London – The Definitive Walking Guide

A guidebook of the leisure walking opportunities in Greater London. Details of nearly 300 self-guided trails are included, covering over 2300km. 80 named trails and over 200 shorter routes, all with information about the nature of the walk, its amenities, transport and mapping required.

The range of opportunities for leisure walking in London is vast – just take a glance at the maps in this book. It became clear during my research that the original title for this book, The Complete Guide to Walking in London, would have to be changed, as more walks were coming to light all the time, right up to the publisher’s deadline and beyond. It was just not going to be possible to include everything.

People sometimes say to me that, as an experienced walker, it must be terrible to live in London. But in my opinion we are spoilt for choice, with a wealth of interesting walking and lovely scenery on our doorstep. Anyone who thinks there is no good walking in London is in for a very pleasant surprise. Every one of the 33 London boroughs and cities has some good walking, and I hope to convince any sceptics that opportunities for enjoyable walks in ‘The Smoke’ vastly exceed their expectations. I will show just how easy it is for people living or staying in London to venture out and walk – not just to the shops, station or bus stop but for the sheer fun of it – on mostly green routes that take you well away from roads and traffic.

The benefits of walking for health have been well documented. I started walking regularly for pleasure over 30 years ago, not for the effect it might have on my health, but for the good companionship of the many friends I have made. I have since walked and scrambled in all kinds of terrain, including many of the highest mountains in Europe, and I frequently take part in ‘tough’ challenge walks. Yet even after such bold enterprises, I still take great pleasure in walking in London, whether along one of the routes in this book, or just strolling through a park. There is surely a moral to be drawn from the fact that, even in London, when walking for pleasure on footpaths or in parks, you are likely to be greeted with a smile and a ‘good morning’, instead of the grim faces you see on the streets.

I have set out in as much detail as possible how and where you can walk for pleasure in and around London. I do not give detailed step-by-step descriptions of individual routes, but all the named routes I have been able to identify within London are listed, including, where possible, their main attractions, how to get there and how to get further information. Many are waymarked and can in theory be followed without a map or guide, but I strongly recommend you get hold of any available literature. I have also included details of the wide choice of guided walks on offer.

Do please use public transport if you can. It is a pity to travel by polluting car for an environmentally friendly walk, in a society that is being encouraged to minimise car use. Widespread public transport is available in London, and unlimited travel at very low cost is possible using the excellent travelcards, bus passes and other comprehensive tickets. By leaving your car at home you can enjoy your walk with no worries about parking, how to get back to it and who might be trying to break into it. You can imbibe without guilt, and you will reduce, however slightly, your contribution to other people’s breathing difficulties.

You cannot talk about walking in London nowadays without mentioning the London Walking Forum (qv). As a founder member myself, I would like to acknowledge the part they have played, both in developing walking routes and in helping me with this book.

I have taken great care to be accurate, but can accept no responsibility for the consequences of any errors or changes that may have crept in. I hope to update the book from time to time, so please notify me of any changes, comments or suggestions care of Cicerone Press or email me at colinsaund@aol.com. Thank you very much for reading this book.

Colin Saunders, 2002

Using this guidebook

The main purpose of this book is to serve as a directory of the many possibilities for recreational walking in London, whether guided or self-guided, and to help you choose where to walk. There is no intention to provide a step-by-step guide to any route, and you should not rely on this book to guide you round – most routes have their own literature, which you should try to obtain before setting out.

Every effort has been made to provide accurate information about the routes in this book, but details may change and you should not rely on them. Before setting out, do check any information that may significantly affect your enjoyment of the walk, such as availability of transport, refreshments or toilets.

The book is divided into three sections:

1. General information. Chapters on the London Walking Forum, safety on walks, suggestions for people with wheelchairs or buggies, and for those who are new to walking, travelling to walks, buying equipment and maps, health walks, and the governing bodies of walking.

2. Self-guided walks. The vast majority of opportunities for walking in Greater London are self-guided, and this is reflected in the size of this section. It includes details of the principal recreational routes (the Strategic Network), other named routes, walking in parks, and walks described in other media.

3. Other walking opportunities. Guided walks (walks with a leader) – some are free, some involve a charge. Includes information about walking clubs and groups, walks for the general public, and walking festivals, charity walks and challenge walking.

Eight appendices provide an index of routes in order of borough and distance, plus supporting lists of proposed and discontinued routes, parks and open spaces, books of self-guided walks, guided walks, equipment and map shops, and contact details.