23 best walks in London to enjoy the capital by foot, according to our local team
Our favourite thing to do in the capital, weather permitting, is the cheapest activity there is. The best walks in London bring more joy to the souls that navigate them than most of the extortionately-priced activities ever could, filling our lungs with fresh air and our bellies with well-deserved treats should we incorporate the fine art of bakery-hopping into the itinerary. In the heart of the city, there’s plenty to admire and to be discovered by following the sharp twists and turns of the River Thames. Cheer on street performers along the South Bank, dodging tightrope walkers and balloon sellers while clutching ice creams and gazing towards the heights of the London Eye and the glittering skyscrapers beyond. Alternatively, take a breather from London’s frenetic energy to uncover its lesser-stomped outskirts. To the east, families frolic and devour picnics under the tree canopies of Epping Forest before venturing deeper into the unknown. Meanwhile, dog walkers weave their way along the riverside before hearty brunches and Sunday roasts in West London’s most charming neighbourhoods, from the buzzy water’s edge in Richmond to the far reaches of Ham House’s manicured lawns and beyond, when weary legs are up for a challenge. From theatre-hopping detours through the capital to walks that’ll transport you into the countryside for a short while, these are the best walks in London for a day out that’ll result in a sense of accomplishment – and a fabulous night’s sleep.
The best walks in London at a glance
- The best walk for grandiose buildings and lively scenes: London Theatre Walk
- The best walk for getting cultured: The Line
- The best walk for classic riverside sightseeing: South Bank Walk
- The best walk for escaping London: Epping Forest Centenary Walk
- The best walk for showstopping views: Richmond to Ham House and Gardens
- The best walk for time-conscious landmark hopping: Jubilee Walk
Getty Images1. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The best walk in London for: art and nature combined
As well as sparking golden memories of London’s 2012 Olympics legacy, this Stratford behemoth also has walking trails to explore. Art in the Park covers the surprisingly varied collection of artworks scattered around some of the complex’s 560 acres, from Keith Wilson’s colourful posts poking out of the Waterworks River and a moving 9/11 commemoration by New York artist Miya Ando to the building-wrapping Carpenter’s Curve, which the park claims to be ‘the most complex tile mural in the world’. If nature is more your thing, try the Parkland and Wildlife walk to experience the area’s rich biodiversity. Creatures that may make an appearance include kestrels, kingfishers and potentially even otters – and there’s also an array of colourful plants and flowers to spot. Both trails are loosely suggested routes with plenty of opportunities for veering off, and thanks to good lighting around the park, there’s no need to squint to see your chosen work of art or natural wonder in the evening.
Distance: The Parkland and Wildlife walk is approximately 2 miles. Art in the Park is a loosely plotted trail of about 30 artworks, so distance will vary
Estimated time: Parkland and Wildlife walk: 1 hour. Art in the Park: from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how much artwork you’re up for
Stop for a drink at: Crate Brewery, Unit 7, Queen’s Yard, London, E9 5EN
Getty Images2. South Bank
The best walk in London for: classic riverside sightseeing
To walk along London’s South Bank is to unravel the city’s rhythm, along a stretch where culture, chaos, and calm co-exist in choreographed contrast. Start at Westminster Bridge, where Big Ben has loomed over the River Thames’ currents for centuries, and drift eastwards along the riverside, turning your gaze upwards as the skyline flits between historic and hypermodern, from the remnants of fortresses to contemporary art galleries and the glittering skyscrapers beyond. Watch street performers balance on slacklines, kids cartwheel past skate bowls, and lovers lean over splattered cookbooks and sun-worn novels by Waterloo Bridge. Consider a coffee stop (or cocktail, no judgement here) in this corner or pick up treats to go, as sun-dappled stalls spill out onto the street in summer and makeshift waterside terraces emit welcome warmth ahead of the festive season. Admire the brutalist beauty of the National Theatre, eavesdrop on a poetry session on one of the Southbank Centre’s spiralling levels, and carry on in the direction of the Tate Modern. Further on, Gabriel’s Wharf offers indie boutiques and slow lunches. Here, the river widens and, by the time you reach Tower Bridge, you’ve walked not just a route, but an age-old story of London’s layers.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Estimated time: 50 minutes
Stop for a drink at: Tamesis Dock, Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TY
Getty Images3. Battersea Park
The best walk in London for: unexpected discoveries
