The Insider's Guide to Walking in London! Free Ebook

FREE Insider's Guide to Walking in London

London Hiker has gathered walking ideas from 21 blogging Londoners in a FREE Ebook! Go and grab your copy on  http://www.londonhiker.com/guide and spread the word!

London Hiker is the creator of this ebook and the hiker behind www.londonhiker.com which aims to help and inspire Londoners and visitors to the UK to get their boots on the hills.

Seven Magnificent Walks: Overview

Introduction

Highgate West Cemetery

When I moved to London, I got charmed by the organic growth of Highgate Cemetery. I only know cemeteries organised in dam patterns where there is no room for old graves or natural development. Walking past the old graves, you wonder about the stories behind them and what London life in the 19th century must have been like. As walking is my passion, I got inspired to create a walk connecting the Magnificent Seven Cemeteries.

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful Victorian landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowding of local parish cemeteries. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful hidden gardens, some of them are classified nature reserves.

The seven walks span a total of 82 kilometres or 51 miles and partially follow other trails such as the Capital Ring Walk and the New River Path. The walks are available via the MapMyRun tool on my blog or you can download the PDF on your phone, so you can access the routes even when offline.

The Magnificent Seven Part VII: Tower Hamlets to Nunhead Cemetery (14km or 9mi)

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Map and Directions (Download the PDF to your phone to access the map offline)

Introduction

Wapping

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves. This walk is the seventh and last in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.

The walk start at Tower Hamlets Cemetery and ends at Nunhead, following the Lea Navigation to Limehouse Basin and following the Thames Path across the Tower Bridge. Tower Hamlets Cemetery is a nature reserve, described as an ‘urban woodland’. Nunhead cemetery has its own charm, located on a hill it offers panoramic views of the city. Walk Westwards to the top of the hill to sit down and take in the view of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Commute Walk: Covent Garden to Shoreditch (5km or 3mi)

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Map and Directions (Download PDF)

Introduction

the Old Kings Head - Scrutton Street

I used to work near Covent Garden and would head out to Shoreditch for a beer after work every now and then. The first times, I walked via Theobalds Road and Clerkenwell Road which are very traffic heavy and boring roads until I found a pleasant and alternative way passing beautiful historic sites and hidden residential courts. This walk might be done as a scenic or a commute walk. Gray’s Inn Gardens however might not be accessible during bank holidays. Things to see along the way are the Freemason's Hall, Lincoln's Inn Fields, Gray's Inn Gardens, Brooke Court, Leather Lane, Farringdon, St John's Lane, Smithfield Market, the Charter House, the Barbican and Bunhill Fields cemetery. The walk takes you via Leonard Street and Scrutton Street where a refreshment can be found at the Griffin or The Old Kings' Head. Enjoy!

The Magnificent Seven Part VI: Abney Park Cemetery to Tower Hamlets Cemetery (11km or 7mi)

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Introduction

Mile End

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves.

This walk is the sixth in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.

This walk starts at Abney Park Cemetery and follows the new River Path and Regents Canal to Tower Hamlets Cemetery. There are many cosy cafes along Church Street in Stoke Newington and along Regent’s Canal. Toilet facilities can be found in Clissold Park and Victoria Park. For more info about the New River Path, please check out my blog about the New River Path.

Commute Run/Cycle/Walk: Hammersmith to Green Park (7km or 4.2mi)

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Introduction

Lovely way to start the day! Hyde Park

Every working day, I commute 40 minutes on the Piccadilly Line from North London all the way up to Hammersmith in West London. I was getting so bored of it, that I tied my walking into my commute and reduced my tube journey by skipping the Green Park – Hammersmith bit and trade the Piccadilly Line for the Victoria Line.

I’m not keen on cycling in London but to reduce my walking journey and make my walk a daily achievable goal, I rent a Barclay Bike in Green Park and then cycle through Hyde Park (which is already half the distance) and then walk/run the bit between Kensington and Hammersmith.

When I feel like shopping, I just pass through Kensington High Street on my way to Hyde Park, lovely!

The Magnificent Seven Part V: Highgate to Abney Park Cemetery (9km or 5.6mi)

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Introduction

Church in Abney Park Cemetery

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves. This walk is the fifth in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page. 

This walk starts at Highgate Cemetery and ends at Abney Park Cemetery. The walk mainly follows the Capital Ring Walk via Parkland Walk and the New River Path. There are not many food opportunities along the way except at the beginning and the end of the walk.  

