8 Very Best London Walks for Tourists (and locals): From Landmarks to Hidden Gems

To help travelers make the most of their time in the capital, urban walking routes have been compiled to highlight both the city’s most famous monuments and its more unique, tranquil spots. Navigating these itineraries does not require completing every mile in a single session; rather, travelers are encouraged to tackle manageable sections based on their specific location and itinerary.

Hand Luggage Only’s London Landmark Route

Covering some of London’s most famous sights in a single grand itinerary, this custom-designed landmark route spans a diverse cross-section of the capital. Because attempting the entire path in one go can result in exhausted legs, visitors are advised to break the journey down into logical daily segments.

The western leg of the journey begins at Kensington Palace before transitioning into a peaceful stroll through Hyde Park, leading directly to the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. Visitors can experience the interior of the historic venue either by booking a guided tour in advance or by timing their walk to coincide with a live performance. Just a short five-minute walk away lie the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, two massive cultural institutions where visitors could easily spend an entire day exploring vast historical collections.

Continuing further east, the route passes the luxury department store Harrods in Knightsbridge before reaching the imposing Wellington Arch. A subsequent day of exploration can pick up at the Wellington Arch, leading past Buckingham Palace—where travelers can choose between a guided tour or a view from The Mall—on the way toward Trafalgar Square. Here, visitors can enter the National Portrait Gallery, which offers free admission, before navigating through Leicester Square, Chinatown, and the upscale retail hub of Regent Street.

The path then moves toward Oxford Street and the British Museum, another massive cultural repository that requires dedicated time to appreciate fully. From there, a roughly 50-minute walk leads south into the bustling neighborhood of Covent Garden. Retracing steps past Trafalgar Square brings walkers to Whitehall, home to the Horse Guards Parade and Downing Street, before the route culminates near the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. Crossing the River Thames brings participants past the London Eye and along the vibrant Southbank, passing the Tate Modern, Borough Market, and Shakespeare’s Globe before concluding at Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

Hand Luggage Only’s Regent’s Canal Walk

For those seeking a quieter experience away from the bustling traffic of central streets, the Regent’s Canal Walk offers a distinctly leafy, countryside-feeling atmosphere within the urban environment. Stretching from King’s Cross in the east all the way to Little Venice in the west, this extensive route connects several diverse neighborhoods.

A logical starting or ending point is Granary Square, situated directly behind King’s Cross Station, where a concentration of restaurants, shops, and public art installations provides ample opportunity to fuel up. Following the canal westward leads to Camden, a dynamic district renowned for alternative markets and eclectic storefronts. Further along the south side of the waterway, walkers pass London Zoo and Regent’s Park, making this section particularly popular for families on sunny days. The final stretch winds through quiet, leafy suburbs framed by grand Victorian mansions before arriving at Little Venice, where canal-side cafes like Cafe Laville offer serene settings for relaxation.

Hand Luggage Only’s Central London Circular Walk

Designed as a continuous loop without a strict beginning or end, the Central London Circular Walk allows visitors to join the itinerary at any convenient location. Commencing at St Paul’s Cathedral, the route heads eastward toward Bank and the Royal Exchange—where visitors can stop for refreshments—before continuing to Leadenhall Market. Walkers can then visit the nearby Sky Garden for panoramic views of the skyline, though advance booking is essential due to high demand.

The path proceeds toward the Tower of London to view the Crown Jewels before crossing Tower Bridge toward Borough Market. Continuing west along the Southbank of the River Thames, participants pass Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern. The itinerary then crosses Westminster Bridge toward the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, winds past Downing Street, and cuts through St James’s Park to reach the gates of Buckingham Palace. After passing the Wellington Arch and heading east toward Piccadilly Circus, the route loops through Chinatown and Covent Garden before returning along The Strand to St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Thames Path

The Thames Path is a monumental national trail stretching 185 miles from the source of the River Thames in the Cotswolds all the way to Woolwich in East London. Within the capital, urban explorers frequently favor the section originating in Greenwich, one of the city’s most historically rich districts. This portion encompasses the Old Royal Naval College, the historic ship Cutty Sark, the magnificent Painted Hall, and Greenwich Park, where resident herds of deer roam freely.

Continuing along the river corridor, the path leads past notable landmarks such as the historic Mayflower Pub—from which the famous ship once departed—before reaching Tower Bridge, Borough Market, the Tate Modern, and the London Eye. Further west, the route extends to Battersea Power Station, a former industrial landmark recently redeveloped into a vibrant hub of shops and restaurants. Walking the full distance from Greenwich to Battersea requires approximately eight hours at a casual pace.

The Line Art Walk

For visitors exploring East London, particularly the areas surrounding the O2 Arena in North Greenwich, The Line Art Walk offers a curated exploration of outdoor sculptures and installations positioned along the shoreline of the River Thames.

Beginning in Stratford, the route highlights major contemporary works including the ArcelorMittal Orbit—which features an integrated slide—alongside pieces such as The Hatchling, Liberty Grip, and a Bullet from a Shooting Star. Walkers can also incorporate a visit to the V&A East Storehouse, a contemporary museum space that grants public access to museum vaults and active restoration workshops free of charge.

Capital Ring Walk

Spanning an impressive 78 miles, the Capital Ring Walk is a long-distance route designed to showcase the quieter suburban areas and green spaces of outer London rather than the dense urban core of the center. Transport for London (TfL) has divided the mammoth trail into structured, accessible sections, allowing travelers to join the route at points closest to their accommodations. Highlights along the various segments include the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the Thames Barrier, and the historic district of Crystal Palace.

Green Link Walk

Connecting the eastern woodlands of Epping Forest to the southern neighborhood of Peckham, the Green Link Walk bridges the gap between London’s northern and southern expanses. The itinerary guides walkers through a variety of scenic landscapes, passing through London Fields, past St Paul’s Cathedral, through the Tate Modern precinct, and culminating near Burgess Park in South London.

Jubilee Walkway

The Jubilee Walkway is a 15-mile circular route tailored specifically for travelers interested in the royal and political history of the capital. Typically completed over two to three days to allow for thorough sightseeing, the loop encompasses many of Central London’s most famous landmarks, including the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, and St James’s Park, providing a comprehensive overview of the city’s most significant historical sites.