...to ask your opinions on a ‘walking commute’.

[LemonsLemonsLemonsLemons]

Background: new job, terrible public transport to new workplace. Scared to cycle, and can’t drive.

I need to be at my new work place fairly early each day (before 8). I figured it would be around a 45 minute walk door to door at a leisurely pace. Is there anyone out there who does a regular daily walking commute? Would 45 minutes of walking early every morning be miserable or invigorating?! And then of course 45 mins home again at the end of the day.

I’m curious to hear other experiences, and maybe tips from anyone who does a walking commute.

I would also recommend getting a ‘proper’ rucksack

I agree. I often walk about 40 minutes to walk although I sometimes get a bus for part of it because the road is really busy and not pleasant to walk along. A 40 minute walk really isn't long at all and I am always amazed at some of my colleagues who would never even consider a 15 minute walk - and then complain that there is too much traffic on the road!

I used to do about 2.5 miles each way every day, whatever the weather, and loved it. I've done a lot of commuting and that was by far my best journey. I was always disappointed if I had to miss my walk because I was going to a meeting somewhere beyond walking distance. It was both invigorating and relaxing and a chance to have some me time. I would be so happy if I could have a walking commute again.

I’d love to be able to walk to work, but I can imagine it wouldn’t be great in pouring rain. See how you go and look into driving lessons?

Yes I used to do this and really enjoyed it. Buy a good quality rain coat and waterproof trousers.
The only thing about commuting in the rain is it makes your make up run and hair go frizzy. So you need to be prepared if that's an issue for you!

I have just started this and I arrive feeling so much better than when I drive. I intend to continue through all weathers though time will tell!

I've started walking to work (1h 15min). Like someone said, I resent it when I can't walk there. I have now joined the gym too, walking was the push I needed to get my fitness on track. I got an activity watch and listen to audiobooks on audible. It's great. I love it. Make sure you have a pair of work shoes at work to swap. I wear running shoes for the commute. I feel my body is changing and it's only been about 3 weeks.

I'm really envious of all of you who have walking commutes through central London!

I have one regular journey where I walk the first leg, about 20 min, before getting the bus. On the very occasional mornings I get the bus for that bit, I really don't feel so awake and alert when I arrive.

And I agree, there aren't that many mornings when it's pissing down too hard to walk just at that particular time. On those mornings, you can use your taxi fund.

A decent coat with a hood is good enough in light to moderate rain. A brolly is usually too much bother, I find.

Not to work but I used to walk about 3ish miles each way to college in Guildford. There was a bus part of the way but the last mile we always had to walk. And once we got used to the walk we didn't bother with the bus.
I was doing that 5 days a week, so similar to work. And at weekends or in the eve we'd often also walk into town and back (2 miles). It's the fittest and thinnest I ever was.

I'd love a similar commute now. And I think the suggestion of a taxi fund is inspired. Make sure you also have some proper footwear, waterproof jacket etc.

I’ve walked to work (with a train ride as well) for 10 years now, part of my motivation was that my previous job involved lots of multi site visits and I was so fed up of being in the car all the time! My walk is 40 mins each way, easily get my 10k steps in which is fab. Overall I feel healthier and get far less down in the winter as I’m getting more daylight even in winter months than I would doing a car commute.

I keep a drawer of nice high heels in my office, but generally wear what I would anyway. I don’t do waterproof trousers anymore, if it’s that bad I get taxis. Tights dry quickly so I wear skirts and tights on wet days.

Only downsides for me have been mainly for vanity reasons I’m in a busier job now in which I often go to meetings straight from the walk (and meetings can be right across site so no chance of nipping into office first), rather than stopping off at my office first, so no time to change into nicer shoes, and I live in a very wet area, so I get a bit sick of wearing massive waterproofs and long for lovely smart wool coats in the winter. Better to be warm and dry though...

It is a bit of an arse if you’re a bit ill - not ill enough to be off work, but ill enough to feel a bit rubbish and find a long walk hard. I suffer from recurrent illness over the winter and it really takes it out of me. However when I do drive I get so frustrated and stressed in the traffic that I think that’s just as bad!

Taxi fund for rainy days is a good plan. Nice to see so many other walking commuters my colleagues think I’m quite mad most of the time!

I used to do a 1hr walk to work. I loved it - but then I got shin splints. So don't do that.

