Canal life’s just capital
BRITAIN has one of the most impressive networks of canals in the world and, while our rural waterways provide peaceful routes for holidaymakers, urban sections are becoming prestigious residential areas.
Among them are the London end of the Grand Union Canal and the adjoining Regent’s Canal, which weaves through the capital for eight-and-a-half miles.
Regent’s Canal was completed 200 years ago this year after QueenVictoria’s husband, the Prince Regent, called for plans to redevelop north London. Construction began in 1812 and the final section between Camden and Limehouse opened in August 1820 with great celebrations.
This year London is celebrating again with #RegentsCanal200 events, being co-ordinated by the Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk) but the waterway has long been recognised as an interesting place to walk, exercise or just relax, which is why homes nearby are so sought after.
Among these are new apartments at 250 City Road, a 36-storey tower with a collection of apartments and penthouses in Islington, built on an old business park on a triangular site between Angel and Old Street Tube stations.
It has a 24-hour concierge service, a gym, pool, spa and sauna plus screening room and residents’ lounges.There’s also 1.9 acres of wifi-enabled green space and cuttingedge office space at iBasin, in the world’s largest technology start-up business area outside America’s Silicon Valley and New York. Prices start from £880,000 for a one-bedroom apartment (020 3925 9905; 250cityroad.co.uk).
A walk along regent’s Canal will take you from Islington to King’s Cross – and the canal museum, new shops and leisure venues there – to Camden and its market, past London Zoo, through Little Venice and all the way to the Grand Union Canal, which connects London to Birmingham.
ON THE very edge of west London the Grand Union passes near West Drayton, where Redrow’s Padcroft apartments have views of the canal.
Residents are just a few minutes’ walk from a route that takes them to a marina and waterside pub. Among these are Nick Ball and Katie Motram, who have bought their first home together at Padcroft, after renting in Chiswick.
“We knew Padcroft was the right property for us once we compared what we could get for the price,” says Nick, 37. “Our new home has almost double the amount of space compared to other properties we were looking at for the same price, and our decision was made even easier once we knew we could use Help To Buy.
“The commuter links are second to none, with the station just a two-minute walk from our property and major motorways nearby. I take the M4 to work, riding my motorbike to Shepherd’s Bush.
“Crossrail was one of the deciding factors when purchasing the property, and we are looking forward to it opening, as it will be just a 24-minute journey for Katie to travel into work in Soho.”
Padcroft is a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with onebedroom flats starting from £313,000 (0203 811 4096; redrow.co.uk) and Nick and Katie, 27, also have a parking space and a wraparound balcony.
Nick adds: “Alongside the practicalities of the apartment, Katie and I have discovered a fantastic walking route along the canal.”