Best London Walks for First-Time Visitors

If you’re visiting London for the first time and want to soak in its iconic sights at your own pace, walking is one of the best ways to explore. Not only do you save on travel costs, but you get to experience the city’s atmosphere, architecture and hidden gems in a much more authentic way.

Whether you love riverside strolls, leafy parks, or energetic city streets, these are the best London Walks for First-Time Vistors tick off major landmarks without feeling rushed—and they’re all Roote Travel approved.

National Theatre, Southbank

Walk One: Southbank to Tower Bridge

Best for: Iconic views, cultural stops, street food & London’s postcard-perfect skyline

This walk along the River Thames is an absolute must for first-timers. It offers uninterrupted riverside views and passes many of London’s most famous landmarks.

Start: Westminster Station

End: Tower Bridge

Distance: ~4.3 km / 2.7 miles (about 1.5 hours leisurely walking)

📍 Key Stops:

✔ Big Ben & Houses of Parliament – Snap a photo from Westminster Bridge

✔ London Eye – Option to hop on for aerial views of the city

✔ Southbank – Street performers, food stalls, and riverside bars

✔ Tate Modern – Free entry contemporary art museum

✔ St Paul’s Cathedral – Cross Millennium Bridge to visit

✔ Shakespeare’s Globe – A reconstructed Elizabethan theatre

✔ Borough Market – Perfect lunch stop (Mon-Sat)

✔ Tower Bridge – Finish your walk at this iconic drawbridge

Travel Tip:

Want to shorten the walk? Rent a Lime e-scooter or a Santander Cycle and cruise the riverside paths with ease.

View of White Hall from St James Park

Walk Two: St James’s Park to Hyde Park

Best for: Royal sights, peaceful green spaces, shopping & people-watching

This picturesque route guides you through three of London’s most famous royal parks. Ideal for combining sightseeing with a relaxing stroll.

Start: Westminster Station

End: Marble Arch or Oxford Circus

Distance: ~4 km / 2.5 miles

📍 Key Stops:

✔ Westminster Abbey – Just before entering the park

✔ St James’s Park – Spot pelicans & views of Buckingham Palace

✔ The Mall – Grand processional road to the palace

✔ Buckingham Palace – Changing of the Guard if timed right

✔ Green Park – A quiet, tree-lined path to Hyde Park

✔ Hyde Park – Rent a deckchair by the Serpentine Lake, grab an ice cream or coffee

✔ Oxford Street – If you exit via Speaker’s Corner, you're minutes from shopping central

Bonus Option:

Turn off at Hyde Park Corner to reach Knightsbridge for Harrods or Marble Arch for Oxford Street.

St Regent's Canal

Walk Three: Little Venice to Regent’s Park (and beyond)

Best for: Canal-side tranquillity, nature, and hidden London views

This off-the-beaten-path walk along Regent’s Canal shows a quieter, greener side of London.

Start: Warwick Avenue Station

End: Regent’s Park / Camden / Angel (your choice!)

Distance:

• Little Venice to Regent’s Park: ~2.5 km

• Little Venice to Camden Market: ~5.5 km

• All the way to Angel: ~8.5 km

📍 Key Stops:

✔ Little Venice – Charming houseboats and peaceful canals

✔ Canal Towpath – A tranquil walk through north London

✔ London Zoo – Can be accessed directly from the path (ticketed)

✔ Regent’s Park – Stop at the rose gardens or rent a paddle boat

✔ Primrose Hill – Detour for panoramic views over the city

✔ Camden Market – Vibrant shopping and food stalls

✔ Angel – End your walk with coffee or drinks by the canal

Fancy a cruise?

Take a GoBoat or hop on a traditional canal boat tour from Little Venice to Camden, with commentary along the way.

Liberty Department Store, Regent Street

Walk Four: Soho, Regent Street, Oxford Street & Covent Garden Loop

Best for: Shopping, food, theatre, culture & people-watching

This inner-city walking loop packs in many of London’s most energetic neighbourhoods.

Start/End: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road

Distance: ~3 km loop

📍 Key Stops:

✔ Regent Street – Flagship stores & classic London architecture

✔ Oxford Street – Big brands and bustling crowds

✔ Soho – LGBTQ+ friendly, trendy bars & amazing global food

✔ China Town – Try bao buns or bubble tea

✔ Covent Garden – Street performers, market shopping & elegant cafes

✔ Leicester Square – Home to major cinemas & red-carpet premieres

Roote Tip:

This walk is great for evening strolls, with Soho and Covent Garden offering dozens of dining options from casual to fine dining.

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Greenwich Riverside & Royal Museums

Best for: Maritime history, panoramic views, weekend markets & riverside walks

Set on the south side of the River Thames, Greenwich is a brilliant day out—easily reached by DLR, Thames Clipper boat or Overground train. It’s a bit removed from central London, which makes it feel like a hidden gem with its own pace and charm.

Start: Cutty Sark DLR Station

End: Greenwich Park or return via boat

Distance: ~2.5–3 km (plus lots to explore off-path)

📍 Key Stops:

✔ Cutty Sark – Step aboard this legendary 19th-century tea clipper (ticketed)

✔ Greenwich Market – Independent traders, vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, and brilliant food stalls

✔ National Maritime Museum – Free to enter, with great exhibits for all ages

✔ Old Royal Naval College – Stunning architecture, including the Painted Hall (often called "Britain’s Sistine Chapel")

✔ Royal Observatory & Greenwich Park – Walk uphill through the park for views over Canary Wharf and London’s skyline, and straddle the Prime Meridian Line

Roote Tip:

For a scenic end to your day, hop on a Thames Clipper riverboat back to central London—it's included with an Oyster card or contactless payment and offers amazing views along the route.

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Final Tips for Walking in London

✔ Use Citymapper or Google Maps to map your route in real time

✔ Santander Cycles are available at most key spots—hire from £1.65

✔ Lime & Dott Scooters can be rented via their apps (must be over 18)

✔ Always carry an umbrella, just in case—it’s London, after all!

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Roote Travel: Your Way to Explore London Like a Local

At Roote Travel, we’re here to help you explore London your way. These walks help you make the most of your time—so you can tick off the must-sees while soaking up the city’s energy at your own pace. Whether you’re wandering along the Thames or losing yourself in the side streets of Soho, this city reveals its charm step by step.