Information
Promoted routes: London

South London

Explorer maps 146, 147, 161, 162 - Landranger maps 176, 177, 187
Local street atlases may be more useful in built-up areas. See Walking in London: Maps.

For more about walking maps of Lewisham and Wandsworth see Walking in London: Maps.

Walking in London | Tourist Info | Public Transport | Promoted Routes | Information Index

Beverley Brook Walk

New Malden to Putney Lower Common 11km/7 miles

A riverside route across Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park to the Thames.

There is an alternative wheelchair-accessible route through Richmond Park.

Connects with Capital RING, Thames Path

Highway Authorities Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth

Parks and countryside Royal Parks, South London Parks (Wimbledon Common)

  • Beverley Brook Walk. Free leaflet from Merton council, tel 020 8545 3074.

Maps and more paths | Walking in London | Information Index

Bromley Circular Walks & Trails

A network of paths through London's most rural borough, and some heritage walks in towns. Click here for more details

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Capital RING

This inner orbital route is a true urban walk through London's parks, riversides, streets and woodland, via Woolwich, Crystal Palace, Wandsworth and Richmond. Click here for more details

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Chessington Countryside Walk

Short circular walk via Horton Country Park and Epsom Common. See North Downs Way.

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Downlands Circular Walks

Downlands Farthing Downs, Chaldon and Happy Valley. 5km/3 miles to 14.5km/9 miles
Sutton Oaks Park and Woodcote. Up to 8km/5 miles
Oaks Park Nature Trail 1.5-2 hours

Coulsdon Common Circular Walks All 2 - 2.5 hours
Coulsdon Common & Happy Valley
Farthing Downs & Devilsden Wood
Kenley Common & Dollypers Hill
Riddlesdown

Various short circular countryside routes on the edge of the Surrey Hills (North Downs) and suburban London, including a number of historic commons managed by the Corporation of London. The main Downlands walk connects the LOOP with the North Downs Way.

Mainly along country footpaths which are not wheelchair accessible, but there is some easy access in commons and parks. Ask contacts below for more details.

Connects with London LOOP, North Downs Way (E2), Socratic Trail

Highway Authorities Croydon, Surrey, Sutton

Parks and countryside Corporation of London Open Spaces, South London Parks (Happy Valley, Oaks Park)

  • Coulsdon Commons Circular Walks
  • Discover Sutton Countryside Walk
  • Discover the beautiful Downlands Countryside Walk
  • Oaks Park Nature Trail
    All free leaflets from Downlands Project
    The Downlands walk is also available to download from the North Downs Way website.
  • Corporation of London

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Green Chain Walk

Linking the many green spaces in southeast London with the river Thames, including a short circular walk at Charlton. For more details, click here.

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Greenwich Millennium Heritage Trails

Circular via Blackheath 6km/4 miles
Well Hall to Mottingham with circular section at Eltham 3.5km/2 miles
Circular via Greenwich Park 4km/2.5 miles
Circular via Woolwich Arsenal and Common Up to 6km/4 miles

Heritage walks along streets and through paths exploring the fascinating history of the area around Greenwich, including a tour of the World Heritage Site itself.

Update. Explore the site proposed as a home to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 using parts of the route. See Walk the Bid for more.

Routes along surfaced paths and pavements, generally fully accessible though there are some steep climbs. Full details in leaflet pack. 

Connects with Capital RING, Green Chain Walk, Lea Valley Walk (via foot tunnel and unofficial link), Thames Path, Walk the Bid, Waterlink Way

Highway Authority Greenwich

Parks and countryside Royal Parks, South London Parks (Blackheath)

  • Greenwich Millennium Heritage Trails. Leaflet pack £2 from Greenwich Tourist Information Centre.
    Includes route cards for all the walks and a general map of the borough, also showing the Thames Path and Extension and the Green Chain Walk.

