The back story 1
Walking London.
-
The back story
Narrowboats and towpaths: London’s canals, the back story
The Regent’s Canal was built to carry goods across London; today its towpath is one of the city’s most peaceful walks.
13 of the best · London, United Kingdom
The Best Walks in London: Riverside, Canals and Heaths
London is a wonderful city to walk. These routes follow the Thames, the canals and the heaths, with pubs and cafés along the way.
Our 13 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in London
Browse by type
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love London.
-
About 2½ miles
The South Bank riverside: Westminster to Tower Bridge
The classic London walk along the south bank of the Thames, from Westminster Bridge past the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and the Globe to Tower Bridge.
-
About 2½ miles
The Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden
A peaceful towpath walk from the canal boats of Little Venice past Regent’s Park and London Zoo to the markets of Camden Lock.
-
About 1½ miles
Chelsea Embankment and Cheyne Walk
A walk along the Chelsea riverside from Chelsea Bridge past the Royal Hospital, the Physic Garden and the houseboats of Cheyne Walk to Battersea Bridge, crossing back over the Albert Bridge.
The full list: Walks, A–Z
Neighbourhood
Along the Thames 6
Riverside routes.
-
About 1½ miles
Chelsea Embankment and Cheyne Walk
A walk along the Chelsea riverside from Chelsea Bridge past the Royal Hospital, the Physic Garden and the houseboats of Cheyne Walk to Battersea Bridge, crossing back over the Albert Bridge.
-
Pubs, rowing clubs and Georgian houses
Hammersmith to Chiswick: the riverside Malls
A riverside walk from Hammersmith Bridge along Lower and Upper Mall to Chiswick, past rowing clubs, Georgian houses and old pubs.
-
About 2 miles
Putney to Fulham: the Thames Path west
A green stretch of the Thames Path from Putney Bridge past the rowing clubs of the Embankment, where the Boat Race starts, with Bishop’s Park and Fulham Palace across the river.
-
Georgian bridge and riverside lawns
Richmond riverside and Richmond Bridge
The riverside at Richmond, with its Georgian bridge, riverside terraces and lawns, and boats for hire and river trips.
Riverside, RichmondExplore View on map
-
About 2½ miles
The South Bank riverside: Westminster to Tower Bridge
The classic London walk along the south bank of the Thames, from Westminster Bridge past the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and the Globe to Tower Bridge.
-
A riverside trail through the city
The Thames Path in London
The London stretches of the Thames Path National Trail, which follows the river for about 185 miles from its Cotswold source to south-east London.
Along the canals 2
Towpaths and narrowboats.
-
About 2½ miles
Regent’s Canal east: Camden to Angel
The towpath from Camden Lock east past King’s Cross, Coal Drops Yard and the Canal Museum to Islington, with a tunnel detour over the hill.
-
About 2½ miles
The Regent’s Canal: Little Venice to Camden
A peaceful towpath walk from the canal boats of Little Venice past Regent’s Park and London Zoo to the markets of Camden Lock.
Neighbourhood walks 1
Streets and markets.
-
About 2 miles
Notting Hill and Portobello Road
A walk through Notting Hill’s pastel streets, from Notting Hill Gate along Portobello Road and its market to Westbourne Park, with detours to bookshops and garden squares.
Heaths and parks 3
Green London.
-
About 3 miles
Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill
A walk across Hampstead Heath to the view from Parliament Hill and on to Kenwood House, starting from Hampstead or Gospel Oak.
-
About 3 miles
Hampstead to Highgate across the Heath
From Hampstead village across the Heath to Kenwood House and on to Highgate village and its cemetery.
-
About 3 miles
The Royal Parks: Buckingham Palace to Kensington Palace
A walk almost entirely on grass from St James’s Park past Buckingham Palace, through Green Park and Hyde Park to Kensington Palace.
Distances are approximate. Wear comfortable shoes and check the weather; riverside paths can be closed for works.
Explore more of London
58 of the best Restaurants
31 of the best Cafés & Tea
52 of the best Bars & Pubs
53 of the best Hotels71 of the best Sights50 of the best Museums & Arts
16 of the best Parks
35 of the best Shopping
29 of the best Health30 of the best Property28 of the best New Developments
10 of the best Luxury Cars22 of the best Getting AroundHomes & Gardens North of EnglandHomes & Gardens East of EnglandHomes & Gardens South of EnglandHomes & Gardens West of England