There's nothing like escaping the city to spend a day wandering through England’s green and pleasant land. And you don't need to trek too far from London to find challenging hikes and stunning scenery. Here are the best long walks near London and just beyond Greater London's limits.
By Romain Roch
The Ankerwycke Park walk is optimal for a leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll with a special surprise: halfway through the loop stands a yew tree estimated to be 2,500 years old. The unusually shaped tree is found not too far away from the M25, Heathrow airport and also London’s main water reservoirs.
The whole trail is only 45 mins away from Waterloo station by train (Wraysbury station, then by bus to Magna Carta Lane station).
Duration of trip: 30 mins
Point of departure: Magna Carta Lane bus stop
Point of arrival: (circular walk) Magna Carta Lane bus stop
Where to pause/snack: Bring along a packed lunch or picnic and rest beneath this majestic tree.
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Enjoy bracing sea air, steep climbs and magnificent views as you climb the Seven Sisters hills. The most approachable walk goes from Seaford to Exceat, taking the route along the coast and then driving back inland, which can be combined with a swim and picnic at Cuckmere Haven beach.
Catch a train from London Victoria to start the walk at Seaford (journey time 1h30) and from there you are 6.2km from Exceat, where you can hop on a bus or walk another 11.5km to Eastbourne and then get a train back to London. For the more adventurous strollers, a five- to six-hour walk over all seven of the Sisters is possible by walking from Seaford all the way to Eastbourne.
Duration of trip: 1h30 (or 5-6 hrs for full hike)
Point of departure: Seaford station
Point of arrival: Exceat, Cuckmere Inn bus stop (or Eastbourne station for full hike)
Where to pause/snack: The Cuckmere Inn, located a short walk away from the beach
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The woods around Balcombe Lake are a perfect setting for out-of-season walks. The walk passes a 13th-century church in Balcombe and explores the land around the lake. If you brave a walk on a rainy day, don’t forget to head out with boots and avoid getting bogged down in mud.
Duration of trip: 2h30
Point of departure: Balcombe station
Point of arrival: (circular walk) Balcombe station
Where to pause/snack: The walk begins near the Half Moon, the village pub
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The North Downs Way is possibly southeast England’s most revered hiking route. It begins in Farnham, just outside London, and stretches to the sea at Dover. There are plenty of different options for a two- to three-hour walk. Our favourite trail is from Leeds Castle to Charing, which crosses splendid fields and hills and passes several churches. Accessible with an hour trip from London Victoria to Hollingbourne and a little longer on the return from Charing station. Learn more at:
Duration of trip: 2h45
Point of departure: Hollingbourne station
Point of arrival: Charing station
Where to pause/snack: The Bow Window Coffee Shop and Café, on the main street of the small village of Lenham, which the walk passes.
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The thousand of acres of the Ashridge Estate make an ideal location to stretch your legs though golden-leafed trees in autumn and blooming bluebells in spring, from late March. Different trail routes are available at the Ashridge information centre, which you can reach by bus (Bus 31, Memorial stop) from Berkhamsted station.
Duration of trip: 2h45
Point of departure: Ashridge Estate – click here for map
Point of arrival: (circular walk) Ashridge estate visitor centre
Where to pause/snack: Brownlow café, close to the Ashridge information centre.
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This walk in Kent celebrates the works and life of Octavia Hill, a British author and artist, and founder of the National Trust. It begins in the Toys Hill car park and dives in the flora of the area, on a circular route through hills, natural reserves, estates, and also near Chartwell House, Churchill’s former home.
Unless you drive directly to Toys Hill car park, the closest train station is Tonbridge, from which you get to the beginning of the walk by 30-min bus ride. It's an agreeable trip accompanied with the fabulous view.
Duration of trip: 3hrs 30
Point of departure: Toys Hill car park
Point of arrival: (circular walk) Toys Hill car park
Where to pause/snack: Fox and Hounds, a rustic and welcoming pub along on the way.
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Epping Forest's leafy kingdom grows on the edge of Greater London, just past the M25. There are many trails to take for a day trip or simply a couple of hours' trek through the ancient woodlands with beautiful oaks, birches and beeches. We particularly recommend the Oak trail, which takes best advantage of walking through dense forest and also refreshing glades. To reach the beginning of the walk, which is signed all the way, take the Tube to Theydon Bois on the Central Line. Check out the planned walk below:
Duration of trip: 3 to 4hrs
Point of departure: Theydon Bois station (Central Line)
Point of arrival: (Circular walk) Theydon Bois station.
Where to pause/snack: Pink Spice, a delicious Indian restaurant just after the M25.
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The Green Chain Walk is a hiking route in southeast London linking the Thames to Chislehurst via ancient woodland, parkland and heaths. The entire Green Chain Walk spans over 50 miles, but there are different shorter walks along the way. We recommend the two final ones, linking Beckenham Place Park to Crystal Palace, and Crystal Palace to Nunhead Cemetery. The route runs alongside Beckenham Place's flower gardens, ancient manor and green plains, avoids the main roads and high streets, passes through Crystal Palace and ends by passing Nunhead Cemetery's glorious gates. A delightful bonus is Horniman Museum and Gardens, halfway between Crystal Palace and Nunhead, which not only has blooming gardens but a collection of more than 350,000 objects, spanning anthropology, natural history and musical instruments.
Duration of trip: 3-4hrs for both routes.
Point of departure: Beckenham Place Park (Beckenham Hill station)
Point of arrival: Nunhead Cemetery (Nunhead)
Where to pause/snack: Break halfway at the Crystal Palace Park café just at the entrance from the park. Alternatively, the Horniman Museum also has a good cafe.
Read more ...Leith Hill is one of Surrey's popular hiking destinations and it's only an hour away from London Bridge. The trail is easy to follow, but as it climbs to the top on a hill of nearly 300 metres, it can be arduous at times. You'll pass stunning natural formations and vegetation, and the hill climb will be rewarded with panoramic views over Surrey and an 18th-century tower (which you can visit). Don’t forget to get yourself a homemade cake at the snug little cafe in the tower.
Duration of trip: 4hrs
Point of departure: Holmwood Station
Point of arrival: Leith Hill tower, back to Holmwood Station
Where to pause/snack: Tower Café at the top of the hill, or the Plough Inn just before reaching Coldharbour
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