England: Little Venice, London

July 2014

At the confluence of the Grand Union Canal [see: Grand Union Canal] and the Regents Canal is a boat basin which Londoners have dubbed "Little Venice".

Little Venice is an affluent residential district in North West London, England, around the junction of the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal, the Regent's Canal, and the entrance to Paddington Basin. The junction, also known as Little Venice and Browning's Pool, forms a triangular shape basin designed to allow long canal boats to turn around. Many of the buildings in the vicinity are Regency white painted stucco terraced town houses and taller blocks (mansions) in the same style. The area is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west-north-west of Charing Cross and immediately north-west of Paddington.

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The boundaries of the neighbourhood of Little Venice are unclear; however, the majority of its buildings have white stucco facades characteristic of Regency architecture. This architectural style and the proximity to the canals defines the area. The name Little Venice is now being used for a wider area than previously to include new developments surrounding Paddington Basin (Merchant Square/Paddington Central). Although the Paddington Basin development is sometimes included as a part of Little Venice, the modern architectural style of Paddington Basin sets it apart from the rest of the area.

(Wikipedia)

Dubiously attributed to Robert Browning's appellation, the name Venice (later "Little Venice) is definitely recent in the city's history. It has been featured in TV series and films for its contrast to "urban" London. Some of the city's most expensive real estate is located in and around that space. I wasn't surprised.

I found the name to be a stretch most certainly, but that doesn't take away from the fact that the basin is a lovely place of water, boats, and greenery only a stone's throw from Paddington Station (very urban and built up). I liked the place for its calm atmosphere. It was hard for me to believe that when we were strolling on water's edge, we were right in the heart of London. New York's Central Park accomplishes something similar at times - removing a person from very urban surroundings.

Little Venice London - it is famous, but mostly for locals - certainly one of the city's lesser known neighborhoods for visitors.