The Great London Fandango: Tower Hill to Paddington, 8.3 miles, easy/moderate

When:
September 21, 2024 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
2024-09-21T11:00:00+01:00
2024-09-21T15:00:00+01:00
Where:
Sundial outside Tower Hill tube station
Trinity Square
London EC3N 4DJ
UK
Contact:
Michael

This urban walk will take us through Central London along the River Thames as well as through Hyde Park.

Advance booking is not required, but if you plan on attending this walk, please indicate this on Meetup if you can, so others can see that there will be plenty of people going.

Pace: medium.


Walk details

This urban walk will take us past several of London’s iconic landmarks alongside the River Thames, which has been a focal point of trade and tourism since the Romans. Starting at Tower Hill station, we’ll walk around the Tower of London towards Tower Bridge, where after crossing the Thames, we’ll then turn right to walk alongside HMS Belfast and Hays Galleria. From here, we’ll zig-zag across the Thames on London, Millennium, Blackfriars, Hungerford and Westminster Bridges, during which we’ll see the likes of The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, the OXO Tower and the London Eye. Once in Parliament Square, we’ll walk away from the Thames to walk towards Victoria station via Westminster Abbey and Cathedral, and then we’ll pass Grosvenor Gardens to head towards Hyde Park Corner. At this point, we’ll walk into Hyde Park and turn left onto one of the footpaths towards The Albert Memorial, which overlooks the Royal Albert Hall. Here, we’ll then walk through Hyde Park towards Lancaster Gate Tube station, where we rejoin the roads to take us back to Paddington station.

For those who want to have a pint at the end, we’ll be stopping at the Pride of Paddington pub, which is just opposite Paddington station. For those who only want to do part of this walk, there’ll also be an optional drop out point at Parliament Square, which is served by Westminster Tube station. If you do choose to drop out here, this station sees a regular Tube service back to Paddington station.

Although this walk is on paved paths and pavements, it’s recommended that you wear comfortable footwear to fully enjoy this walk.

Travel details

By public transport

As this walk starts at a Tube station, more time is needed to travel into London. Because of this, the recommended train from Reading is the 09:50 GWR service that arrives at Paddington at 10:13. From here, you get an anti-clockwise Circle line service (Circle and District line platforms) towards Tower Hill Tube station, which should get you there by 10:50.

By car

As this walk is in central London, it’s strongly recommended that you don’t drive into London, especially with the cost of parking and ULEZ.

Notes

  • Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
  • Please feel free to contact the leader with queries about the walk, or if you are delayed on the day.