Best Walking Routes in London

London is one of the world's great walking cities — the distances between its most interesting places are navigable on foot more often than the map suggests, and walking reveals details that the Tube entirely conceals. Here are the best self-guided routes.

South Bank Walk (Westminster to Tower Bridge)

London's finest free riverside walk — Westminster Bridge, the London Eye, Tate Modern, the Globe, Borough Market, and Tower Bridge connected in one 4-mile stretch. Allow 2–3 hours without stops, a full day with them. Best done west-to-east for the afternoon light. Completely flat, entirely paved, almost all traffic-free.

The City of London Walk

London's ancient square mile repays a slow weekend walk when the financial offices are empty. St Paul's Cathedral, Leadenhall Market (the Harry Potter Diagon Alley location), the Bank of England and the Lloyd's Building sit within minutes of each other. The medieval street plan — unchanged in outline since the Great Fire of 1666 — is visible once you look for it.

Regent's Canal Walk

The towpath from Little Venice (Paddington) east to King's Cross or beyond to Hackney runs through some of London's most interesting changing neighbourhoods — Camden Market is directly on the route. Approximately 4 miles from Little Venice to King's Cross Basin, flat, well-signed, and a completely different view of the city to the streets above.

Hampstead Heath to Parliament Hill

Hampstead Heath covers 790 acres of ancient woodland in North London, crowned by Parliament Hill with its panoramic view of central London. The walk from Hampstead Underground station through the heath to the top of Parliament Hill takes about 40 minutes — the view from the top is one of the best free panoramas in the city.

Tips

• Download a map before you set out — mobile signal is reliable in London but so is battery drain.
• The South Bank walk is best started in the early afternoon — light improves heading east toward Tower Bridge.
• The City walk is dramatically better at weekends when the streets are quiet.
• The Regent's Canal towpath can be busy with cyclists — keep to the right and listen for bells.