Ranked one of the greatest places to visit, London is also among the most historically interesting cities in the world.
Rich in tradition, culture and the arts, at its centre, are the Houses of Parliament, the iconic Big Ben clock tower and the renowned Westminster Abbey – all lining the River Thames. Self-guided walking tours are an excellent and fun way to get acquainted with London and to take in the main attractions. There’s literally a walk for every mood, whether it’s a gentle hour-long stroll in one of the many inviting parks or an action-packed full-day hike. You could easily immerse yourself in nature, discover cute hamlets, admire works of art or even spot wildlife without leaving the capital. London is well-organised with no hills, wide sidewalks, courteous people and clearly displayed signs – which further ease the walking way.
Where to stay: 43 Best Hotels in London
The BusinessClass.com guide to the ten Best Walks in London:
1. Westminster
London's Westminster Walk takes you to primary hotspots such as Big Ben, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, The Mall, Buckingham Palace, Churchill War Rooms, and Westminster Abbey – arguably London's most important seats of Royal and Political power. The recommendation is to take a circular route that starts and finishes at Westminster Underground Station, to ease logistics, following the River Thames. Some of these prestigious landmarks date back over 1000 years, and most can be visited throughout the year.
Buckingham Palace is a highlight, built in 1705 the Royal Family have resided there since 1837 when Queen Victoria moved there from James’s Palace. Guided Tours are offered between November and February 2023 each year and well worth it to get an appreciation of the grand size – there are 775 rooms, including 78 bathrooms – and the architectural design and precious art and tapestry that the palace holds. Look out for Trafalgar Square’s monuments and time it to see the changing of the guards at the Horse Guards Parade, or pop into one of Whitehall’s pubs where politicians are known to mingle. Big Ben’s bell ringing out from the iconic clock tower will anchor your day.
2. London Wall
The London Wall is believed to have been built by Roman Emperor Severus shortly after the Romans invaded Britain in 50AD, with the purpose of protecting the port town of Londinium on the north bank of the Thames River. The inner Square Mile as it became known, is the place from which modern-day London grew. The London Wall Walk was established by the Museum of London in 1984.
Starting at the Tower of London, it ends at the Museum of London near the Barbican. It consists of 21 marker panels which provide a history of the area– and guidance to the next panel. Just under 3 kilometres long, the walk takes you to the historical gates, towers, and portions of the wall still standing today. This small district is at the heart of the capital where contemporary design, global financial giants and a dense workforce thrive alongside history. If you’re looking to visit the old London Wall, it is recommended that you download a map to follow.
3. Hampstead Heath Circular Walk
Hampstead Heath nature reserve offers a wild, untamed walking experience with great views across the city. It is home to 30 ponds, a variety of wildlife such as muntjac deer and terrapins, and brightly coloured rhododendron bushes. One of London’s biggest green spaces at over 320 hectares of woodland and meadows. A self-guided circular walk takes in the highlights.
Climb Parliament Hill – about 98 metres high, for the best city views, pass by the ponds and admire Kenwood House, a white country mansion. Other interesting stops are Highgate Cemetery and the lesser-known Waterlow Park. In winter if it is snowing, a visit is a must as the park is perfect for sledging. The skyscrapers of Canary Wharf and the City of London, along with St Paul’s Cathedral and other landmarks, remind you that you’re still within the city.
4. Jubilee Greenway – Little Venice to Camden
The Jubilee Greenway is a 60-kilometre route that was created in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and her 60 years on the throne. Offering 1 kilometre for each year of her reign, it is well sign-posted with glass paving slabs. The walk’s 10 sections cover much of the capital and have made use of existing walking and cycling routes wherever possible.
Section 1 has you beginning at Buckingham Palace and joining Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens Royal Parks with Paddington Station and the Grand Union Canal at Little Venice. Section 2 takes in the residential, business and recreational zone as it passes Regent's Canal, Lord’s Cricket Ground and Park and London Zoo. Continue the walk to Camden for a tasty meal or drink and spend time on Warwick Avenue before heading back to the city.
5. South Bank
London’s South Bank is a wonderful place to walk with many of the city’s most recognisable sights close by. Always more atmospheric in the evening, when the Victorian lamp-posts glow above the Thames and it is less crowded and more relaxed. Wander past the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall, Somerset House across the Thames and always moving views of Big Ben and Westminster – best seen from Waterloo Bridge.
