Lady’s 44 Beautiful Self-Guided London Walking Tours

I love London and I love walking, and I’ve really enjoyed sharing my London walks with you over the last few years. Given the response, I’m pretty sure you like walking, too. Today I want to make it easy for you to find my self-guided London walking tours by putting them all in one blog post.

London Walking Tours

Ever since I started sharing my London walks on the A Lady in London blog, I’ve gotten emails, comments, and messages saying how much you’ve enjoyed following them.

It’s meant a lot to me, and I really appreciate your support and encouragement. I hope to bring you many more in the future, and will add them to this post as I do.

If you want to bookmark or pin it on Pinterest, you can use the post as an easy reference for finding all my past, present, and future self-guided London walking tours.

My first blog post about London walks was a five-in-one special. I covered areas from Hammersmith to Hampstead and included a map for each one.

Since then I’ve gone into a lot more detail, starting with a self-guided walk in Notting Hill and a couple of other London neighborhoods, and branching out from there. You can find details and links to each one below.

1. London Walking Tours: South Kensington to Soho

My first walk is one from South Kensington to Soho. It’s particularly special to me because I used to do it almost every day when I lived in Kensington.

Whenever I had a social or work event in Soho I got to walk through this part of London and take in everything from the museums to Wellington Arch along the way.

It’s a great one if you’re visiting London for the first time and want to walk between attractions. Get the details here.

2. London Walking Tours: South Bank

My second walk is along the South Bank. I love this part of London because there’s always something going on. Whether it’s a summer festival or a Christmas market, the South Bank is bustling year-round.

This one also goes by some of the most famous London landmarks, from the Houses of Parliament to the London Eye and Borough Market.

This is another good London walk for first-time visitors and those that like to be in the heart of the action. Get the details here.

3. London Walking Tours: Thames Path

My third walk is along the Thames Path from Hammersmith to Chiswick. A friend who lived near Hammersmith introduced me to it ages ago, and I’ve been back many times since.

This stretch of river goes by boats and barges, islets and riverside pubs. There are beautiful houses along the way, and lots of lovely gardens to peek into.

It’s the perfect walk if you want something a bit different and a local London experience. Get the details here.

4. London Walking Tours: The Royal Parks

My fourth walk is for people like me who love cities but also adore nature. It offers the best of both worlds as it goes through Hyde Park, Green Park, and St James’s Park.

When I lived in central London, I did this walk all the time. I’m not only familiar with it, but can also vouch for how good it is year-round.

I particularly enjoy this walk in summer when the gardens are in bloom and the baby waterfowl are at their cutest, but it’s also beautiful when the leaves change and in the spring when the flowers come out. Get the details here.

5. London Walking Tours: Hampstead and the Heath

My fifth walk is in Hampstead, where I lived during my first five years in London.

It goes through the heart of the village and into Hampstead Heath, one of the biggest and wildest parks in the city.

This walk is a great one if you want a mix of London neighborhood and London nature, and it can take up an entire day if you stroll around the whole of the heath. Get the details here.

6. London Walking Tours: Hampstead

My sixth walk is also in Hampstead, and it’s the first of my more detailed self-guided London walking tours. It goes through the village’s streets, giving an in-depth overview of the area, its hidden lanes, and its beloved pubs.

This one is a great walk if you want to get to know a part of the capital that not many visitors get to (but that locals love). It’s one of the prettiest places in London, and feels like it’s a million miles from the city. Get the details here.

7. London Walking Tours: Kensington

My seventh walk is in Kensington, where I lived for years and spent a lot of time exploring. It goes through all my favorite streets and mews and reveals hidden spots where London’s wisteria is at its loveliest in spring.

It also shows off some of the best tucked-away pubs and under-the-radar side streets, and it’s an ideal walk if you want to explore a less obvious side to this part of the city. Get the details here.

