5 River Walks Along The Thames Path In London

The Thames Path is a National Trail which follows the river for some 184 miles, however, this article will focus on walk routes along the London section.

Despite being right in the city, you’d be surprised at how green some parts are, and you’d be forgiven for forgetting you are still in the capital. 

I am quite fond of the River Thames. So much so, that when I was looking for a new place to live some years ago, I was very specific that I needed to be near the river. I am a Londoner born and bred….but I also hate crowds. The river gives that sense of space and freedom that I crave.

Once I started living by the river, I was able to commute to work by boat. No, I’m not joking. I would literally get the boat to work. 

The reason I’m telling you all this, is because given that I am either on the river or next to the river most of the time, I think I know it pretty well (or parts of it anyway). Every walk on this list I have done. Some parts many times. I have walked other sections, but these are the ones I felt were the ones worth writing about. 

Every walk on this list will have a link to the full detailed blog post, with full logistics, a map and lots of photos.

1) Richmond to Hampton Court – The prettiest most green walk along the Thames Path

Start: Richmond station  Finish: Hampton Court Overground station  Distance: 9miles Time: 3h45min Type: Linear

This is one of the prettiest sections of the Thames Path in London, and is a dream to walk along. So much greenery, you will forget you are in the city. Enviable homes with their gardens leading onto the river. Bushy Park, the second famous and often overlooked deer park in London. The first 5.5miles of the walk are along the Thames Path, before heading into Bushy Park for some deer spotting. There are various ways to tailor the walk to your liking.

For more detailed information, read about the Thames Path walk from Richmond to Hampton Court.

2) Richmond to Putney – A close second for the prettiest walk along the Thames Path

Start: Richmond Riverside  Finish: Putney Bridge  Distance: 9.4 miles Time: 3h Type: Linear

This section of the Thames Path comes a close second as the prettiest walk along the river in London. Also lots of greenery, lots of lovely bridges and some good pubs. Although it is the same length as the walk from Richmond to Hampton Court, it feels a lot longer as the whole route is on the Thames Path. There is however a perfect option to spilt the walk in half at a pub.  

Note: If you are inspecting the time I put to complete it, Richmond to Hampton Court took a fair bit longer to walk because I walked it with someone. I did Richmond to Putney alone and I’m a fast walker. 

For more detailed information, read about the Thames Path walk from Richmond to Putney in London.

3) Putney to Battersea – The one where old meets new

Start: Putney Bridge Finish: Battersea Park  Distance: 5miles Time: 1h45min  Type: Linear

This walk along the Thames Path is a mix of old and new. Lots of old buildings mixed in with shiny new ones. Whilst it doesn’t have that green, nature feel that the previous walks have, it is still rather lovely. You feel a bit more like you are in London, without the chaos that comes with it. This walk also features a fantastic view down the river to the London city skyscrapers, as well as (what I think is) the prettiest bridge in London.

For more detailed information, read about the Thames Path walk from Putney to Battersea in London.

4) Battersea Park Embankment – The one with the power station

Start/Finish: Albert Bridge or Chelsea Bridge  Distance: 2miles Type: Circular 

This is one of the shorter walks along the Thames Path on this list. It takes you along the river in one of the best parks in London, across 2 pretty bridges, and along the edge of the poshest neighbourhood in London. 

This walk takes you right next to Battersea Power Station, with a trendy restaurant area, which makes this walk along the Thames Path perfect for a lazy stroll before Sunday Lunch….or after, for what my boyfriend calls a digestion walk. 

For more detailed information, you can read about the Battersea Park Thames Path walk in London on my other website.

5) Westminster walk – The one with all the London Landmarks 

Start/Finish: Big Ben/Westminster Bridge  Distance: 2miles  Time: 30min  Type: Circular 

Another short walk along the Thames Path, but this one packs a real punch. It hits all the big London Landmarks, from walking alongside Big Ben and the London Eye, to the views from Waterloo Bridge to the City of London and beyond. Waterloo Bridge, although ugly, has the best views of all the bridges in London. 

For more detailed information, read about the Westminster Thames Path walk in London on my other website.

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