I did 20 mins like this. However I needed a coat which was full length, trainers etc. I would also wonder what sort of areas you are walking through, if it’s a big main road, then the air from diesel buses is filthy and extremely bad for your health to do 2x40 mins per day

That was my upper limit for walking when house hunting (on the grounds that I'd have to get up earlier and would be too easily tempted to going by car).

I did figure that I would drink my tea and eat en route though, rather than spend 45m sitting around doing that.

You'd probably find that it soon became more like 40m too. I'm a big believer in challenging yourself to a period of brief strain to build up money/fitness/whatever anyway. Even if you just do it for the summer you'll see a lot of benefits.

I do this when not on maternity leave and I love it. Splash out on some really nice wireless headphones, put some of your favourite songs on, you'll arrive at the office much more awake and ready for the day than most.

This is roughly my commute now. I find it okay. Generally use a raincoat rather than an umbrella. I listen to music and audiobooks on the 'commute'. It's lovely to have that time to myself.

Op why not try out walking the route on a day that is not a work day...so you can test the route and see how demanding it is (if there are any holly parts) and you can time it to see how long it takes at a leisurely pace so you know how long it will take you to get there on your slowest walking...

I think there are apps that track routes that you walk and cycle so it can tell you how many miles you have walked, how many calories burned etc...maybe having an app like that would make it fun so you could see the exercise/health benefits you are reaping ...also pack a healthy snack for the commute e.g bottle of water and ziploc bag of fruit or trail mix for energy...

And if you are walking..make sure you have a good breakfast before hand to give you energy to walk all that way

I think pollution risks are overstated. The air inside cars, buses and tube trains is much worse than the air on the pavement, and you can often plan a lower pollution route - even walking on the inside edge of a wide pavement makes a small but measurable difference. And even if you are more exposed the damage is offset manyfold by the health benefits of consistent exercise.

I do it, it's about 35-45 minutes for me. Both ways in the summer, but in the winter I walk in and get the bus back as part of the walk is through a field.

I really like it. It's nice watching the seasons change and seeing a bit of wildlife - mainly squirrels, but I've seen a weasel as well and there are tadpoles at the moment. Obviously how pleasant it is at that level depends on your route.

It's also an easy way to fit in some exercise, and I do feel a lot fitter from the regular exercise.

I'd advise getting a waterproof backpack!

All of the above and factor 50 on your ears/tops of your feet in good weather!
I learnt this after realising that sunburn on ears and feet is really quite painful.

Great idea, you'll save money and give your health a boost :-)

I have done a commute of 35 minutes in the past. If I walked really fast, maybe I could do it in 30 minutes.
It was way too hilly to bother trying to cycle and it was before I could drive.
Miserable in the wet weather, I’d definitely recommend a good waterproof coat and hat.
Lovely in the nice weather (was rural for the most)
I don’t ever remember arriving at work feeling tired because of the walk. Dress appropriately and enjoy your free workout.

As your commute is in London have a look here: tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/ it will show you walking and public transports options. Handy back of for very wet days.

I also live a 45 minute walk from work and used to walk in all weathers. On rainy days I would wear a long raincoat with hood. It was very invigorating and even though the walk home was harder (uphill!), i would arrive home happy in the knowledge that I had done 1.5 hours of exercise and could relax. Part of the walk was through a lovely park (although i would only do this when it was light) and it really lifted my mood and made me more positive about everything. I didn't put headphones in, as I liked to be alone with my thoughts. Then I got bad sicatica and couldn't even drive, let alone walk so I used to get a taxi or DH would drop me to work and then a colleague would drop me back. After a couple of months, I got out of the habit and now drive to work. But this thread has made me determined to go back to walking, as the positives massively outweighed the negatives.

I've walked at least half an hour as part of my commute for over 20 years. Only did a 50 minute one for a few years, but would say invest in a pair of boots which don't let in and a waterproof jacket - make sure the hood stays up in the wind! Also an Arctic Parka if you live in a colder area, I'm in Scotland so it has been a godsend. Good time to start as the weather should be good.

I used to walk that 4 times a day to take my DCs to primary school. It was lovely, mostly, but horizontal rain did get me down. Make sure you have a very good quality waterproof outer layer so you stay dry, even in horizontal torrential rain.

I have a 40 minute walking commute, it's fine.
You just need comfortable shoes and occasionally have a brolly.