15 best walks in London: our top picks

For a city this size, London might not seem like the most obvious place for long, scenic walks. But once you get to know it, you’ll see how much green space is tucked into the city—over a third, in fact. You’ll find everything from royal parks and woodland trails to old industrial routes that have been reclaimed by nature. If you’re only in town for a few days, you’ll probably stick to the main sights. But if you’ve got a bit more time, it’s worth slowing down and seeing the city on foot. These are some of the best London walks to get a feel for the city’s greener side.
 

1. Royal Parks—Trafalgar Square to Lancaster Gate

This route is just under 3 miles (4.5 km) and links some of the city's most famous green spaces. It starts right in the heart of England's capital at Trafalgar Square. From there, you head through Admiralty Arch and straight into St. James’s Park. The lake here is home to white pelicans—brought in as a gift from Russia centuries ago—and just beyond the trees, you’ll catch a glimpse of Buckingham Palace at the end of the Mall.

From the palace, make your way into Green Park. These days it’s made up of open lawns and quiet paths, but back in medieval times, it was actually a burial ground for lepers. Now it’s a peaceful stretch, good for a calm detour along Broad Walk.
 

Next is Hyde Park. It’s huge, but a few main features are worth checking out: Rotten Row, once a horse-riding route for the elite; a formal rose garden; and the Dell, a quiet corner near the lake with large overhanging trees. Serpentine Lake is a good place to stop for a drink or rent a pedalo. Just across the bridge is the Diana Memorial Fountain, and nearby is the Serpentine Gallery, which usually has contemporary art exhibitions (a great addition to any England itinerary).

The walk finishes in Kensington Gardens. Though elegant and formal, a sense of playfulness comes courtesy of the Peter Pan statue. Often it’s cited as one of the best things to do in England.

2. Regent’s Canal—Camden Lock to Little Venice

This is an easy London walk—about 3 miles (5 km)—but there's a lot to see along the way. You’ll start in Camden, which is always lively, especially around the market. To get to the canal, head north up Camden High Street toward the Lock, then turn left down to the towpath.

The path takes you past sleek modern flats and old brick bridges, with back gardens of Georgian homes running right up to the water. You’ll soon pass St. Mark’s Church, where the canal curves west and skirts the edge of London Zoo. You might catch a glimpse of some animals from the path if you're lucky.

From there, the route wraps around the top of Regent’s Park (one of the best areas to stay in London). You’ll pass a line of grand old mansions and see the minaret of Regent’s Park Mosque in the distance.

Keep following the signs—there’s a pedestrian crossing for the next section—and go through the Maida Hill Tunnel. When you come out, you’ll reach Blomfield Road Moorings. It’s usually lined with colorful houseboats, many with plants spilling over their decks.

The walk ends at Little Venice, where the canal opens into a small basin. It used to be called Browning’s Pool, after the poet Robert Browning, who once lived nearby. These days, you’ll see floating cafés and a quirky puppet theater on a barge. 

3. Hampstead Heath—the Heath to Kenwood

This 3-mile (5 km) circular walk takes you through some of the most varied scenery in London—from open grasslands and wooded paths to hillside views and quiet ponds. You’ll start at Hampstead Heath station, where you’re already surrounded by the leafy edges of the heath. The red-brick houses around Parliament Hill mark the beginning of the route.

If you’d like a view, take a short detour up Parliament Hill. At around 320 feet (97 m) above sea level, it’s known for its wide-open view over the city. It’s also got some interesting history—apparently, the Gunpowder Plot crew used to gather here to watch Parliament burn.

From there, head back down and rejoin the path across the heath. You’ll pass a mix of beech and oak trees, wide lawns, and a series of natural ponds. 

When you’re ready to move on, walk up through Highgate Gate into Kenwood. This stretch feels quieter and more wooded. Eventually, the trees open up, and you’ll spot Kenwood House across the grass—a grand Neoclassical building that sort of appears out of nowhere.
 