8. London Walking Tours: Notting Hill

My eighth walk is in Notting Hill. This London neighborhood is known the world over, but a lot of people get stuck on Portobello Road and other familiar streets when they’re here. I used to, too.

But over the years I’ve discovered a lot of beautiful streets in Notting Hill that aren’t on the tourist trail, and I published my self-guided London walking tour of the area to share them with others and show a different side of the neighborhood.

It’s just the thing if you want to do more than scratch the surface in Notting Hill (and you should). Get the details here.

9. Literary London Walk

My ninth walk diverges from the others in that it covers a theme as opposed to just an area.

This self-guided London literary walk goes through several London neighborhoods to reveal some of the city’s best bookshops, literary landmarks, reading rooms, libraries, and other places book lovers will…well…love.

This one came about as a result of my love of both walking and books, and it’s just the thing for you if you’re the same. Get the details here.

10. London Walking Tours: South Kensington

My tenth walk goes back to the neighborhood theme with a self-guided walk in South Kensington. This one starts where the Kensington walk ends, so they can be combined for a longer exploration of the area.

It goes through South Kensington’s prettiest side streets and mews and shows the area’s pastel houses, cobblestone streets, and orange bricks at their best.

It’s perfect if you want to get a feel for one of London’s loveliest neighborhoods. Get the details here.

11. London Walking Tours: Chelsea

My eleventh walk stays close to my tenth in Chelsea. This area is one of London’s most picturesque, with beautiful houses, great shopping streets, and riverfront gardens galore.

This London walk goes through a lot of the most colorful back streets and secret gardens, as well as some of the main retail areas along the King’s Road.

It’s the perfect one if you like shopping and exploring at the same time. Get the details here.

12. London Walking Tours: Belgravia

My twelfth walk is next door in Belgravia. This is one of the most elegant London neighborhoods. It’s full of embassies, flowers, and hidden mews.

This walk goes through the area’s grand squares, along its flower-festooned streets, and through its back lanes. It’s great if you want a mix of styles, some retail therapy, and lots of luxury. Get the details here.

13. London Walking Tours: Spitalfields

My thirteenth walk is in east London’s Spitalfields. This is one of the city’s most vibrant areas. Historic houses sit beside contemporary street art, markets offer vintage treasures galore, and new pop-ups open all the time.

This London walk goes through the neighborhood’s colorful streets and markets. Sunday is the best day to be here (all the markets are open that day), so I recommend going to Spitalfields then. Get the details here.

14. London Walking Tours: Covent Garden

My fourteenth walk is in Covent Garden. This is one of the busiest and most colorful London neighborhoods. The famous piazza is full of life, and the shops and restaurants around it are some of the best in the city.

This walk will lead you to Covent Garden’s highlights and secret spaces. It’s great if you want to get a full picture of one of the city’s most popular areas. Get the details here.

15. London Walking Tours: Dulwich Village

My fifteenth London walk is in Dulwich village. Dulwich is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in south London. With a park, a picture gallery, and beautiful houses, the area is perfect for wandering.

This walk will take you through Dulwich village’s leafy streets and green spaces. It’s ideal if you want to explore more of south London and feel like you’re a million miles from the city at the same time. Get the details here.

16. London Walking Tours: Holland Park

My sixteenth walk is in Holland Park. This area is full of elegant houses and is home to one of London’s most colorful parks. The tulip gardens are gorgeous in spring, but the area is worth a visit year-round for its beauty.

This London walk will bring you from the Holland Park tube station to the houses, green spaces, and mews the area is renowned for. It’s perfect if you love a mix of pretty homes and peaceful parks. Get the details here.

17. London Walking Tours: Richmond

My seventeenth walk is out west in Richmond. This London neighborhood is worth a trip for its riverside charm and huge parks. It’s full of little lanes, historic pubs, and colorful boats to admire.

This walk will show you the best of the area, from the side streets to the Thames. At the end, it will give you two options for continuing your walk in the way that best suits your interests. Get the details here.

