Venue Hire
There are few venues in London at which you can arrive by boat for your function. A boat trip ads an extra dimension to many types of function and the appeal of boats seems to transcend all ages and cultures. We have our own mooring immediately behind the building, with a distance from boat to door of only a few feet. If boat travel is not practicable, you can still enjoy a transport of delight by booking a heritage bus.
A boat trip on the Regent's Canal is a terrific addition to many types of event. Boats can bring guests from Islington or Hackney to the East, Camden or Little Venice (Paddington), to the west. Canal travel is slow - an hour to two hours is needed for the trip depending on your route. The route from Little Venice is via the picturesque permitter of Regent's Park, then past the bustle of Camden. There are four locks on the journey. The route from the east also has locks. What is more, if you come from the east, or make a diversion, you travel through a long canal tunnel - something many guests may never have done before. The canal is mainly industrial with lots of reminders of our heritage. Notes on the history can be provided by the museum if you wish.
Dinner or drinks reception cruises can also be arranged following on after a business or social event in the museum. Why not end your conference at the museum by cruising into the sunset?
There are four companies offering boat charter on the Regent's Canal for groups. Narrowboats are of the traditional long narrow shape and are normally suitable for a larger number of passengers but not for more than light catering. Restaurant boats can be used for passenger carrying and are larger, with a kitchen on board. They can accommodate a dinner cruise.
Walkers of Camden operate the narrowboat Jenny Wren (carries 70
guests) and a hospitality boat My Fair Lady (capacity up to 98 unseated). Full
kitchen for formal meals on the My Fair Lady. They are the nearest operator to
the museum.
Website: Walkers Canal Cruises
Jason's Trip is based near Paddington and operates the narrowboat
Jason, plus a smaller boat equipped for hospitality for small groups, The Dusk
Till Dawn (capacity up to 36)
Website: Jason's Trip
The Floating Boater operates luxury hospitality boat The Prince
Regent. It has a capacity of 45 for formal meals, and reccommended maximum of
80 standing but is licenced for 100 (which will be rather crowded but
possible). Based at Paddington. They also have a small hospitality boat
Lapwing, for up to 30 guests.
Website: The Floating Boater
London Waterbus operates a mixed fleet of narrowboats. This is the
largest company and is based at Camden, but they do not offer a hospitality
boat. They specialise in scheduled services.
Website: London Waterbus Company
Timebus offer a variety of classic London buses that can bring your guests
right to the museum's door. (link opens new window)
If you need advice about planning your itinerary, by water or by road, we are happy to help. We do not take commission from boat or bus companies and are therefore impartial. Please remember to tell us about your plans. Our mooring needs to be booked for your use if you arrive by boat. There is no charge for this if you are hiring the museum.
