A row of houses back onto a canal as it travels away from camera towards a misty skyline.

Hertford Union Canal

At just 2km long, the Hertford Union Canal runs alongside leafy Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets, with its lakes, fountain, sculptures, children’s playgrounds, tree trails and cafes.

This arrow-straight canal provides a walking and cycling route from Mile End to the Olympic Park in the London & Sout East region. From one end, you get a view of the impressive Olympic Stadium.

For boats, it is a vital short-cut from the Regent's Canal to the River Lee, avoiding the River Thames.

Photo of Bottom Lock, Hertford Union Canal

Boating the Hertford Union Canal

All you need to know about boating the Hertford Union Canal

Things to do on the Hertford Union Canal

London canal walk to Olympic Park

Follow the line of the Hertford Union Canal past Victoria Park to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on this 2km walk

Family feeding swans on Hertford Union Canal

Wildlife spotting

Despite its urban setting, you will still find a variety of wildlife species along the Hertford Union

Places to visit near the Hertford Union Canal

The history of the Hertford Union Canal

The canal is also known as Duckett's Canal after Sir George Duckett, its original promoter. His father, also named George, was earlier involved in promoting the Stort Navigation and had changed his name from Jackson after being made a baronet.

The Act authorising the Hertford Union Canal was passed in 1824 and, in a manner that was to prove prophetically indicative of its fate, it opened unceremoniously in the Spring of 1830. It was never a great commercial success and for several years in the mid 19th Century it was unnavigable.

In 1851 it was advertised for sale but there were difficulties in finding a buyer willing to invest in it. The line was eventually purchased by proprietors of the Regent's Canal and from 1857 onwards it became a branch of the Regent's Canal until in 1929 it fell under the auspices of the Grand Union Canal Company.