Enter Battersea Park through its wrought-iron gates and navigate the perimeter of one of London’s most underrated green spaces, passing breathless joggers, young families and Pimms-sipping picnickers along the way. Start and finish at Chelsea Gate for the full regenerated Battersea experience, adding an exploration around Battersea Power Station, one of the capital’s most significant redevelopment projects, onto the beginning or end. From here, stick to the river along Terrace Walk before taking a left as the towering white of Albert Bridge is a stone’s throw away. Swerve the central fountain in favour of the Old English Garden, where blooming flowers dance through the gaps of the lattice covering pathways. From here, back onto the perimeter path before seeking out the buzz of the Putt in the Park mini golf course – the Go Ape course hangs overhead, making this corner of the park a playground for adventurous souls of all ages. Onwards to the Boating Lake, past contemporary waterside sculptures and toddlers throwing wads of bird feed at nonchalant geese, towards the Pear Tree Café. By day, the Pear Tree is a casual brunch spot searching crumbly cookies, creamy iced coffees and sandwiches-to-go; on summer evenings, DJs turn the terrace into an al-fresco dancefloor where rosé-swirling and snacking go on late into the night. Should you choose to walk around Battersea Park in preparation for a sumptuous supper, you’re spoilt for choice. Keep things waterside over gin concoctions and Italian small plates at Fiume or dream of the seaside with a fishy feast at Wright Brothers.
Distance: 2.2 miles (perimeter loop)
Estimated time: 1 hour
Stop for a drink at: The Lighthouse Battersea, 441 Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 4LR
Getty Images4. Blackheath to Greenwich
The best walk in London for: village life
The area informally known as Blackheath Village – around Blackheath station and the nearby parkland – is a charming spot that feels far removed from London. Make your way north across the vast, green expanse via any path that takes your fancy, passing by the Prince of Wales Pond first, on to Duke Humphrey Road and through the gates into the southern side of Greenwich Park. From here, simply walk straight up Blackheath Avenue until you get to the Royal Observatory and General Wolfe statue, where you’ll be rewarded with show-stopping views of London’s skyline. Be warned that the park shuts at 6pm in November and December, so if you don’t make it in time, alter your route slightly: head down into Greenwich via Maze Hill, which runs parallel to the east edge of the park, and keep going until you get to the Thames. Pause for the views across the water of Canary Wharf and follow the trusty Thames Path west, past the imposing Old Royal Naval College, before ending at the mighty Cutty Sark for some maritime atmosphere.
Distance: 2 miles
Estimated time: 1 hour
Stop for a drink at: The Plume of Feathers, 19 Park Vista, London, SE10 9LZ
Shutterstock5. Abney Park to Hackney Marshes
The best walk in London for: a short, sweet burst of wildlife
Another part of the epic Capital Ring, but worth pointing out as an individual route, since it passes some great spots. Start at the serene Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington (a must-see if you haven’t visited before) before heading east to Springfield Park, which has fantastic views of Walthamstow Marshes nature reserve. The River Lea (which you’ll cross to exit the park) now becomes your guide as you begin following it south past the marshes. More nature awaits in the Middlesex Filter Beds, home to both green and greater spotted woodpeckers, though you’ll need a fair bit of luck to see them. The final section is a leisurely stroll past the vast Hackney Marshes, home to a heck of a lot of green, open space and – as a result – more than 80 sports pitches. There’s a lot of nature packed into a few miles here, but if that doesn’t suffice, continue on south and combine this walk with the Hackney Wick to Beckton District Park route we’ve highlighted above.
Distance: 3 miles
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Stop for a drink at:The Princess of Wales, 146 Lea Bridge Road, Clapton, London E5 9RB
Getty Images6. Epping Forest Centenary Walk
The best walk in London for: getting out of London
If you’re up for giving your legs a serious workout and edging out of London in the process, this 15-miler should do the trick. The walk was first published in 1978 to mark 100 years since the Epping Forest Act protected the mighty woodland mass, which you get to appreciate in full on the second half of the journey. Beginning at Manor Park Station, the route takes you through the southern border of Epping Forest via the locally loved expanse of Wanstead Flats, before things get altogether more foresty. Along the way you’ll pass the peaceful Hollow Pond, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (actually built for Henry VIII), Highams Park Lake – famed for its history as a boating hotspot – and a serious amount of deep woodland, finishing in the urban glint of Epping, around 18 miles from the centre of London, in case you were wondering.
