Local treasures in Little Venice

The canal is what makes Little Venice special. Its towpath is a beautiful place to walk, run and ride a bike, while visitors can also book tours, hire boats, and even take out kayaks. On the water, you will find the Puppet Theatre Barge, a 50-seat venue in a converted 72-ft Thames lighter. For four decades, the theatre has been putting on puppet shows to the delight of children and adults alike. Furthermore, every May bank holiday, Little Venice witnesses the Canalway Cavalcade, a festival celebrating London’s waterways, with narrowboats turned into stalls selling food and stages for live music performances.

One of London’s oldest plant shops, Clifton Nurseries has been operating since 1851 as “an ornamental garden and nursery ground” for the residents of Clifton Villas. By the end of the century, they boasted the largest palm house in London after Kew. A hidden oasis in the heart of Maida Vale, the nursery not only sells a wide range of indoor and outdoor plants, but also offers garden design and maintenance services. And their glasshouse café is the perfect place to stop for a rest, serving brunch, lunch and all your favourite teatime snacks.

This restaurant claims to have the best terrace in London, and sitting beside the water on a sunny weekend, it’s hard to disagree. Inside, the Summerhouse feels like a New England yacht club, with wooden decking and a nautical theme. Its kitchen specialises in seafood and the menu is always complemented by the ‘catch of the day,’ making this the perfect place for a special occasion. What’s more, every table has a view towards the water, meaning you can sit and watch the narrowboats drifting by.

Something new for Little Venice: an award-winning Persian restaurant. Set in a quiet spot on Warwick Place – just behind the grand villas along Warwick Avenue – Kateh includes a busy main dining room and a private space below. The menu changes seasonally, but we recommend the ghalieh mahi fish stew and the saffron-marinated meats. Popular with locals, as well as expat Iranians, this restaurant is arguably the neighbourhood’s most stylish spot.

According to the Evening Standard, the Hero ‘might just be the world’s most beautiful pub.’ The team behind The Pelican in Notting Hill have created somewhere special in nearby Maida Vale, with stripped wooden trim, bare plaster walls, a zinc-topped bar and candles for the tables. It’s four storeys in total, including a cocktail bar, a private dining room, and an open grill. Meanwhile, the menu contains British classics with a contemporary twist – all made with seasonal produce from British farmers, of course.