How To Explore the Best Walks in London (Map & Instructions)
This excellent walking route takes you through the heart of London, combining historic landmarks, riverside paths, and royal parks. It’s a captivating day exploring Britain’s vibrant capital city.
London is a city best explored on foot. From the Thames Path to the Royal Parks, walking allows you to discover hidden alleyways, stumble upon historic pubs, and experience the city’s unique blend of ancient and modern architecture.
This comprehensive walk weaves through some of London’s most iconic locations. You’ll stroll along the South Bank, cross historic bridges, wander through royal parkland, and encounter centuries of British history at every turn.
The route I’m sharing today combines the best of what London has to offer walkers. From the Gothic splendour of Westminster to the modern architecture of the City, you’ll experience the capital’s incredible diversity.
The walk is graded easy to medium. It’s mostly flat with well-paved paths, though the distance requires a reasonable level of fitness and comfortable walking shoes.
In this blog post, I’ve covered everything you need to know about walking in London, including how to get to the starting point, a suggested route, and detailed instructions for the walk.
LONDON WALK OVERVIEW
- Start: Westminster Underground Station
- Finish: Tower Hill Underground Station
- Distance: 10.5 km / 6.5 miles
- Duration: 3 hours walking time (5-6 hours with stops)
- Elevation gain: Minimal (approximately 50 meters)
- Difficulty: Easy to Medium
I love this walk because it showcases London’s incredible range. You’ll see world-famous landmarks, experience local life along the river, and discover quieter corners that most tourists miss.
The walk begins at Westminster, in the political heart of London. You’ll immediately be greeted by Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey – three of Britain’s most iconic buildings.
From there, the route follows the Thames Path along the South Bank, passing the London Eye, Southbank Centre, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the Tate Modern. The riverside buzz is electric, especially on sunny days.
After crossing the Millennium Bridge, you’ll enter the historic City of London. St Paul’s Cathedral dominates the skyline before the walk continues past the Monument and finishes at the Tower of London.
I’ve rated this walk as easy to medium for a few reasons.
Firstly, while the route is mostly flat, covering 10.5 km through a busy city requires stamina and comfortable footwear. Your feet will definitely know they’ve had a workout.
Secondly, navigating London’s crowds, especially around major landmarks, requires patience and awareness. Peak times (10 AM to 4 PM) can be particularly busy.
We suggest comfortable walking shoes with good support. The paths are paved, but you’ll be on your feet for several hours.
It took me about 3 hours of actual walking, but I spent closer to 6 hours when including stops for coffee, lunch, photos, and exploring the various attractions along the way.
LONDON WALK MAP
Below is a map of the suggested London walk with key landmarks marked along the route.
The walk begins at Westminster Underground Station (marked in red) and finishes at Tower Hill Underground Station.
Major landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Tate Modern, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower of London are marked along the route.
If you prefer a physical map, I recommend: London A-Z Street Atlas or any detailed London walking map.
For digital navigation, Google Maps works perfectly for this route. Alternatively, the Citymapper app is excellent for London navigation and includes real-time transport updates.
GETTING TO THE STARTING POINT
This walk starts at Westminster Underground Station, one of London’s most accessible locations.
BY UNDERGROUND (TUBE)
Westminster Station is served by the Jubilee (grey), District (green), and Circle (yellow) lines. Trains run every few minutes throughout the day from around 5:30 AM to midnight (later on weekends).
A single journey in central London costs £2.80 with an Oyster Card or contactless payment (£6.40 cash fare – not recommended).
BY BUS
Numerous bus routes serve Westminster, including the 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211, and 453. Buses stop on Whitehall, Parliament Square, and Victoria Street.
Bus fares are £1.75 per journey with Oyster/contactless (cash not accepted on London buses).
BY TRAIN
The nearest mainline stations are Victoria (15-minute walk) and Waterloo (10-minute walk across Westminster Bridge). Both offer frequent services from across Southeast England.
BY CAR
I don’t recommend driving. Central London has a £15 daily Congestion Charge (Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 6 PM), limited parking, and heavy traffic. Public transport is far more convenient.