Distance: 15 miles
Estimated time: 7–8 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Foresters Arms, 15 Baldwin’s Hill, Loughton IG10 1SF
Getty Images7. Dollis Valley Greenwalk
The best walk in London for: north London nature at its finest
The clue is most definitely in the name for this walk, developed by Barnet Council in 1992. It’s recommended to start at the ‘top’ and work your way south, which means beginning at Moat Mount in Mill Hill (keep an eye out for muntjac deer, which look quite different to, say, Richmond Park’s fallow and red varieties) and descending to Hampstead Heath Extension, the lesser-visited sibling of the headline-grabbing main heathland. More wildlife awaits in Totteridge Fields nature reserve, where you might see swarms of colourful butterflies in summer, and at Dollis Brook, where you can spot herons and even kingfishers. Transport trivia fans and just those who love a well-constructed arch (who doesn’t?) can marvel at the Dollis Brook viaduct, a mighty structure that’s part of the Northern Line and also the highest above-ground-level point on the London Underground at almost 60ft high. If you fancy speeding things up, the Greenwalk is also popular with runners, and if you’re hungry for yet more miles, it also links into both the London LOOP and Capital Ring mega-routes.
Distance: 10 miles
Estimated time: 5–6 hours
Stop for a drink at: The King of Prussia, 363 Regent’s Park Road, London N3 1DH
Getty Images8. Tamsin Trail, Richmond Park
The best walk in London for: frolicking deer photo opps
As early light fractures through antlered silhouettes and the whizz of the day’s first cyclists echoes through distant treetops, committed walkers ready themselves for The Tamsin Trail. This seven-mile loop skirts Richmond Park’s ragged edge and, as the crowds dissipate in parts, embarking on the trail feels like slipping behind the scenes of a country estate. This isn’t your textbook London walk; it’s wilder and older, with fewer barriers in your way should you wish to venture off-piste for sun-dappled photo opportunities or the perfect picnic spot. Begin near Pembroke Lodge, where the view spills over the Thames Valley. Whichever way you choose to go, highlights include King Henry’s Mound, a Bronze Age burial chamber used as a viewpoint for hunting and falconry over the centuries, with views over the valley in one direction and the spire of St Paul’s Cathedral in the other. There’s the café on the approach to Beverley Brook Bridge, like something on the outskirts of a fairytale village, for refreshments, and the wild beauty of Victory Plantation, a slight turn off the designated path that’s worth the extra steps. Once your calves are weary and toes are sore, resist any urge to rush home and tag on some time to discover the joys of Richmond-upon-Thames, frequently voted one of the most delightful and happiest places to live in the whole of the UK. For sustenance, there’s The White Cross, famous for serving pints to al-fresco drinkers even when the Thames overflows and floods the riverside beer garden, plus a handful of characterful pubs and cafés that make brunchers and pub-grubbers feel as if they’d truly escaped the chaos of the city, even if just for a short while.
Distance: 7.35 miles
Estimated time: 3.5–4 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Fox and Duck, 194 Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 7AD
Alamy9. Cox’s Walk, Sydenham Hill Wood
The best walk in London for: woodland trekking
Unless you live nearby, Sydenham Hill Wood has probably escaped your attention until now. Rectify that as soon as you can, because this rugged terrain is a true escape from the city and from life generally. Sheltered from the South-east London suburbs that surround it by the numerous species of trees towering above, it’s a pleasingly wild spot (give your walking boots an outing for this one), but also holds a few unexpected sights, including the crumbling remnants of a now-eerie-looking Victorian folly. Cox’s Walk is a long path enclosed by oak trees that dips in and out of the woodland, making a fine starting point for exploring – but make sure you also get out and about into the depths of Sydenham Hill Wood to roam properly. If you want to extend your forest wander on altogether flatter ground, lovely Dulwich Park is just 300 yards from the northern entrance to Cox’s Walk, where the path meets Dulwich Common road.