When you’re ready to move on, walk up through Highgate Gate into Kenwood. This stretch feels quieter and more wooded. Eventually, the trees open up and you’ll spot Kenwood House across the grass—a grand Neoclassical building that sort of appears out of nowhere.

To complete the loop, head back through the woods and down toward Hampstead Gate. From there, the path continues through open parkland until you reach East Heath Road. Just before finishing, keep an eye out for Keats Grove—it’s lined with Regency and Victorian houses, and one of them was where the poet John Keats lived.

If you’ve still got some energy, The Garden Gate pub near the end makes a solid place to relax and is one of the best places to visit in England. And if you're in the mood to explore more of the area, Hampstead is a good place to explore.
 

4. Parkland Walk—Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace

 This London walk follows the old trackbed of the Great Northern Railway, starting from Finsbury Park. You’ll find the Capital Ring sign near the cycle park on Stroud Green Road—that’s your cue to follow the path towards Highgate. Once you're on it, the city noise quickly fades.

Along the way, keep an eye out for the ghostly remains of Crouch End station. You’ll also pass the Green Man—a sculpture by a local artist inspired by the old pagan legend. It will seemingly suddenly appear out of the undergrowth and make most do a double take.

After a short stretch through Highgate’s residential streets, rejoin the trail at the end of Priory Gardens. From here, there’s a bit of a climb up Shepherd’s Hill, but you’re rewarded with a walk through Queen’s Wood—one of London’s oldest patches of woodland (one of the best things to do in London).
 

At the edge of the woods, you’ll come across Queen’s Wood Café. It’s a small wooden cabin serving Jamaican curry and homemade cake. If the weather’s good, it’s worth a break here under the trees (see our guide to the best time to visit England).

Next up is Highgate Wood—another ancient woodland that used to be part of the Forest of Middlesex. Keep going, and the route ends at Alexandra Palace. It’s had a rough past (it actually burned down just over two weeks after it opened), but these days it’s back in use. You’ll find everything from concerts and vintage fairs to farmers’ markets and ice skating, depending on when you’re there. It’s also just a good place to sit.

5. New River—Turnpike Lane to Sadler’s Wells

Despite the name, the New River isn’t actually new—or a river. It’s a manmade canal that’s been around since 1613, built to bring drinking water to London. These days, the New River Path makes for a surprisingly peaceful urban walk, weaving through neighborhoods like Haringey, Stoke Newington, Canonbury, and Islington. Some parts feel almost rural, while others are more hidden—sometimes the water disappears entirely.

You’ll start at a kissing gate on Hampden Road, near Turnpike Lane station. Look for a New River Path sign, then head down the grassy path and over a small wooden bridge. 

Just after the bridge, the canal ducks out of sight, and the trail briefly follows residential streets. As you get near Harringay Green Lanes station, walk along the wooden fence skirting Finsbury Park—you’ll catch glimpses of the water through the slats.

After crossing another bridge near the park, you’ll reconnect with the canal and follow it toward Green Lanes. Once through another kissing gate, you’ll have a nice elevated view toward St. Mary’s Church in Stoke Newington.

Crossing Seven Sisters Road, the next part of the walk passes Woodberry Wetlands and the Castle Climbing Centre, which is hard to miss with its castle-like turrets. There’s a café inside if you’d like a meal, or you can wait until Clissold Park, where Clissold House—an old mansion from the 1700s—has a café serving homemade food. This is one of the best of England's castles.

If you're more in the mood for a pint, hold out a bit longer for The Snooty Fox near Petherton Road and Grosvenor Avenue. By then, the canal has dipped underground again, running just beneath the grassy median in the middle of the road.

