Access to shops, pubs and Mile End underground station is to follow the footpath that branches off to the left just above the lock, or walk down the towpath past the lock and picnic tables, and climb the steps at Mile End Road bridge.

An excellent Fish & Chip shop is to the left, just past the New Globe pub.

There is much redevelopment taking place between Mile End and Limehouse, so any descriptions would quickly become out of date. Where the work is taking place directly involving the canal there are warning notices of overhanging scaffolding, etc. Just give them a wide berth and cut the speed.

Johnsons Lock still retains a central paddle that allowed water to be passed between the locks to cut down on consumption. There used to be one of these at every lock pair. The others have been removed. This one is disconnected. Beyond the lock, on the towpath side is the Ragged School Museum, telling the story of Dr. Barnardo’s, the childrens charity.

The next bridge carries Ben Jonson Road. The difference in spelling between the lock and the road is odd, considering how close together they are.

Beyond the railway bridge is Salmon Lane lock. The lower gate paddles are of the hydraulic type and therefore require a bit of care to ensure that they are closed properly.
Make sure the rising indicator is fully down before filling an empty chamber. It is usual to find and leave this lock with the security device on the upper ground paddles extended. Use the BW key to unlock. There used to be a factory beyond the lock which made the Mock Turtle Soup for the Lord Mayor’s Banquet. Below the lock is a nice quiet grassy place to moor if you prefer not to enter Limehouse Basin, which is all bricks and concrete.

Passing beneath the next rail bridge brings the double arches of Commercial Road bridge
into view. Take the left (towpath) arch to approach the lock. Access to the road is by the staircase on the left. The nearest shops are to the left, but there is a greater variety slightly further to the right and on the other side of the road beyond St Annes Church.

The bridge over the lock carries the Docklands Light Railway, and the simplest access to Limehouse station is to use the staircase noted above and turn left at the top, stay on this side of the main road, walk ahead and cross Branch Road and pass under the bridge. The entrance to Limehouse station is on the left. Access is also possible from Limehouse Basin, but the distance is further.

Pass through Commercial Road lock, and pick the crew up from the stairs a few yards ahead on your left.

This is Limehouse Basin, much changed and re-developed in recent years. After leaving the lock turn to the left, leaving the marina mooring pontoons on your right. Proceed ahead and you will see the entrance to the Limehouse Cut ahead, and the Visitor Moorings are on your right, on the South East wall. The Lock Keepers offices are in the six sided modern building by the new radial-gated Thames lock. Go round the back and you will see the door. The offices are upstairs.

If you intend going out onto the tidal Thames to do the London Ring you must book passage through the lock at least 24 hours in advance, but this can be done by telephone, not just in person. More information on this subject can be found on the Tidal River Thames and London Ring pages of this site.

Limehouse Basin is, in theory, semi-tidal but since the work on Bow Locks has been completed it is unlikely that there will be any significant changes in level. If in doubt, check with the Lock Keepers.

Access to the DLR from here requires you to cross the Lock and walk round the basin, but the station canopy is visible virtually all the time so it isn’t a problem.