Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

London Canal Museum

@canalmuseum.bsky.social

110 followers 53 following 93 posts

One of the most-visited waterways museums in the UK, located in central London. On two floors we tell the story of London's canals, their people, arts and crafts, boats, horses and engineering. We offer a programme of regular boat trips from the museum.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · May 30

Uncover a hidden side of the city at the London Canal Museum. Explore the rich history of our canals and ice trade, and peek into a Victorian ice well. Our boat tours offer an unforgettable way to experience London's unique heritage.
Plan your visit: www.canalmuseum.org.uk ⚓️🧊

Explore the London Canal Museum

YouTube video by London Canal Museum

youtu.be

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 6d

🧵3/3
The accident led to the Explosives Act, which brought in tighter controls on the carriage of dangerous goods. Learn more about this tragic accident at the museum.

#LondonHistory #Canal #History

1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 6d

The Regent's Canal was an important trade route with the Midlands, and barge carriers were paid premiums to carry gunpowder used for mine blasting, as the railway companies considered it too risky.Remarkably, 100 men worked tirelessly to reopen the canal in just five days.
🧵2/3

1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 6d

At 4:55 am, on 2nd October 1874, a convoy of five barges carrying gunpowder exploded beneath the Macclesfield Bridge in Regent's Park. The explosion was so powerful that three men died, a boat's keel landed on a house 300 yards away, and animal cages at the zoo were damaged.
🧵1/3

Print dated 1927 of the Macclesfield Bridge in Regents Park, depicting an intricatley decorated bridge, a canal boat passing beneath and two people on horseback passing above

1 1 3

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

🧵2/2
This book tells fascinating stories, including those relating to the Regent’s Canal - the embezzler Thomas Homer, and the thieves and gangs who operated on the opening of the new canal. It’s a must read to see the darker, human side of canal history"

Find Dark side of the cut in our bookshop 📚

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 7d

This month's book recommendation comes from Adam, "Dark side of the cut" by Susan C Law.

"The development of the canal systems in the Victorian period is often seen as a marvel of the industrial revolution but look beneath the surface and you will find dramatic tales of crime, theft and murder
🧵1/2

Trustee Adam holding "Dark side of the cut" by Susan C Law

1 1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 20d

...and the answer is Enfield Lock, we think around 1910. The Swan and Pike was one of the first public houses to be nationalised during the First World War

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · 23d

It's another #MysteryMonday - can you tell us which lock is shown in this image, and, bonus points if you can tell us an interesting fact about the Inn! 🔍 Add your answer in the comments and we'll confirm later this week!

A lock with loaded canal barge, lock house and Swan and Pike pub

1 1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 7

We were delighted to welcome Cllr Jason Jackson, Mayor of Islington to the museum earlier today, for his trip to Angel Canal Festival aboard Angel - hope everyone enjoys the day!
@IslingtonBC

1 2

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 7

We are excited to be at the Angel Canal Festival today ☀️

If you are attending please do come say hello - we'll be in Graham Street Park with our historic towpath tractor and museum volunteers.

More info about the event on the festival website: https://www.angelcanalfestival.co.uk/

1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 2

Great to welcome Sarah Lohman, culinary historian, to the museum today for a research visit from the USA to learn more about Victorian ice cream making from our volunteer Mandy, who delivers ice cream demonstrations in the dress, and style of Mrs Agnes Marshall 🍦

Culinary historian Sarah Lohman with London Canal Museum volunteer Mandy, who delivers ice cream making demonstrations

1 2

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 1

🧵2/2
Full of detailed descriptions, images and directions, it works well as a guide if you’re new to the city. As a Londoner, I’ve learned so many different stories and seem to always have an unusual new fact ready for my next walk with friends or family!"

Find London's Oddities in our bookshop 📚

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Sep 1

This month's book of choice is from Kiara - London’s Oddities by Vicky Wilson.

