Top 5 Best Riverside Walks In London

A serene canal lined with houseboats is surrounded by lush green trees at dusk. The water reflects the vibrant lights from the boats and the soft evening sky. The scene is peaceful, with the quiet charm of a calm waterway nestled in nature.

After all that time working from home, it’s time to take a step out into the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful riverside walks London has to offer…

Spring is upon us and it’s the most beautiful time of year to take a stroll. With the Thames having a walkable stretch of 34 miles over London, there’s much to see, explore and wander across. Lucky for you, we’ve put together out favourite slightly strolls besides the city’s riversides.

Little Venice

A serene canal lined with colorful houseboats on a sunny day. The water reflects the lush green trees and blue sky. To the left, cars are parked along the roadside, with a black metal fence dividing the road from the canal. — Image © parkgrandpaddingtoncourt.co.uk

Blomfield Road W9 2PF

Neatly tucked away in the residential area of Maida Vale, Little Venice is an oasis of tranquility. It was originally a holding area for boats as they waited to enter Paddington Basin. Little Venice is located where the Regent’s Canal joins the Grand Union Canal at Paddington. Today it is well known for some of the finest early Victorian houses in London, with gardens that run down the Canal. You can take a stroll from Little Venice to Camden Lock and look for Browning’s Pool (named after Robert Browning).

Camden Locks

A vibrant canal scene features people sitting at outdoor tables with red umbrellas on a riverside building. The image also displays a series of lock gates and adjacent historic buildings under a clear blue sky. — Image © musement.com/

Camden Locks, London, NW1 8AF

Most famous for it’s markets, the Camden Locks are both a great place for a stroll and a shop! Wharves and warehouses once surrounded the locks with some old canal buildings lurking around. But today they play host to a plethora of pubs, clubs and one of London’s most popular craft markets.

Spend the day wandering the canal side and don’t forget to watch out for Pirate Castle!

Three Mills

Image of a historic building with two distinct cone-shaped roofs and a clock tower. The building sits beside a body of water, with brick walls showing signs of aging and moss growth. A pathway leads towards the structure, and clear blue sky is visible. — Image © lostcityoflondon.co.uk

Three Mills is one of London’s best-kept secrets. Within cycling distance, it’s possible to see both 300-year-old mills and great 21st century architecture in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. House Mill is a tidal mill on the River Lea. Cycle across the Olympic Park, home to iconic buildings such as the ArcelorMittal Orbit designed by Anish Kapoor and the Aquatic Centre designed by Zaha Hadid.

Bishop’s Stortford

A small waterfall flows over a series of steps in a tranquil river, surrounded by lush trees and a building in the background. Bright yellow flowers are prominent beside the water, reflecting the peaceful and scenic rural setting. — Image © walksaroundstortford.org.uk

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If you fancy an excursion a little further into the countryside. A short train journey will take you to the historic town of Bishop’s Stortford. The Start Navigations is a great route for a long, scenic country walk. If you’ve remembered your bike, then cycle down the towpath and take a break to watch the boats and feed the ducks. If it’s not too chilly, you can enjoy a picnic on the banks of the canal overlooking Waytemore Castle Mound, a Norman motte and bailey castle. If you have time on your hands, we recommend you also explore the town.

Kings Cross

A vibrant urban canal scene features boats docked along the water, people relaxing on grassy terraced seating, and modern buildings in the background. The sky is clear and blue, contributing to a bright, leisurely atmosphere. — Image © knightarchitects.co.uk

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Sandwiched between King’s Cross and St Pancras railway stations is the Regent’s Canal, an unexpected oasis of calm and peace amid the hectic pace of long distance rail travel. Stop by Central St. Martins where many world-famous fashion designers have trained. This building was once a grain warehouse built by Lewis Cubitt who also designed the station in 1852. You can visit the London Canal Museum and find out about the families who lived aboard canal boats. This building was once an icehouse where ice-cream maker, Carlo Gatti, stored shipments of ice from Scandinavia. Yum!

Check out more riverside walks at the Canal & River Trust!