You don’t have to travel far to find great walks, cycle routes and parks in London. So we’ve put together some of the best ones to help you get active and get some fresh air. 👇
⬆️ North London
➡️ East London
⬇️ South London
⬅️ West London
North London
Local cycle routes:
Keep your daily exercise interesting with a trip down one of our Cycleways 🚲. Enjoy the green spaces of Cycleway 20 from Enfield Town to Palmers Green. Be sure to check out Enfield Town Park, with 9.5 hectares of parkland and a river running through it! 🏞
Local walking routes:
If walking is more your speed, there’s plenty of options in north London🚶. So why not challenge yourself to complete the northern sections of the Capital Ring Walk? Take a trip from Hendon to Highgate for green spaces and ancient woodlands. 🌳
However, if you don’t want to stop there, our walking route from Highgate to Stoke Newington offers some of the greenest scenery along the Capital Ring Walk, including London’s longest nature reserve. 🍃
Local parks and green spaces:
Broomfield Park is one of the highlights of Palmers Green and Southgate. With three lakes, a sensory garden and newly established orchard, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. You can also take a trip for a magnificent view across to Alexandra Palace and the City of London. 🏙
There is also Pymmes Park which is home to winding footpaths through wetlands and a wildlife pond, making it the perfect place for a weekend wander! 🍃
East London
Local cycle routes:
If cycling is your thing, there’s plenty to see in east London. 🚲
Cycle Superhighway 2 is great for seeing the sights. Start at the Velodrome and cycle past the Tower of London before taking the route along the canals and Victoria Park, before returning to the Velodrome! 🏰 🍃
However, if you’re looking to take it slow, Quietway 6 is a great option. Start in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and take a leisurely journey through Wanstead Flats and Valentines Park. 🌳
Local walking routes:
Make east London your stomping ground with the Jubilee Greenway – a perfect way to get your daily steps in! 👟
Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this path links the Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, including the O2 Arena, Greenwich Park and the Serpentine. Sections 4, 5 and 6 are a great place to start in east London.
Local parks and green spaces:
Relive the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. With award-winning parklands, waterways and playgrounds that are free to visit, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the UK’s most exciting urban park. 🌆
If you’re a keen photographer, you can also enjoy panoramic views of the City. 📸
Nestled entirely in Tower Hamlets, Victoria Park is known as the ‘People’s Park’. Be sure to look out for the Dogs of Alcibiades statues, Burdett-Coutts Fountain and two stone alcoves from the original London Bridge whilst you’re wandering!
With over 13 miles of paths to explore across an untamed, wildlife-friendly site, Walthamstow Wetlands is a must visit. This park is also the largest wetlands in Europe, and home to all kinds of interesting birdlife. 🦜
South London
Local cycle routes:
Cycle Superhighway 7 makes getting exercise wheelie fun. Cycle from Collier’s Wood, through Clapham High Street, Stockwell and Elephant & Castle, before finishing in the City. 🏙
If you’ve just started your cycling journey, our Quietway 4 is the perfect way to explore the area at a slower pace. Take the scenic route from Clapham Common to Wimbledon through Wandsworth Common for plenty of green space. 🌿
Another option is to cycle the quiet back streets from Oval to Waterloo on our Cycleway 5. Some Cycleways in this area have two-way cycle lanes and shared bus stops that are designed to improve your safety whilst you cycle. 👏
Local walking routes:
If you’re in south London, walking the southern sections of the Green Chain Walk is a must. So why not discover Marvels and Elmstead Woods, Nunhead Cemetery and Crystal Palace with its Victorian dinosaur park. 🦖
Another route worth exploring is the Capital Ring from Grove Park to Wimbledon Park. Blow the cobwebs away with a mindful walk through the multiple green spaces on this trail. 🍃
Local parks and green spaces:
Just south of Brixton, Brockwell Park is home to stunning views of the London skyline. From the rolling meadows around Tulse Hill to the sloped football pitches by the Dulwich Road, there’s something for everyone in this park. 🌳
Clapham Common provides an oasis of calm in the midst of the City with two playgrounds and London’s largest bandstand.🚶
The White Garden in Streatham Common is another must visit. The garden was created by a Victorian family for a wedding, and the tradition of keeping all flowers white still continues today.
Known for its magnificent treescape, Ruskin Park is the perfect place to stretch your legs. Relax in the Labyrinth Garden or take the kids to the playground. 👶
West London
Local cycle routes:
From Paddington to Uxbridge along the Grand Union Canal, a cycle along Quietway 16 is the perfect way to get your daily exercise in. 🚲
Whether you’re using your own cycle, or one of the many Santander Cycles, this route will take you from the City to what seems like a different world in minutes. 🏡
Local walking routes:
If you’re looking to explore the area on foot, the Capital Ring from Richmond Bridge to Osterley Lock is a great place to start. Explore the Old Deer Park and Syon Park or take a stroll down the Grand Union Canal. ⛵️
However, if you’re keen to keep going, the trail from Osterley Lock to Greenford offers views of the River Brent, and an opportunity to explore Brent Lodge Park. 🏞
Local parks and green spaces:
Home to Syon House, the west London residence of the Duke of Northumberland, Syon Park certainly has a lot to offer. This park contains a great variety in a relatively small area, from Gardens and Arboretum through to parkland, and the unique tidal water meadows. 🌳
If you’re a keen plane spotter, Hounslow Heath is the perfect place for a wander. In addition, if you’ve got little ones, the History Hike is the perfect way to keep them entertained. 🕵️️
Fryent Country Park is a green oasis in the London Borough of Brent, with over 800 species of wildlife, including 21 species of butterflies. 🦋🦆🌷
Originally built for Princess Amelia, Gunnersbury Park is now recognised as one of the most important parks in the country by English Heritage. 🏰 Head here to discover a patch of countryside within west London. 🍃
With a historic manor house, Walpole Park is the perfect setting for a stroll. 🚶You can also take a walk around the fishpond and serpentine lake.
If you’re looking for green spaces near Surbiton, Fishponds Park is the perfect place. Set in the grounds of a mid-18th century estate, the park has three ponds home to all kinds of wildlife including Canada geese and chicks in the spring! 🐣
Ready to get going? Here’s some tips to help you get started:
- Our Journey Planner will keep you on track. Choose walking speeds, or easy, moderate or fast cycle routes
- Use our cycle map to find cycling routes and check where your nearest Santander Cycle docking station is 🚲
- Add walking into your daily routine by checking whether journeys are quicker to walk between lots of London stations 🚶️
- Look our for Legible London maps. Blue and yellow signs on streets across London which give you walking directions for short journeys
- If you’re new to walking, we’ve got some great walking tips to help you get started 👟
- A walk isn’t complete without a little music, so we’ve put together some of the best walking playlists around 🎧🎶
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