Guide to London's loveliest walks

A popular walking route in North London is Parkland Walk, stretching between Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park. It's a nature reserve that's 3.1 miles long and attracts plenty of walkers. Along the route you'll see street art, the famous Spriggan sculpture, and the remains of a disused train station, plus lots of greenery.

Voted the nation’s favourite park, Victoria Park is also London’s oldest public park. It remains a popular place for a walk in East London. There’s plenty of green space as well as a boating lake, a Chinese pagoda on an island, and places where you can stop for refreshments.

Spanning 800 acres in North London, Hampstead Heath offers tons of potential for a walk. The Hampstead Heath Circular Walk is particularly popular. Starting and ending at Hampstead station, you’ll see many of the main sites like Parliament Hill and Hampstead Ponds, and there are hills along the way if you fancy a challenge.

Head to West London for a canalside stroll around Little Venice. This is an idyllic part of city with lots of great photo opportunities. You’ll also see unique cafés and shops housed on barges. You can extend your walk along the canal to other parts of the city if you wish.

Enjoy a walk in nature without leaving London at Walthamstow Wetlands. This 211 hectare site is a nature reserve of international importance and has a reservoir. There’s plenty of space for walking around amongst thriving wildlife and you can finish off your trip by visiting the café and shop on-site.

There’s lots to appreciate on a walk around Hyde Park. This vast space has plenty of places for walking. Wandering along the Serpentine is a popular choice, especially if you’re keen on birds and wildlife. You’ll see plenty of species, including London’s green ring-necked parakeets. Other sights include the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

Long-distance trail the Thames Path covers 79.5 miles of ground alongside the River Thames. Depending on which sights you’re most interested in, you can follow on either of the river’s banks. If you don’t want to go the whole distance you can choose a section, from floodplains in Richmond to world-famous sights in Central London.

Go on a walk with a difference through Highgate Cemetery. Choose a self-guided or guided tour and explore the natural surroundings whilst also seeing the resting places of many famous individuals, most notably Karl Marx. The history, architecture, and atmosphere make this a fascinating place for a stroll.

Opposite the Tower of London there's a surviving part of the London Wall, dating back to ancient times. You can follow the wall's course with a walk devised by the Museum of London in 1984. History buffs can uncover what was once the city's boundary and dive into the capital's past.

Built for the 2012 Olympics, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a spacious urban park with a variety of facilities. You're free to walk around the grounds but can also follow the Art in the Park walking trail if you prefer. You'll discover more than 20 contemporary artworks that are permanently part of the landscape here.

You'll find Waterlow Park between Archway and Highgate. It's an elegant space for a stroll, with green lawns, orchards, a nature reserve, and its own kitchen garden. There's a café on-site if you need a rest at the end of your walk. You'll see manicured surroundings and attractive landscapes throughout.

The Green Chain Walk spans more than 50 miles across South London between Thamesmead and Nunhead Cemetery. It’s divided into 11 sections so you don’t have to tackle the whole thing. The route certainly isn’t straight – it’s a meandering trail that includes spots like the Thames Barrier, Severndroog Castle, and Eltham Palace.

Regent’s Canal extends across London, connecting areas like Paddington, Camden Town, Islington, and Bethnal Green. The entire route is popular with walkers – you’ll get attractive canal views and see boats peacefully cruising along and you can make your walk as long or as short as you’d like it to be.

Wander through over 1,000 acres of open land on Wimbledon and Putney Commons. This space in South West London is ideal for walkers and cyclists, plus it has dedicated routes for horse riders. If you want to get close to nature, the nature reserve here is a great spot.

Take a riverside walk in a buzzy part of the city by wandering along the South Bank. Not only will you get great views of the Thames, you'll see famous landmarks like the London Eye and Big Ben. Along the route you'll notice plenty of street performers plus a variety of shops, eateries, and attractions.

Follow the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk to see notable sites from Princess Diana's life. The whole walk is seven miles long, denoted by 90 plaques along the route. As well as seeing Central London landmarks like Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace, you'll walk through four of the capital's Royal Parks.

