Timeline
15:35
Grab a hot drink or a light bite at The Waterway. It sits right by the canal, so you can secure a spot with a view while you settle in. The menu offers mixed European food, but even just a coffee here sets the scene perfectly.
16:00
Leave The Waterway and walk five minutes north to the basin of Little Venice itself. This is where the Regent's Canal meets the Grand Union. Find a bench or a spot on the towpath facing west. The water here is calm, and the narrowboats create a gentle rhythm against the backdrop of the city.
16:20
Watch the sunset. In January, the sun sets toward the SW around 16:20. The light hits the water and the brickwork of the surrounding houses, turning the canal into a mirror of gold and orange before fading into twilight.
16:35
Head back to The Waterway for the afterglow. The lights inside the restaurant and bar will be on, reflecting in the canal. It is a cozy place to linger, warm up, and watch the evening settle over Little Venice.
Local tip
The golden light starts about 15:23, so arriving early enough to get your drink before then ensures you have time to enjoy the transition from day to dusk.
Check before you go
- The Waterway is open Mo-Fr 11:00-23:00, Sa 10:00-23:00, and Su 10:00-22:30. For a January sunset at 16:20, it is fully open.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to London (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).