Explore one of the world’s greenest cities on foot with 25 inspiring walks across London’s parks, woods, rivers, and wild open spaces. From the Royal Parks and Hampstead Heath to hidden marshes, forests, and nature reserves, London reveals itself as a city where nature thrives, offering walkers of all levels the chance to discover rare wildlife, local history, and tranquil escapes in both the heart of the capital and its outskirts.

Ideal for both beginners and experienced walkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guide features 25 routes ranging from 6 to 21km (4–14 miles), each designed to be completed in 2–6 hours. Whether you’re seeking a gentle stroll through leafy parks or a full-day adventure along rivers and heaths, these walks are easily reached by public transport and can be split into shorter sections, making them perfect for city dwellers and visitors alike.

• Experience the best of London’s open spaces, from iconic highlights like Hyde Park, Wimbledon Common, and Hampstead Heath to lesser-known gems such as Rainham Marshes in the east, Enfield Chase in the north, and the wild downlands on the city’s southern fringe.
• Enjoy year-round walking in London’s equable climate, with winters rarely too cold, summers comfortable, and spring and autumn bringing the city’s green spaces to life with blooming meadows in Richmond Park, colourful leaves in Epping Forest, and vibrant wetlands along the River Lea.
• Choose from 25 inspiring London walks, each with a 1:25,000 OS map extract, downloadable GPX files, route summary, start and finish points, estimated walking time, and detailed information on parking, public transport, refreshments, and local interest groups for each area, from the Olympic Park to Chislehurst.
• Discover London’s remarkable wildlife as each walk highlights a plant or animal species you might encounter along the way, from elusive water birds on Rainham Marshes to majestic stags in Bushy Park and ancient trees in Sydenham Hill Wood, with insights into the conservation and history of the capital’s wild spaces.
• Walks range from gentle riverside rambles along the Thames and urban park strolls through Regent’s Park to longer explorations of forests, heaths, and wetlands like Wimbledon Common and Wanstead Flats, offering accessible routes for occasional walkers and rewarding challenges for those seeking a full day out in London’s diverse landscapes.
• Explore over 600 miles of signed footpaths and countless informal trails across London, with break points and public transport options that let you enjoy each walk at your own pace or return another day to complete longer routes, discovering a new side of the city with every step.

Plan your London adventure with confidence and see the city from a new perspective, as a rich tapestry of habitats, teeming with wildlife and history. With the definitive Cicerone guidebook in hand, discover the green legacy of London and help ensure its wild spaces endure for generations to come.

Walking in London – Quick Facts

Location: London, including city centre and Greater London area
Number of routes: 25 walks through parks, heaths, woods, wetlands, rivers, canals, and nature reserves
Distance: 6–21km (4–14 miles) per walk
Duration: 2–6 hours per walk
Areas covered: Royal Parks, Hampstead Heath, Rainham Marshes, Enfield Chase, Epping Forest, Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Chislehurst, Downe, Sydenham Hill, and more
Route type: Varied countryside, woodland, riverside, and urban green space walks; includes famous and lesser-known areas
Difficulty: Suitable for most walkers; from easy strolls to longer routes with optional break points
Terrain: Parks, forests, heaths, marshes, wetlands, rivers, canals, and open downland
Navigation: 1:25,000 OS map extracts for each walk; downloadable GPX files
Best season: Walks available year-round; enjoy spring blooms, summer greenery, autumn colours, and mild winters
Highlights: London’s Royal Parks, Hampstead Heath, Rainham Marshes, rare wildlife, conservation sites, city history, hidden wild corners
Equipment: Comfortable walking shoes or boots, layered clothing, map, and weather protection recommended
Refreshments & facilities: Information on pubs, cafés, shops, public transport, parking, and local interest included for each walk
 

Author Highlight

"This book asks you to invert your view of London – to see it not as a city for humans, but as a range of habitats for wildlife – and this is incontrovertibly best done on foot. A corollary of London’s greenness is that there are remarkable opportunities for the walker – one National Trail, six regional trails, and many more local ones, all taking advantage of over 600 miles of signed footpaths and countless extra miles of informal paths. You will from time to time encounter roads and houses – but on every one of these 25 walks, you will often wonder where all of these have gone.” 

- Peter Aylmer, author of Walking in London

Map key 
Route summary table 

Introduction 
The geology of London 
London’s open spaces 
When to go 
Safety in London 
Getting around London 
Access 
What to take 
Maps 
Using this guide 

East: Essex to the Lea 
Walk 1 Rainham Marshes and the lower Thames 
Walk 2 Dagenham’s open spaces 
Walk 3 Epping Forest from Chingford 
Walk 4 Wanstead Flats and Park 
Walk 5 Olympic Park and Greenway 
Walk 6 River Lea 

North: Lea to Brent 
Walk 7 Enfield Chase 
Walk 8 Regent’s Canal 
Walk 9 New River and Parkland Walk 
Walk 10 Royal Parks 
Walk 11 Hampstead Heath 
Walk 12 Dollis Valley Greenwalk 

West: Brent to Wandle 
Walk 13 Ruislip Woods 
Walk 14 Yeading Brook 
Walk 15 Crane Park 
Walk 16 Bushy Park and Home Park 
Walk 17 Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park 
Walk 18 Kew and Isleworth 
Walk 19 Wandle Trail 

South: East of the Wandle 
Walk 20 Happy Valley 
Walk 21 Hills and woods of Croydon 
Walk 22 Sydenham Hill Wood 
Walk 23 Woodlands of south-east London 
Walk 24 Chislehurst 
Walk 25 Downe 

Appendix A Long-distance paths in London 
Appendix B Where to find out more 

Seasons

winters are rarely too cold, nor summers too hot. The transitional seasons of spring and autumn bring first a blooming of life and second the transformation of leaf.

Centres

all of these walks can be undertaken from a base within the Greater London area

Difficulty

all of these walks are within the range of most occasional walkers, though some routes can be linked together to give longer days for those who want them. Little specialist equipment is needed beyond comfortable footwear and clothing appropriate to the season.

Must See

woods and forests, parks and heaths, London's rivers - far more than just the Thames - and canals. Many of the walks pass by some of London's architectural jewels, while others delve so deep into countryside that it's difficult to believe you are still in London.

February 2025

Walk 1

February 2024

The Town Wharf pub

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