WALKING INSTRUCTIONS
WESTMINSTER TO SOUTH BANK (30 minutes)
Exit Westminster Underground Station and you’re immediately surrounded by history. Big Ben (officially the Elizabeth Tower) rises to your left, with the Houses of Parliament stretching along the Thames.
Cross the road to Parliament Square for views of Westminster Abbey, where British monarchs have been crowned since 1066.
Walk towards Westminster Bridge. The views from the bridge are spectacular – Big Ben to your left, the London Eye to your right, and the Thames flowing beneath.
Cross Westminster Bridge to the South Bank. Turn right and follow the Thames Path downstream (eastwards).
You’ll immediately pass the London Eye (135 meters tall), which opened in 2000 and offers panoramic views across London. A ride takes 30 minutes and costs around £30-£40 if booked in advance.
Continue along the riverside promenade past the Southbank Centre, a brutalist complex housing the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Hayward Gallery. This area buzzes with street performers, book markets, and food stalls.
SOUTH BANK TO BOROUGH MARKET (45 minutes)
Continue eastward along the Thames Path. The walkway here is wide and traffic-free, making it perfect for leisurely strolling.
You’ll pass under Waterloo Bridge, then Blackfriars Bridge. Between them sits the National Theatre and BFI Southbank, both great spots for a coffee break.
Soon, you’ll spot the distinctive circular shape of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the original Elizabethan playhouse where Shakespeare’s plays were first performed. Tours run daily (£17) and performances happen May to October.
Next to the Globe is the Tate Modern, housed in a former power station. This world-class modern art gallery is free to enter and offers stunning views from its viewing level. I recommend at least a 30-minute browse.
The Millennium Bridge stretches across the Thames from here – we’ll cross it later. For now, continue along the South Bank.
Pass under Southwark Bridge, and within minutes you’ll reach Borough Market (on your left, just off the river). This is London’s oldest food market, dating back to 1014.
Borough Market is the perfect lunch stop. It operates Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays), with the busiest and best selection on Thursdays to Saturdays (10 AM to 5 PM). You’ll find everything from artisan bread and cheese to street food from around the world.
I usually grab something here – the pork and stuffing sandwiches from Roast are legendary.
BOROUGH MARKET TO TOWER BRIDGE (30 minutes)
After lunch, return to the Thames Path and continue east.
You’ll pass HMS Belfast, a retired Royal Navy warship permanently moored here as a museum. Tours cost £24.30 and take about 90 minutes.
The route continues past City Hall (the distinctive glass egg-shaped building) and through More London, a modern development with riverside cafés.
Soon, Tower Bridge comes into view. This is arguably London’s most iconic bridge, with its distinctive twin towers and blue suspension chains. Opened in 1894, it’s often mistakenly called London Bridge (which is actually the plain bridge upstream).
Cross to the north side of the river via Tower Bridge. The high-level walkways offer great views and include a glass floor section, but there’s an entry fee (£11.40). The bridge itself is free to walk across.
TOWER BRIDGE TO TOWER OF LONDON (15 minutes)
Once across Tower Bridge, the Tower of London is immediately to your left.
This medieval castle has served as a royal palace, prison, and execution site over its 1,000-year history. The Crown Jewels are housed here, and Beefeater tours bring history vividly to life.
Entry costs £34.80 for adults (book online for discounts) and I recommend allowing 2-3 hours to explore properly.
Even if you don’t go inside, walk around the external walls to appreciate the Tower’s imposing presence.
Tower Hill Underground Station is right next to the Tower, marking the end of your walk.
PLACES TO STOP ALONG THE ROUTE
One of the best things about walking in London is the abundance of excellent cafés, pubs, and restaurants along the way.
BOROUGH MARKET
Borough Market is my favorite stop on this route. The combination of quality food, vibrant atmosphere, and historic setting makes it special.
Operating hours: Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 5 PM, Friday 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM (closed Sunday). The market is busiest and has the most stalls on Fridays and Saturdays.
SOUTHBANK CENTRE
The cafés and restaurants within the Southbank Centre complex offer great riverside seating when the weather permits. It’s open daily and includes everything from quick coffee stops to full restaurants.
