ice storage, the manufacture of ice cream covered in a clear and entertaining way. Probably because they are volunteers they have a real passion for the topics.
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your review and kind words
Written December 23, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aerial A
4 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
I had a boat trip on the Tarpoly from the museum. It was a beautiful day and the volunteer crew were brilliant-it’s fantastic that they give up their free time to help their charity run boat. The museum guide who came with us was also excellent. She was very friendly and worked the locks brilliantly. We had a tunnel and 2 locks on our way east of the museum and it was fascinating to find out how the canal came about and the lives of the people who worked the boats in the museum. I paid £35 for a 2 and half hour experience and the museum was included in the price. It was well worth it especially as the proceeds go to running the boat for the local community groups too. This is a new venture started this year between Tarpoly and the museum and a very good idea. Highly recommend.
Written June 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your kind words. We appreciate them.
Written July 20, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Will we be bringing down our elderly Mum in her wheelchair and are looking for places around Kings Cross to show her, so is the museum easily accessible and is there a cafe nearby?
Written July 14, 2016
For some reason this question didin't get answered right away (sorry) but for anyone else who is looking at this, the museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users and other disabled visitors. We don't have a cafe. We have a hot drinks machine. There are numerous cafes nearby and most are wheelchair-accessible.
Written August 13, 2017
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