One of my favorite ways to discover a city is on foot! This route will take you along the Thames of London and Southwark.
Fair warning, this is a very long walk and will take most (if not all) day! Make sure you’re up to a full day of walking and wear comfortable shoes!!!
I’ve intentionally not laid out a specific route for you to follow and instead simply marked each bolded location on the map. This allows you to plan your own path from one point to another and gives you the freedom to explore along the way. You can find an interactive version of the map here.
Start your day at the Tower of London. There’s so much to see here! To avoid the biggest crowds, I recommend arriving at opening and heading to the crown jewels first, then spend some time exploring all the different exhibits and buildings. Make sure to go on a yeoman warder tour to get an overview of the history of the Tower. This is included in your ticket price and tours start every 30 minutes.
After leaving the Tower, walk across Tower Bridge to the south side of the Thames. The most adventurous in your group might want to cross the glass walkway at the top of the bridge! Or, for the more mechanically inclined, you may want to take a tour of the Victorian era engine room. For a unique experience, check out the lift schedule and see the bridge at work.
Next head along the river, past the HMS Belfast, to Borough Market. This huge market is a foodie’s paradise and the perfect place for lunch! You’ll have a variety of foods to choose from and there are always plenty of vegetarian options available. Pieminister and the Greedy Goat are some of my personal favorites, but all the vendors are excellent! Consider taking a reusable bag and picking up supplies for future breakfasts or even your evening meal. (Note, Borough Market is closed on Sundays for most of the year.)
Head back towards the river and continue west to the Globe Theater. This isn’t quite its original location, but it’s not too far off and an incredible reproduction. There are guided tours available if you would like to see inside…or consider returning for a performance later on. Be aware though, standing tickets are exactly what they sound like…standing (and open to the elements)!
Right beside the Globe is the Tate Modern museum of contemporary art. Entry is free, so consider stopping in for even just a few minutes to explore the exhibits. It’s a great introduction to modern art at the perfect price. (London is full of great free attractions! Check out this list.)
Next cross over the Thames via the Millennium Bridge. This pedestrian bridge is probably best known anymore for being destroyed by Voldemort’s Death Eaters in the Harry Potter movies.
The impressive building on the north side of the bridge is St. Paul’s Cathedral…a fixture of London for over 1000 years. You may want to consider stopping here for a tour. Admission includes entry to the beautiful main building as well as the crypts, whisper gallery, and the dome (for incredible views of the city). (Note, on Sundays the Cathedral is open for worship only.)
Continue your walking tour by heading back east towards the Monument to the Great Fire of London. This is another chance for a great aerial view of the city…if you’re up to the 311 stair climb.
Finish the day by stopping at St. Dunstan in the East. This church was destroyed by bombs during World War II and the ruins were turned into a beautiful garden space. It’s the perfect, quiet place to sit and rest for a few minutes after a long day of touring.