Highgate West Cemetery is only accessible via a guided tour but it is the most beautiful of them all and definitely worth a visit. If you gather around the gate at the hour, a guide will be waiting for you to take you on a one hour tour for around £7. This walk is rather short and should give you enough time to visit the West Cemetery before the walk. Those who would like to admire the grave of Karl Marx, need to head to Highgate East Cemetery, accessible for an entrance fee of £3. 

2 short running routes in Hammersmith of 3.5km or 2.2mi

Hammersmith Bridge

West London is ideal for commute runs, as it has very broad pavements on the main roads and many quiet side roads, which give you some space as a runner without hampering other people.  Find below 2 winter routes of 3.5km or 2.2mi that can be done as well before as after sunset, one in Hammersmith and one route from Gloucester Road to Hammersmith.

The Magnificent Seven Part IV: Kensal Green to Highgate Cemetery (14km or 8.7mi)

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Introduction

Highgate West Cemetery

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves.

This walk is the fourth in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.

This walk starts at Kensal Green Cemetery and ends at Highgate Cemetery. The walk mainly follows the tow paths of Paddington Branch and Regent’s Canal and diverts to Primrose Hill and Hampstead just before passing the London Zoo on Regent’s Canal. I really enjoyed walking through Hampstead. Just like Highgate and Muswell Hill, it feels like being out of the city, in a cosy little town.

Highgate West Cemetery is only accessible via a guided tour but it is the most beautiful of them all and definitely worth a visit. If you gather around the gate at the hour, a guide will be waiting for you to take you on a one hour tour for around £7. The next walk, Highgate to Abney Park is considerably shorter (9km or 5.6mi) and should give you enough time to visit the West Cemetery before the walk. Those who would like to admire the grave of Karl Marx, need to head to Highgate East Cemetery, accessible for an entrance fee of £3.

New River Path Part I (8.6km or 5.3mi)

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Introduction

East and West Water Reservoirs, Stoke Newington

The New River is actually not a river but a water supply aqueduct, bringing drinking water from Hertfordshire to North London for the last 400 years. In the London area, large parts have been piped and covered but you can still follow the trail of the river and find yourself between beautiful secret gardens. Today the New River feeds the East Water Reservoir in Stoke Newington but originally the aqueduct’s main destination was the River Head where the new river ended in a round water pond surrounded by engines and pumps to distribute the water across the City. The New River Head is located at Amwell Street, near Angel, and nowadays houses the headquarters of the Metropolitan Water Board. Most of the path is signposted and the total length of the walk is 45 km or 28mi. The PDF of the walk can also be download via the website of Shelford. This walk is also a perfect commute walk from Angel to Stoke Newington.

Circular Walk: Finsbury Park - Alexandra Palace - Queen's Wood - Parkland Walk (14km or 9mi)

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Introduction

Queen's Wood Cafe

When you combine the New River Path, The Capital Ring Walk and Parkland Walk, you get a beautiful circular walk from Finsbury Park, passing Alexandra Palace, Highgate Wood, Queen’s Wood and following Parkland Walk. The climb up to Alexandra Palace is so rewarding when you see the panoramic view across East/Central London. The best places to stop along the way are Muswell Hill or for a heartwarming soup, I would suggest you head to the cosy cafe in the middle of the woods, Queen’s Wood.

The Magnificent Seven Part III: Brompton to Kensal Green (11km or 7mi)

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Download Map and Directions of The Magnificent Seven (Part 3): Brompton to Kensal Green

Introduction

Frederick Leyland was one of the largest ship 

owners at the end of the 19th century, 

Brompton Cemetery

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves.

This walk is the third in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.

This walk is the third part in a series of seven, an ambitious plan to connect the Magnificent Seven. The walk starts at Brompton Cemetery and ends at Kensal Green Cemetery. Mainly following the roads, it leads you from West London to North West London and shows the transformation of West London from a very affluent area with parks only accessible to local residents into a rather industrial in which we will find the Paddington Branch.

The Magnificent Seven Part II: West Norwood to Brompton (16km or 10mi)

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Download Map and Directions of The Magnificent Seven (Part 2): West Norwood to Brompton

Introduction

Albert Bridge: I was lucky as the lights just turned on at 4pm

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves.

This walk is the second in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page.



This walk starts at West Norwood Cemetery and ends at Brompton Cemetery. This is a rather lengthy walk and in autumn and winter times, it might be muddy, so appropriate shoes are required. For me, the best parts of this walk were West Norwood Cemetery, Battersea Park and Albert Bridge. A rather lengthy part of this walk is on the streets. If you want to avoid the road part of this route and shortcut the route to a 5km walk, I would recommend visiting the cemetery at West Norwood and taking the train from West Norwood to Battersea Park Rail Station.

