From seaside strolls along white cliffs to beautiful woodland treks, here are the best scenic walks near London.
We know that Londoners love to dress in hiking gear: you can’t move in east London without rubbing shoulders with a sentient Arc’teryx jacket, or stomping on a pair of fresh Salomon trainers. So, why not put all that technical wear to good use and take it on a scenic ramble through the English countryside. You can’t go wrong with a bit of fresh air, especially if it’s followed by a good sesh in a traditional pub.
While there are a number of pretty walking routes in London, if you fancy something a bit more rural – the kind of trek that isn’t perennially two minutes from a bus stop – then head off on these hikes near London and you’ll discover that the green and pleasant land beyond Zone 6 has plenty to offer.
From a bluebell-laden amble through Epping Forest, to a bracing walk along the Seven Sisters cliffs, there’s loads to choose from. So pop on your XT6s and head to one of these wonderful hikes near London.
Best walks near London
1. Goring Gap and the Thames Path
Length: 5 miles
Start: Goring & Streatley station (trains from London Paddington)
End: Pangbourne (trains to London Paddington)
If you’re in the mood for a gentle rural walk, this stretch of the 184-mile Thames Path is far from boring. It starts in the pretty Oxfordshire village of Goring. Here, the Thames Valley narrows between the Berkshire Downs and tree-covered Chilterns. The footpath, marked with acorn symbols, follows the river’s curve as it flows south. You’ll wander past wildflower meadows, woods, and the Hartslock Nature Reserve. This reserve is home to red kites and rare orchids.
Post-walk pub: The Cross Keys is a pretty local inn with a quaint courtyard garden. Inside its low-beamed dining room, they serve gastropub classics.
2. Epping Forest’s Oak Trail
Length: 6.6 miles
Start and end: near Theydon Bois station (Central line)
Escape to ancient woods just outside the city. Essex’s Oak Trail, marked sporadically with green-labelled posts, takes walkers across the M25. You’ll reach Epping Forest’s secluded northern realms, spanning 6,000 acres. Gnarled beeches with massive crowns grow here. Furthermore, you’ll pass a deer sanctuary and Iron Age earthworks. Legend says Boudicca battled the Romans here. It’s a thoroughly lovely ramble.
Post-walk pub: The Queen Victoria (Coppice Row, CM16 7ES) by Theydon Green looks like a proper country pub. They offer ales from Hertfordshire brewer McMullen.
3. Box Hill
Length: 6.8 miles
Start and end: Box Hill and Westhumble station (trains from London Victoria)
Admire the glorious views from this famous beauty spot. Then, escape the crowds on Juniper Top and Bottom. However, first you’ll need to hop across the River Mole’s 17 stepping stones. After that, climb 272 steps to the top of Box Hill, where the trail begins. The endorphins will definitely be pumping by the time you reach Juniper Bottom. Maybe that’s why it got the nickname “Happy Valley.”
Post-walk pub: The aptly named Stepping Stones is a spacious country pub perfect for a post-walk pint. Alternatively, sample a glass of Juniper Hill at Denbies Wine Estate, only a mile down the road.
4. The Kentish Coast
Length: 9.8 miles
Start: Ramsgate (trains from St Pancras International, Charing Cross and London Victoria)
End: Margate (trains from St Pancras International, Charing Cross and London Victoria)
Fill your lungs with salty sea air on this walk around the Kentish coast. It takes in the three historic coastal towns of Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Margate. You’ll pass several other scenic and less populated bays along the way. Following the Thanet Coastal Path, you can choose between walking along the top of the chalk cliffs or the promenades at beach level. Moreover, you’ll pass plenty of former smugglers’ caves, great for rock pooling and fossil hunting. Beachside cafes are dotted along the route at regular intervals.
Post-walk pub: Quench your thirst with a pint of Kentish Kölsch. This is the signature brew at Xylo, a microbrewery and taproom with spectacular views over Margate Sands.
5. Chess Valley in the Chilterns
Length: 9.9 miles
Start: Chorleywood station (Metropolitan, trains from London Marylebone)
End: Chesham station (Metropolitan Line)
As far as we know, Chess Valley in the Chiltern Hills isn’t home to any chess masters. However, it did used to produce a lot of watercress, fed by its sparkling chalk stream. This bucolic walk follows the river. It winds through rolling meadows, woods carpeted in dainty yellow celandines, and the chocolate-box villages of Latimer and Chenies. Chenies has even had several cameos in Midsomer Murders.