You might consider starting from Southwark Bridge and strolling south to Lambeth Bridge, as that will bring you Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern on the route too. In the lead-up to Christmas, you’ll find night markets here. The distance covered is about 5 kilometres with countless attractions to pause at as you go.
6. The City and Spitalfields
The Spitalfields is one of east London’s most vibrant areas and is within the London Borough of Tower Hamlet. A fast-changing area that brings rich sights and experiences with it, Spitalfields has changed, adapted and developed over the past 500 years to create an interesting cultural mix. The local buildings and street names remind us of how the district was shaped over the years by the arrival and later large-scale departure of its Huguenot and Jewish communities.
Seek out Fieldgate Street Synagogue, Nelson Street Synagogue, and the Neuron Pod by acclaimed architect Will Alsop. They were followed by the arrival of London’s world-famous Bangladeshi community. Walking the Spitalfields brings you fine collections of Georgian architecture and the extraordinary variety of Brick Lane which is described by many as the heartland of the Bangladeshi community in Britain.
7. The Line
The Line is London’s first dedicated contemporary public art walk and brings together art, nature and heritage on the city’s popular pedestrian and cycle routes. Designed to follow the waterways and the line of the Greenwich Meridian, it features works by eighteen different artists. The majority of sculptures are loans from private collections and galleries and include the likes of Anish Kapoor’s ArcelorMittal Orbit.
The route runs between Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and The O2 to the Greenwich Peninsula. Registered as a charity it was co-founded by Megan Piper and the late regeneration expert Clive Dutton who was committed to enhancing the urban environment. Highlights on display include Joanna Rajkowska's splendid ‘The Hatchling’. Aside from the art, there are a lot of other landmarks and you even take the Emirates Air Line cable car over the Thames.
8. The Thames Path
The Thames Path, one of Britain’s National Trails follows England’s famed river from its source in the Cotswolds all the way to the heart of London. Covering a distance of almost 300 kilometres, the route takes you on a quiet, rural path and rewards you with natural and cultural sights as it passes through meadows rich in wildlife and historic towns. Highlights include the city of Oxford, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, the Palace of Westminster, and Greenwich.
The Putney to Tower Bridge section is around 15 kilometres and takes you Battersea Park and past historical sites such as the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. The next takes you through Chelsea and the Embankment to reach the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Whole Thames Path at around 300 kilometres, takes about 14 days and is ideal for regular walkers. Well-paced it allows time to explore and take in the views along the way.
9. Diana – Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a 12-kilometre-long circular trail in central London that’s dedicated to the memory of Diana. Opened by Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II on 6 July 2004, it is located next to her Kensington Palace home. Charted by 90 plaques that take you within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her lifetime. The plaques are the work of sculptor Alec Peever and are etched in aluminium with a rose emblem at the centre. The rose symbolises the Princess's enduring image and also symbolises Britain's traditions and heritage.
The walk weaves through four of London’s eight Royal Park namely Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park making it a gloriously green affair. You’ll pass three grand palaces namely Kensington, Buckingham and St James’s, plus numerous other sights, including the Albert Memorial and Kensington Gardens’ Italian Gardens and other meaningful locations associated with the Princess. The route runs in a sweeping figure of eight, and you can join from anywhere and end up back where you began. Hyde Park Corner is a recommended point of departure.
10. Harry Potter Walk – from King’s Cross to Millennium Bridge
The Harry Potter Walk brings you to the many locations used in the Harry Potter movies. Millennium Bridge is a popular one with the best views from the right of the bridge, where Paul’s Cathedral can be seen. It’s said that when the film premiered and a ceremony was held, the bridge was closed due to a high number of people. Leadenhall Market’s beautifully covered pathways were used to film the Diagon Alley scenes in the first Harry Potter Film. Platform 9 ¾ – King’s Cross Station is one of the most iconic locations.
At St Pancras station, look out for the luggage trolley stuck halfway between the wall on the platform. Great Scotland Yard was used as the entrance to the Ministry of Magic and appeared in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and also in Deathly Hallows Part 1. Piccadilly Circus was used as the filming location in the film when Ron, Hermione, and Harry narrowly avoided being hit by a London bus. A great scene in Prisoner of Azkaban is when Harry’s riding through London on the Knight Bus. The vehicle magically flattens to fit through two double-decker buses. The Lambeth Bridge has a footpath so you can walk the same route as the Knight Bus. It’s a great location for views of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament.
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Where to stay: 43 Best Hotels in London
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