Our 10 Favourite Walks In and Around London

Our 10 Favourite Walks In and Around London

Fancy stomping across Hampstead Heath, rambling through Hackney Marshes or stretching your legs along the Jubilee Greenway? We’ve trekked the Big Smoke to discover London’s best walking routes.



Whether
you’re wanting to get reacquainted with the city’s
storied sights or seeking out lesser-trodden trails, we’ve
perambulated the capital in search of London’s best walks. Spanning
urban pavements to leafy riverbanks, here are 10 of our favourite
city strolls.

Walk this way: our favourite ambles through London


Hampstead Heath Circular

This popular walk begins on Hampstead High Street. Head on down
past the Wells and Campden Baths and start your slow ascent up
Parliament Hill. At the summit, savour panoramic views across
central London. On the descent, walkers can take in Kenwood House
as well as scenic landscapes at Viaduct Bridge.


Victoria Park

The first planned park in the UK, Victoria Park was built in the
1840s in London’s East End. The kidney-shaped slice of green wedged
between Hackney and Bow spans over 86 hectares, and is
circumnavigated by a wide, tree-lined path all the way round (watch
your back for whizzing cyclists). Begin at the Pavillion Bakery
(croissant and a black filter, please), then start your strolling
overlooking the boating lake, taking in the Chinese Pagoda and – on
Sundays – the stalls of the park’s farmers’ market. This is prime
dog-watching territory, so prepare to be smitten by east London’s
French bulldog population.


The Thames Path

This stretch along the Thames traces the majority of the route
taken during the annual Oxford-Cambridge boat race. Race week
aside, it’s an ideal, peaceful amble on the leafy riverbank.
Tracing the Thames, the largely flat path goes upriver from Putney
Bridge. You’ll walk through the verdant Fulham Palace Gardens and
stroll by the slipways for St Paul’s School Rowing Club en route to
your end point, Barnes Bridge.


Richmond to Ham House

Move from urban to rural on this circular, scenic route,
launching off from Richmond town centre. Beginning at the top of
Richmond Hill and moving down towards the Thames, you’ll loop into
Richmond Park, before meandering through the sleepy village of Ham
– noting the area’s many beautiful Georgian mansions as you wander
through. Then, it’s onto your final stop, Ham House. A National
Trust property, Ham House boasts a beautiful secondhand bookshop
and an excellent cream tea.


Greenwich to Blackheath

Beginning at the O2, this is a lovely walk in any season, taking
a little under an hour to complete. Ogle at Antony Gormley’s
Quantum Cloud artwork at North Greenwich Pier, before following the
river past Greenwich Yacht Club and continuing through Hanging
Wood, right up to Woolwich Common. There are plenty of stops along
the way for ice cream in the summer months.


The Jubilee Greenway: Little Venice to Camden

Saunter along one of the most pleasant sections of the Jubilee
Greenway, taking in aqueducts, charming houseboats and canal
towpaths as you roam. The final section of the 60km route around
the north of London takes in Regent’s Canal, Little Venice and
finishes up at Camden Lock Market, where you can nab a bargain bite
and relive your teenage years.


Hyde Park

One of London’s eight Royal Parks, Hyde Park stretches across
some 142 hectares. Enjoy a stop-start stroll through the park,
pausing at the Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, observing
artworks at the Serpentine Galleries or grabbing coffee at the
waterside café. When heading to or from the Serpentine, venture off
track onto the sandy, horse chestnut-lined path of Rotten Row. In
the summer, Londoners head for the banks of the Serpentine Lido to
cool off and sun loungers abound.


Regent’s Canal

London’s second waterway might not offer the graceful curves and
iconic landmarks of the Thames, but a 14km walk down the length of
the Regent’s Canal will take you through the belly of the city; on
weekends the towpath bustles with bikes, couples and wayward
ducklings. Start out east, at the Limehouse Basin, and follow the
wake of barges towards Mile End’s leafy edges. Rounding Bethnal
Green, the canal heads west through the graffiti-tagged streets of
Haggerston and Hoxton (stop by the much-loved Towpath Café for a
morning fuel-up), before swinging into Islington and King’s Cross’
shiny new developments. After a quick lunchtime stop for a beefy
sandwich at Sons + Daughters in Coal Drops Yard, rejoin the
waterway walkers to end your stroll in Regent’s Park, sipping beers
on a bench to a soundtrack of London Zoo’s lion roars.

The old chapel at Nunhead Cemetery

Green Chain Walk

Stretching between canal-crossed Thamesmead and leafy Nunhead
Cemetery, there are 12 sections of this 80km-long London route you
can attempt. Tackle a shorter chunk or take on the entire thing –
subject to your energy levels – on any given weekend. It’s a great
stroll for architecture enthusiasts, with Eltham Palace and
Severndroog Castle (on the southeastern section of the route) being
highlights. You’ll also pass multiple parks and open spaces along
the well-signposted route. The Horniman Museum and Gardens is
another favourite spot worth a look.


Parkland Walk

United Kingdom

More interested in Hinge matches than Google Maps? This one’s
for you. Running between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace, the
4km Parkland Walk is difficult to get lost on: the route follows a
single old railway track. London’s longest nature reserve, this
tunnel of green is filled with birdsong throughout the year, but
the summer months are best for spotting some of the 200 species of
wildflower that grow between the sleepers. It can get busy on
weekends, but if you’re seeking a chance encounter you can’t swipe
left on, who knows… the narrow path might work to your
advantage.

This article was updated 1 September 2022.

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