The final stretch, from Canonbury to Sadler’s Wells, runs alongside a landscaped section of the canal, dotted with fountains, willow trees, pines, and boulders. After that, you’ll come out on Essex Road and wind through Camden Passage’s little boutiques before finishing on Rosebery Avenue, right by Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
 

6. Marsh to Marsh—Hackney to Walthamstow

Hackney and Walthamstow might feel pretty built-up, but this walk links the two through a surprisingly green stretch that cuts across east London. It’s flat the whole way and easy to follow, so it works well for walking in England with kids or riding a bike.

Start at Hackney Central station and head towards Hackney Grove. From there, follow the shared cycle and footpath through London Fields. Once you’ve crossed the park, it’s worth detouring slightly for a bite at Broadway Market—plenty of food stalls and cafés, especially on the weekend.

After that, loop back toward Victoria Park and pick up the towpath that runs along the Hertford Union Canal. You’ll pass under weeping willows, alongside a lock-keeper’s cottage, and past the Growing Concerns Garden Centre.

The canal path eventually merges with the River Lee Navigation, and soon you’ll hit Hackney Marsh, which is mostly known for its maze of football pitches (there are around 82 of them). Keep going, and things start to feel more rural. You’ll enter Walthamstow Marsh Nature Reserve, one of the last bits of natural marshland in the city. There are open meadows, horses grazing, and sometimes cattle—it can be hard to believe you’re still in London.

As you continue toward Walthamstow, the path follows a quieter lane lined with wild roses and willows. If you’ve got time, Walthamstow Wetlands is just off to the side. It’s a large urban nature reserve and listed as a Ramsar site, meaning it’s internationally recognized for birdlife. It’s a good place to look out for grey herons, tufted ducks, and little egrets, especially during nesting season.

Eventually, the trail brings you into central Walthamstow, where things get lively again. If you’ve got the energy, have a look around the market—it’s said to be the longest in Europe—and finish with a pint at The Nag’s Head.
 

7. Limehouse Basin—Bethnal Green to Wapping

This easygoing London walk along the Regent’s Canal and the Thames makes for a satisfying Sunday outing.

Start in Bethnal Green and head towards the Regent’s Canal towpath—look for the bridge just past Vyner Street. Once you’re on the path, you’ll pass the entrance to Victoria Park. Keep going, and you’ll start to see a few classic canal features: a lock keeper’s cottage, narrowboats, and plenty of calm water. As you continue, Canary Wharf starts to come into view, while Mile End Park stretches out on your left.

This stretch of the park used to be industrial land but now includes things like an ecology park, a kids’ play pavilion, and even a climbing wall. A little further on, just past Mile End Lock, you’ll reach the Ragged School Museum. It’s inside one of Dr. Barnardo’s original schools, and the Victorian classroom upstairs is worth checking out if you're interested in social history or just need a quick break indoors.
 

From there, follow the canal toward Salmon Lane Lock, where the Regent’s Canal links up with the Thames. Limehouse Waterside and the marina open up here, once home to fourteenth-century lime kilns and later an important port in the Tudor period.

Next, you’ll follow the Thames Path along the right-hand side of the basin. Don’t miss the Hawksmoor-designed St. Anne’s Church with its Baroque design. Just before you hit the river, you can break for lunch at The Narrow, a riverside pub run by Gordon Ramsay. Or pick from one of the many local London rooftop bars.

If you're after something with more of a classic pub feel, keep walking toward Prospect Path. The route takes you past old warehouse conversions and King Edward Memorial Park, where you’ll get nice views back toward Canary Wharf. Eventually, you’ll reach Prospect of Whitby on Wapping Wall. Built in 1520, it’s the oldest riverside pub in London and still feels like it belongs to another time.

8. Greenwich Park - Blackheath to Canary Wharf

This 3-mile (5 km) walk takes you through some of southeast London’s most recognizable green spaces, with plenty of historical stops worth pausing for.

Start in Blackheath, where Wat Tyler once rallied the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381. Head toward the pyramid-topped tower of Canary Wharf in the distance, crossing Shooters Hill Road to enter Greenwich Park via the Blackheath Gate.