In South West London you can follow the Wandle Trail either on foot or by bike. This walk follows the path of the River Wandle and stretches for 12.5 miles. Walking between Croydon and Wandsworth, you'll pass through Morden Hall Park as well as many other sites brimming with nature.

If you love flowers and plants than a walk through Kew Gardens is sure to delight you. Discover gorgeous spaces filled with trees and plants at these botanical gardens, take photos along the way, and visit the Princess of Wales Conservatory with amazing ecosystems in ten temperature-controlled zones.

Explore ten hectares of new and ancient woodland with a visit to Sydenham Hill Wood. As you wander the area you'll find follies and ornamental footbridges, as well as heaps of wildlife. Fungi, insects, birds, mammals, and plant life all thrive in this location. There's also a registered bat roost here.

The Lea Valley Walk offers a great walking challenge – this riverside path stretches for 50 miles between Luton and East London. Of course you don’t have to walk the entire thing. There are various sections that you might choose to follow instead, seeing sights like Canary Wharf, Bow Creek Ecology Park, and Enfield Lock.

Battersea Park is a riverside outdoor space that’s a scenic place for a walk. As well as plenty of green space, you’ll see cherry trees that blossom in spring and a monumental Buddhist Peace Pagoda. If you fancy some culture along your walk, the park is also home to a contemporary art gallery.

Set just off Piccadilly, Green Park is a spacious green area that’s great for a stroll. You can wander the lush grounds or rent out a deckchair if you need a rest. Alternatively, head through the park to come to Buckingham Palace, the home of the British monarchy.

In North London you can explore ancient woodland in Highgate Wood. This outdoor space spans 28 hectares and is a peaceful retreat for many Londoners. In addition to natural woodland, there are facilities like a playground and sports grounds. These woods are also a hotspot for wildlife to thrive.

Escape Central London with a walk in Richmond Park, which is famed for its wildlife including deer. You can see the best of it by following a circular route called the Tamsin Trail. It’s almost totally car-free and great for families. You can begin the trail from a number of the park’s entrances.

For the ultimate tranquil walk in London, head to the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. Gifted to the city by the Chamber of Commerce of Kyoto in 1991, it’s a traditional Japanese landscaped garden complete with water features, koi ponds, and free-roaming peacocks. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported far from the city.

The Line is the ideal walk for art lovers. Connecting Greenwich and Stratford, this is a contemporary art trail with works by renowned artists like Madge Gill and Antony Gormley. The whole walk takes about three hours and guides you around waterways. You can also follow just a section.

Completed in 2012 for Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the Jubilee Greenway is a modern trail. This is a great option for walking in the heart of London, passing spots like Regent’s Park and HMS Belfast. It links major sites of the 2012 Olympics and is 60km long – 1km for each year of the Queen’s reign.

Riverside space Morden Hall Park is a National Trust park in South London. Covering 51 acres, the River Wandle splits into numerous channels around the park, which you can cross via elegant footbridges. The space also includes meadows, wetland habitat, and a rose garden, plus other handy facilities for visitors.

Arguably one of the city’s most picturesque areas, Greenwich is the ideal location for a riverside stroll. Along the way, you can take in sights like the Cutty Sark, Old Naval College, and Greenwich Park. You can extend your walk even further if you like, walking through the park to Blackheath Village.

The varied setting of Stephens House and Grounds includes lots to occupy you on a walk in the park. Across the extensive grounds you'll find landscaped gardens, ponds, nature reserves, play areas, and a bat colony. You can also admire the architecture of the Grade I-listed house, which opens for special events.

Epping Forest, a magnificent expanse of ancient woodland, covers an area of just over 6,000 acres, extending from East London to Essex. This forest serves as a vital haven for wildlife and provides a serene retreat for individuals seeking to connect with nature. Paths run throughout the forest, letting you wander about in peace and take in the foliage.