8 Walks that will change how you view London’s Parks

8 Walks that will change how you view London’s Parks

Hiking in the UK’s many National Parks is great, but now that London is becoming a National Park City, have you ever thought about walks through the many fabulous London Parks? The chances are that you visited some of the biggest parks as a tourist, or maybe with your parents when you were a child, but that you have never been back since. That should change as soon as possible. We are certain that there are parts of those parks that you have never seen before – Rose Gardens, Wildflower Gardens, Boardwalks, Sunken Gardens, Mazes, Lakes and Ponds, Japanese Gardens, American Gardens.

These walks are all within the Oyster Card Zone, so no expensive journeys. They are also predominantly in South London, but we make no apology for that, as South London Parks tend to be quieter, and further away from the motorways and duel carriageways that dissect parks North of the River Thames. We are also just extremely biased. Apologies to East London. We like Victoria Park and the River Lea Valley too but just not enough.

Some of these walks use parts of the Capital Ring, a 78 mile circular walk that is, itself, predominantly through London Parks, and consists of 15 sections between Woolwich and Becton District Park: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/capital-ring 

In South London, the Capital Ring flirts with the Green Chain Walk, but there is much more to the Green Chain than that:  https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/green-chain-walk

Some of these walks are from the Inner London Ramblers Self-Guided Walks website: http://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk/ideasforwalks/self-guided-walks.html

8. Osterley Lock to Greenford

This walk is Section 8 of the Capital Ring and takes in a number of parks and green spaces in West London along the Grand Union Canal and the River Brent.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/osterley-lock-to-greenford

7. The Wandle Trail

This Trail mostly follows the River Wandle from Wandsworth to East Croydon or to Carshalton Ponds connecting a number of parks and green spaces in South West London including Merton Abbey Mills, Mordon Hall Gardens, Carew Manor, The Grove and Deen City Farm. It is part of the National Cycle Network Route 20 to Brighton.

https://wandlevalleypark.co.uk/map/

6. The Waterlink Way

The Waterlink Way connects a number of parks and green spaces in South East London while following Ravensbourne and Pool Rivers, from Deptford Creek, through Ladywell Fields and the Pool Linear Park, to Cator Park and beyond. It is now established part of the National Cycle Network Route 21 to Newhaven.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/waterlink-way

5. Brixton to Crystal Palace Park

This walk takes in Brockwell Park, Ruskin Park, Dulwich Village, Dulwich Park, Sydenham Hill Wood Nature Reserve, Dulwich Woods, Sydenham Wells Park and Crystal Palace Park. http://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk/ideasforwalks/self-guided-walks/16-brixtoncrytalpalace.html

4. Hampstead Heath Circular Walk

This circular walk takes in Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill (with best views of London), Kenwood House, Waterlow Park and Highgate Cemetery. http://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk/ideasforwalks/self-guided-walks/15-hampsteadheath.html

3. Highgate to Stoke Newington

This walk takes in the Parkland Walk, Finsbury Park, Stoke Newington Reservoirs, Clissold Park and House and Abney Park Cemetery. It is section 12 of the Capital Ring. https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/highgate-to-stoke-newington

2. Hyde Park and Holland Park

This circular walk around Kensington takes in all corners of Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Holland Park. You will discover the Kyoto Japanese Garden, Sunken Garden and Rose Garden. http://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk/ideasforwalks/self-guided-walks/20-kensington-walk.html

1. Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park

Walking across Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park you would be forgiven for forgetting that you were even in one of the world’s largest cities. This walk is Section 6 of the Capital Ring. http://content.tfl.gov.uk/capital-ring-section-six-v2.pdf However, make sure you detour from that official route to take in the Isabella Plantation within Richmond Park; an ornamental woodland garden that you will never believe can actually be free to visit.