If you’re interested in classical art, the Ranger’s House is just inside. It’s a red-brick Georgian villa with a collection of Dutch paintings and Renaissance bronzes inside.

From there, climb up to the Royal Observatory. You can stand on the Prime Meridian, check out the museum and planetarium, and see Flamsteed House—designed by Christopher Wren—where the early Astronomers Royal lived and worked. You’ll also get a good view across the Thames from up here.

Next, head downhill toward the Cutty Sark. On the way, you might want to detour to Greenwich Market for a snack or explore some of the nearby London museums. The Old Royal Naval College, Queen’s House, and National Maritime Museum are all within a few minutes’ walk.

The Painted Hall inside the Naval College is especially worth a look.
Back at the Cutty Sark, you can check out this 1869 tea clipper, once the fastest in the world. It’s geared toward families, with character actors on board and spaces like the Captain’s Cabin to wander through.

From here, take the foot tunnel beneath the river to the Isle of Dogs. The atmosphere changes quickly—it’s all modern high-rises and old dock remnants now. This part of the walk follows the Thames Path, turning right along the river. Keep an eye out for Burrells Wharf—this is where Brunel’s SS Great Eastern was built and launched.

Before ending at Canary Wharf, consider a stop at The Space. It’s a former church turned arts center with a casual restaurant upstairs. The menu includes steaks, burgers, and salads—a good place to rest after the walk. See our England travel tips to help prepare you for your next trip.
 

9. Thames Path East—London Bridge to Rotherhithe

This is a short but layered riverside walk that threads through some of London’s key maritime and industrial history. It starts at London Bridge station and follows the Thames Path east along the river.

Head down the steps by the Southwark Needle sculpture to get on the path. You’ll pass HMS Belfast pretty quickly—a warship that took part in the Normandy landings and later served during the Korean War. Not long after, you’ll come across Hay’s Galleria. Back in the 1800s, it was a docking area for tea clippers from India and China. These days it’s lined with shops and cafes.

The path opens up to a wide plaza where you’ll see City Hall on your right—the rounded glass building that used to house the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. Look across the river, and you'll see the Tower of London, with Tower Bridge straight ahead.

Keep going under Tower Bridge and through Shad Thames. This narrow lane is flanked by old warehouse buildings with overhead iron walkways—they were once used to move goods between the buildings. 
 

At the end of Shad Thames, rejoin the Thames Path. You’ll pass Paolozzi’s Head of Invention sculpture and get a nice stretch of river views looking out toward the Bermondsey wharves. A little footbridge crosses the River Neckinger at New Concordia Wharf before the path bends around more converted warehouse buildings.

Stick to the river-facing path from here and keep following the Thames Path signs toward Rotherhithe. This last leg is quieter, with a mix of riverside flats, old industrial buildings, and a few pieces of public art. Keep an eye out for the Dr. Salter’s Daydream statues—they commemorate a Quaker couple who were known for their community work in the early 1900s.

Once you reach Rotherhithe Street, the Mayflower Pub is a good place to pause. It’s been around since the 1600s and is said to overlook the spot where the Mayflower ship once docked. Just a little further down the road is the Brunel Museum, which is worth a look if you’re interested in engineering history.
 

10. Richmond Park—Petersham and the park

This 6-mile (10 km) circular walk gives you a good sense of the scale and character of Richmond Park—London’s biggest green space at 2,500 acres. Expect open grasslands, ancient oaks, and, if you’re lucky, herds of deer roaming in the distance.

Start from Richmond Green, which was once a Tudor-era jousting ground, and make your way down Old Palace Lane. This leads to the riverside towpath, where you’ll pass under Richmond Bridge. From there, the path runs along the meadow-lined river—keep an eye out for signs pointing you toward Petersham Nurseries. Just before you get there, turn right at the church. 

The garden café and teahouse are inside old glasshouses and make a good stop if you’re hungry or want a break. If you want to experience the English tea ceremony, explore our list of places with the best afternoon tea in London.

