Sun-fried Londoners can cool off by renting a boat on one of the capital’s prettiest canals
It’s official. Summer 2026 is leaving Londoners scorched, sun-fried and steaming. Forget sexy tans. The red alert is literally printed on faces, as the tropical climate leaves many of us looking like boiled, flailing lobsters in our final throes in the saucepan…
Luckily for the more vigorous among us, East London’s intricate network of waterways offers a refreshing way to escape the searing heat. For the price of £30 users can hire a kayak from Moo Canoes, or pay £27.50 (per adult) for a Lee and Stort boat tour around the area or alternatively email Canal & River Trust directly to hire a boat and explore the winding channels and streams around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Hackney Wick.
One of the river highlights is an intriguing island getaway. Three Mills Island is tucked away on the banks of the River Lea just south of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The old mills on the island once milled corn and gunpowder, while the replacements still standing milled grain for the gin distilling industry.
Visitors can walk the area and explore the site’s regeneration, thanks to generous lottery donations and other funding secured by the Canal & River Trust, earning rave reviews from customers.
Nearby, kayakers can make their way through the interconnected waterways known as The Bow Back Rivers – long forgotten rivers with age-old names like Pudding Mill, Channelsea, Three Mills Wall and Waterworks.
One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “What a great job they have done to regenerate this part of East London. Lovely open spaces walking and cycle paths. Play areas for children. The sun was shining when we went on Easter Saturday although it was a little too cold for a picnic but I shall certainly be back in the summer to spend the day exploring the footpaths and waterways. Great way to get the kids away from the computer games and into the fresh air.”
Another added: “What a fab place to spend time. The kids did an hour and a half at the pool in the Aquasplash. Then a wander round the park, stopping at the climbing wall, play area and walks along the canal. There’s so much we didn’t see or missed – the water fountains, the velodrome, all the walks and more. So many families and a really great atmosphere. As we only live 10 mins away I think we will be back.”
To explore boating opportunities around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, visit Moo Canoes, Lee and Stort boat tours or alternatively email Canal & River Trust directly.
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