What are your favorite walks in London
 

My husband and I will be in London in March. we have been in london several times, so we don't need the usual must do ideas. we really enjoy walking and just appreciating the neighborhoods or sights. Walks up to 4 or 5 miles are our favorites. We love the London Walks trips, but I am sure the people on this site have even more ideas.
Thanks!

One I like is the tube to Hampstead, walk through the neighborhood and then up through the Heath to Kenwood House. Then depending on how much time I have I either walk down to the Spaniard's Inn for a pint/meal and back through more of Hampstead -- or - w/ more time I head east over to Highgate to explore and then visit the cemetary(s)

I also like to walk From Victoria to Chelsea, visit the Chelsea Hospital to tour some of the bldgs and chat w/ some of the Chelsea Pensioners, then along the river to the Physic Garden, and wander through some of the lovely Chelsea streets.

I second Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House, and Spaniards Inn. That was one of my favorite days.

In the back of the London Eyewitness Guide, there are a few do-it-yourself walks. We did the Mayfair one and enjoyed it. Got a little lost, but that was part of the fun.

You'll find any number of books offering different walking routes in many bookshops. Each to their own.

Personally, I like:

for open spaces, Hampstead and the Heath as recommended; or Greenwich, through the Park and over Blackheath to Blackheath village; or Putney to Wimbledon over the Heath and Wimbledon Common, or to Barnes over Putney Common or along the towpath.

in town, along the South Bank between Tower Bridge and Waterloo; or exploring the City, from the back streets up the hill from Blackfriars to St Pauls, or around Cloth Fair and into Clerkenwell; or around Brick Lane and Spitalfields towards Whitechape (see if you can spot the doss house Stalin stayed in once!).

Or anywhere along the Thames Path.

Here are some options:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/walkfinder/

While Hampstead Heath/Primrose Hill etc are very lovely areas to stroll around, you don't really need guided walks to do that. You can do that entirely on your own.

For my taste, I'd rather go with guided walks for areas with more historical depth. You'll be surprised how much you discover esp in East End or in the City. I also like Mayfair--so much interesting stories behind buildings though you may not be able to see inside.

Hampstead and Little Venice.

Great recommendations so far. I am very fond of London's parks, especially St. James and Regent's Park. In March, there might be some flowering bulbs, but I imagine it would still be nice to see the water fowl and critters that love these parks also.

W9London: &quot;<i>While Hampstead Heath/Primrose Hill etc are very lovely areas to stroll around, you don't really need guided walks to do that. You can do that entirely on your own.</i>&quot;

That's what I assumed the OP was asking - walks to do on their own. I think every recommendation so far is &quot;do it yourself&quot;

going_places: We particularly like The London Eyewitness - 5 Guided Walks and loved the two-hour walk in Islington. Being a Sunday we came upon a flea market somewhere near the canal section. I bought a lovely linen tea-towel with all the attractions of Islington printed on it:
Angel Square, The Angel, Union Chapel, Lonsdale Square, Highgate Archway, St.Mary's Parish Church, Manor Farm Dairy, The Old Red Lion, St.John's Gate, Wesley's Chapel, Whittington's Cat, Regents Canal.

Janisj:
Some years ago I suggested the Spaniard's Inn for lunch (went their in 2000 with my mum) and a poster came back saying it had closed. Is it back in business then?

Nearby we took a stroll through &quot;The Hill&quot; - a charming garden created by the Edwardian soap manufacturer and patron of the arts, Lord Leverhulme. The highlight is the pergola walkway but we were not there at the right season to see the wisteria in bloom.
Going_places, all details are in the Eyewitness Guide to London.

My most favourite walk however was in Richmond Park from one end to the other. Sitting on a mossy log quietly watching the deer move along munching the new grass is so peaceful. We were warned to stay out of their way in rutting season as they can be dangerous.
You may see rhodedendrons and azaeleas in bloom if you make a detour through the Isabella Plantation - even out of flowering season it is lovely. Leaving that end of the park leads you to a very nice pub across the road.

Lets us know where you got to?!

From Knightsbridge south to &amp; across the river through Battersea Park, then back through Chelsea. Found some unique homes on some of the side streets there.

Walk as far as you like along the Thames path.
Just choose a stretch
http://www.thames-path.co.uk/
They are lots of lovely old pubs wherever you go.

Thank you all so very much. i will get the eyewitness guide and slso print out your suggestions to take with me! Now all I need is walking weather!!!

Tod: Well - the last time I was there was about a year ago and it was doing a booming business. Maybe there was a change of ownership or something and it closed in between.

BTW - The Spaniard's Inn is a great place to stop after walking over the Heath. But it does get really busy during the main lunch service so a bit later when things slow down is probably better. It is far from the best pub in London - but the bldg is interesting and it does decent food.

Start at the Tower, walk across the Tower bridge then turn right to walk along the Thames.. Though not particularly park like there are some historical things to see and a great view of London from the other side of the river. You'll pass the London Eye too. You can end this walk by crossing what I think is Parliment Bridge? (I'm embarrassed to say I can't remember the name of the bridge!) or at least the bridge right in front of Parliment and end the walk with a tour through Wesminster Abby.

Re the Thames Path - not all of it is nice!

The bit by the Woolwich Ferry is not really something I'd wish on a tourist (excellent views of Tate and Lyle's sugar refinery in Silvertown).

There are a few books by Andrew Duncan which I'd recommend - lots of walks of all types.

Whatever you do - don't do te Ripper walk. It's pants.

Someone already mentioned the walk along the Regents Canal but I would put in another vote for that walk.

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Chris Christensen
Amateur Traveler podcast
http://AmateurTraveler.com