London, a global capital, is also one of the most walkable cities in the world—a patchwork of quiet corners, leafy paths, and history underfoot. This is a place where centuries coexist: palaces and street markets, ancient woods and new canals, all connected by footpaths that wind through time as much as place.
Walking here offers a different kind of journey. You can follow the river for hours, cross commons and royal parks, or escape into woods that feel far from the city. It’s not about wilderness—it’s about rhythm, layers, and discovering a slower side of London, one step at a time.
Follow the River Thames from west to east as it curves through the city. This National Trail runs from the edge of the Cotswolds to the Thames Barrier, but its central London stretch takes in everything from Richmond and Kew Gardens to Westminster, the South Bank, and on to Greenwich.
A 78-mile (126 km) orbital route around inner London, the Capital Ring connects parks, cemeteries, canals, and suburban greens—passing places like Wimbledon Common, Highgate Wood, and the River Lea. Walk it in sections for a changing perspective on the city’s edges.
North London’s highest ground offers panoramic views from Parliament Hill, wooded trails, ponds, and glimpses of the city skyline through the trees. Nearby Highgate Wood and the Parkland Walk (a disused railway line turned footpath) add to the sense of unexpected escape.
Walk through Dulwich Woods, Sydenham Hill, and Greenwich Park, or explore lesser-known stretches of the Green Chain Walk. Further east, trails along the River Roding, Rainham Marshes, and the Thames Estuary open into wilder, more expansive terrain.