The Magnificent Seven Part I: Nunhead to West Norwood (12.6km or 6.2mi)

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Download Map and Directions of the Magnificent Seven Part I (Nunhead to Norwood)

Introduction

Horniman Gardens

The Magnificent Seven are seven beautiful landscaped cemeteries built between 1832 and 1840 to respond to the overcrowded local parish cemeteries and to move the associated health hazards further away from the city centre. The cemeteries are not only burial grounds but also beautiful gardens, some of them are classified as nature reserves. This walk is the first in a series of seven magnificent walks, connecting the magnificent seven cemeteries. For an overview of the seven walks, highlights an tips, please visit the overview page. The walk starts at Nunhead Cemetery and mainly follows the Green Chain Walk up until Dulwich Woods to then divert towards West Norwood Cemetery. Nunhead Cemetery has good sign postage along the way. On its website, you can also find an overview of common Victorian grave symbols.

London Wall / City Walk (10km or 6mi)

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Introduction
If you don’t work in the City,  it becomes a place you don't frequent that often. At least, that was the case for me and so I decided it was time to rediscover the square mile. During the weekend, it’s all quiet and perfect to explore a bit more of its past and present. If you want to experience the hustle and bustle of the square mile, weekdays are more suitable. Walking down the little alleyways, you can easily imagine how quickly the Great Fire must have spread. Although, there is a story to tell about every square inch of it, this is not an attempt to make a historic account of the City. I listed a few points I found interesting and added links for those who want to find out more.  If you are looking for more information, I would advise to book a guided tour walk, take a break at the  Museum of London or read Peter Ackroyd's book, London The Biography.

Download Map of the London Wall / City Walk 

The Blackfriars, start and end of the walk

Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington (Practical, 7.5km or 4.6mi)

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Introduction

Waiting in Line? @Abney Park

I believe keeping fit is easy if you are practical about it. Replacing your bus or tube journey by a walk, is a simple solution. It saves you money, you get to know and enjoy the area around you better and it doesn't cost you that much more time. All you need is some proper shoes (and waterproofs!).

I posted a scenic walk from Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington, via the water reservoirs. This post shows a quicker and practical version of the walk for those living in Finsbury Park and up for some Sunday grocery shopping at Church Street in Stoke Newington. The length of this walk is 3.75km (2.3mi) or 7.5km (4.6mi) for the return journey. If you get there and you're tired, just jump on the 106 back to Finsbury Park.

Finsbury Park to Stoke Newington (Scenic, 6.5km or 4mi)

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Introduction
This walk starts from Finsbury Park Station and ends at Stoke Newington. Interesting places along the way are the Water Reservoirs, the Climbing Castle, Clissold Park and Abney Park Cemetery. It is part of the New River Path and the Capital Ring Walk. The new river path isn't actually a river but a water supply aqueduct, running from Hertfordshire to the East and West Reservoir. The entire path is 28 miles long.

Scrumpy lovers can make a stop halfway at the Brownswood Bar and Diner (just after the climbing castle). The journey ends at Church Street, providing many breakfast and lunch opportunities, and Abney Park Cemetery, one of the magnificent seven garden cemeteries of London.

Getting there

Start: Finsbury Park Station

End: bus 106 to Finsbury Park
from the Northern exit of Abney Park Cemetery/Stoke Newington High St

Pictures

Finsbury Park

Commute Run Nag's Head to Strand (6.7km or 4mi)

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Running is becoming an increasingly popular way to commute. It's more enjoyable when you choose for quiet roads with broad pavements. I commuted twice a week from Nag's Head to Strand and so far, this is the best option I found to do it. I would love to hear your suggestions!

Good Morning York Way / King's Cross!

Waterlow Park - Highgate - Hampstead - Parkland Walk (11km or 7mi)

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Introduction

This versatile walk takes you through Highgate. The total length of the walk is 11km but there are various options to shorten the route. You can easily make it a day out by visiting Highgate Cemetery or extend your walk in Hampstead Heath. The walk starts at Lauderdale House/Waterlow Park and ends at Finsbury Park.

Waterlow Park

Tottenham Court Road to Nag's Head (6km or 3.7mi)

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                    Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

When the weather is nice, I replace my tube journey with a walk across Regent's Park and Camden Union Tow Path. If you've had enough, just catch any bus on Camden Road to get to Finsbury Park or stop at the big Sainsbury's in Camden for your shopping and jump on the 29.