Top 10 Walks to Do in London

Top 10 Walks to Do in London

There’s no better way to explore London than on your two own feet, as this bustling capital has some beautiful walks.  Whether you prefer green open spaces, city strolls or lovely trails, here you will find a selection of some of the best walks in London which I’m sure you’ll want to explore.

o1. Wandle Trail

River Wandle in Morden Hall Park: Wikimedia Commons

This 14 mile route in South London follows the route of the River Wandle, all the way from Croydon to the River Thames at Wandsworth. The route includes both walking and cycling paths allowing you to take in the beautiful and natural landscape of the area.

The trail passes many lovely points including Morden Hall Park, which was a  country estate built in the late 1770s. Today it is home to a beautiful 125 acre park, which the River Wandle meanders through. Here you will be sure to find many types  of birds, including herons and cormorants, with around  different 100 species in total.

Other local attractions which pass through the trail include Wandsworth Museum, Merton Abbey Mills and Deen City Farm. Be sure to keep an eye out for many interesting pieces of artwork by artist Andrew Sabin, who has created a series of gateways, bridges and entrances along the trail.

2. Jubilee Greenway

Jubilee Greenway Plaque in Hyde Park: Wikimedia Commons

The Jubilee Greenway was completed in 2012 in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London 2012 Olympic Games.  The route is 60km long, 1km for each year of the Queen’s reign. As it is a circular route you can start and finish anywhere you like, although the traditional start point is at Buckingham Palace, passing west. There are many iconic landmarks and places along the route including Camden Market, Regents Canal, Little Venice and Kensington Palace. It is one of the best ways to get an overview of London, with many scenic views.

The route is easy to follow, with circular silver plaques set in the pavement guiding you in the right direction. There are also many information panels, describing notable buildings along the route. The route is split into 10 easy to walk sections so you can take your pick which route you want to walk.

3. Deptford Low Tide Walk

Image sourced from Creek Side Centre UK

Enjoy a guided walk at low at Deptford Creek, one of the last surviving natural creeks in the UK. The creek has a long history of fishing, docking and ship building. The banks have been used by many industries and trades, including tidal mills and slaughterhouses.

The walk is one of London’s hidden gems, and a great place for discovery and adventure, not found anywhere else in London. The area Deptford was named after the tidal creek, with the name deriving from ‘deep ford.’

As the tide falls each day, almost a kilometre of riverbed is exposed, giving a unique opportunity for discovery and education. The creek is a haven for many saltwater and freshwater animals and plants, as well as over 120 species of wild flowers. Some of the many animals and birds you will find here include frogs, toads, cormorants, herons and eels, among others.

WALKS TAKE PLACE ONCE A MONTH

Tickets cost: £12 for adults and £8 for children

Nearest station: Deptford or Deptford Bridge

4. Parkland Walk

The Parkland Walk is officially London’s longest nature reserve, making it a great place to spot wildlife. Here you will find many animals from bats, hedgehogs foxes and deer. One of the highlights of the walk is the ‘spriggon’ sculpture, embodying the ‘spirit of place’ and can be spotted emerging from beneath an arch.

The 4.5 mile route follows the disused railway line that used to connect Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace. You can still see traces of where the old line used to run, through old platforms and tunnels. It is the perfect place for a weekend walk if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of London.

The parkland is split into 2 sections: Parkland Walk North, which is approximately 750 metres from Canley Gardens to Muswell Hill and the Southern Section which is just over 3km between Highgate and Finsbury Park. The 2 sections are about 1.5km apart.

Access information can be found here

The parkland is an open site

There is a wildlife trail that is free and open to the public every weekend between 11-6pm

5. The Line

The Line is London’s first walking route dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The route is 4.6 miles long  and runs from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford to the O2 in North Greenwich, with interesting artworks dotted along the route, many by established artists.

In May 2015 the route was launched, as a way to encourage locals and visitors to engage with modern and contemporary art, while also exploring lesser known parts of the city like its heritage and wildlife.

Art pieces are usually replaced each year, but the permanent highlights include works by, Alex Chinneck’s  ‘A Bullet from a Shooting Star‘ as well as work by Damien Hurst and Antony Gormley.

Nearest station: North Greenwich/Pudding Mill Lane

The works are free to view and explore

A PDF map can be downloaded here

6. Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk

Victorian Folly, Sydenham Wood: Wikimedia Commons

Experience the beautiful and tranquil woodland of Sydenham Hill Wood, South-east London through Cox’s walk. This is a great place to explore natural beauty without having to leave the confines of London.

The wood forms part of the largest tract of the old Great North Wood and is home to over 200 species of trees and plants, as well as a variety of animals and birds, including owls and kestrels. A railway line once passed through the wood, which you can now follow, leading to a disused railway tunnel, and is now home to a registered bat boost.

Cox’s walk is the ancient 18th century tree-lined avenue that crosses the wood by a footbridge over the old railway. Hidden in the wood, there is also a Victorian folly, which was once used as a garden ornament.

7. Royal London Parks Walk

Italy Gardens, Kensington Gardens: Wikimedia Commons

Explore Central London through its wonderful green parks. Starting at Kensington Gardens this route lets you stroll through some of London’s finest parks. Heading west to east, you can stroll from Kensington Gardens all the way to Pall Mall in Charing Cross with a near continuous chain of parks, which include Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park. For those tired of walking in the crowds in Central London, this walk is at a much calmer and tranquil pace that sometimes is hard to believe is still right in the centre of London.

Opening times: All the parks are open from 05:00-12:00am apart from Kensington Gardens which is 06:00- 6:45pm.

Nearest station: Queensway or Lancaster Gate (for Kensington Gardens)

8. Hackney Marshes

Hackney Marshes: Wikimedia Commons

This gentle walk follows the Hackney Marshes, which lies on the western bank of the River Lea. The marshes are among the largest areas of common land in London, with 136 hectares of protected commons.

The route begins at Wick Woodland, which leads you down a path to the Lea Navigation Canal. You will come across a woodland known as Jubilee Wood, before crossing Red Friends Bridge and Hackney Main Marsh, known for its many football pitches. The final part of the route takes you to East Marsh, passing Spitalfields Fruit and Vegetable Market. The route is 4.8 miles long and can be easily done in an afternoon.

Nearest station: Hackney Wick or Homerton. Further Info can be found here.

9. Richmond to Ham House

Thames Path below Richmond Hill: Wikimedia Commons

Starting at Richmond, this walk is 4.5 miles long and takes around 2 hours to complete. This circular route features many iconic views on this wonderful riverside walk. Beginning at the top of Richmond Hill and moving down the Thames you will head into Richmond Park and King Henry VIII’s Mound.

The view from Richmond Hill has been featured in many paintings by artists JMW Turner.  After leaving Richmond Park you will reach Ham Village. Here you will come across Ham House, a magnificent 17th century that is now a National Trust property.

Nearest Station: Richmond

Opening times for Richmond Park: 07:30-16:30

Ham House: Wikimedia Commons

10. The Thames Path

Thames Path, Greenwich: Wikimedia Commons

The Thames Path is another scenic route taking in many iconic landscapes along the River Thames.  The entire London section of the Thames Path is a mammoth 79.5 miles (128km) and stretches from the Thames Barrier in the east to Hampton Court in the West. The route is divided into 8 smaller sections, 4 of which are on the North bank and 4 along the South Bank.

With the route clearly signposted throughout, it is easy to follow. Some highlights of these routes include Tower Bridge, the South Bank and Albert Bridge, among others.

Further info can be found here