The Thames River in London is long; it’s not long in the way that it breaks world records but long in a way that there is so much going on along the Thames. It passes hundreds of world famous locations and there is just a ridiculous amount of things to see around the Thames River.
You could keep walking until your legs give way and you would still be crawling while passing major points of interest. For this post I’m going to stick to the main London area of the Thames River otherwise this could go on a while.
You could create hundreds of Thames river walks but I’m going to offer the best walks (in my opinion) around this world famous river where you get to efficiently pass by Landmarks but also get some peace along the way. Here they are from the east to the west.
- The Greenwich landmarks area – 1.8 miles (2.9km)
- The Southbank lively to Tower Bridge – 1.9 miles (3km)
- Westminster landmarks – 3 miles (4.8km)
- Battersea park and power station – 1.8 miles (2.9km)
- Battersea to Putney – 2.6 miles (4.2km)
- The Putney to Richmond green belt – 9.4miles (15.1km)
The Greenwich landmarks area
Start: Greenwich market Finish: Blackheath
Distance 1.8 miles (2.9km) 35 mins walking time
This might seem misleading. Walking from Greenwich market to Blackheath doesn’t take long at all but the idea of this walk is to meander around the many spots that Greenwich has to offer. I wouldn’t fall for the suggestions of other blogs to walk from Tower Bridge to Greenwich. It has a few highlights but is mostly long and unappealing.
Start in Greenwich market and take in the sights and sounds. I love the contrasts of stalls and food options both inside and outside but for those who like the quiet head north to the river and the crowds reduce a little. You will pass the Cutty Sark here. The last surviving British tea clipper ship. It will remind you of Captain Hook’s Jolly Roger. You can pay to see this inside as a 2 hour activity if you like.
The rest of the river walk is mostly a case of passing by great landmarks and while there is no strict order here I would advise you to walk past the Cutty Sark gardens, Duck Fountain, The Old Brewery, and The Naval Gardens then down to the Queen’s House and Maritime Museums.
Walk into Greenwich Park which is pretty big in itself and head towards the Royal Greenwich Observatory which has played a huge part history. The Prime Meridian passes through it, it gave its name to Greenwich Mean Time, which is how today’s Universal Time is coordinated. I actually toured the above Greenwich attractions all on one discount pass which saved me quite a few pounds.
After this continue down through the deer park and hopefully you will catch some good shots of the deer relaxing naturally before you head into Blackheath to finish off the park walk.
The Southbank Lively to Tower Bridge
Start: Waterloo Bridge Finish: Tower Bridge
Distance: 1.9 miles (3km) 37 mins walking time
One of the busier river walks on the list but what it lacks in greenery and peace it makes up in for things to see and do plus there are multiple experiences to be had along the way.
Starting at Waterloo bridge you will pass the National Theatre and head towards the long standing OXO Tower where you will see something that might resemble a beach on the Thames.
Along the way you will pass by talented buskers, entertainers, musicians, market stalls and plenty of good (and bad) food and drink joints. I’d recommend trying the market stalls if they’re open or Doggett’s Coat and Badge for some traditional grub.
Head down past the famous Tate Modern gallery and Shakespeare’s Globe to be edged slightly inland to the Golden Hinde Ship. You will head pas Southwark Cathedral and under London Bridge (not the one with the Tower) and be guided through laneways where you will pass by Borough market. Take some time to absorb sights and tastes here. I particularly like the more Asian section near the back.
Get back up on to the river front level and head towards Tower Bridge and you will pass the Shard on your right, you can’t miss the tallest building in Europe! On your left you will see St Paul’s Cathedral and pass some cool sculptures and sitting areas before you finally land on the world famous Tower Bridge (not London Bridge).
Westminster landmarks
Start: Riverside walk gardens Finish: Downing Street via Westminster
Distance: 3 miles (4.8km) 1 hour walking time
Most would say this walk encompasses the most famous London landmarks in one go. The route can be reduced but you may miss some of the best bits if you take anything away from it.
The walk starts near Pimlico station in the Riverside walk gardens on Millbank. Head up towards Westminster and you will already take in some good city, river views as you walk past the Tate Britain museum (British art). Walk on the river’s edge path for better views of Lambeth and Westminster Bridge.
