Recreational Route (in development): London
Circular around inner London via Woolwich and Richmond 115km/72 miles EASY
A true urban walk offering a fascinating journey through London's parks, riversides, streets and woodland, in a large loop around inner London that crosses the Thames at Woolwich and Richmond. The route visits many of London's most fascinating places including Oxlease Woods, Crystal Palace Park, Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Syon Park, the Brent River Park, Harrow on the Hill, Highgate Woods, Finsbury Park, Hackney Marshes and the Royal Victoria Docks.
The Ring was one of the flagship projects of the London Walking Forum and local Ramblers volunteers. The first sections opened in 1999 and the whole of the route was completed in September 2005. The route is now supported by Transport for London as a strategic route.
The Parkland Walk largely follows an old railway line between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace that has been turned into a linear park, with a section through Highgate Woods. The total length of the route is 7km/4.5 miles, and it is used by the Capital RING from Highgate Woods to Finsbury Park. For more information contact Haringey Council.
The Greenway is a multi-user path from Bow to Beckton, running for 8km/5 miles along a sweet-smelling green swathe that follows a Victorian sewer. The Capital RING follows it for almost its entire route. There is no separate publication for the Greenway but it is easy to find on the ground and on maps.
The Brent River Park walk follows the river Brent through a chain of parks from Hanger Lane to Brentford, and is used by the RING throughout its route.
Update. Explore the sites that will house to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 using parts of the Ring. See Walk the Bid for more.
Adopted by the Greater London Authority as a strategic walking route
Some easy-access sections, including along the Greenway (RADAR key may be needed). See leaflets listed below or contact borough councils for details.
Connects with
Highway Authorities
Parks and countryside
Tourist Information Centres
There are TICs at Greenwich, Harrow, Lewisham and Richmond and a number in central London. Click here for a list.
Public transport
All the route is within easy reach of frequent public transport, with suburban National Rail, Underground, bus and river services. It is entirely within the London zonal fares boundary, with Travelcards and other multi-modal passes valid on all but river services. For more on public transport in London, click here.
Maps
161,
162,
173,
174 Landranger maps 176, 177
The route will be marked on the future editions of these maps. Local street atlases may be more useful in built-up areas. See Walking in London: Maps.
Publications
- Capital Ring by Colin Saunders, ISBN 1 85410 894 8. Aurum Press £12.99.
Official guide with OS 1:25 000 map extracts: Order here! - Walk the Capital Ring, free leaflets dividing the route into 14 sections with map, route description and transport information. Order from Transport for London walking leaflet order service.
- Cycling and Walking in Haringey. Foldout map, free from Haringey Council Transport Planning, including the full route of the Parkland Walk. Some other information may be available.
- Brent River Park Walk. Leaflet in West London Waterway Walks pack: click here for details.
Contacts
