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If you’re looking for the best walks in London, you’re in the right place! We love walking and always try to walk when we can. After all, it’s the best way to discover somewhere and really get to know a destination, right? Plus, we don’t like being stuck underground on the tube! We’ve walked each of the routes below and designed them to show you the very best bits of the capital, from the epic in length to the touristy, so read on to discover the best walks in London!
The Best Walks in London
You won’t find these London walks elsewhere, apart from the last one. The rest are custom and complete with maps to show you where to go. But rest assured; they will take you to the best bits of London. From the peaceful canals and parks to the tourist hotspots, plus a few in between. First up on our London walks is the epic Thames Path.
1 | Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge
This was our first proper London walk, and it remains our favourite. It’s an epic, so be prepared. But it will take you from the Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge. Read our post about the Thames Path Walk for more details, but we’re confident you’ll enjoy this London walk if you can handle the distance. We don’t think there is another walk in the world that passes so many famous landmarks as this one. You’ll pass London’s most famous and not-so-famous landmarks (like Cleopatra’s Needle) before ending in the pub at Putney Bridge.
And if you don’t fancy the entire route, this London walk can be shorted to South Bank, starting at Tower Bridge and ending at Westminster, which will let you experience the very best part of the walk along the vibrant South Bank.
Approx. Distance: 19 miles
Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge Map
2 | King’s Cross to Camden
For those seeking a bit of peace in the city, this one is for you. Kind of. That’s because it’s pretty peaceful walking along Regents Canal, but it ends at one of London’s busiest markets.
This London walk starts at the epic St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel at King’s Cross. Don’t forget to walk through King’s Cross station and then take a little detour to the Book Barge, one of London’s best book shops, before heading around Coal Drops Yard and picking up Regents Canal. You’ll also pass the remarkable Gasholders and Gasholder Park.
Then all you need to do is stick to the canal towpath all the way to Camden Market. The locks before Camden are a popular spot to stop to watch the canal boats coming through the locks while stuffing your face with a bit of lunch. Then the walk ends at Camden Market, where you can spend a bit of time perusing the market goodies and even get yourself a bit of street food.
Approx. Distance: 2 miles
3 | The Tourist Trap
If you want to hit central London’s tourist hot spots, this one is for you. Starting at the original Twinning’s Tea shop on Strand, this one will take you past the very best of what central London has to offer for the tourist in you. From Twinning’s, head to Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, China Town, Piccadilly, Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, King Charles Street, St James’s Park, The Mall, Buckingham Palace, Parliament Square, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Bridge, the London Eye, ending at Leake Street Arches.
Approx. Distance: 5 miles
4 | South Kensington to Picadilly
Navigationally, this is the easiest of the best walks in London. That’s because it’s basically two straight roads from start to finish. But don’t let that fool you that it’s not a great walk. This is one of the best walks in London because it takes you from one of London’s best locations all the way to one of the most famous billboards in the world.
South Kensington is home to (arguably) London’s most famous and best museum, the Natural History Museum. It’s also home to the Victoria & Albert Museum, which is underrated. There’s also a lovely pedestrian area to get your caffeine fix or lunch before marching off on one of London’s best walks. This one will take you from South Kensington, from the tube station, past the museums, all the way to Piccadilly, passing a few highlights along the way, including Harrods, Wellington Arch, the RAF Bomber Memorial, along Green Park, past the Ritz Hotel, Burlington Arcade, Fortnum & Mason, past two of London’s best bookshops, before ending at the iconic billboard at Piccadilly.
Approx. Distance: 2.5 miles
South Kensington to Picadilly Map
5 | Canary Wharf to Greenwich
What makes this one of the best walks in London? Because you travel from a concrete jungle in one of the world’s financial capitals, through a city farm, under the River Thames, through another of London’s best districts, which is full of naval history, ending at the Prime Meridian.
This London walk starts at the Museum of Lindon Docklands, heads through Mudchute Park and Farm, through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel under the river Thames, past the Cutty Sark, through Greenwich and Greenwich Park, ending at the Greenwich Observatory and Prime Meridian.
It’s a wonderful walk with plenty of variety, from the concrete jungles of the financial district to the animals and green space in Mudchute Park, through a tunnel and into the place that divides the eastern and western hemispheres, plus there is a rather famous old boat and a ton of naval history to soak up and a great market!
Approx. Distance: 3.7 miles
6 | Camden to Paddington
And if you’d like to extend the walk from King’s Cross to Camden, this walk is for you. From Camden Market, head all the way to Little Venice, along Regent’s Canal. It’s a quieter version of the first walk along the canal, and although it’s visually less interesting, It’s quieter and more peaceful. It’ll take you through London Zoo, Lisson Grove Moorings (which are weird and wonderful), and Little Venice before ending at Paddington Station.
Given this ends at Paddington, which is also the name of the famous bear, you can take a little detour via Chalcot Crescent, the iconic Primrose Hill road home to Paddington Bear in Paddington 3. It’s just off the route, north of London Zoo. It’s marked on the map below for reference.
Approx. Distance: 3 miles
8 | Paternoster Square to City Hall
This is another great walk in London and covers some great locations in the City of London. It also goes via one of the best pubs in the city!
Starting at Paternoster Square, this walk takes you past some gems, like Reflection Gardens, Host Cafe, St Dunstan in the East, Bank, Sky Garden, Leadenhall Market, London’s smallest sculpture, Tower Bridge, one of London’s best pubs, Tower Bridge and Shad Thames before finishing at City Hall, south of the river.
Approx. Distance: 3 miles
Paternoster Square to City Hall Map
8 | The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk takes you through the beautiful green spaces in central London, including St James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Chartered by 90 plaques on the floor, the route takes you within sight of famous locations associated with Princess Diana during her life. It’s a great walk where you might forget you’re in one of the busiest cities in the world.
You can download the route map leaflet to find your way.
Approx. Distance: 7 miles
FAQs
What are the best walks in London?
The best walks in London are:
- Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge
- King’s Cross to Camden
- The Tourist Trap
- South Kensing to Picadilly
- Canary Wharf to Greenwich
- Camden to Paddington
- Paternoster Square to City Hall
- The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
What is the best walk in London?
The best walk in London is the Thames Path from the Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge. That’s because it’s challenging but also takes you past some of the most famous landmarks in the world and along South Bank, one of the most vibrant parts of the city. It can also be shorted to walk from Tower Bridge to Westminster, where you will experience the very best part of the walk.
The Best Walks in London
- Thames Path – Thames Barrier to Putney Bridge
- King’s Cross to Camden
- The Tourist Trap
- South Kensington to Picadilly
- Canary Wharf to Greenwich
- Camden to Paddington
- Paternoster Square to City Hall
- The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
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