I used to live in London, but I’ve been out in the Surrey Hills for the last nine years, and for me there’s no going back. I’m a country girl, not a city girl. I do, however, love how London is sprinkled with lots of green spaces and places to walk. There are so many lovely parks and trails explore! Because I wanted to share with you the more natural side of London, I called in some travel bloggers and friends to help me out.

If you’d like to combine tourism and walking, check out these top 10 best walking tours in London. And if you’re looking for some more traditional things to do during your trip to London, check out this post on how to do London in a day. That way, you can indulge in your need for outdoor adventures and still see some of the typical things you’d want to see in London.

Finally, if you’re looking for outdoor adventures near London (something you could do as a day trip, say) consider exploring Stonehenge and Bath. Or even Avebury! Or check out these fantastic walks where you can go hiking near London that you can reach by train. 

Alexandra Palace to Stoke Newington

By Adam Wells.

My London experience is an eight mile walk where you have to pinch yourself at times to remember that you’re still in North London. It begins with stunning views across the capital’s skyline at Alexandra Palace or ‘Ally Pally’ as it’s more affectionately known.

Exit at the Muswell Hill gate, to step into London’s longest, linear nature reserve, known as the Parkland Walk. Three miles, in two sections, it follows the cuttings and bridges of the disused Edgware, Highgate and London Railway line railway line that brought visitors from Finsbury Park to Alexandra Park.

Highgate Wood and Queens Wood, remnants of the Great Forest of Middlesex, divide the Parkland Walk’s north and south sections. Dense, replete with oak, hornbeam and holly wood, these ancient woods provide a real sanctuary from life’s hullabaloo.

At Queen’s Wood, follow the Capital Ring signs to reconnect to the Parkland Walk South (and onward to Stoke Newington).  Amble between old platforms, hunt out Spriggan (a sort of goblin rumoured to steal babies) between the brick railway arches, gaze at the bright, colourful graffiti that bedecks them.

Take a break in Finsbury Park, with its large boating pond, playing fields and café.

Look into the New River. Neither ‘new’ nor a ‘river’ – it is a canal built to supply fresh water to the large reservoirs at Stoke Newington.  Spot the migratory birds at Woodberry Wetlands, an 11-acre nature reserve bordering the East reservoir.

Admire the delightful Clissold Park and the 220ft spire of St Mary’s church. Designed by Sir George Gilbert it dominates Stoke Newington. Feel the distinctly London village vibe and soak up the multicultural atmosphere.

The final highlight; one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ garden cemeteries – Abney Park. Wander its grassy paths and glades. It is an eerie, yet beautiful, place with its exquisitely carved gravestones and statues.  A fitting end to a wonderful walk!

About Adam Wells

Adam Wells is a life transition coach based in London and Spain. He combines coaching with walking: a powerful method of taking life’s challenges out for a walk – so you start to leave them behind you when you come back. Learn more at https://www.adamwells.com/.

Wimbledon Common

By Emma Carmichael.

When asked where I would go in London for an outdoor adventure, my mind whirs like an old-fashioned business card wheel and multiple images flash in front of my eyes at fast shutter speed. How to choose just one place from such an array of possibilities!

After a few agitated seconds my mind settles on a landscape: Wimbledon Common. A place where, beyond the initial boundary of its pleasant urban and rather barren self, lie a multitude of doors to adventure whatever age you may be. It is an area I have returned to on so many occasions over the years to think, cry, laugh and explore (both at day and night), in all seasons and in all kinds of weather. When it’s been raining, hiking boots or better still, ‘wellies’, are a must if you plan to go off-piste to explore the intertwining narrow paths through the woods.

In summer many venture no further than the Common land around the lake armed with takeaway pizzas from Wimbledon Village High Street and cans of beer or a bottle of wine to watch the sunset. During the day, children fly kites, race around the tracks and paths on their bikes and adults lazily stretch their legs at a slow lingering pace. Look more closely and some disappear off the edge of the Common area and through a set of iron gates. Those in the know have entered the lesser-known Cannizaro Park – a world of wooded walks, rhododendron alleys and peace beyond its sloping lawns.

Others venture across the B-road that cuts through the Common and immediately the landscape changes to one of forest. Oaks, beech trees, silver birch and fir hug together in friendly alliance. There are bridleways for horse riders, cycle paths for the lycra clad two-wheeled adventurers and then there are the quiet paths through the bracken and heather carpeted woods for the walker to explore in quiet solitude.

The Windmill Café is a welcome stop for a steaming cup of tea and an egg sandwich while those looking for more of an all day adventure descend through the quiet forest, to a past flowing stream, and follows its course through the woods and out into the open. Traverse the A3 and civilisation and before you know it you’ve entered another oxygen lung of London: Richmond Park, where the adventure continues.

How to get there:

• District Line to Wimbledon –10/15-minute walk up the hill to Wimbledon Village.
• Waterloo Station and Clapham Junction to Wimbledon Rail Station – walk up the hill.

About Emma Carmichael – Podcaster & Writer

Emma is the author of DRIVING TITO: Through The Balkan Backroads with a Celebrity. She also currently hosts THE TRAVELLING THROUGH PODCAST. You can out more at https://www.travellingthrough.co.uk. You can follow Emma on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/travelling_through/.

