4 routes to explore London by foot

Being in lockdown in London meant more time for ourselves, for our family and friends as well as it was an opportunity to explore the empty streets of London. It is unbelievable walking around the quiet streets that once was a Metropolitan city in Europe. The doors of every small and big business are shut down, with no tourists around and no traffic. 

It is somehow amazing to be able to see the city in such quietness and full beauty, but London is not it with the rush hour and crowds of people. Hopefully, we will slowly go back to tourism as it used to be and hopefully, we will be able to explore the new corners of the city in a full swing.

Meanwhile, I have been enjoying going for long walks almost every weekend, exploring the known and unknown corners of London on foot. The weather was so nice these past days, so I didn't even mind walking for so long, in the end, it is better on foot rather than getting public transport nowadays. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with the city, and a great opportunity to capture London in lockdown. I have also shared some of my images on my Pinterest board for those who are interested.

Now, I would like to share with you some great walking routes you can take to see as much as you can from this beautiful city. From the major touristic attractions to pretty streets with architecture buildings or mesmerizing greenery space. Of course, the routes depend on where you start, how much time you have to walk, how much energy you have for walking, where you want to end up or whether you are a person who enjoys long walks at all. London is practically easy to walk if the weather allows. 

Route 1) South of the river

I have started my journey from Elephant & Castle, heading around Mercato Metropolitano, a great indoor and outdoor airy market with Italian grocery selection, great food stalls, cocktails, ice-cream and occasional live concert. Stop by for a quick bite or just stroll around for the vibe. 

Afterwards, head towards London Bridge, and you will pass another food market - Borough market. Again, you can scroll around this area a bit more, or just straight go down to the river path and walk alongside Thames towards Tower Bridge. 

Another way to get to the Tower Bridge and Thames path without passing London Bridge, Borough market or the Shard is to go through Bermondsey street. A great lively street with restaurants, coffee shops, White Cube or Fashion & Textile museum is also a great place to explore the Southwark area. You can quickly turn and visit Maltby street food market, where this tiny street is packed with food stalls on the weekend. 

From there you can easily keep heading towards the river and you'll eventually get to the back of City Hall or Potters Fields Park. I love the walk around the Thames, the area is pretty spacious, so even though it may be busy, you won't feel squeezed like you would on Oxford street fro example.

From here, I like to cross the Tower Bridge to get on the other side and walk around the Tower of London and St. Katherine's dock. This beautiful dock has a great view on the Shard as well as it gives a Monaco feeling to London a bit. Here you can find great pubs or restaurants. 

Then I tend to walk towards Monument, passing Towe hill station, from where I can get a good view on the Tower Bridge from London Bridge.

Route 2) Commercial central hub

Another great walk is around the major touristic hubs of the busy London. I live in South of London, so always starts my walks from South. Walking pass Waterloo bridge, you can have a great view on the City of London, London Eye as well as to the Southbank. If you have time, you may go down from the Bridge and walk alongside the river if you wish, or continue your walk passing the bridge and getting to Strand. 

Somerset House at the end of Waterloo Bridge is beautiful space to check, whether inside for some exhibition, just strolling outside or visit their cute cafe indoor. I also highly suggest you walking between Temple station and Royal Court of Justice, as the small parks and streets there are absolutely beautiful.

From there, it is just a short walk to Covent Garden and the rest of the central hub of commercial London, like Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus, Regent's Street, China town or Soho. During the lockdown, walking through those streets was absolutely mind-blowing. Those streets that were once so crowded and live, went to such quietness. It is strange to see and yet beautiful to see the full London in its own beauty. Try to walk through smaller streets, as you may come across cute coffee shops and other smaller retailers. 

Route 3) Shoreditch and East

Shoreditch is one part of a great walk-in East London,  but there is many more to see that the street art or boutiques. Start your journey from Monument and walk towards Liverpool street, you will pass beautiful Leadenhall market where you can stop by to explore. Walking towards Liverpool street, you will be exposed with so many skyscrapers and some of them are very interesting in architecture. Check buildings like the Gherkin, or officially called 30 St Mary Axe, or Lloyd's of London, The Leadenhall Building or so called the cheese grater and so many other impressive buildings around that area.

Once you reach to Liverpool street, it is just closeby to Spitalfields market where you can enjoy market stalls or variety of food. Just around the corner of Spitalfields market you'll walk into Brick Lane, where on the weekend there are outdoor food markets as well as other vintage and unique boutiques around. Brick Lane is great place to also explore unique street arts and maybe hunt something unique for yourself. 

Walking alongside Brick Lane up north, you'll reach to Shoreditch High Street station and Boxpark, another great place for pop-up shops, food and drinks. London is just about food and drink as you can see.

Make sure explore some larger graphite just across Boxpark, around Redchurch street, where a number of other independent brands can be discovered. 

Around this area you can easily further explore Shoredicth streets, Hoxton or walk to Columbia Flower market on Sundays. Shoreditch is a great place to explore art, independent labels and dining scene. 

Route 4) Marylebone

Last route I would recommend that is worth also to explore by foot is Marylebone. Marylebone is a chic area centred on indie boutique, smart restaurants and beautiful Regent's park. 

Whether you'll start from the park from to Marylebone hub or the other way around, it doesn't matter. The main center of shops and great restaurants is around Marylebone High Street, not too far from there you can come and visit The Wallace Collection as well, a beautiful museum on Manchester Square holds great art collection from 18th and 19th century. In The Wallace Collection museum you can also visit their winter garden for an afternoon tea. 

From there you can easily walk up towards Baker street and explore the famous Sherlock Holmes home and museum, Madame Tussauds museum or just go straight to the Regent's park. The park is large, and you may end up in different parts of the park with nearby exits to Zoo, Primrose Hill, Camden Town or Great Portland Street. Visit and explore the beautiful rose gardens, The Boathouse cafe or the open-air theatre. 

If you have been starting from the park and headed down to the city, you can easily end up on Oxford street, Mayfair or even Hyde Park. You can easily see how London is pretty much connected and easy to walk or even bike around.