CouncilBow Wharf to Limehouse Basin
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The area around Bow Wharf is rich with museums, art, history and shopping. The Museum of Childhood, Chisenhale Gallery and Roman Road Market are all worthy of a detour.
From Bow Wharf you can turn northwards onto the Regent's Canal for Islington, Camden, Little Venice and the Grand Union Canal but we are turning southwards back to Limehouse Basin.
For most of this final stretch, the towpath follows Mile End Park. This newly re-vitalised open space now features an ecology park, terraced garden, adventure playground, sports stadium and climbing wall.
On your journey southwards you can cross the unique Green Bridge which is covered with trees and shrubs and essentially takes the park over Mile End road.
Continuing in the same direction, you will encounter Jonson's Lock, named after the Elizabethan playwright Ben Jonson who was a resident of the East End and was famously imprisoned for his part in writing 'The Isle of Dogs' a satire featuring a "very seditious and slanderous matter".
Next to Jonson's Lock on Copperfield Road is the Ragged School Museum, formerly used by Doctor Barnardo to house the largest ragged school in London.
In 1876, the school was open to poor local children between the ages of 5 and 10. They received food, an education and help finding their first job. Today, the Ragged School Museum offers an amazing insight into the life of the ragged children and the local area. It also allows today's school children the chance to experience a Victorian classroom.
Continuing southwards along the canal, you will walk past four locks and under Commercial Road before you reach the final point of major significance, the Viaduct.
Built at the start of Queen Victoria's reign in 1838, the viaduct was originally built to carry the London and Blackwall Railway and was the first railway in the world to be completely controlled by electronic telegraph. The Grade 2 listed viaduct now carries the Docklands Light Railway.
You have arrived back at the starting point of Limehouse Basin. For those with energy to spare, the Thames path can take you eastwards to Canary Wharf about a mile away or westwards about 2 miles to St. Katherine's Dock and Tower Bridge.
