Best Walking Route in London
It can be difficult to plan the best walking route in London. Some follow the South Bank of the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. Others walk through central London, passing the London Eye, Tate Modern, the Millennium Footbridge, Southwark Cathedral, and Shakespeare's Globe without ever needing to take the tube.
The best way to plan a walking route through London is by using a smart interactive map like the one you find in the StoryHunt app. It makes it easy to get an overview of the top attractions and how to see them in one go.
Open the interactive map, set Westminster Bridge as your starting point, and follow the route at your own pace with all the key stops marked and stories about each place ready as you walk.
What to see on London's best walking route
This stretch of the Thames Path contains so much of what makes London London: history, culture, world-famous landmarks, food, and a vibrant atmosphere all within a single continuous walk.
- Start at Westminster Bridge. The view from the bridge looking east takes in Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye in one sweep. Cross to the South Bank and head east along the river.
- Walk past the London Eye and South Bank. The South Bank is one of London's most active public spaces, with street performers, food stalls, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall along the riverside path.
- Stop at Tate Modern and the Millennium Footbridge. The Millennium Footbridge sits right alongside the Tate Modern and offers one of the best views of St Paul's Cathedral across the river. Entry to the Tate is free.
- Pass through Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral. Borough Market is the natural food stop midway through the walk, and Southwark Cathedral sits directly behind it, often missed by walkers who don't step off the riverside path.
- Finish at Tower Bridge. The walk from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge is consistently considered one of the best in the city and Tower Bridge is the natural endpoint, with views back along the whole route you've just covered.
Practical tips for walking the South Bank route
- Walk east, not west. Starting at Westminster and finishing at Tower Bridge means you have the sun behind you in the morning and the best views ahead of you throughout.
- Allow at least 2 hours. The route is around 3-4 km, but stopping at Borough Market, Tate Modern, or any of the riverside benches adds time quickly.
- Go on a weekday morning. This section gets busy from mid-morning; walking earlier means far fewer crowds on the path.
- Use the StoryHunt map to take detours. The interactive map shows nearby stops just off the main route, like Clink Street and the Golden Hinde, that most walkers miss by sticking to the riverside.
Let StoryHunt plan the best walking route in London
Rather than following a static list, the StoryHunt app adapts to where you are on the route.
The interactive map shows you all the key stops along the South Bank, lets you choose how much time you have, and adds context about each place as you arrive.
It works the same way across London's other great walking routes and in cities worldwide, so once you've used it here, you have a tool for every walk on every trip.