Post-walk pub: The George & Dragon is an unpretentious old coaching inn on the High Street. It features a log fire, real ales, and giant burgers.
6. Sussex’s Devil’s Dyke
Length: 10.1 miles
Start: Hassocks (trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, St Pancras International and London Victoria)
End: Upper Beeding (bus to Burgess Hill or Shoreham-by-Sea on Sundays, then train to London Victoria)
Join the kite-flyers and hang gliders and marvel at the view from Devil’s Dyke. This is arguably the finest view in the South East. You’ll appreciate it all the more after walking up three steep hills to get there on this spectacular stage of the 109-mile South Downs Way. This section has quite a few ups, too. It passes through National Trust-owned Saddlescombe Farm. Here, the caravan cafe The Wildflour serves afternoon tea and slabs of homemade cake.
Post-walk pub: Upper Beeding’s The Rising Sun is a favorite with locals (who call it “The Riser”). This is thanks to its welcoming staff, decent beers, hearty portions, and garden.
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7. Marlow
Length: 13.2 miles
Start and end: Marlow (trains from London Paddington, changing at Maidenhead)
The Thames isn’t all grey, muddy stretches of water surrounded by industrial landscape. This circular route takes in a good chunk of picturesque countryside around the quaint Georgian village of Marlow in Buckinghamshire. You’ll find pleasant meadows, wooded hills, and overhanging trees along a lazy, tranquil section of the river. Additionally, you’ll pass plenty of historic pubs and historic manor houses along the way.
Post-walk pub: Tom Kerridge’s The Hand & Flowers is the only pub in the UK to boast two Michelin stars. Stop by the bar for a cracking selection of draught beers, bar snacks, and signature cocktails. These include an aged negroni and a duck fat-washed old fashioned (it sounds dubious, but you know it’ll taste amazing).
8. A South Downs ridge and Seaford Head
Length: 14.3 miles
Start: Glynde (trains from Victoria)
End: Seaford (trains to Victoria)
If you’ve already done the classic Seven Sisters clifftop walk (see below) or can’t face all those hills, this is a long but lovely alternative. Largely following the South Downs Way, the route snakes along a ridge and a river valley. Afterward, it curves around Seaford Head, which looks across to the Seven Sisters’ rippling white bluffs. Refuel on posh grub at The George Inn, a 14th-century pub in the old smuggling village of Alfriston.
Post-walk pub: There are always 10 real ales on tap at old-school boozer The Wellington. These include South Downs brewery Long Man’s award-winning malty bitter.
9. Hertfordshire’s Ashridge Estate
Length: 16 miles
Start and end: Near Tring station (trains from London Euston)
The woodland around Ashridge is known for the magnificent blankets of bluebells that appear in early summer. However, a circular walk around the boundaries of the sprawling estate takes in plenty more. You’ll see England’s oldest footpath at Ridgeway, the ancient Chiltern beechwoods, and the Grade II-listed Bridgewater Monument.
Post-walk pub: Tucked away in a secluded wooden valley, the Alford Arms serves up local award-winning beers from Chiltern and Tring Breweries. They also have a weekly changing menu of seasonal grub.
10. The Seven Sisters and the Eastern Downs
Length: 19 miles
Start and end: Eastbourne (trains from Victoria station)
This loop of the South Downs Way ticks a lot of boxes. You’ll experience hilltop panoramas, woodland, a meandering river, a pebble beach, and a rollercoaster cliff hike.
The trail climbs inland on day one, passing Jevington (the birthplace of banoffee pie) and ending at Alfriston village. Here, you’ll find plenty of places to rest your head. Flop in front of a roaring fire at Wingrove House, an elegant B&B with an excellent restaurant and doubles from £100 per night. On the second day, it tackles the breathtaking (in every sense) Seven Sisters. You can hunt for fossils at Birling Gap before conquering the infamous finale: Beachy Head.
Post-walk pub: You’ll find beautiful harbor views at The Garden Bar. It boasts a sizeable terrace and plenty of down-to-earth atmosphere.
