London's Three Canal Tunnels
Maida Hill and Lisson Grove access paths
Maida Hill has no towpath so one has to walk over the top of the tunnel via Edgware Road, then walk along Aberdeen Place towards the junction with Cunningham Place, where a side passage between a block of flats and a electricity substation leads to the top of the eastern portal of the tunnel. Here can be found an information board and the steps leading down to the towpath towards Lisson Grove and Camden Lock. The towpath between Little Venice and the Zoo used to be known as Canal Way. A number of Canal Way signs were still in existence until at least late in 2005, and it is obvious that some grubby canal enthusiast has removed these for their own collection
From Blomfield Road one walks up the slope towards Edgware Road past Cafe Laville (above left). The Edgware Road must be crossed and its a very busy road so take care (above right.) Maida Vale is to the north side. The pedestrian crossing here is not that well protected from traffic because five roads meet here, and the layout can cause confusion as to which direction traffic is coming from - even if the pedestrian crossing lights are in favour motorists sometimes emerge from Maida Avenue and cross over into Aberdeen Place through the wrong island (this route is not authorised, but it is the particular road layout that causes many errors such as this to happen.) A major modification of this busy junction with greater pedestrian priority is of course a pressing need. Footnote: Whoever is stealing the historic Canal Way signs please stop! The big one by Edgware Road went missing at Easter 2006
The Crockers Folly public House stands on one corner at the far end of Aberdeen Place. It was a large hostelry built in anticipation of a new railway terminal which was eventually built further south east at Marylebone! The owner was Frank Crocker hence the name Crocker's Folly. On the opposite corner, at the junction with Cunningham Place, there is a side passage leading to an information baord and the top of the stairs which leads down to the canal towpath and Maida Hill tunnel's eastern portal. The view (below left) looks along the entire stretch of overground route between both portals of Maida Hill tunnel - Cafe Laville can just be discerned in the far distance in the centre of the photograph
When the towpath from Maida Hill (east portal) to the other side of the Lisson Grove moorings (including Lisson Grove tunnel) is closed, one must walk along the top of the canal cutting, across Lisson Grove itself and along the other the canal cutting on its south side. The footbridge on the far side of Marylebone (or Lisson) Wide (adjacent to the Metropolitan/Chiltern Railway crossing) gives access to the remainder of the towpath to Regents Park/Camden Town
On the eastern side of Lisson Grove there's a dramatically steep path next door to the Upside Down House down to the canal (the gate is next door to 120 Lisson Grove opposite the Westminster Council Social Services offices and is open during the day)
The London Canal Tunnels pages:
introduction / islington / maida hill / lisson grove / tunnel paths
Around Little Venice & Paddington: History and transport systems / Canute's 'Canal': The mythological waterway that wasnt / Croydon Canal: London's shortest-lived waterway, closing completely by 1837 / Cumberland Arm: A branch off the Regents Canal to Euston / Fleet River & Canal: The former Thames - Kings Cross waterway / Grand Surrey: The canal with an ambition to reach Portsmouth! / Grosvenor Canal: The Grosvenor linked Victoria to the Thames / Hertford Union Canal: A short cut with a nice flight of locks between the Regents Canal and the Lee Navigation alongside Victoria Park / Isle of Dogs (City) Canal: The Isle of dogs canal, where Canary Wharf now stands / Kensington Canal: The canal that became a railway and an underground route / London's Canal Tunnels: There are three canal tunnels in London / Paddington Arm: The Grand Junction/Grand Union from Bulls Bridge to London / Pudding Mill River: Requiem for London's lost waterway / Regents Canal: This runs between Little Venice, Camden Town & Limehouse / Romford Canal: The penultimate, yet unfinished, canal to be built in London / Ruislip Feeder: The former waterway that fed the canal / Westbourne River: The old waterway from Kilburn to the Thames / Woolwich's secret waterway: The Royal Arsenal Canal
Attractions near the London canals: Abbey Road / Bayswater / Crockers Folly / Derry and Toms / Edgware Road / Marylebone Goods / Nash Villas / Spitfire Works / St Pancras
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