London Walks
Although London has an excellent public transport network it is also a great city to explore on foot.
Central London is relatively flat and is generally safe, even at night as long as you stick to the touristy areas.
As in any major city common sense should prevail. Don’t carry to much cash, don’t flash the valuables and be aware of your surroundings and stick to well lit areas at night.
Setting off on even a random walk will invariably bring some delights to the surface but if you aren’t quite so adventurous here are a few of my favourite walks.
On the longer walks I will mention intermediate tube stations in case you want to join / leave mid-walk. It is a good idea to wear very comfortable shoes as, although not paved with gold, there are still some cobble stoned streets to explore.
Here is a summary of the walks, for more detail simply click the link. In keeping with the tone of this section I shall concentrate on the free and inexpensive but I will also mention interesting paid for attractions along the way.
Happy walking.
Central London is relatively flat and is generally safe, even at night as long as you stick to the touristy areas.
As in any major city common sense should prevail. Don’t carry to much cash, don’t flash the valuables and be aware of your surroundings and stick to well lit areas at night.
Setting off on even a random walk will invariably bring some delights to the surface but if you aren’t quite so adventurous here are a few of my favourite walks.
On the longer walks I will mention intermediate tube stations in case you want to join / leave mid-walk. It is a good idea to wear very comfortable shoes as, although not paved with gold, there are still some cobble stoned streets to explore.
Here is a summary of the walks, for more detail simply click the link. In keeping with the tone of this section I shall concentrate on the free and inexpensive but I will also mention interesting paid for attractions along the way.
Happy walking.
River Stroll
Start: Parliament Square (Tube: Westminster)
Finish: Tower Of London (Tube: Tower Hill, DLR: Tower Gateway)
Distance: 3¾ miles (6km) - an extra 1 mile (1.5km) if St Paul’s detour included
This walk starts in Parliament Square offering views of Westminster Abbey and The Houses Of Parliament. It then crosses Waterloo Bridge to the South Bank of the River Thames.
It continues along the South Bank past the London Eye and Royal Festival Halls, past the Oxo Tower to the Tate Modern.
At the Tate Modern there is the opportunity to cross the river over the Millennium Foot bridge to see St Paul’s Cathedral. Returning to the South Bank the walk continues past The Globe Theatre, a replica of The Golden Hinde and the infamous Clink Prison.
Under London Bridge, past swish shopping galleries, HMS Belfast, the new City Hall to Tower Bridge.
The walk then crosses Tower Bridge and ends outside The Tower Of London
Full details
Classic Sights
Start: Parliament Square (Tube: Westminster)
Finish: Trafalgar Square (Tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square)
Distance: 2½ miles (4km)
This walk starts in Parliament Square looking at The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It then goes along Whitehall past the Cenotaph, and Downing Street to Horse Guards.
Cutting through Horse Guards the walk then meanders through St James’s Park up to Buckingham Palace. After the palace there is a walk up The Mall, with a brief detour to Clarence House. Through Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square.
Full details
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Start: Parliament Square (Tube: Westminster)
Finish: Tower Of London (Tube: Tower Hill, DLR: Tower Gateway)
Distance: 3¾ miles (6km) - an extra 1 mile (1.5km) if St Paul’s detour included
This walk starts in Parliament Square offering views of Westminster Abbey and The Houses Of Parliament. It then crosses Waterloo Bridge to the South Bank of the River Thames.
It continues along the South Bank past the London Eye and Royal Festival Halls, past the Oxo Tower to the Tate Modern.
At the Tate Modern there is the opportunity to cross the river over the Millennium Foot bridge to see St Paul’s Cathedral. Returning to the South Bank the walk continues past The Globe Theatre, a replica of The Golden Hinde and the infamous Clink Prison.
Under London Bridge, past swish shopping galleries, HMS Belfast, the new City Hall to Tower Bridge.
The walk then crosses Tower Bridge and ends outside The Tower Of London
Full details
Classic Sights
Start: Parliament Square (Tube: Westminster)
Finish: Trafalgar Square (Tube: Charing Cross, Leicester Square)
Distance: 2½ miles (4km)
This walk starts in Parliament Square looking at The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It then goes along Whitehall past the Cenotaph, and Downing Street to Horse Guards.
Cutting through Horse Guards the walk then meanders through St James’s Park up to Buckingham Palace. After the palace there is a walk up The Mall, with a brief detour to Clarence House. Through Admiralty Arch to Trafalgar Square.
Full details
Return to London main menu