Post-war leisure on London’s canals

The usefulness of London’s canals for trade and industry declined in the 20th century. After the Second World War ended in 1945, commercial barges transporting goods became an increasingly rare sight. In their place, Londoners used these waterways for leisure and pleasure boating. Photographer Henry Grant captured this new canal era.

Key location:

Across London

Key dates:

1950s–1970s

The decline of London’s canals

In the 20th century, road and railway networks grew, while traditional industries and their demand for coal shrank. By the 1960s, only a small number of boats used the canals for trade.

Passenger transport

Henry Grant photographs a boat named Jason in Camden in 1959. Its owner, John James, started the first waterbus service between Camden and Paddington in the early 1950s. The boat is still in operation today, giving passengers a tour of Little Venice and Camden Lock.

Canoes on the canal

Here, students are making and testing boats in the Regents Canal at Shoreditch. They studied at the Kentish Town Men’s Institute and this particular programme was organised by the Central Council for Physical Recreation (now known as the Sports and Recreation Alliance).

Insect habitats

Three boys sit by the Regents Canal in Kings Cross with their butterfly nets in 1967. Hedgerows and old buildings along the canals make good homes for bugs. But these boys are looking a little bit downcast. Perhaps their butterfly hunt was unsuccessful.

Colourful canalware

Lindy Foster shows a group of cadets a watering can painted in canalware, a traditional and colourful style of art used to decorate boats and the items on them. The cadets were from the Royal Free Hospital Group and were about to take a trip on the canal in the Jenny Wren canal boat.