Great Walks to Discover in and Around London

Nowadays, we have many ways of getting from one place to the next. In big cities like London, this is particularly so. You might take an Uber, or a black cab. You might travel on an underground train, or an overground one. London enjoys excellent rail links with the rest of the country, which means visitors have an easy time getting in.

Experience your surroundings at a slower pace

Of course, one of the best forms of transport is also the oldest: walking from one place to another. Walking confers a number of health benefits, while providing the mental space we need to properly decompress and reflect on events in our lives. In an era in which we’re constantly bombarded with content, the space provided by a simple stroll can be invaluable.

Where to start walking

The good news is that there are plenty of spectacular places to go for a walk in and around London. Let’s take a look at a few of the best.

Goring Gap and the Thames Path

The Thames Path stretches 184 miles up into Oxfordshire. Perhaps the most appealing stretch of this route, however, takes you through the Goring Gap. Here, the valley squeezes the river right up against a railway line. The route covers five miles between Goring and Pangbourne.

Box Hill

This little walk offers marvelous views over the South and North Downs, particularly on a clear day. You’ll tour Juniper Top in Surrey, where the bluebells are especially wonderful during springtime. There are 272 steps to the top of the hill, so be prepared for a climb!

Parkland Walk, North London

This walk takes you through a long nature reserve (the longest in the capital, at 4km). It runs along a disused railway line – which might have enjoyed an entirely different fate, had it not been for the onset of the Second World War. The Northern Line was to have been extended in this direction; instead, walkers have a chance to wander along abandoned railway platforms and tunnels.

Regents Canal from Paddington to Limehouse

This little walk along the canal kicks off in Limehouse Basin, in full view of Canary Wharf. In just a short stroll, you’ll soak up much of the history of the city, since you’ll be walking in the footsteps of boat horses, and marveling at a collection of Grade II listed warehouses.

The Seven Sisters

The Seven Sisters is a district in Tottenham, which takes its name from seven elm trees once planted in the vicinity of a walnut tree, in the 18^th century. Famously, the area is home to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – but there are also a number of interesting shops to visit while you’re in the area.