Horsenden Hill Visitor Centre to Little Venice Paddle Trail

3.6-7 hours

Duration

14 miles

Distance

Out and Back

Easy to Moderate

Difficulty

UB6 7PQ

Start Postcode

UB6 7PQ

End Postcode

A. Park in the visitors centre car park and walk down the path to the canal. Get in at thelanding stage near the visitor centre and turn left, and head off towards the centre of London!

B. Sudbury Golf Club is on your left, followed by Alperton Cemetery. After this your journey gradually becomes more urban, until at just over 2 miles, take in the view as an aqueduct carries you over the busy North Circular Road.

C. At 4.5 miles Wormwood Scrubs Common is on your right, with the famous prison just beyond. Just after this the Kensal Green Cemetery appears on the left. Here the canal is more attractive, although urban sprawl is ever present.

D. Passing through West Kilburn and then under Harrow Road, into Maida Hill, you will really begin to feel you are entering London City.

E. At just over 7 miles round a bend into the busy Little Venice area. Here you can stop, rest and take in the atmosphere at the waterside cafe, before retracing your journey to the start.

Discover More

This trail has been adapted from Paddleboarding Region [fdsfgdslgndfs] by author Lisa Drew. You can check out more routes through

http://www.islandeering.com/shop/ this really helps support the work and cost that went into creating the original routes.

Canal & River Trust waterways offer a range of opportunities for activities. From angling to country walks and from boating holidays to volunteer lock keeping. Visit their website to find out more.

Due to large amounts of pottery that was found there, it is now known that Horsenden Hill was originally inhabited by Iron Age settlers over 2500 years ago!

During WW2 the hill was the home of an anti-aircraft battery, nowadays you’re more likely to spot some highland cows grazing.

Wormwood Scrubs is home to the prison that was once home to Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, but also contains a nature reserve home to a wide variety of birds, insects, and other wildlife.

Alan Turing, the famous code breaker and computing pioneer, was born in Little Venice in 1912.

For more information about getting started in paddling visit: gopaddling.info

Licence Information

The waterways in this trail are managed by the Canal & River Trust, and it is a requirement for paddlers to hold a licence. Paddle UK’s On The Water membership includes an annual licence for here as well as other waterways.

When paddling, have your membership card with you as proof of licence; otherwise, you could face a fine. Get your digital membership card straight away with your licence and liability insurance included from www.paddleuk.org.uk.

JOIN PADDLE UK

Safety Information

We want you to have fun and a safe paddle! Here are some helpful tips to ensure you paddle responsibly and stay safe on your journey. Please take a moment to review these important safety tips:

– Always wear a correctly sized buoyancy aid

– Carry a mobile phone – in a waterproof case

– Tell Someone Where You’re Going

– Check the weather and conditions

– Know your limits

Check out some useful blogs and e-learnings on how to keep safe

Environment

Wherever and however you paddle, our Paddlers’ Code helps to ensure we can all enjoy and share the water safely and protect our precious environment.

Don’t get sick doing what you love. We know water quality is a concern for many paddlers. Click here for some simple advice on water quality and how to protect yourself.

Get informed, stay safe and make good decisions by checking the National Storm Overflow Map

Paddlers can play a vital role in keeping our waters free of harmful non-native species. It is crucial you Check, Clean and Dry you boat and equipment to prevent the spread. Click here for more information on Invasive Non-Native Species.

For more environmental advice and guidance, see our Blue Space Blogs section on the Paddle UK website.