Lifestyle

The best walking routes in London



London truly shines in the summer and with a temperature of 30 degrees predicted for the weekend ahead, there’s no better time to explore one of London’s loveliest walking routes than the present.

While there are plenty of stunning hiking routes close to the capital, you can also find a number of delightful walks right here in the city.

From following an art route in London’s South East to exploring Hampstead Heath in the North and Richmond Park out West, we’ve curated a list of the best walking routes in London below.

Capital Ring Walk

Eltham Palace along the Capital Ring Walk (Shutterstock)

Where? across London.

Forget the Circle Line, TFL has come up with a circular walking route around London called the ‘Capital Ring Walk’. Split into 15 easy-to-walk sections, it covers 78 miles of nature reserves, open space and Sites of Specific Scientific Interest. There’s likely to be a start point near you, just look out for large aluminium signs featuring the walking man symbol. In open spaces you can follow the route by looking for a white disc on a wooden post with the Big Ben logo and an arrow.

To find out more, visit: tfl.gov.uk/

Richmond to Ham House

A deer herd in Richmond Park (Unsplash)

Where? Richmond, TW10 7RS.

Starting at Richmond station, this 4.5 mile walk should take between an hour and a half to two hours and will lead you through Richmond Park to King Henry’s Mound where, on a clear day, you can see St Paul’s Cathedral. From here you’ll continue on to Ham Avenues and Ham House – a 17th Century National Trust building with pretty gardens – before returning to Richmond. If you have time, it’s well worth a detour in Richmond Park to have a picnic at Isabella Plantation – 40 acres of lush woodland and gardens.

To find out more, visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/

Hampstead Heath Circular Walk

Hampstead Heath (Unsplash)

Where? Hampstead, NW5 1QR.

This 6.5 mile, three-hour walk begins and ends at Hampstead underground station on the Northern Line. It explores some of London’s best-loved places, passing by Highgate Cemetery and stopping on the top of Parliament Hill where you can take in some stunning views over the capital.

To find out more, visit: haringey.gov.uk/

The Parkland Walk

Muswell Hill (Shutterstock)

Where? Crouch End, N4 3EY.

The Parkland Walk is a 2.5 mile former railway line-turned linear park that runs from Finsbury Park to Muswell Hill. The longest linear nature reserve in London, the additional Wildlife Trail is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays and you can check the site for how to get involved in litter pick ups too.

To find out more, visit: parkland-walk.org.uk/

The Jubilee Greenway

Little Venice (Shutterstock)

Where? across inner London.

A walk that celebrates all the best bits of London, the Jubilee Greenway was completed in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic Games. The route is 60 kilometres long – one kilometre for each year of the Queen’s reign – and starts at Buckingham Palace, passing landmarks like Kensington Palace, Regents Park, Camden Market and the Thames Barrier. TFL has split the walk up into 10 sections so you can take your pick.

To find out more, visit: tfl.gov.uk/

Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox’s Walk

Soak up nature in Sydenham Hill Wood (similar wood pictured) (Unsplash)

Where? Dulwich, SE26 6LT.

To truly feel like you’re ‘getting out’ of London while still technically being in London, head to Sydenham Hill Wood and follow Cox’s Walk. The wood forms part of the largest remaining tract of the old Great North Wood and is home to more than 200 species of trees and plants as well a hidden Victorian folly which is a marvel when found. An old railway line cuts through the wood and you can follow the track to a disused tunnel – now a registered bat roost.

To find out more, visit: wildlondon.org.uk/

The Thames Path

Greenwich Park (Unsplash)

Where? across London.

While the whole Thames Path is 184 miles long, starting at its source in the Cotswolds, walking sections of the path can be a great way be an accidental tourist for the day. The best and most central section of the path is between Albert Bridge and Tower Bridge, where you’ll walk past the Houses of Parliament, Tate Modern and Tower of London. For a quieter section, try Tower Bridge to Greenwich, finishing with a picnic in Greenwich Park at the end.

To find out more, visit: tfl.gov.uk/

The Line

An artwork along The Line (Instagram/@thelinelondon)

Where? Isle of Dogs.

Dubbed as ‘London’s first dedicated modern and contemporary art walk’, The Line runs from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to Greenwich. The 4.6 mile trail is currently dotted with nine artworks but this is expected to increase this year – the perfect Sunday stroll for art lovers.

To find out more, visit: the-line.org/

London Loop

Walk past the historic Hall Place (Shutterstock)

Where? outer London.

Looping around London’s borders, this 150-mile route has (helpfully) been split into 24 sections, each around 6.2 miles long. The walks are mostly flat or gentle slopes and it combines open spaces with walks past historic buildings like Hall Place and Black Jack’s Lock & Mill.

To find out more, visit: tfl.gov.uk/

Green Chain

Severndroog Castle (Shutterstock)

Where? South London.

One for South London lovers, this 50 mile walk can be divided into 11 sections, taking you from Thamesmead to Nunhead as it winds through the leafy hills of South East London. Look out for the 18th century Gothic folly at Severndroog Castle and check out the formidable Thames Barrier for yourself.

To find out more, visit: tfl.gov.uk/



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