TRADITIONAL LONDON PUBS
Several excellent historic pubs dot this route:
- The George Inn (near Borough Market): London’s last galleried coaching inn, dating from 1677
- The Anchor (near Southwark Bridge): Riverside pub with outdoor seating
- The Market Porter (Borough Market): Traditional ale house popular with market traders
TATE MODERN CAFÉ
The viewing level café at Tate Modern offers spectacular views across to St Paul’s Cathedral while you enjoy coffee and cake. Free to access (no museum entry required).
BEST TIME FOR LONDON WALKS
London can be walked year-round, but the best times are late spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October). The weather is mild, daylight hours are long, and the crowds are slightly smaller than peak summer.
I walked this route on a sunny Saturday in May, and it was perfect. The South Bank was bustling but not overcrowded, and the parks were in full bloom.
Avoiding crowds: Start early (before 9 AM) to experience landmarks with fewer people. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends.
Weather considerations: London weather is famously unpredictable. I always carry a light waterproof, even on sunny days. Summer temperatures average 20-25°C (68-77°F), while winter is typically 5-10°C (41-50°F).
WHAT TO TAKE ON THE WALK
Comfortable Walking Shoes: This is essential. You’ll be walking on pavement for several hours. I use comfortable trainers or lightweight walking shoes.
Water Bottle: Stay hydrated, especially in summer. There are plenty of places to refill along the route.
Weatherproof Jacket: London weather changes quickly. A lightweight, packable waterproof is essential.
Oyster Card or Contactless Payment: For using public transport. Contactless bank cards work on all London transport and offer the same fares as Oyster.
Phone with Google Maps/Citymapper: For navigation and real-time transport information.
Daypack: A small backpack for carrying your jacket, water, and any shopping/souvenirs.
Camera: London is incredibly photogenic. Your phone will work fine, but photography enthusiasts might want a proper camera.
Cash and Cards: Most places accept cards, but some market stalls and smaller cafés are cash-only.
EXTENDING YOUR WALK
This route can easily be extended or modified based on your interests and energy levels.
Hyde Park Extension: From Westminster, walk north through St James’s Park and Green Park to Hyde Park for a greener, more peaceful start (adds 2 km).
East London Extension: Continue east from Tower Bridge along the Thames Path to Canary Wharf, passing through historic Wapping and Limehouse (adds 5 km).
West End Variation: From St Paul’s, head north through the City to the British Museum and Covent Garden before looping back to the river (adds 3 km).
Greenwich Option: Take a river boat from Tower Pier to Greenwich to explore the Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory, and Greenwich Park (adds travel time and additional walking).
PRACTICAL TIPS
Public Toilets: Available at most major attractions (usually £1), plus in cafés and pubs (often for customers only).
Accessibility: The route is mostly flat and paved, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, though some areas (especially Borough Market) can be crowded.
Photography: The best photo opportunities are Westminster Bridge (both directions), Millennium Bridge (looking to St Paul’s), and Tower Bridge from the south side.
Safety: London is generally very safe. Keep valuables secure in crowded tourist areas and stay aware of your surroundings.
Free Attractions: Many London attractions are free, including Tate Modern, National Gallery (near the start), and all the parks. Even viewing landmarks from outside costs nothing.
ALTERNATIVE LONDON WALKS
If you enjoy this walk, London offers countless other excellent walking routes:
Regent’s Canal Walk: From Little Venice to Limehouse Basin (8 km) – peaceful canal towpath through North London.
Richmond to Kew Walk: Thames Path through leafy West London (5 km) – includes Kew Gardens and riverside pubs.
Hampstead Heath Circuit: Exploring one of London’s wildest green spaces (6-10 km depending on route) – feels like countryside within the city.
Historic City Walk: Focus on the Square Mile, including St Paul’s, Bank of England, and medieval churches (3-4 km).
London rewards walkers. Every neighborhood has its own character, and you’ll discover far more on foot than you ever would from a bus or tube train. This route provides an excellent introduction to the capital, but it’s really just the beginning.