LET’S DO GOOD
Your Canal Boat is a Community Interest Company that identifies and activates underutilised spaces on London’s canals. We help residents to turn them into safe gathering places that shatter isolation, and bring people together in pursuit of commercial, educational and recreational goals.
There is astonishing cultural and environmental heritage preserved in London’s canal network.
We have identified 24 suitable locations across London where the tow path is wide enough to accommodate public events. You can see them on the map below. Imagine them all in use like we have done with these four sample projects below.
Your Canal Boat identifies suitable places for gatherings at canal-side locations and activates them with fun, educational programming. In so doing we encourage residents to work with Borough government, the Canal and River Trust, and each other, to become stewards of these priceless neighborhood resources.
Nautical Life Workshop at Sainsbury’s-Ladbroke Grove
On August 31st 2024 you can discover the magic of life on the waterways with our Introduction to Canal Life workshop, led by the seasoned canal enthusiast, Eric Ellman. Sign up here!
Westway Flyover
Historically a problem spot for fly-tipping and anti-social behavior, the stretch of canal sheltered by the highway overhead could be a reliable year-round outdoor venue for music, theatre, education and outreach.
Tottenham Hale
Towering new apartment blocks overlooking the River Lee, along with a high-speed Elizabeth Line station suggest high potential footfall for waterside events, a two-minute walk from the station.
Project Flourish at Sainsbury’s-Ladbroke Grove
Forty two artists donated performances over two weekends of music at the proposed Sainsbury’s Stumpery.
Mary Seacole Park
Mary Seacole Park — walking distance from where the legendary Scotch-Jamaican healer is buried — is a graffiti-bedazzled pocket park, perfect for programs < 100
King’s Cross
An enlightened example of heritage-informed regeneration, King’s Cross has used canal frontage and architecture to transform from a seedy neighborhood into one of the most vibrant hubs of human activity in all of London.
Alperton
A canal boat stage transforms the Network Homes courtyard into a wintertime marketplace and showcase for Alperton Community School talent.
Sainsbury’s Stumpery
With construction beginning on 3500 new flats, Your Canal Boat makes “meanwhile” use of the canal frontage, reminding everyone of the need to incorporate community use of the waterfront into final designs.
A pitch for climate
London’s 3,000 boaters represents one of the world’s largest communities living off the grid in a modern urban setting. Its potential as a laboratory to showcase and test sustainable technology is unexploited.
Our U.S. State Department Diplomacy Grant convened Imperial College climate scientists with some of London’s most creative performers to bring captivating, scientifically informed spoken word poetry to canal side audiences. (www.climateslam.com)
Future grants will provide excluded youth and ex-offenders vocational opportunities to work with solar power, battery storage and electric engines, turning the canal boat community into a showcase for sustainable technology.
Floating markets
Floating markets – composed of 6-8 boats, and offering a variety of goods and services, plus entertainment and educational programs – are our platform for activating under-utilised locations across London. In past years, we called the floating market “Brigadoon,” It is described here.
You can also watch a video here.
New floating markets are scheduled on the canal for Spring/Summer of 2024. Sites include Uxbridge, Hanwell, Hayes, Alperton and Brentford. Please contact us for more information on these upcoming events.
International music
The concerts hosted by Your Canal Boat offer a magical and intimate musical experience on the water. Set aboard charming, restored canal boats, these events provide a unique venue where music and scenic beauty converge.
From cozy concerts inside during winter time to outdoor concerts on the towpath, everyone can enjoy live performances while surrounded by the tranquil ambiance of canals, creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere. With a focus on acoustic sounds and close interaction with artists, these concerts feel personal and immersive.
Whether you’re a music enthusiast or looking for a special evening out, these canal boat concerts are a perfect blend of artistry and relaxation.
Group sessions
The group sessions offered by Your Canal Boat provide a unique and intimate setting for collaborative experiences on the water. Tailored for workshops, team-building activities, or creative sessions, these gatherings take place aboard beautifully restored canal boats, blending comfort with charm.
Participants can enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the canals while engaging in focused, inspiring discussions away from the usual hustle and bustle. The sessions are designed to foster connection, creativity, and productivity, supported by scenic views and tranquil surroundings.
Whether for corporate teams, friends, or special interest groups, these sessions offer a memorable experience that combines leisure with purpose.
Click on the map markers below to view past community events, upcoming projects and canal-side locations with interesting potential for development.
Site of past Your Canal Boat CIC community event(s) 
Site of proposed 2024 events
Site of high potential for future community events 
Possible future use for community events