Distance: Cox’s Walk is half a mile, but there are 11 hectares of Sydenham Hill Wood to lose yourself in
Estimated time: as long or as little as you like
Stop for a drink at: The Wood House, 39 Sydenham Hill, Dulwich, London SE26 6RS
Getty Images10. Jubilee Greenway
The best walk in London for: big-draw sights
Built to mark both the 2012 Olympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the 67-kilometre (37-mile) Jubilee Greenway (one kilometre for each year of the Queen’s reign) connects London’s major Olympic sites and passes by some of the city’s key attractions, including Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre. The Greenway is divided into 10 sections, perhaps the most popular of which is the 2.3-mile Little Venice to Camden portion, thanks to the attractive stretch along Regent’s Canal (including Little Venice’s boat-lined paths) and across the top of Regent’s Park. But don’t discount the other sections; Camden Park to Victoria Park (4.7 miles) takes you through some atmospheric areas before arriving at the ever-lovely Victoria Park, and the final 2.6-mile section, Victoria Park to Limehouse Basin, strikes south through Mile End Park to the luxury yachts and Thames views of Limehouse Basin.
Distance: 2.3 miles (Little Venice to Camden)
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Edinboro Castle, 57 Mornington Terrace, London NW1 7RU
Alamy11. Lea Valley: Ponders End to Tottenham Hale
The best walk in London for: peace and tranquillity amid the hubbub
The London 2012 Games put the Lea Valley on the map for a lot more people, and since then it’s become known as a walking hotspot. The main 15.6-mile route runs between Waltham Abbey (skirting the very top of Greater London’s northern boundary) and East India Dock in the heart of London’s Docklands, but the Ponders End to Tottenham Hale section (4 miles) is a good option if you want a shorter stroll. It’s also super-simple, following the River Lea south past Tottenham Marshes and the Lockwood Reservoir. Although you’re not far from various industrial areas and urban goings-on, you’ll feel a million miles away from it all, partly because you might not see anyone else for a few miles, giving it a secluded and refreshingly peaceful feel.
Distance: 4 miles
Estimated time: 2 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Ferry Boat, Ferry Lane, Tottenham, London N17 9NG
Getty Images12. The Line
The best walk in London for: getting cultured
London’s ‘first contemporary art walk’ is a strangely undersung affair, but well worth embarking upon. Running between The O2 in Greenwich and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, the 3-mile route is peppered with bold artworks, some from acclaimed names like Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley – look out for sliced-up sand dredgers, scientifically stacked shopping trolleys and precariously positioned pylons. Aside from the visual art, there are also lots of landmarks to gaze at, and you even get to glide over the Thames in the Emirates Air Line cable car.
Distance: 3 miles
Estimated time: 2–3 hours depending on stops and the Emirates Air Line.
Stop for a drink at: Galvanisers Union, Bromley By Bow, 2 Devas Street, London E3 3LL
Alamy13. Green Chain: Crystal Palace to Nunhead Cemetery
The best walk in London for: south-east sightseeing
A fine way to explore the many green spaces south of the Thames is via the popular Green Chain route, spread across roughly 50 miles of parks and woodlands. There are numerous sights to take in (including the opulent Eltham Palace and Severndroog Castle with its incredible panoramic views) and 11 sections to choose from or combine, but if you’re short on time, the Crystal Palace to Nunhead route packs tons of sights and greenery into 5.5 miles. You’ll pass Crystal Palace Park’s famous dinosaurs, the excellent Horniman Museum and its gardens, Dulwich Picture Gallery, leafy Dulwich Park, One Tree Hill’s sky-high views towards the City and Nunhead’s historic cemetery. There are ample opportunities for diversions along the way, so allow plenty of time to make it a leisurely day out.
