Retrace the steps of British royalty across the capital. Wander past iconic palaces and through leafy Royal Parks, or gain a new perspective on London’s history altogether by clambering up a historic sailing ship. Visit the site of every British sovereign coronation since 1066, or head to the site where bygone royalty not only lived, but met their fates.
From regal landmarks and majestic residences to a journey through the city’s maritime past, these walking routes deliver historic London right to your feet. Soak up everything royal, and tour the streets of the capital for a spectacular city break.
Start at Westminster Abbey, the setting for 16 royal weddings and the coronation of every English monarch from 1066.
Stroll through St James’s Park and meet its resident pelicans, until you end up at Buckingham Palace and Whitehall’s Horse Guards Parade. If you arrive before 11am on Monday, Wednesday or Friday (10am on Sundays), you can catch the Changing of the Guard.
Head for the River Thames and cross via Westminster Bridge. You’ll pass the Royal Festival Hall and HMS Belfast before arriving at Tower Bridge and The Tower of London — former palace, fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site which protects the Crown Jewels.
Explore the historic Cutty Sark sailing ship in Greenwich, before heading to the nearby Old Royal Naval College within the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site. History buffs won’t want to miss the nearby National Maritime Museum, before popping next door to visit the Queen’s House Art Gallery.
From there, head into Greenwich Park to find Queen Elizabeth’s oak tree. At the top of Greenwich Park hill, you’ll reach the Royal Observatory and be rewarded with one of the best views across London.
Finish on the Prime Meridian line – from where all the world used to set its clocks (Greenwich Mean Time).
Start at Keats House. Located a few minutes’ stroll from Hampstead Underground station, this Regency villa is the former home of the renowned Romantic poet and is steeped in literary history.
Head onto Hampstead Heath to its wild swimming ponds, before climbing to the top of Parliament Hill for spectacular views.
Discover a charming secret garden at Hampstead’s Hill Garden and Pergola, before finishing at Kenwood House. Surrounded by stunning landscaped gardens, the expansive white building is a masterpiece by 18th-century Scottish architect, Robert Adam.
The River Thames starts in the hills of Gloucestershire, a part of the Cotswolds, running through Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, London and ending as the Thames Estuary between Essex and Kent. Its long route means it flows right past some of England’s best-known royal and historic buildings, with Windsor Castle only a short five-minute walk away. The Thames Path National Trail also offers a scenic route following the river.
Hampstead Heath itself does not close and is open to visitors any time of day – so you’ll have no time constraints on reaching Parliament Hill and enjoying the views. However, there are attractions and places within Hampstead Heath that do close that you may wish to visit. Closing times for most of these attractions vary seasonally but can be found on the City of London and English Heritage websites:
The Royal Mews is the title of the Royal Family’s working stables and transport department located at Buckingham Palace. The Royal Mews that arrange all road travel, motorised and horse-drawn, for the Royal Family. The Royal Mews section within the Palace is open to visitors, offering the opportunity to see historic carriages such as the Gold State Coach.
There are eight official Royal Parks in London including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park, St. James’s Park, Regent’s Park, Bushy Park, Richmond Park and Greenwich Park. Some of the parks have closing times which you should check ahead of visiting.
