The Thames meanders through London and divides the city in two, and not only is this famous waterway a great route to see the capital from a boat, but it also provides a range of great walking routes.
These routes along the Thames are amongst the best walks in London, taking you from busy hubs like the Southbank, past popular attractions like Tower Bridge and the London Eye, and through some of the most scenic boroughs in the city.
For some of the best walks along the Thames in London, check out this blog.
1. London Bridge to Greenwich
The Thames Path has many great routes for a hike, with one of the most popular being the walk from London Bridge to Greenwich.
Starting in central London, you’ll be able to explore the area around the Southbank, such as Borough Market where you can get great food.
In this part of the capital, you’ll also be able to get great views and pictures of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and HMS Belfast.
Boroughs along the route
This walk takes you through two London Boroughs – Bermondsey and Rotherhithe – which are generally less travelled but full of interesting things to see.
In Bermondsey, you’ll pass through old Dickensian wharves and past old pubs like The Angel. Then, as you head across Rotherhithe, you can get a fantastic view of London from Stave Hill.
Finishing in Greenwich
Not only does the route make this an interesting Thames walks in London, it also ends in one of the most beautiful areas of London – Greenwich.
With the famous Cutty Sark and the Greenwich Observatory attracting tourists all year round, you can spend hours around here.
There are also many great places to eat or get a drink at the end of your walk. Plus, you can cross the river using the Greenwich Foot Tunnel and head to Canary Wharf or back along the north bank, making it one of the best Thames Path circular walks.
2. Greenwich to Woolwich
The Greenwich to Woolwich walk is a great way to extend the route from London Bridge, and it’s a great way to explore further east along the river.
Greenwich is a great place to start a walk – if you have time, there are many places for breakfast for an early start to the day or a lunch for a more leisurely beginning.
Across Greenwich Peninsula and past the Thames Barrier
The first half of the walk involves heading through the Greenwich Peninsula. You have the choice of going around it, where you can see the O2 arena, or cutting across it.
Further along the river you can follow a quiet stretch of the Thames Path all the way past the Thames Barrier. This iconic landmark is always impressive to see in person, and at sunset especially you can get some great pictures of it.
Into Woolwich
The final part of the walk takes you into Woolwich, where you can explore the shops along its bustling high street.
You can also hop on a Thames Clipper to head back west along the river, or take a train for an alternative route back into central London.
3. Blackfriars to Battersea
Another one of the best walks along the Thames in London is heading west from the centre of the city from the Blackfriars to Battersea.
Blackfriars station has plenty of train links so it’s a great place to start out your walk, or you can join the route from any area around the Southbank.
Sights along the route
The walk takes you past the Southbank centre and along some of the busiest sections of the Thames, with the many sights and landmarks making it popular with tourists.
You’ll pass right under the London Eye and get brilliant views of the Houses of Parliament across the other side of the river.
Exploring Battersea
At the end of the walk, you can see the impressive Battersea Power Station and take a look at the many shops inside. There are also numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants for a relaxing drink or tasty meal.
Continue walking a little further along the river and you can also discover the many things to do in Battersea Park, from playing mini golf to strolling around the many different gardens.