Distance: 5.5 miles
Estimated time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Stop for a drink at: Watson’s General Telegraph, 108 Forest Hill Road, Dulwich, London SE22 0RS
Getty Images14. Designs of the Times walk
The best walk in London for: modern marvels
Plotted by the City of London Corporation, this 90-minute route around the Square Mile takes in some of the area’s most striking architecture. Beginning at St Paul’s Cathedral, you’ll snake around the City and past numerous buildings and landmarks that have helped to visually define London and its skyline over the years. Alongside well-known sights like the Gherkin, the Walkie Talkie and Sir Christopher Wren’s Monument to the Great Fire of London, the route encompasses lots of fascinating modern architectural gems that aren’t on the tourist trails, such as the eye-catching 5 Broadgate Tower, the sustainability-focused One Coleman Street and the gleaming 10 Fenchurch Avenue. The walk finishes at the City Centre, an information resource about London architecture.Distance: 2 miles
Estimated time: 1.5 hours
Stop for a drink at: Lamb Tavern, 10-12 Leadenhall Market, London EC3V 1LR
Getty Images15. Richmond to Ham House
The best walk in London for: showstopping views
Begin your four-mile stomp in the heart of Richmond-upon-Thames, a bucolic corner of the capital that feels a million miles further away than the short train journey it takes to get here from London Waterloo. Navigate cobbled lanes and Georgian façades, picking up sweet treats, sandwiches and iced coffees for the journey along the way, should you wish, before slipping quietly down to the riverside, watching as the Thames curls like a lazy ribbon. Set off along the towpath, past duck-littered shallows and moored boats that haven’t budged in years – some homes-from-home, others quirky brunch spots. Head through the tunnel into Terrace Gardens, where Hollyhock Café appears like a fairytale grotto emitting the scent of indulgent cakes and rich caffeine, and up towards the viewing point at Richmond Hill. Pause a moment to take in the countryside vistas as houses become sparser on the horizon, before taking the steep path towards Petersham Road into Petersham Meadows, where kissing gates and winding gravel paths lead you toward Ham House. If you can spare the time, stay a while. The National Trust property is one of London’s most underrated attractions – a 17th-century treasure trove completed initially in 1610 by Thomas Vavasour, an Elizabethan courtier and Knight Marshal to James I. Today, the resplendent example of Stuart architecture is open to curious members of the public. Peruse quirky cabinets and unique artwork lining the walls inside before upping the step count among the grounds, which are home to one of London’s most plentiful kitchen gardens and a cherry garden home to original 17th-century statues of Bacchus.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Estimated time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Stop for a drink at: The White Cross, Riverside (off Water Lane), Richmond, Surrey TW9 1TH
Alamy16. Capital Ring: Hackney Wick to Beckton District Park
The best walk in London for: out-of-town sightseeing
This loop that makes its way around Greater London measures almost 80 miles in total, but is split into bite-size sections, meaning you can dip in and out as you fancy. The Hackney Wick to Beckton District Park section is green, easy to walk and will offer new scenery and routes to many. Beginning at Hackney Wick Station, the route follows the Olympic Park before passing through Plaistow and into Newham, ending with a long stretch south through a tree trail in Beckton District Park. On the way, you’ll also pass the surprisingly attractive (and actually very interesting) Abbey Mills sewage pumping station.
Distance: 5.2 miles
Estimated time: 2.5 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Oiler Bar, Royal Victoria Docks, London, Royal Victoria Beach E16 1AG
Getty Images17. Jubilee Walkway
The best walk in London for: landmarks when you’re tight on time
The 15-mile Jubilee Walkway is essentially intended to give a compact route around the city's various landmarks, and, if it's your first time in the capital, should be at the top of your things to do in London list. Each of the five sections is crammed with sights, but the City Loop and the Jubilee Loop (both two miles) are especially worth investigating. The first of these is a jaunt around the City that passes the Barbican Centre and the excellent Guildhall Art Gallery, while the Jubilee Loop ticks off some central London behemoths, including St James’s Park, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. The walkway is also well signposted, with various ‘discs’ giving directions at key junctions and marking nearby historical events along the way.
Distance: 15 miles in total; the City Loop and Jubilee Loop are 2 miles each
Estimated time: 7–8 hours for the whole walkway, one hour each for the City Loop and Jubilee Loop
Stop for a drink at: The Harp, 47 Chandos Place, London WC2N 4HS
Alamy18. Parkland Walk
The best walk in London for: spotting wildlife
This popular walk through London’s longest local nature reserve follows a former rail line that ran between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. The 4.5-mile route is great for feeling like you’re actually in the wild, as you’re surrounded by all kinds of flora and fauna. You’ll be strolling past everything from orchids to fig trees to blackberries, and the area is also a haven for birds, butterflies, hedgehogs, the occasional rare muntjac deer and bats – there’s even a bat sanctuary, of sorts, in several disused train tunnels tucked away near the Highgate end of the main path. The full route takes you through Queen’s Wood and Highgate Wood, both of which are worth wandering through, particularly the rugged forests of Queen’s Wood.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Estimated time: 2.5 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Boogaloo, 312 Archway Road, Highgate, London N6 5AT
Getty Images19. Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
The best walk in London for: sampling London’s park life
Opened in 2000, this seven-mile route weaves through four of London’s eight Royal Parks: Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park. As such, it’s a gloriously green affair, and you’ll pass three rather splendid palaces (Kensington, Buckingham and St James’s), plus numerous other grand sights, including the Albert Memorial and Kensington Gardens’ Italian Gardens. A series of 90 distinctive plaques set into the ground guide walkers along the trail.