Once you’re ready to move on, look for the Capital Ring sign just to the left of the church, then follow the narrow path through the graveyard and out to Petersham Road. Cross over, and you’ll enter Petersham Park—a good place to try and spot some of the area’s resident ring-necked parakeets. Continue through the grassland and oaks until you reach Ham Gate, once part of a royal hunting ground back in the 1200s.

After crossing Queen’s Road, head uphill through bracken-filled woodland, and you’ll eventually reach Isabella Plantation via High Wood. This peaceful 100-acre enclosure is full of heathers, flowering shrubs, and small streams. From here, continue on to see a string of ponds, including Pen Pond and Leg of Mutton Pond, plus the birch and beech trees of Queen Elizabeth’s Plantation.

Eventually, you’ll join a broader dirt path (also marked with Capital Ring signs) that wraps around a fenced wildlife sanctuary. This last stretch is a gentle climb and ends at Richmond Gate, where you’ll get a wide view of the London skyline before finishing this London walk.
 

11. The Line—London's art walk

The Line is a 2-mile (3 km) public art trail connecting Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to the O2 in North Greenwich. It’s an easy London walk with modern sculpture, canal views, and a glimpse into East London’s shifting landscape.

You’ll start near the ArcelorMittal Orbit—that twisting red tower by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond. It’s the tallest sculpture in the UK, and you can’t really miss it. From there, the route loosely follows the Greenwich Meridian line, with artworks by big-name and emerging artists spaced out along the way.

One section runs through the park, where you’ll come across The Living Line by Somang Lee—a long wall drawing that highlights the birds, insects, and plants found in the area.

There’s no set path and no tickets—you can jump in wherever you like, and the trail is open 24/7. It’s less of a “walk with a map” and more of a choose-your-own-adventure. Along the way, you’ll also pass bits of local history, waterways, and plenty of space.

The trail ends at the O2, but you can extend your walk by hopping on the Emirates Air Line cable car or continuing along the Thames Path. It’s a good London walk for a low-key afternoon.

12. Highgate Cemetery to Waterlow Park

This walk’s just over a mile (about 1.25 miles or 2 km) and gives you a mix of old London character, quiet residential streets, and some great city views at the end.

Start at the entrance to Highgate Cemetery. It’s known for its overgrown pathways and elaborate Victorian gravestones. A few well-known writers are buried here, like Karl Marx and George Eliot. You can walk around the East Cemetery on your own, but if you want to see the West Cemetery—which is a bit wilder and more maze-like—you’ll need to join a guided tour.

From the cemetery, head up Swain’s Lane. It’s a steep, shady road lined with trees and old houses. It’s quiet here—much calmer than central London. You’ll see blue plaques on some of the homes that commemorate notable past residents, including one where the poet Christina Rossetti used to live. Look out for the spire of St. Michael's Church poking through the trees as you go.

Turn right onto Highgate High Street. You’re now in what was once a village on the edge of London. The old taverns and Georgian cottages reflect that past. One narrow lane, Flask Walk, leads to a cluster of historic houses. This area has some quirky traditions too—at the Gatehouse Tavern, visitors once took part in “swearing on the horns,” a kind of initiation ritual that’s thought to be the origin of the phrase “on the horns of a dilemma.”

The walk ends at Waterlow Park, which sits on a hillside and opens out into lawns, gardens, and small ponds. It was donated to the public in 1889 by Sir Sydney Waterlow as “a garden for the gardenless.” You’ll get wide views across London here.

13. South Bank—Westminster to Tower Bridge

This 2.5-mile (4 km) riverside walk is a straightforward, mostly flat route that connects some of London’s best-known landmarks along the south side of the Thames. If you have limited time and just want to hit the best things to do in London, this is the walk for you.

Start at Westminster Bridge, where you’ll see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben right across the river. Cross the bridge to the South Bank, and you’re immediately in a good spot to watch the bend of the Thames, with boats passing by and the London Eye slowly turning just ahead. From here, the Thames Path is wide and easy to follow.