Regents Park and Primrose Hill

By Greta Omoboni. 

If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of London, without travelling for miles out of the city, then Regents Park and Primrose Hill are the perfect spot for a little outdoor adventure.

Located in Central London, close to Euston Station and Camden Town, Regents Park is easy to reach from any part of London. In the over 160 hectares that make up Regents Park you will find plenty of activities and facilities. Whether it’s football fields, the London Zoo, Queen Mary’s Gardens or even an open air theatre, there’s a bit of everything for everyone.

Regents Park is also a beautiful park to simply walk or cycle around, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the urban green environment. Once you’re deep in the park the noise and chaos of London falls behind, and you can soak in the relaxing atmosphere.

My personal favourite is walking up to Primrose Hill, a 64-metre hill located in the northern area of Regents Park. It’s not a particularly steep hill but enough to get you sweating a little bit, and the view from the top is well worth it.

From the top of Primrose Hill you get one of the most incredible views over the London skyline. What I love about it is that you see first the green expanse of Primrose Hill and Regents Park, and then peeking over it recognisable London landmarks like the London Eye, the Shard and the BT Tower.

I love this part of London because it allows you to be outdoors and enjoy the greenery, while still showing you a beautiful part of London, sheltered from the chaos of the city.

About Greta Omboni

Greta created the London Dreaming blog to help you have an amazing time in London, regardless of whether it’s your first trip, tenth time visiting or even if you’re also a Londoner!

Epping Forest

By Heather Waring

Many people know of Richmond Park to the west of London but not quite so many know of my workplace and my play ground, the amazing Epping Forest. This green space is the largest public open space in the London area covering about 6000 acres.  You can walk for about 15 miles through the length of the forest feeling very far away from the bustling city that you can access from about 8 tube stations. It is near and yet far.

Once in the forest you are in another world, a place used by cyclists, walkers, horse riders and families who come to fly kites, visit the Forest Centre and picnic in the better weather. For me though, it brings calm and peace, slows my pace and allows me to ‘be’ in the moment. It was to Epping Forest that I turned when recovering from my burnout. It didn’t ask questions, I could wander, I could power walk, I could sit. I now use it almost daily whether to dip into with a short walk or allow myself to explore the lesser walked paths that lead to who knows where.

Having been a royal hunting ground the forest abounds with stories of the court, of Kings and Queens and then later along the time line it is Dick Turpin whose name arises. As I walk amongst the ancient oaks and beech, I wonder what they could tell us. I love to delve into the stories of the past which I use with clients to draw out their own stories.

I cannot see me ever tiring of this magical place. I walk through the seasons, connecting to their differing energies and rewarded by the gifts that each season brings. This is my escape, the place I go to create and to be inspired.

About Heather Waring

Heather Waring is a transformational coach who transforms the lives of women through the simple activity of walking so that they can rediscover and reconnect with their true self and re-ignite that spark and essence. She is a walk leader, a Camino expert, speaker, and International Best Selling Author of  How Walking Saved My Life.

She is also the founder of a campaign aiming to impact the lives of one million women through walking, whatever impact that might be. Join her at https://www.facebook.com/groups/onemillionwomenwalking/. Website: https://1millionwomenwalking.com/ 

Hyde Park

By Chantell Glenville. 

When thinking of outdoor places in London often one of the most central is often completely overlooked.

Hyde Park offers a massive outdoor space close to the shops of Oxford Street and even walking distance from Buckingham Palace. It’s connected to Kensington Gardens and just across the road from Green Park and St James’ Park meaning if you fancied a long walk through nature you could make it almost all the way from Kensington to Charing Cross walking through parks. It’s pretty incredible to be able to walk through that much nature in the centre of London.

Hyde Park itself is 350 acres and provides plenty of space to walk around, sit and have a picnic or simply take in the views. The Serpentine lake sits in the middle of it and is a great spot for watching the ducks and swans. If you’re feeling adventurous you can even take a pedalo out on the lake. I’ve never seen anyone fall in so I wouldn’t worry about ending up in the lake!

With more and more bike rental services popping up around London every day you can easily rent a bike at one end of the park to cycle around and explore the scenery on two wheels. London even has a number of electric biked available now if you don’t fancy putting in that much effort to get around the park.

If you fancy even more exploring outdoors after your trip to Hyde Park it wouldn’t take you long to head over to Holland Park where you can see the unique Kyoto Gardens, a true hidden gem in London.

About Chantell Glenville

Chantell is a travel blogger and author of two books: What Clients Really Want and Travel for your Life. You can find her at her website or on  social media.

Related reading

Read about my two adventures along England’s most popular National Trail in this second edition of my book Alone on the South Downs Way. This book contains all the blisters, sweat, and tears from my first life-changing journey—and all the joy, presence, and magic of the second one.

More than just a walking travelogue or memoirs of a walking holiday, this book contains my reflections on walking the trail, including lessons learned and practical information to help you plan your hiking adventure. It includes a suggested packing list, gear recommendations, and other useful tips, such as when to walk the trail, where to stay, and how much you’ll need to budget.

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