Distance: 7 miles
Estimated time: 3.5 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Grenadier, 18 Wilton Row, Belgravia, London SW1X 7NR
Getty Images20. London LOOP: Uxbridge to Harefield West
Best walk in London for: going beyond the tried-and-tested sights
The vast London Outer Orbital Path (known as the London LOOP) measures 150 miles, so you’ll probably need more than a Sunday afternoon to tackle it. The trail is broken into 24 sections that – as the name suggests – form a circle around the very outskirts of London’s far borders, meaning that it’s great if you’re looking to explore new areas. Section 12, Uxbridge to Harefield West, is a short and manageable 4.5-mile stretch taking place way out west, tracking the picturesque Grand Union Canal for most of its route. You’ll pass various historic locks, a mill house and Harefield Marina, all making you feel like you’ve stepped out of London for the day, which you pretty much have done.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Estimated time: 2.5 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Bear on the Barge, Moorhall Road, Harefield, Uxbridge UB9 6PE
Getty Images21. Hampstead Heath: Sandy Heath and the Pergola trail
Best walk in London for: hidden wonders
Hampstead Heath’s 800 acres never fail to delight when you’re in the mood for a walk. There are numerous trails mapped-out, but this 1.7-mile route is particularly worthwhile, as it includes the incredible Edwardian Pergola, a much-underappreciated London gem. The trail begins in Golders Hill Park before veering inwards to the Pergola’s magnificent Hill Garden. Allow yourself time to wander around, admiring the rugged beauty of the area, before continuing to the wilderness of Pitt’s Garden, followed by the sweeping, forested landscapes of Sandy Heath, looping around to finish back at Golders Hill Park Refreshment House.
Distance: 1.7 miles
Estimated time: 2 hours
Stop for a drink at: The Old Bull & Bush, North End Way, London NW3 7HE
Getty Images22. Thames Path: Hampton Court to Albert Bridge
Best walk in London for: quintessential London experiences
Accompanying London’s mighty Thames is the equally mighty Thames Path, which provides some of the finest walks and best views in the city. The main route measures almost 80 miles, but is split into four sections on both the north bank and the south bank. Each has its own charms, but the Hampton Court to Albert Bridge section on the north bank packs in a huge amount. This part alone stretches for 23 miles, but can obviously be divided into smaller chunks. Start at Hampton Court Palace and enjoy slowly arriving into London’s urban sprawl, passing Teddington Lock, Eel Pie Island, Syon Park, Kew Gardens, London Wetland Centre and much more, finishing at Albert Bridge. If you’ve got any energy left, consider crossing the bridge and diverting into Battersea Park, where more lush greenery and hidden nooks await. The Thames Path is generally well signposted, but some sections close temporarily due to building works or occasional flooding, although there’s never too much of a diversion to pick up the path again.
Distance: 23 miles
Estimated time: 13–15 hours for the whole route, but probably best attempted in smaller sections over a few days
Stop for a drink at: Barmy Arms, The Embankment, Twickenham TW1 3DU
Getty Images23. Theatres Walk
Best walk in London for: grandiose buildings and lively scenes
Soak up central London’s splendour on this route plotted by londonforfree.net that leads you through the heart of the thriving West End. Starting at Leicester Square tube, you’ll see some of the capital’s most famous theatres and pass through some of its buzziest areas, including Soho, Chinatown and Covent Garden, before finishing back at Leicester Square. Be aware that as the walk was last updated in 2014, a few details have changed (for example, the Queen’s Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue is now the Sondheim Theatre), but the route itself is still perfectly valid and worth undertaking to discover (or remember) part of what makes London a world-class city.Stop for a drink at: The French House, 49 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 5BG