Routes and Advice for Walking In London

• Distance: 0.7 miles


• Sights: Holland Park


• Good For: Relaxation and joining dots.

Holland Walk is a short but pleasant route I incorporated into my daily route when Shepherds Bush was closed. It has a few variations going through the park too - more scenic (although it is all scenic) and more direct.

Holland Park station is pleasant, and has a few very interesting independent businesses close by, including The Castle (a pub with a number of good beers), a bakery, fashion shops, nutritionists and a couple of lesser known charity shops.

In easy reach of Holland Park Station is also Kensington Leisure Centre (not my favourite, but not too bad either), and some of the old granaries of London, with a plaque depicting the age and also how poverty stricken these parts of town were, which is far from the very affluent area it is now. Flats in Holland Park are leased at prices that would give even the very rich cause to hesitate.

As you come out from Holland Park Station, cross the road. It can be very busy, so do use this crossing, and watch out for bikes. Turn left here. There are some really beautiful houses, and a memorial on the corner here. Some of these huge houses are sadly derelict, but I suspect they are owned by someone with grand designs on them.

Cross over the road named only "Holland Park", and carry on past the houses, and on the right you will see a small bike path, that leads off uphill between the houses.

Follow this path, again past beautiful large houses, and you will see the park on your right. You will pass some of the nature reserve areas of the park, and may here see a squirrel pausing, or even a cat hunting (as I have done). Things are pretty much in character, with even the lamps and signs suited to the place - looking like old gas lamps. You will pass a large school on the left, and you will also pass the Hostel in Holland Park on the Right.

As you walk through, you may hear the call of the Peacocks that reside in the park. Continuing along, it gets greener, and the large green is on right, with another row of grand town houses on the left.

Eventually you will come through the gates onto Kensington High Street, which is fantastic for shopping. You will immediately see a number of well known chains, and interesting small independent shops. The character of this area is superb. If you chose to follow Earls Court Road, you will of course, be able to reach Earls Court in walking distance, but you will again pass plenty of shops full of character on the way, my favourite being an independent garden centre.

This walk is available even after hours when the park is closed, though obviously, if you are walking late, please bear you safety in mind, as even in an affluent area, you still want to play it streetwise.

View this route in more detail on the Google Maps Pedometer.

• Distance: 1 mile


• Sights: The Thames, Theatres, Leicester Square, Chinatown, Charing Cross Road bookshops, music shops.


• Good For: Sightseeing and Shopping.

To many London travellers, Tottenham Court Road, and the Thames seem pretty far from each other, but it is handy to realise first that there is only a mile between them, and that it is a very pleasant walk.

Centre Point is where this walk starts. This is the crossing of Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road and Charing Cross Road. At this location, you have the shopping precinct that is Oxford Street, the Technology area of Tottenham Court Road where you can find most gadgets and gizmo's for sale, and even haggle for a good price. You have New Oxford Street, which will take you to the British Museum, and Charing Cross Road itself, which is part of this route. Centre point itself is an unmissable building - towering over this crossing, it was built huge, and yet is not fully occupied. You also have the theatres of this area.

The route from here goes along Charing Cross Road, where you will pass amazing bookshops like Foyles on the right hand, and equally amazing musical instrument shops on the left. Both groups are worthy of investigation. As you carry on down, you will pass the The Palace Theatre (currently showing the hilarious Spamalot), on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue (which would take you to more theatres or ChinaTown).

Carrying on, you then pass Leicester Square, which is a hub of culture and entertainment in London. If you have not visited, I strongly suggest spending time there. Leicester Square also adjoins Chinatown. There are Cinema's, Night Clubs, Bars, restaurants, street performers and also major events held here. It is the place where nearly every major film première in the UK is at.

As you continue, you come to the Strand, another old and picturesque part of London, with another shopping precinct, and Charing Cross Station. If you go along beside the station (which the map does not quite show, as it is pedestrian only), you will be on a small alley taking you to the back of Embankment Station. This alley again has a great selection of bars and restaurants.

If you go through Embankment, you will come to the Thames, and what sight you will have. I never cease to be drawn to the Thames, to watch the water, the boats on it, and the skyline. Once you are there, there any many more walks to be had.

TCR to Thames Walking Route on Gmaps Pedometer