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Walking Guides

London by Foot

The best way to discover London is on foot. Five curated walking routes through the city's most iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and secret corners — with maps, photos, and insider tips.

5 Curated RoutesFree Online GuidesOffline PDF Guides Available

Choose Your Walk

Each route has been walked, photographed, and written by locals who know London inside out. Choose your adventure below.

The Royal London Walk
Easy
3.2 km (2 miles) 2-3 hours

The Royal London Walk

Buckingham Palace to Big Ben via St James's Park

This walk takes you through the ceremonial heart of London — from the gates of Buckingham Palace, through the elegant St James's Park, past Horse Guards Parade, and finishing at the iconic Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. You'll pass more royal landmarks in 2 miles than most cities have in their entire country. Perfect for first-time visitors or anyone who wants to understand why London is the world's most regal capital.

5 stops|Green Park Station → Westminster Station
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The South Bank Cultural Mile
Easy
4 km (2.5 miles) 3-4 hours

The South Bank Cultural Mile

Tate Modern to Tower Bridge along the Thames

The South Bank is where London comes alive. This riverside walk connects the city's greatest free gallery, Shakespeare's reconstructed theatre, London's most famous food market, and its most photographed bridge — all linked by a continuous Thames-side promenade with views of St Paul's Cathedral and the City skyline. Every 100 metres brings something new: street performers, book stalls, pop-up food vendors, and some of the best views in the city.

5 stops|Southwark Station → Tower Hill Station
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The Historic City of London Walk
Easy-Moderate
3.5 km (2.2 miles) 2.5-3.5 hours

The Historic City of London Walk

The Tower of London to St Paul's Cathedral through 2,000 years of history

The Square Mile — London's ancient walled city — packs 2,000 years of history into the smallest area imaginable. Roman walls sit next to Norman castles, medieval churches hide between glass skyscrapers, and the streets follow paths laid down before the English language existed. This walk connects London's most important historical sites while weaving through the hidden alleys and courtyards that most visitors never discover.

5 stops|Tower Hill Station → St Paul's Station
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Notting Hill to Kensington Walk
Easy
4.5 km (2.8 miles) 3-4 hours

Notting Hill to Kensington Walk

Portobello Road to the Royal Museums via hidden garden squares

From the colourful antique stalls of Portobello Road to the grand museums of South Kensington, this walk takes you through some of London's most photogenic neighbourhoods. You'll pass pastel-coloured houses that inspired a hundred Instagram accounts, wander through hidden garden squares, explore the grounds of a royal palace, and finish at the world's greatest free museums. This is London at its most charming.

5 stops|Notting Hill Gate Station → South Kensington Station
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East London Creative Quarter
Easy
3.8 km (2.4 miles) 3-4 hours

East London Creative Quarter

Shoreditch to Brick Lane — street art, markets, and London's coolest neighbourhood

Forget the tourist London of postcards. East London is where the city's creative pulse beats loudest. This walk takes you through the street art capital of Europe, past the curry houses of Brick Lane, through vintage markets bursting with one-of-a-kind finds, and into the craft beer bars and independent coffee shops that have made Shoreditch the coolest neighbourhood in Britain. This is the London that Londoners love most.

5 stops|Shoreditch High Street Overground → Whitechapel Station
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Take London With You

Download our premium PDF walking guides with offline maps, hidden gems not in the free guides, insider restaurant recommendations, and minute-by-minute timing for each route.

Browse All GuidesRead London Stories

Why Walk London?

London is one of the world's great walking cities. Unlike many capitals, its major landmarks are close together, connected by parks, riverside paths, and charming side streets that no bus or taxi can access. Walking lets you discover the London that exists between the famous sights — the hidden courtyards, the blue plaques marking where legends lived, the neighbourhood cafés where locals gather, and the views that open up unexpectedly around every corner.

Our five walking routes cover the essential London experiences: the royal grandeur of Westminster, the cultural richness of the South Bank, the ancient history of the City, the colourful charm of Notting Hill and Kensington, and the creative energy of East London. Together, they give you a complete picture of this extraordinary city.

Each guide includes turn-by-turn directions, the best times to visit each stop, photography tips, and honest recommendations for places to eat and drink along the way. Whether you're visiting London for the first time or rediscovering it as a returning traveller, these walks will show you the city at its very best.