Thames Path London Section

Walk the Thames Path through London

The Thames Path London Section follows the River Thames for 29 miles from Richmond to the Thames Barrier at Woolwich. Crossing London from west to east, the route follows the river through parks, historic waterfronts and neighbourhoods before passing through central London and continuing towards Greenwich and the lower Thames.

From Richmond, the path follows the Thames through a greener riverside landscape of parks, gardens and established communities. The route continues towards Kew, where the river passes the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, before heading through west London towards Chiswick and Hammersmith.

Further east, the Thames Path continues through Fulham and Chelsea as the river becomes increasingly urban. Bridges, embankments and historic buildings become more prominent on the approach to Westminster and the centre of London.

Through central London, the trail follows the Thames past Westminster and through the heart of the city, with bridges, cultural institutions and historic landmarks lining the river.

East of central London, the character of the Thames changes again. Former docks, wharves and industrial waterfronts sit alongside newer riverside neighbourhoods as the trail continues downstream towards Greenwich.

At Greenwich, the route passes through an area closely associated with London's maritime history and the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, the Thames Path continues east along the lower river towards Woolwich.

The section finishes at the Thames Barrier, where the flood defence structure spans the river at Woolwich and marks the eastern end of the Thames Path National Trail.

Across the section, destinations including Richmond, Kew, central London and Greenwich provide useful bases for exploring individual stretches of the Thames as well as places to stay while walking the London section of the trail.

Overview

Distance: 29 miles / 47 km
Typical duration: 2–3 walking days
Difficulty: Easy-going
Start: Richmond
Finish: Thames Barrier, Woolwich
Terrain: Riverside paths, parkland, paved promenades, embankments and urban walking routes
Waymarking: National Trail acorn symbols throughout

EXPLORE THE THAMES PATH

Continue Exploring the Thames Path

Explore the complete 183-mile Thames Path from the source near Kemble to the Thames Barrier at Woolwich, or discover another section of the trail.

Thames Path

Follow the complete 183-mile Thames Path from the source of the River Thames near Kemble to the Thames Barrier in London.

Thames Path Cotswolds Section

Follow the upper Thames for 54 miles from its source near Kemble through the Cotswolds and rural river landscapes to Oxford.

Thames Path South East Section

Follow the Thames for 100 miles from Oxford through the Thames Valley and historic riverside towns to Richmond.