Enjoy the heatwave with these city walks
Going on a long walk is perfect for clearing the mind, improving your mental and physical health, and is also a great way to discover new places in your local area. London is full of beautiful walks where you can appreciate the colourful and picturesque spring blooms, see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and discover hidden gems.
With the promised summer heatwave finally ahead of us, The Lady spoke to the team at The Ascott Limited’s UK properties, including The Cavendish London in Mayfair and the Citadines Apart’hotel London portfolio, who have shared their favourite walks across the capital.
Take a stroll along Regent’s Canal
Regent’s Canal is just a short walk from Upper Street, close to Citadines Islington, and offers a picture-perfect stroll. The ten mile walk along the canal runs from Paddington to Limehouse and allows you to escape the bustling streets of London to find some peace and quiet and get a ‘behind the scenes’ view of the city.
Head east and walk towards the Docklands to finish up in Limehouse or go west towards Paddington through Camden Town and Little Venice where you can admire the colourful and characterful houseboats, and even get a glimpse of some of the animals at London Zoo.
Discover The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk
Close to Citadines South Kensington is the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, perfect for those who want to see some of London’s most iconic landmarks and beautiful blooms of spring. The walk takes you past three Royal palaces - Kensington, Buckingham and St James’s as well as Clarence House and Spencer House.
Enjoy a leafy green seven-mile walk, so picturesque and peaceful that you’ll forget you are in the heart of the city. This iconic walk takes you past four of London’s eight Royal Parks, including Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park. Throughout the walk, you’ll also get to see a number of the city’s iconic sights including the Albert Memorial and Kensington Gardens’ Italian Gardens.
Discover hidden gems in Mayfair
The Cavendish London is located in the heart of Mayfair, on prestigious Jermyn Street, which is known worldwide for its high-quality British artistry and craftsmanship and home to London’s finest men’s tailors, food and wine merchants, restaurants, and art galleries.
Take a walk around Mayfair and get lost in this glamorous neighbourhood as you discover quiet mews, luxurious homes, secret parks, historic pubs and independent boutiques. Discover hidden gems such as Shepherd Market, a charming 18th century square tucked away from the congestion of the city with a village community feel, or head to 17 Bruton Street, the birthplace of Queen Elizabeth II. The house lived in by the Queen Mother's parents, where Elizabeth II was born in 1926, was destroyed during the blitz, and is now home to Hakkasan – the Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant.
Enjoy the City of London’s historic pubs
Ideal for those staying at Citadines Barbican or Holborn-Covent Garden, the City of London recommends a self-guided walk which takes you past, or to, the City’s iconic pubs which all offer their very own unique history lesson.
Learn about the fires, plagues, wars, and modernisation the City’s pubs have been through over the years, and also stop off at the drinking holes which have been places of inspiration for London’s famous authors including Chaucer, Shakespeare and Dickens. Visit Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, which once played host to Charles Dickens, G.K. Chesterton and Mark Twain; The Globe, where famous poet, John Keats, was born in a stable next door; and Ye Old Watling, where the plans for St Paul’s Cathedral were drawn up.
Go off the beaten track
Citadines Trafalgar Square is the ideal location for those who want to be at the centre of it all, surrounded by London’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. This part of the capital offers an abundance of walks taking you through the bright lights of the West End and the melting pot of Covent Garden, but it is also possible to avoid the usual tourist trail with this circuit walk from Trafalgar Square.
This three-mile walk takes you from Trafalgar Square and along the Strand, past the cafes, bars and theatres and back to the bustling streets of Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. However, it also gives walkers the opportunity to see historic spots such as Twinings tea shop with the Royal Courts of Justice opposite, as well as the iconic Fleet Street, former home of London's newspaper industry.
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