London’s 10 prettiest walks

When Johnny Cash sang ‘I walk the line’ he didn’t, to our knowledge, mean taking a Saturday sculpture trail through a post-industrial corner of east London. But perhaps he should have given it a go, because this stunning route offers sights to delight even the most melancholy walker. Heralded as London’s first contemporary art walk, The Line gives you the chance to wander through docklands spotting installations and sculptures by the likes of Damien Hirst and Anthony Gormley. They're lit up at night, so try visiting at dusk for a wonderfully atmospheric art jaunt, with reflections bouncing off the silvery Thames.

Best for those who like their exercise with a side of culture
Length 7.7km

Start point Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

End point The O2, Greenwich

This leafy route follows a disused railway line that used to connect Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. Echoes of the old track are still there in the form of tunnels and abandoned platforms along the way. It’s the perfect place for a weekend outing whether you’re a dog walker, runner or cyclist. And it's also officially London’s longest Local Nature Reserve (the whole thing is 4.5k), which makes it one of the best walks to spot wildlife – and we’re not just talking about club-footed city pigeons. Depending on the time of year, you’ll share your walk with hedgehogs, foxes or even dinky muntjac deer.

Best for railway lovers

Start point Finsbury Park

End point Alexandra Palace

Get some fresh air into those lungs with a bracing circular walk around Hampstead Heath, one of London’s wildest and most precious green spaces. Set off from the tube station towards the heath and you'll see grand, covetable houses galore, including handsome museum Burgh House. Climb Parliament Hill for panoramic views of the city’s skyline, pass by the bathing ponds (stop for a dip if you’re feeling brave) and admire the imposing white mansion Kenwood House. Want to extend your walk? Visit Highgate Cemetery – atmospheric architecture surrounded by a peaceful wilderness that’s nowhere near as bleak as it sounds.

Best for City views

Start point Hampstead tube

End point Hampstead tube

We’re not suggesting that you do the entire Thames Path in one go (at 184 miles, that’s impossible anyway). The whole path tracks the river from its source in the Cotswolds, but as it closes in on the capital, the path offers pretty routes that cross central London. Conveniently, the path is divided into more achievable sections. Putney to Tower Bridge is about 16.8km and, depending which of the two routes you choose, takes you through Battersea Park and then past all the big historical sights along the South Bank, including the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and Shakespeare's Globe. And best of all, it's basically impossible to get lost: just let the Thames be your watery tour guide on this fetching river walk.

Best for a day sightseeing

Start point Putney Walk

End point Tower Bridge

Ninety plaques in the ground mark this memorial walk, which covers four parks, three palaces, two mansions and lots of meaningful locations associated with Princess Di. Check off four of eight royal parks as you wander through St James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. If you’ve got restless little ones on your hands, stop at the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. Kids love the pirate ship, teepees and sculptures, all inspired by the magical adventures of Peter Pan. The route runs in a sweeping figure of eight, so join the walk anywhere along the way and end up back where you began – Hyde Park Corner is roughly at the midpoint making it a good starting point to pick up either side of the loop.

Best for seeing parks and palaces

Start point Kensington Gardens

End point Kensington Gardens 

The Jubilee Greenway is a 60km route created in 2012 for (as its name suggests) the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to mark her 60 years on the throne. The whopping loop offers 1 kilometre for each year of her reign. Well-signposted with glass paving slabs throughout, the walk’s ten sections cover much of the capital. The first section is easily the prettiest and most accessible, offering walkers a picturesque route between Buckingham Palace and the winding waterways of Maida Vale. You’ll head up Constitution Hill, through Hyde Park, past Kensington Palace and Paddington before ending up among the picturesque canals and boats of Little Venice. Hungry? Continue the walk to Camden for takeaway options galore, and plenty of hustle and bustle after all that tranquillity.

Best for sightseeing and canalboat spotting

Start point Buckingham Palace

End point Little Venice

Make for oh-so-pretty (and bougie) southwest London for this tranquil walk, which serves up the most bucolic sights the Capital Ring has to offer. Start in Wimbledon Park, then follow the Capital Ring (section 6) markers to the common, where picturesque local landmark Wimbledon Windmill still stands, much as it did two centuries ago. Then walk beside the tranquil Beverley Brook to Richmond Park, where you'll glimpse the White Lodge amongst the trees: and some deer too, if you're quiet enough not to startle them. This route also takes in Petersham Meadows, where cows peacefully graze, and a short section of the Thames Path before you finish at Richmond Station. Step inside the stained-glass-windowed traditional pub The Old Ship for a pint before you go, to drink to your status as an honorary southwest Londoner.

Best for deer-spotting

Start point Wimbledon Park tube

End point Friars Lane rail

Sydenham Hill Woods is a small but magical pocket of forest in southeast London, distinguished by an old railway line, an eerie bat cave, and a gothic Victorian folly that makes an oh-so-picturesque photo op. Start here, then follow the Green Chain walk signs to Horniman Gardens (where you can duck into the curio-filled Horniman Museum if you fancy). Then, wander west along the South Circular, through pretty Dulwich Park to Dulwich Village, where you can delight in the storybook-perfect, white picket-fenced scenery. Get in some culture before you head home with a wander round Dulwich Picture Gallery. 

Best for woodland wandering

Start point Sydenham Hill station

End point West Dulwich station

Cockfosters is probably the laddiest place name in London. So it's a pleasant surprise that this north London suburb is home to some of the prettiest and most storied landscapes in the whole city. Just minutes from the tube station, you'll find rolling countryside that was once a 12th century hunting forest. Follow the markers for the London Loop line (Section 17) and you'll wend your way past fascinating historical sites including Camlet Moat, which is a medieval island of mysterious origin, 17th century stately home Forty Hall, and Maiden's Bridge, the place where Sir Walter Raleigh famously spread his coat over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth I. You'll finish up at Enfield Lock, where you can have a gander at the narrowboats before getting the train home.

Best for historical wonders

Start point Cockfosters tube

End point Enfield Lock rail

If you've never ventured out to Plumstead, it might be time to change that. Here, you'll find the very prettiest part of the southeast London Green Chain route (section 4a), full of ancient woodland, mountainous slopes and meadow flowers. It begins in Plumstead Common, an old green where you're technically still allowed to graze animals (so don't leave your pet sheep at home). Then, it continues through Shrewsbury Park, before climbing steeply to the top of Shooter's Hill, with its glorious vistas over the Thames Estuary. Finally, it dives into Oxleas Woods, before ascending into beautiful, steep open meadowland with waving grasses and winding paths. There's even a swing for some vertiginous thrills. Oxleas Wood Cafe is a pretty 1930s Alpine-style spot that's ideal for lunch or tea after your exertions: head home, or spend more time exploring these forests, parts of which have been around for 8,000 years since the end of the last ice age.

Best for wildflowers and gorgeous views

Start point Plumstead Common (nearest train: Plumstead)

End point Oxleas Meadow (nearest train: Falconwood)