18. London Walking Tours: Mayfair

My eighteenth walk is in chi chi Mayfair. This area is dripping with luxury from its shops to its hotels. Mayfair has a lot of beauty to take in, not to mention pretty gardens and mews.

This walk will lead you through Mayfair, taking you from Piccadilly to South Molton Street and back. It’s a great one if you love the finer things in life. Get the details here.

19. Street Art Tour of London

My nineteenth walk mixes things up again. This one is thematic and focuses on street art in east London’s Spitalfields and Shoreditch.

These areas have some of the best street art in London, and they’re great places to walk around and take in the colors.

This walk will lead you from Old Spitalfields Market to Brick Lane and beyond. It’s just the thing if you like discovering the city’s edgier side. Get the details here.

20. London Walking Tours: Greenwich

My twentieth walk is in leafy Greenwich. Greenwich is known for its maritime history, royal residences, famous observatory, covered market, and great views.

This walk will guide you from the Thames to the Royal Observatory and through the markets and side streets. It’s ideal if you like a mix of culture, food, and history. Get the details here.

21. London Walking Tours: Westminster

My twenty-first walk is in Westminster. This area is home to a lot of big attractions, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

This London walk will take you from Parliament Square to Smith Square and beyond. It covers highlights both big and small, and is a great choice if you like landmarks and hidden corners alike. Get the details here.

22. London Walking Tours: Soho

My twenty-second walk is in Soho. Right in the middle of London, Soho is home to some of the city’s best restaurants and theaters, and a lot of great secret courtyards and leafy squares.

This most exciting of London walks will take you through the most vibrant streets, squares, and alleys in the area. It’s perfect if you want to get to know Soho beyond the main roads. Get the details here.

23. London Walking Tours: City of London

My twenty-third walk is in the City of London. This area has some of the richest history and most important buildings in the UK capital.

This walk will transport you through past and present, big squares and little courtyards, historic halls and modern skyscrapers. It’s ideal if you like history and architecture. Get the details here.

24. London Walking Tours: Regent’s Canal

My twenty-fourth walk is along Regent’s Canal. Running from Maida Vale to King’s Cross, the canal goes by everything from the boats in Little Venice to the stalls of Camden Market. It even goes through the London Zoo in Regent’s Park.

This loveliest of London walks will take you along the waterway and show you parts of London most people miss out on.

It’s great if you like to get off the beaten path and away from the bustle of the city. And given it’s on the water, it’s perfect for a sunny day. Get the details here.

25. London Walking Tours: Clerkenwell

My twenty-fifth walk is in Clerkenwell and the surrounding area. This part of the UK capital is full of history and has some of the best restaurants and markets in London.

My self-guided London walking tour in Clerkenwell will take you down historic alleys, under stone archways, and through one of the oldest markets in the city.

The walk covers Clerkenwell, Smithfield, Hatton Garden, and other areas. It’s just the thing if you like history and food in equal measure. Get the details here.

26. London Walking Tours: Islington

My twenty-sixth walk is in Islington. This area has great shopping, canals, and colorful doors.

My self-guided London walk in Islington will take you through vibrant markets, pretty squares, and exciting shopping streets.

The walk is perfect if you like a mix of high streets and side streets with some retail therapy thrown in. Get the details here.

27. London Walking Tours: London Bridge

My twenty-seventh walk covers London Bridge and the area around it. From Borough to Bermondsey, More London to Maltby Street Market, there’s a lot to discover here.

My self-guided London walking tour in London Bridge will take you through a number of great markets and past some of the most famous landmarks on the Thames.

This London walk is ideal if you like history, food, and riverfront scenery in equal measure. Get the details here.

28. London Walking Tours: Hampstead Heath

My twenty-eighth walk is in Hampstead Heath. One of London’s biggest and wildest parks, it’s a great place to get outdoors and into nature.

My self-guided London walking tour in Hampstead Heath will take you to some of the best places in the park. From the bathing ponds to Parliament Hill, Kenwood House, and the Pergola Garden, it’ll show you the highlights.

