The Southbank Stroll

Southbank view OXO Tower Walkie Talkie Blackfriars Station — Instagram @southbank_london

Distance: 2 miles (45 mins + stops)

Starts: Southbank Centre

Ends: Tower of London

The walk: This might be a short walk, but you can string it out almost endlessly. Snoop around the Southbank Centre before you start – there’s likely to be an exhibition or performance you can drop into for a splash of culture. Or just take the singing lift up to the top of the Royal Festival Hall – it’s the cutest little 5-min adventure and the view is gorgeous.

Gawp at St Paul’s Cathedral from Millennium Bridge, poke your head into the Tate Modern, grab a coffee at the Globe and press on to London Bridge when you’re ready. Gaze up from the foot of London’s tallest building and even head up to Level 72 for an unmatched view from The Shard’s sky-deck. Stop by City Hall and see if there’s anything on at open-air amphitheatre The Scoop, before heading over Tower Bridge, stopping in at the towers as you go. Finish up at the fairytale Tower of London, a pristine piece of history.

The pubs: There’s lots of spots to pull you in along this route, but here are some of our favourites. Kick off with a drink in the scenic Southbank Centre Roof Garden or a spot of people-watching at the tables outside The Understudy, the bar beneath the National Theatre.

Paradiso Burger and Cocktail Bar is on your way and has outdoor and indoor seating, sumptuous nibbles and sweet cocktails for a quick tipple. Finally, not exactly a pub, but if you line up your arrival with sunset, head up to the terrace at citizenM hotel for a breathtaking sundowner.

The Regent’s Canal Route

Distance: 9-mile whopper (3-4 hrs), but can be shortened

Starts: Limehouse Basin

Ends: Little Venice, Paddington

The walk: If you like canals half as much as we do, then you’ll need no further persuasion on this one. This canal, built in the early 19th century, cuts a path along Mile End and Victoria Park, past Bethnal Green towards Islington, through the centre of Camden, along the foot of Primrose Hill and beside Regent’s Park before finishing up at delightfully and aptly named Little Venice.

Particular sights to look out for include the ecology ponds in Mile End Park, the London Canal Museum (really gets you in the mood at the halfway point!), Camley Street Natural Park and the pass under Primrose Hill opposite London Zoo. It’s hard to believe you’re in the centre of the capital. If possible, you’re best off on a weekday as it can get busy with runners and cyclists.

The pubs: The Grapes in Limehouse is one of the few buildings in the East End that came through the Blitz unscathed, and its story begins as far back as 1583. Dickens was a regular and Conan Doyle and Wilde both wrote about it – whatever they saw in the place, it’s gotta be worth seeing.

Amongst the many other spots to nip off the path for refreshments, we recommend the wonderful balcony over the canal at The Narrowboat, or The Constitution with its retractable roof. Or save the drinks for the finish at The Bridge House in Little Venice. Bonus points is you’re there on a Sunday – be sure to stop in at the market in Victoria Park.

The New River Path

Chapel Market Islington — Instagram @islington_london

Distance: 6 miles (2 hrs)

Starts: Bowes Park

Ends: Islington

The walk: This walk follows the path of a 17th century aqueduct built to carry water from Hertfordshire into the centre of London. The water appears and disappears underground at intervals, but if you hug it you’ll pass through some gorgeous spots, starting at Wood Green Tunnel, passing some colossal 1900s mansions in Finsbury and heading through hipster hangout Clissold Park. Just be aware that the Islington end can get busy around the Emirates Stadium when Arsenal are playing.

The pubs: A small diversion from the route will land you at the Three Crowns Inn, a popular Stoke Newington gastropub paradise and live music spot. Or if you’re looking to get out of the thoroughfare, finish up in Islington with some Italian fare in quirky pub-cum-restaurant The Compton Arms.

Thames Path to Hampton Court Palace

Distance: 8 miles (3 hrs)

Starts: Twickenham Bridge

Ends: Hampton Court Palace

The walk: Not all that far out of ‘London proper’, this walk takes you through suburban paradise. Wind along the Thames the whole way, stopping in at Michael Palin’s Puppet Theatre Barge (he might just be there!) and Ham House and Gardens to get your National Trust fix (though you might want to save yourself for the big one at the end).

You’ll pass the ‘half-mile tree’, a 500-year-old tree marking half-a-mile to Teddington Lock. There’s nothing all that monumental along the way – just lots of green space, fresh air and rowers to watch as they speed by. But Hampton Court Palace will hopefully make up for that – and some.

The pubs: Start off at the famous White Cross in Richmond, ‘the pub that floods’. If you get your high tide prediction right, you’ll have the Thames lapping at your feet in the pub garden itself. And in the interests of avoiding Soggy Stilettos, they’ve got wellies for everyone.

Locals love The Anglers pub (just across the footbridge) in Teddington Lock, which should be just about perfect timing for a half-time tipple. Time your arrival at the palace around 5pm and finish up with two-for-one cocktails at The Six Restaurant, Kings Arms Hotel (Mon-Thu only).

The great and the gritty: sunny South London

Distance: 5 miles (2 hrs)

Starts: Dulwich Park

Ends: Nunhead Cemetery

The walk: OK, walk with me here. A posh park, two jaw-dropping cemeteries and the most popular pub in London. All in an afternoon’s work. Start with a loop of chichi Dulwich Park, keeping to the outside or following smaller paths into the hidden parts of the park to get away from the toy poodles and the Gail’s coffees. Come out onto Lordship Lane via Firemans Alley and head up Overhill Road to Camberwell Old Cemetery.

Don’t wear yourself out there, though – the Camberwell New Cemetery is just round the corner with strong views over the city. Famous graves to snoop for include WWII singer Anne Shelton, boxing world champ Freddie Mills and East End gangster George Cornell! Turn right out the way you came in, then left onto Brockley Way which will take you to Nunhead Cemetery. This one’s the real beauty. Take your time wandering through the hidden paths before nipping to Skehans Irish Pub for your reward.

The pub: Skehans Irish Pub is well worth the trip down South. Self-proclaimed ‘Purveyors of Craic’, walking into Skehans feels like stepping into a Dublin City brewery. Yes, it’s a little different to the rest of the gastro-offerings here, but it’s well worth seeing. Go with friends or make them while you’re there (or both), sit in the hidden garden out back on warm days or by the fire on cold. Time it right and you’ll catch one of the Irish trad bands that pass through regularly. Another good option is The Waverley Arms – and its Sunday roast gets rave reviews.

Hampstead Heath Circular

Hampstead Heath views of London — Instagram @hellonorthlondon

Distance: 5 miles (or shorter)

Starts and ends: The Wells Tavern

The walk: It’s a no-brainer. Hampstead Heath need not be gate-kept by those that live there, and any Londoner who hasn’t got the most out of this glorious space is missing out. You can pick your ideal route, but we’d recommend you include all possible ponds, Parliament Hill and Kenwood House.

If you’ve gone that far, you might as well reward yourself with a drink at the Spaniard’s Inn. Get talking to the landlord and ask for a brief history of the pub. You’ll soon learn there’s no such thing – this tavern is laden with stories dating back to 1585.

The pub: The Wells has long been leading the way for gastropubs across the city, and many locals swear by it as the best pub in London. The location, the building, the vibe, the food – it has it all. It’s particularly renowned for consistently killer seasonal crumbles, if the spirit moves you.

Social stroll! 6 lovely pubs walks across the capital

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