"This book doubles as a walking guide and a history lesson for those interested in the eclectic!
A whole section on the Regent’s Canal includes Islington Tunnel and Macclesfield Bridge (aka Blow-up Bridge).
🧵1/2

London Canal Museum volunteer Kiara holding London’s Oddities by Vicky Wilson

1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 29

🛍️ New items in our shop.
Our shop has a wide range of souvenirs, magnets, stationary, model boats, books, and hand painted canal ware. The next time you visit, check out our two newest items: our keyring and drawstring bag ⚓

1 2

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 21

...and the answer is...Thomas Homer was convicted of embezzling funds and sentenced to seven year's transportation to Australia (he never made the journey). This, plus a combination of other factors, led to the Regent's Canal costing double the orginal estimate, at £772,000.

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 18

The canal was first proposed by Thomas Homer, who became Secretary of the Regent's Canal Company. How did Homer's relationship with the company end just three years later?

🔍 Add your guess in the comments and we’ll reveal the answer soon!
🧵2/2

1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 18

It's time for another #MysteryMonday.

This month we celebrated the anniversary of the opening of the first section of the Regent's Canal (12 Aug), and the full Regent's Canal (1 Aug)...
🧵1/2

The Regent's Canal between Camden and Paddington. A person is walking along the towpath, sunlight is shining through the trees

1 4 5

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 12

The lock free section of the Regent's Canal, from Paddington to Camden opened midday on 12 August 1816, the Prince Regent's 58th birthday. Elegant barges full of people and regimental bands were towed along, and spectators lined the banks.
#canalmuseum #canal #history #london #onthisday

Albert Terrace footbridge crossing
Regent's Canal, 1907

1 2

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 11

Glad you enjoyed the visit! 🧊

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 3

🧊And that's a wrap for Ice Weekend, thank you to all who joined us.

📸 We'd love to see your photos from the weekend - please tag us in any you post.

📩 Stay up to date with our events and museum news by joining our email update: https://stats.sender.net/forms/e73Yr8/view

1 2 3

Reposted by London Canal Museum

E.Saxey @esaxey.bsky.social · Aug 3

Ice well selfie.

(The @canalmuseum.bsky.social has excellent snippets of history.)

Shadow of me against a dim wet brick wall, with some of the weathered old wood well lining visible

1 2 5

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 3

We can't wait to open our doors for Ice Sunday 🧊

If you are joining us today for an ice well visit, please remember to wear the right footwear - no loose footwear or sandals.

We'll also be taking photos for our social media, please speak to a member of staff for any questions

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 1

🧵2/2
Join us Sunday to descend into our two Victorian Ice Wells, watch an ice cream making demonstration, talks on the ice trade and a guided tour of the building's history.

🎟️Book tickets and view all the info here: https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/ice-weekend.htm

A group of people in the ice well at the London Canal Museum listening to a guide

Ice Sunday - 3 August
Once-a-year opportunity to explore our Victorian ice wells with a tour guide
Join us for an ice cream making demonstration, ice trade talk & building tour
Add a tunnel boat trip to enhance your experience

Museum volunteer Mandy delivering an ice cream making demonstration dressed as Mrs Agnes Marshall, a pioneer in Victorian ice cream making

Two people in the Victorian ice wells at the London Canal Museum

1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 1

👀 Looking for fun things to do this weekend? We've got the perfect answer! There are still tickets for our Ice Weekend, themed around the ice trade and ice cream🍦Don't miss a unique day out.

Join us on Saturday for a cool family fun day with a storyteller, craft workshop, ice trail and more...
🧵1/2

Ice Weekend starts tomorrow.
Join us across the weekend for ice-themed activities for all ages.

Ice Saturday Family Fun Day
Join us Saturday 2nd August and step into a world of of frozen fun where history comes alive with a cool twist!
Magical storyteller Olivia will tell tales of ice & ice cream
Get Creative in our ice craft workshop
Explore the ice trail
Play in our ice cream parlour
Upgrade to add a boat trip

1 1

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 1

🧵3/3
...It is a lavishly-illustrated volume that will tempt the reader to get out on the towpath and get interested in finding out more."

Find 'Discovering London's Canals' in our bookshop at the museum 📚

London Canal Museum @canalmuseum.bsky.social · Aug 1

🧵2/3
...The photographs are by the renowned photographer Derek Pratt and the book is brilliant just for those, but the writing introduces the non-enthusiast to the beauty and heritage of the capital’s waterways without getting bogged down in detail...

1 1