TfL Urges Londoners To Give Walking A Go

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 110 months ago
TfL Urges Londoners To Give Walking A Go

Explore just some of these options. Photo: sarahluv

Ditch the tube, buses and trams, suggests TfL — a sentence we never thought we'd write. No, the apocalypse is not nigh (though some caught in the bus strike today think it might be); it's TfL's weekend of winter walks which takes place on 24 and 25 January.

This is just one of three annual guided walk weekends put on by TfL with 41 free strolls to encourage you to explore sections of the Walk London Network routes, including the Capital Ring, Green Chain and London Outer Orbital Path.

Some of the walks are groan-inducingly predictable — The Real West End promises to take us down the lesser-known streets of Covent Garden. Fine for newbies to the area but if we're taking a guided walk of London, we want something a little less ordinary please.

Others are more imaginative, and it's nice to see some of the less central boroughs getting some love. The Highgate to Stoke Newington route follows an old railway line to Finsbury Park before switching along the path of a man-made waterway to complete the route. Meanwhile, the Charlton to Plumstead stroll offers great views that let walkers see seven counties at a tenth of the price of a visit to the Shard.

To escape the city completely, take the big daddy of all walks, the 9.7 mile Wandle Trail.  Leaving from Wandsworth Town station, take a wander through Wandle Valley with expert guide Ian Bull sharing details about the industrial history of the waterway.

Walk distances vary from 1.5 miles to nearly 10 miles, and no booking is required, allowing you to decide how sprightly you're feeling on the day before you commit. All the walk start and end points are close to public transport stops — so don't leave your Oyster card at home.

TfL's Winter Wanders weekend takes place 24-25 January. All walks are completely free and don't require booking - just turn up and see where your legs take you. See full list of walks on offer.

Last Updated 13 January 2015