Go past Thames house and the roundabout through Victoria gardens until you reach the awesome Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Admire their architecture for a bit and make your way through some crowded spots through Parliament square where you’ll pass some famous statues such as Ghandi, Churchill and Abraham Lincoln.
Take a turn west and walk into St James Park past the long, swan filled lake. You will see some great park views of Buckingham Palace here as you walk up towards it. You might catch a few cheeky squirrels bold enough to eat from your hand. Have a walk around the famous Buckingham palace of royal business and the huge golden fountain outside.
Head down The Mall to Trafalgar Square where you’ll pass a few memorials before you reach the bustling centre of Trafalgar Square to look up at the extremely tall Nelson’s column war hero memorial. The National Gallery and Portrait Galleries here are worth a visit in themselves but that’s another article.
Go south on the roundabout down Whitehall where you will pass some grand old buildings. You will land at 10 Downing Street and see the guards. You might be lucky enough to catch a Press conference of another ever changing British Prime Minister 2 weeks into the job.
Walk down Parliament Street to get some last pictures of Big Ben. Everyone likes to get the phone boxes in the shot. Finally finish up with a cracking view on the bridge looking over at London Eye on one side and the Houses of Parliament on the other. Easily the most famous walk of the bunch but probably the busiest too.
Battersea Park and Power Station
Start: Battersea Power station Finish: Battersea Bridge
Distance: 1.8 miles (2.9km) 35 mins walking time
This is a shorter walk but there are good enough highlights in here to make it worth a trip over to Battersea. Start outside Battersea Power Station, which is a very new renovation only opening fully to the public in 2022. You can check out the inside of the power station first, it is astounding to see how it has been converted from an old giant power station into a modern shopping centre with the old architecture maintained.
The power station has a huge surrounding area which is now newly built up and littered with trendy café’s, restaurants, clothes stores and sitting areas outside to take in the views of the Thames whilst staring up at the huge historic power station towers.
Once you’ve explored the surroundings of the power station walk west across Queenstown road into what I would say is one of the best parks in London. It has everything… A giant boating lake, fountains, a huge Pagoda, an arena, a bandstand with live music and even a zoo!
This walk should ideally be 70% Battersea Park because it is so large and covers a lot of riverside. My advice would be to work your way south upon entering, get down to the boating lake in the south and back up through the middle past the bandstand, fountains, go to the zoo if you like. Do the riverside walk past the London Peace Pagoda, into the English gardens then exit west back on to the Thames path. You can easily spend a good hour or two filled with fresh green surroundings.
Battersea to Putney
Start: Battersea Bridge Finish: Putney Bridge
Distance: 2.6 miles (4.18km) 51 mins walking time
This walk features fewer landmarks but is just a good, simple one path stroll along the Thames where the old buildings clash with the new to create a decent, ever changing river landscape.
Start at Battersea Bridge and walk the Thames path riverside. You will walk with Chelsea on the opposite side and will pass a lot of old and new apartments all with very different architecture. It will feel like London but with more of a chilled atmosphere.
If you fancy a drink with a view pop into the Waterfront or the Ship bars on the riverfront. You will eventually pass through Wandsworth Park and land in Putney which has all you need for transport, food, drink or shopping to suit any tastes.
The Putney to Richmond green belt
Start: Putney Bridge Finish: Richmond Riverside
Distance: 9.4 miles (15.1km) 3 hours walking time
This is an absolute stonker of a walk. But one of the nicest you will experience in London. It’s green, quiet and you don’t feel like you are even in London for most of it. You could split this up into two walks but either way it’s a lot of time on the river among quite, more green surroundings.
Starting in Putney you may have had a fill of food and drink already but if not don’t worry there’s options along the way. You will see Craven cottage, home of Fulham FC as an early sight across the river then you will follow that by walking alongside the green of the WWT Wetland centre which is a wildlife retreat. Hammersmith Bridge follows shortly after which is actually one of the oldest mechanical suspension bridges in the world.
Beyond the bridge you will pass the ‘Leg of Mutton’ lake and nature reserve which includes a thin mile long river plus lake path before reaching The Bull’s Head or the Coach and Horses for a pit stop drink or bite to eat.
Continue past Chiswick Bridge and Mortlake cemetery until you reach the Royal Botanic gardens in Kew. To me this is probably the best garden or park day out in London so it deserves its own full day to see. You can finish up the log walk in Richmond which has plenty of good spots for food and drink like The Prince’s Head or The White Swan.