London is one of the world’s most walkable cities — a place where riverside trails, royal parks, canals, and heritage neighbourhoods connect seamlessly into a network of routes perfect for walking holidays and outdoor adventures. From the Thames Path and Regent’s Canal to the hills of Hampstead Heath and the boardwalks of the Isle of Dogs, the capital offers more variety than many national parks, with leafy escapes, waterfront strolls, urban viewpoints, and hidden green corridors stitched throughout the city.
London stretches across 32 boroughs plus the historic Square Mile, each with its own character. In the west, vast royal parks and world-famous museums shape Kensington and Westminster; in the east, docklands, old wharves, and regenerated waterfronts define Tower Hamlets and Greenwich. North London offers panoramic outlooks and wild-feeling spaces, while the south blends riverside paths, woodland remnants, and peaceful suburban commons. No matter where you walk, London reveals a different story with every mile.
But London isn’t just for walking — it’s also an excellent destination for cycling holidays. Quiet canal towpaths, park routes, riverside lanes, and segregated cycleways make it easy to explore the city at your own pace. Ride the Thames Path Cycle Route, follow Regent’s Canal from Paddington to Limehouse, or branch into long-distance rides beginning or passing through London, such as London to Brighton, the Avenue Verte, or the Lee Valley cycle routes.
And when the day slows, London offers countless places to stay close to parks, canal paths, and riverfront routes. Choose from boutique hotels, B&Bs, canal-side apartments, heritage guesthouses, or pubs with rooms in neighbourhoods like Richmond, Greenwich, Hampstead, or Westminster — ideal bases for walking holidays, cycling trips, and slow, immersive urban exploration.
London’s walking network is extraordinary:
These short and long routes make it easy to explore London entirely on foot, linking rivers, parks, neighbourhoods, viewpoints, and historic districts.
Riverside paths, historic docklands, marinas, Canary Wharf boardwalks, and the Tower of London.
Top walks: Thames Path, Wapping, Limehouse Basin, Isle of Dogs Loop.
Roman origins, medieval lanes, churchyards, riverside viewpoints, and iconic architecture.
Top walks: St Paul’s to the Thames, Barbican Highwalks, Smithfield & Clerkenwell.
Markets, riverfront paths, warehouse districts, and cultural landmarks.
Top walks: Tower Bridge to Bermondsey, South Bank, Rotherhithe & Surrey Docks.
Royal parks, palaces, museums, and classic London views.
Top walks: St James’s Park Loop, Buckingham Palace to Hyde Park, Embankment & Westminster Bridge.
Maritime history, panoramic vistas, and riverside walks.
Top walks: Greenwich Park, Cutty Sark to the O2, Thames Path to Woolwich.
Colourful neighbourhoods, canal towpaths, and vibrant markets.
Top walks: Little Venice to Camden Lock, Primrose Hill, Regent’s Park.
One of London’s most scenic stretches of the Thames.
Top walks: Richmond Park, Twickenham riverside, Kew Gardens.
Yes — London’s riverside paths, green spaces, and connected neighbourhoods create one of the most walkable city environments anywhere.
The Thames Path, Regent’s Canal, Hampstead Heath, Richmond, and Greenwich offer some of the city’s finest outdoor exploration.
Yes — you can follow the river from Hampton Court to Greenwich and beyond.
Generally yes, especially during the day. The Regent’s Canal and Limehouse Cut are popular and well-used.
Very much so — from docklands and marinas to royal parks, woodlands, and historic lanes.