London certainly offers many great opportunities for walking no matter the time of year or the conditions under which the city finds itself. While there are many more than we have listed here, we have chosen five of the best walks the city has to offer. If we have left out one, let us know what it is and if you have any favorites.
London Wall Walk
For our first suggestion, we recommend stepping back into London’s history. A little less than two miles long, the London Wall Walk follows the path of the original city walls, some parts of which date back to the Romans. The walk also includes such parts of London’s history as the Tower of London and the opportunity to learn more about the city’s past at the Museum of London. It’s certainly a must for history buffs who want to experience a trip back in time to the metropolis’s earliest days.
Jubilee Greenway
Completed in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the Jubilee Greenway is one of the longest paths on this list at 37 miles. Forming a ring around Southbank, Westminster, Camden, Stratford, and more, it features a number of quality landmarks. Of course, if you don’t want to walk or bike the entire route, we suggest walking the bit through Camden Town, especially along the Regents Canal with its colorful canal boats, shops, restaurants, and greenery. The canal side is just two miles away, which might make for an easier time.
Jubilee Walkway
The fifteen-mile Jubilee Walkway is different from the Greenway, though the two do intersect at times. The Walkway is also much older, having opened in 1977 for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. For those who want to get in a walk that includes the most landmarks, this is going to be your best option. There are five separate loops, and depending on which one you take, you can see the National Gallery, City Hall, the British Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and many many more. It’s most certainly the path to take for sightseers.
Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
If you want to hit the best of the Royal Parks, the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is the path for you. It opened in 2000 and runs through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James’s Park. You’ll see plenty of green gardens vibrant flowers, as well as great bodies of water such as the Serpentine and St. James’s Park Lake. And, of course, the path also takes you to the Diana Memorial Fountain and Playground as well as memorials for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Also included are the Royal Palaces: Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace, and St. James’s Palace.
Hampstead Heath Circular Walk
Hampstead Heath, also known locally as “The Heath,” is the largest green space in London at 791 acres. Unlike the finery of the Royal Parks and their landscaped designs, the heath is a wild place that has been left largely untamed. It has thirty ponds, including some you can swim in, old landmarks such as the Pergola, breathtaking views of the city, and an abundance of natural wildlife, making it worth a stroll that could take hours or all day. Since it is such a large area, you might want to plan your route in advance to catch the parts of the Heath that you want to see most.
Author: John Rabon
John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.