As you walk east, you’ll pass the Southbank Centre—a 1960s complex that includes the Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, and National Theatre. It’s a bit of a concrete jungle, but it’s always buzzing with things going on, especially in the warmer months. There are street performers, pop-up food stalls, and secondhand book markets most days.
 

Keep going, and you’ll reach Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the original Elizabethan theater where you can still catch performances. Just a short walk from there is the Tate Modern, housed in what used to be the Bankside Power Station. The building itself is pretty striking, and the huge turbine hall often has big, interactive art installations. Entry is free if you feel like popping in.

Past the Tate, the path leads toward London Bridge. Right before you get there, you’ll find Borough Market—a Victorian-style covered market with a long history (over 1,000 years). It’s packed with everything from baked goods and cheeses to street food from all over the world. Just nearby, the ruins of Winchester Palace are worth a quick look—what’s left of a 12th-century bishop’s residence that used to dominate this stretch of the river.

The walk wraps up at Tower Bridge, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. If you’ve still got some energy, you can keep going past the bridge to Butler’s Wharf, where the old warehouses have been turned into riverside restaurants and cafés.

14. Olympic Park and the Greenway to Victoria Park

This 4-mile (6km) London walk links one of London’s newest green spaces with one of its oldest, taking you through regenerated wetlands, raised industrial pathways, and into a classic Victorian park. 

Start in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, right near the ArcelorMittal Orbit—that red spiral sculpture is hard to miss. The whole area was transformed for the 2012 Olympics, turning what used to be post-industrial land into a sprawling park with winding paths, wetlands, and wildflower meadows. The park still draws millions of visitors a year, and the stadiums host big sporting events, but it also works well for a quiet walk.

Head north through the park until you reach the Greenway. It’s an elevated footpath and cycleway that runs along the top of the Northern Outfall Sewer—sounds grim, but it’s actually one of the more peaceful walks in East London. 

Built in the 1860s by Victorian engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, this sewer system played a big part in eliminating cholera from the city. Today, it’s a raised, tree-lined path that gives you long views over Stratford’s towers, Bow’s old terraces, and beyond.

There are info boards dotted along the route that explain more about the area’s past, including the Bryant & May match factory—the site of the 1888 matchgirls' strike, which was a major moment in London’s labor history. It’s also a surprisingly good route for wildlife. Keep an eye out for kestrels perched on lampposts or hovering overhead, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a kingfisher darting near the River Lea.

You’ll pass through the Greenway Nature Reserve, which is full of wildflowers and native trees.
The route ends at Victoria Park, often called “the People’s Park.” It was opened in 1845 as the city’s first public park and still has that grand, old design—ornamental gardens, wide paths, lakes, and pavilions. If you’re walking on a Sunday, the food market is worth checking out. 

15. Primrose Hill to Regent's Park

This easy 2-mile (3km) loop combines one of the best views in London with a peaceful stroll through a royal park. It’s mostly flat, with just one short climb up Primrose Hill—worth it for the view alone.

Start at the top of Primrose Hill. At 256 feet (78 meters), it’s not exactly a mountain, but it gives you a clear, uninterrupted view across central London. You can spot everything from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Shard. The view has been protected by law since the 1930s, and it’s one of those places that feels surprisingly calm despite how central it is.

From the top, head downhill through leafy paths and toward Regent’s Park. You’ll pass by the Nash terraces—those creamy Regency buildings lining the northern edge of the park, designed by John Nash in the 1820s.

Enter Regent’s Park through Gloucester Gate. The gardens here are well-kept but not too formal, and they quickly open up into wide lawns, tree-lined paths, and a rose garden in the warmer months. You’ll pass the boating lake—great for a quiet break if you want to sit and watch the ducks. Wrap up the walk at the Honest Sausage café near the zoo. It’s got outdoor seating that looks out onto the northern meadows.