The entrance to the Hertford Union Canal (HU) from the River Lee is wide and easily seen, unlike it’s other end where it joins the Regents. Do not cut the corner though, as there was a sunken narrowboat there in the summer of 2000 and there are sluice gates, although they seem to be disused.

If the crew are walking up the towpath from Old Ford locks they should be aware that they will need to walk past the entrance to the HU to the next bridge, cross and then walk back on the opposite bank.

Once in the HU, the towpath is on the right bank and there are mooring rings set into the concrete bank coping before the trees. By the trees there is a large concrete block thet makes an ideal base for a disposable barbecue tray. This area makes for a quiet reasonably lit overnight mooring, but be aware that the brewery distribution centre on the off side becomes noisy very early in the mornings.

The Bottom lock has quite a small rise, compared to all the others in this area.

Above the lock there is often a fair quantity of floating weed and it also seems to attract plastic shopping bags. It is possible to pass under the bridges and approach the middle lock at tick-over without clogging the propeller, particularly as the water is quite clear and any foreign bodies are easily seen.

If the crew are staying on the towpath and preparing the locks, hold back from the tail of Middle lock rather then coming in close to wait for the gates to open. The lower gate paddles cause quite an asymetrical current and the boat can get bounced off the bridge wall if you’re not aware.

Leaving Middle lock you enter a short pound leading to Top lock.

The water levels can fluctuate if several boats have gone ‘down’ with none coming up. (One lock-full reduces the depth by about 6 inches), so you can find the surface level down, and the chances of grounding at the towpath side can be quite high, particularly near the tail of Top lock.

It is bad practice to moor in a short pound anyway, but here it could cause major problems if the water level drops overnight. The boat could be damaged or even capsized.


The bridge at the tail of Top lock leads to local shops, (cross the bridge and they are on the left) and while Victoria Park backs onto the towpath, there is a mixture of old factories, new industrial units and new housing on the off side.


Roman Road Market is a typical East-End street market, held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. If planning to visit, moor above Top lock, beyond Gunmakers Lane bridge, cross the bridge and pass between the industrial units and the old factory. At the road (Old Ford Road) , cross over and take the road ahead (St Stephens Road) and carry on to the next cross roads. This is Roman Road. Turn left and the street market is ahead, under the decorative arch.

At the western end the canal narrows prior to joining the Ragents. The new developmant on the offside is Bow Wharf, with shops and commercial units, bars, cafe’s and a Jongleurs comedy venue. It is not possible to moor there due to an overhanging tree and no suitable landing point. Access from the towpath side, walk to the junction and turn left over the footbridge. There is an entrance into Bow Wharf from the top of the bridge.

Rejoin the Regents Canal and turn left for Mile End and Limehouse and right to pass through Old Ford lock and to make for central London.