Paddleboarding-Paddington to Kings Cross

Paddleboarding-Regents Canal Paddington to Kings Cross

From the glittering towers of modern businesses to industrial heritage, green spaces, vibrant boating communities, and even the odd monkey and wolf, this journey a seamless blend of the contemporary, historic, and wild.

A full route description can be found in our book Paddleboarding South East

Distance 5km paddle (one way) plus 700m portage around Maida Vale tunnel.

Paddling environment: Canal

Access restrictions Licence required, included in Paddle UK membership; paddling through the 251m Maida Tunnel not permitted.

Starting Point Merchant Square, Paddington Basin. Grid ref. TQ 265 815; What3Words daily.much.moment;

Parking Randolph Road (charges), Paddington, London, W9 1AN. Grid ref. TQ 263 820; What3Words strain.tuck.string.

Launching Canal side adjacent to Paddington station.

Pitstops brunch on a barges Darcie and May Green, Merchant Square, tel. 0203 935045; tea and cake, The Waterside Café, Little Venice, tel. 0207 2661066; 34-trader street market food, KERB, Camden Lock (gets hectic); pint by the canal, Ice Wharf Wetherspoons, tel. 0207 4283770; classic boozer with lively waterside garden, Constitution Pub, Camden Lock, tel. 0207 3800767.

Lessons and tours Active360 https://active360.co.uk ;Paddleboarding London, Camden https://paddleboardinglondon.co.uk

Getting there Paddington rail station.

Special points

Can leave pump and carry case in left luggage (charges) on Platform 12.

One 700m portage and three locks to portage.  Some portages have tall banks so take a 3m tape and karabiner attached to the boards bow or stern D ring/grab handle to assist pulling board up off the water.

Paddington to Kings Cross Paddleboard route