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Lewisham Walks

Brockley Footpath Newlands to Catford
Brockley to Lee Green Walk
Horniman Gardens to Beckenham Place Park Walk
Lewisham Promenade Lewisham Station to Catford
Parks Walk Ladywell to Forster to Memorial Park

Useful links in the walking network in Lewisham borough, using streets and parks. The walking map below also contains details of the Blackheath and Deptford Heritage Trails and Nature Conservation Walks in Blackheath, Hither Green, Crofton Park, Upper Sydenham and Beckenham Place Park, and locations of parks with healthy walking trails.

Mainly level and surfaced paths. Contact Lewisham Council for details.

Connects with Capital RING, Green Chain Walk, Thames Path, Waterlink Way

Highway Authority Lewisham

Parks and countryside South London Parks (Beckenham Place Park)

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London LOOP

The southern section of this route encircling greater London runs from Erith via Hayes and Coulsdon to Kingston. For more details, click here.

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Maritime Rotherhithe History Walks

Walk A: Transport, Industry and the Docks Rotherhithe to Canada Water via Stave Hill and Greenland Dock 3km/2 miles approx
Walk B: Shipyards, Granaries and Wharves Rotherhithe to Surrey Quays via the Thames Path and Greenland Dock

Two short walks exploring the history and heritage of the former Surrey Docks area at Rotherhite, southeast London. Walk A provides an alternative route to the Thames Path across the Rotherhithe peninsula via Stave Hill.

Almost entirely along flat surfaced paths, though there may be some steps, kerbs and narrow pavements. 

Connects with Thames Path

Highway Authority Southwark

  • Maritime Rotherhithe History Walk A: Transport, Industry and the Docks by Stuart Rankin, ISBN 0 905849 36 X.
  • Maritime Rotherhithe History Walk B: Shipyards, Granaries and Wharves by Stuart Rankin, ISBN 0 905849 37 X
    Both free from Southwark council libraries and Tourist Information Centre (+ p&p if by post).

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North Downs Way

This National Trail along the chalk ridge south of London just grazes the Greater London boundary near Bromley. The Thames Down Link connects it with Kingston, and interconnects with the Chessington Circular Walk. For more details, click here.

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Socratic Trail

A route from the southern edge of London, at Old Coulsdon, to Brighton. For more details, click here.

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Surrey Canal Path

Peckham to Camberwell Road 2km/1.5 miles

An easy walk through this extensive south London park, following the route of the old Surrey Canal, since filled-in.

Fully accessible.

No connecting paths

Highway Authority Southwark

  • Peckham Park Walk. Free route card from Southwark Park Rangers.

Maps and more paths | Walking in London | Information Index

Thames Path

Along the entire south bank of the Thames from Hampton Court to Erith. For more details, click here.

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Vanguard Way

From East Croydon to Addington and Selsdon Wood, heading for Ashdown Forest and the south coast. The Wandle Trail connects at East Croydon to link along the river Wandle via Morden to the Thames at Wandsworth. For more details, click here.

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Walk the Bid

See under South London: Walk the Bid

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Waterlink Way

Greenwich to South Norwood 14.5km/9 miles

A path along the valleys of the river Ravensbourne from its confluence with the Thames at Greenwich to Catford, then along its tributary the Poole towards Croydon. A multi-user path that forms part of National Cycle Network route 21 from London to the South Coast, it is mainly off-road and easy to follow on the ground.

Along surfaced paths and pavements and generally fully accessible. Contact Highway Authorities for details. 

Connects with Capital RING, Green Chain Walk, Greenwich Millennium Heritage Trails, Lea Valley Walk (via foot tunnel and unofficial link), Thames Path

Highway Authorities Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham

Parks and countryside Royal Parks, South London Parks (South Norwood Country Park)

  • Downs & Weald Cycle Route, ISBN 1 901389 25 1. Sustrans, £5.99.
    1:100 000-scale foldout map of the cycle route. Not ideal for urban walkers but gives an outline of the route which can be used in conjunction with a street atlas to find your way.
  • Walking in Lewisham, map of walking routes from Lewisham Council.
  • The route is also shown on cycle maps issued by the highway authorities.

Maps and more paths | Walking in London | Information Index