Limehouse Cut
Canal in East End of London, England
About
The Limehouse Cut is a largely straight, broad canal in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in east London which links the lower reaches of the Lee Navigation to the River Thames. Opening on 17 September 1770, and widened for two-way traffic by 1777, it is the oldest canal in the London area. Its original purpose was to provide a short cut for barges bringing grain and malt from the Lee to the City of London. Although short, it has a diverse social and industrial history. Formerly discharging directly into the Thames, since 1968 it has done so indirectly by a connection through Limehouse Basin.
The Cut is about 1.4 miles (2.2 km) long. It turns in a broad curve from Bow Locks, where the Lee Navigation meets Bow Creek; it then proceeds directly south-west through Tower Hamlets, finally making a short hook to connect to Limehouse Basin.
Nearby
More to see within walking distance
Limehouse Basin
Canal basin in Tower Hamlets, London
0.7 mi away
Poplar, London
Area of East London, England
0.7 mi away
Mile End
Area in the East End of London, England
0.7 mi away
Limehouse
District in Tower Hamlets, London
0.4 mi away
Robin Hood Gardens
Residential estate in Poplar, London
0.7 mi away
Bromley-by-Bow
Human settlement in England
0.6 mi awayPlaces to eat nearby
Finding places to eat…
Traveler reviews
Tickets & tours
Tickets and tours for Limehouse Cut
We may earn a commission from some of these links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Photos from Unsplash, Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA); facts from Wikipedia; maps © OpenStreetMap contributors, weather from Open-Meteo. Huginn’s tips are AI-written — check prices, hours and entry rules before you go.