Little Venice is one of London's not-so-secret jewels.
It's full of colorful barges and pretty cafés.
It's time to find out more.
Little Venice in London: article summary
Little Venice in London: at a glance
Little Venice is a charming, quirky neighborhood in the popular residential area of Maida Vale, north London.
This is one of my favorite places to explore in the capital, and it's not hard to see why. Gondola rides, independent cafés and even a puppet theater await you here.
What to do in Little Venice
Taking a boat trip in Little Venice is practically a rite of passage, and well worth the effort. a place on your list of the best things to do in London.
In a region renowned for its magnificent waterways, it's no surprise that exploring it by boat is an absolute must.
While they may not be the same as Venetian gondolas, London boats nonetheless have plenty of character to make your boat trip through London's Little Venice a memorable one.
Sailing the city's canals
You'll find many of them decorated in traditional stylewith all kinds of original colors and scenery. There are many different types of excursion. Most consist of going down the canal on a barge and listening to the history of the region.
If the idea of controlling the boat yourself scares you, opt for a guided tour. Climb aboard and you'll be treated to a relaxed stroll through Little Venice to the Camden Marketwhere you can get off and do some shopping.
Boat trips in Little Venice are the perfect way to get to know the city. discover the region and are so relaxing.
Little Venice in London: puppet theater
What could be more Londonish than taking in a performance aboard a barge on the city's canals? And by performance, of course, I mean a puppet show.
Puppet Theatre Barge is a London institution. For over 30 years, he delights young and old with his puppet shows.
Most of the shows on the calendar are classics that have been played for decades, like the classics The Town Mouse and City Mouse!
Fifty people can fit inside the barge, so it's surprisingly spacious. Once the lights dim, it's easy to forget you're on a boat as the show begins.
A tour of the Rembrandt Gardens
Water and gardens go hand in hand, offering a relaxing place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
That's why I love the Rembrandt Gardens along the Grand Union Canal. Opened in the 1950s, the gardens are well-maintained with a large grassy area. perfect for a picnic.
When they first opened, the gardens were known as Warwick Gardens, but the name was changed in 1975. This was in response to the gift of thousands of tulips from the city of Amsterdam to celebrate its 700ᵉ anniversary.
In honor of this magnificent gift from overseas, the park was renamed in honor of one of the Netherlands' most famous artists, Rembrandt.
Little Venice in London: see the Alan Turing plaque
Alan Turing is one of the most influential figures in British history, leaving behind a legacy that concerns us all. You can see a plaque commemorating his birthplace in Little Venice.
Alan Turing's fame was boosted considerably by Benedict Cumberbatch's film, The Imitation Game. The film tells the story of Alan's work to break the German Enigma code during the Second World War.
After the war, he became a pioneering computer scientist, helping to build the very first automatic computing machine in the 1950s.
Tragically, Alan was born at a time when homosexuality was illegal. Openly gay, he was prosecuted and even banned from further activity. His untimely death at just 41 years of age ended the life of one of Britain's greatest minds.
A rewarding life
His legacy has also touched the British in another way. He was posthumously pardoned in 2013 by Queen Elizabeth. In addition, a law now known as "Alan Turing's Law" erased all historical convictions for homosexuality.
You can find the blue plaque commemorating his birthplace in Warrington Crescent.
If you're looking for a pleasant stay in London, Little Venice is the place to be. You can take advantage of your vacation to discover another facet of the English capital.
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