What to do outside in central London

[Dammitthisisshit]

Hello,

I’m in London for a couple of weeks and have quite a bit of time to wander around. Due to a need to avoid germs I’m avoiding the tube and crowded or indoor places (though if they were empty and airy that would be fine).

Any suggestions for things outside that I can walk to? Up to about a 5 mile round trip, that gets me off and away from busy roads? I’m staying north central near Tottenham Court Road and Goodge st / Warren Street tube stations.

So far I’ve:

• wandered round Regents Park
• walked to Hyde Park and had a sit by the Serpentine
• had a wander outside Buckingham Palace, St James Park and St James Palace
• walked to little Venice then along the canal path to London Zoo (I stopped as I was getting tired but I might go back and do London Zoo to Camden another day).

Thanks

I rather like wandering along south bank. So much to see there.

I like walking through the original city part if you go past St Paul's. Maybe there is an audio guide you could listen to. I love looking at the street names and imagining what's happened. Also postman park is near St Paul's which is the cemetery with ordinary people doing heroic acts. That's very interesting.

Southbank from London Bridge to Waterloo is an interesting walk.

Tower Bridge and through St Katherine's dock is a nice walk

You could also go up to Highgate cemetery and maybe head to Kenwood House.

Agree with City walks especially at the weekend (though is much quieter than it used to be generally).

You could have a look at the less well known markets like leather lane, leadenhall, others I'm sure other people will know about 😁. Spitalfields obviously v well known/busy but quite airy?

I like Bloomsbury and I'm sure there's some literary related walking you could do round there.

I know there are a lot of walking London books if you fancy a stop off at a bookshop? Or you could book in on an official walk like the Jack the ripper ones (tend to be much more focused on the victims than the grisly stuff nowadays).

There are brilliant street art walking tours around Shoreditch, led by artists who show you things you'd never have noticed yourself (ours showed us miniature sculptures hidden in tiny holes in walls, and incredible sculptures in dead end alleys we'd never have gone down, as well as the more obvious graffitti art.

You could get a boat ticket and sit up on deck, as you head down river from Westminster to Greenwich. Then walk around the old naval buildings and Observatory, the Cutty Sark and Greenwich Park before getting the boat back again.

London Zoo?

Phoenix Garden isn’t far from you - it’s tiny but a lovely little spot behind the Phoenix theatre and has a Stik mural. It’s where they filmed the Last Christmas
movie if that sort of thing is interesting for you.

Keep walking from there and wander through 7 Dials, Covent Garden, Cecil Court. Huge mural by Supermundane on the side of the London Graphic Centre (Shelton St). Covent Garden is so busy once the day is going but it’s really lovely for a morning walk while there is hardly anyone there. You can also keep
walking toward the river there and there’s a long narrow park along the embankment that is far more lovely a walk than the Strand.

London Bridge and various buildings along the bank are lit up at night, so might be worth going to for walk along there - plenty of people around, so safe.

Did you get as far as Downing Street, Westminster and Big Ben - nice to see them from outside as well.

The Barbican! It’s amazing for wandering around and there’s outside walkways. Totally fascinating and places to get a coffee along the way.

Primrose Hill, with Camden Markets if it's not too crowded for you. Hampstead Heath if you are up for a long walk.

Also you can wander round the Inns of Court, particularly Temple and Lincoln's Inn

I was just going to suggest Temple. Very interesting area, with beautiful gardens. Although not the best time of year for those, there should be some spring bulbs at least.

Gosh so many suggestions. I knew mumsnet wouldn’t disappoint! I have never heard of some of the suggestions so I will spend some happy hours googling and planning.

I should have said, I was here at Christmas too and went round the City on a bank holiday… followed some of a walking route (maybe Jubilee walk? or that might have been elsewhere).

I think a Southbank day is in order, and a Westminster day, and a Primrose Hill/Camden day.

Good call to get a boat one day. Oh and also to head to some areas like Covent Garden early. I’ve run away from Soho a couple of times as it was so hectic but it looked like there’s an outdoor food market there. Of course that means me getting up early and I’ve been quite enjoying some lie ins 😁

Visit all the Wren and Hawksmoor churches in the City. Normally almost empty, so fine to have a wander around on wetter days with no fear of germs.
www.london-footprints.co.uk/arthawksmoor.htm
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christopher_Wren_churches_in_London

Feed the tame parakeets in Kensington Gardens (bring sunflower seeds)
londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/there-s-a-place-in-hyde-park-where-parakeets-will-land-on-your-hand

Greenwich is great for a wander. It’s surprising how many sights you can see if you walk, I rarely take the tube in central london now unless I’m in a rush. I could spend days in St James Park but maybe not in February. Borough market is great. You can walk there along the south bank

There's a free light installation thing at Battersea Power Station which you could do after dark. Some are inside the building (it's's basically a shopping centre) but it is spacious and airy.
It's a reasonable walk from where you are but you could break the journey up.

I recommend cemeteries, especially Highgate or Brompton. Both have websites. Also churches - few visitors, free entry and most have something worth visiting.

But walking round practically anywhere is interesting - Bloomsbury, anywhere in the centre really. Places like Oxford Street are horrible, but turn off them and the quieter side streets have loads of interesting architecture, blue plaques, and quirky shops.

If you are ok with boats then definitely Greenwich.

Highgate cemetery is a great shout.

Or you could always download Pokémon Go. It adds fun to even the dullest walk.

Another vote for boat to Greenwich. And Tower Bridge (next bridge lift is 23rd Feb 15.45). Lots to see outside at the Tower of London.

Have you thought about renting one of the TfL bikes? If you can get on the Cycle Superhighway you can cycle from Tate Britain along the Embankment to the Tower of London on a protected cycle lane, so much less scary than cycling through traffic. And of course stop off anywhere along the way, Tate Modern for example (airy in the Turbine Hall).

I think there might be cycle lanes up to Chelsea Bridge then you can walk over to Battersea Park which is also lovely and has a little zoo. For that matter, London Zoo is an option.

Walk up the Monument. Fantastic views and great exercise!

I hadn’t thought about bikes. I’d be terrified in the London traffic but if I didn’t have to battle it that’s an option thanks

I’m not sure I dare download Pokémon. I had it on a previous phone and it caused big arguments between the DC and they kept stealing my phone and trying to guess my password. Maybe if they never knew… 😁

Go Jauntly is a good source of inspiration twitter.com/gojauntly/status/1615667086218362881?s=61&t=hT0qWrq1m7Z8O9bawELQ_A

10 Adam St looks a lot like 10 Downing Street. Fun selfie opportunity!

St Dunstan in the East.
Leadenhall market.
The garden full of memorials to people who died saving others - can't remember what it's called!

Have a look on secret London. They have all sorts of top tips

Postman Park. It's opposite my old office and lovely to sit in.

It's near the now closed Museum of London.