This London walk is for you if you like getting into green spaces without leaving the city. Get the details here.

29. London Walking Tours: Shoreditch

My twenty-ninth walk is in Shoreditch. This east London neighborhood is one of the coolest parts of the city, and it has a hipster vibe.

This walk will take you past great street art murals, down historic side streets, and alongside popular shops and restaurants.

This most exciting of London walks is perfect if you like street art, London history, and hipster areas in equal measure. Get the details here.

30. London Walking Tours: Bloomsbury

My thirtieth walk is in Bloomsbury. This part of central London is known for its literary connections, leafy squares, and famous museums.

My self-guided London walking tour in Bloomsbury will take you through Russell Square, past the British Museum, and into secret gardens. Along the way you’ll go by independent bookshops and famous Bloomsbury cafes.

This London walk will appeal if you love literary history, bookshops, and cultural attractions in equal measure. Get the details here.

31. London Walking Tours: Regent’s Canal

My thirty-first walk is on Regent’s Canal, but along a different stretch than my other one. This walk goes from King’s Cross to Hackney. It can be combined with my canal walk from Maida Vale to King’s Cross for a longer route.

This self-guided Regent’s Canal walk will take you through Islington, Angel, Hoxton, Haggerston, and London Fields as you make your way into Hackney.

You’ll get a glimpse of waterfront bars and cafes as you go, and you can pick up a picnic lunch at Broadway Market at the end if you want to.

This London walk is for you if you love being by the water and exploring local areas of the city. Get the details here.

32. London Walking Tours: Thames Walk

My thirty-second walk is on the Thames Path. This is one of the most popular places to walk in London, and my route will take you to some of the best spots along the river.

This self-guided Thames walk will lead you from Chelsea to Battersea Park, Pimlico, Westminster, the South Bank, and Rotherhithe.

Along the way you’ll see London attractions like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and more.

This walking tour is for you if you love being by the river and seeing the city’s big landmarks. It’s one of the best walks along the Thames in London. Get the details here.

33. London Walking Tours: Royal Walk

My thirty-third walk is a royal-themed tour of the UK capital. It covers many of the major palaces in London and other sites associated with the monarchy.

The route of this self-guided London walking tour goes from Kensington Gardens to the Tower of London. Along the way it passes Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and other royal landmarks.

This London walk is for you if you’re a fan of the monarchy and you want to see all things royal in London. Get the details on my royal walk blog post.

34. London Walking Tours: Marylebone

My thirty-fourth walk is in Marylebone. This upscale part of central London is known for its great shopping, famous high street, and fun markets.

My self-guided London walking tour in Marylebone will take you down Marylebone High Street, past the Wallace Collection, and into pretty gardens. Along the way you’ll go by beloved bookshops and the Sherlock Holmes Museum.

This London walk will appeal if you love Marylebone shopping, markets, and cultural attractions. Get the details here.

35. London Walking Tours: Knightsbridge

My thirty-fifth walk is in Knightsbridge. This luxurious neighborhood in central London is famous for department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, but there’s a lot more to discover beyond shopping.

My self-guided London walking tour in Knightsbridge will take you down Sloane Street, past luxury goods shops, and into side streets and squares. Along the way you’ll go down Brompton Road and explore hidden mews.

This London walk is for you if you love the finer things in life and want to explore one of London’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Get the details here.

36. London Walking Tours: Primrose Hill

My thirty-sixth walk is in Primrose Hill. This pretty neighborhood in north London is beloved for its big park and colorful houses (some of which were used as filming locations for the Paddington movies).

My self-guided London walk in Primrose Hill will take you down Regent’s Park Road, along Regent’s Canal, and into the park. Along the way you’ll take in one of the best views of London and explore beautiful squares.

This route is for you if you like exploring local areas and want to discover one of London’s sweetest neighborhoods. Get the details here.

37. London Walking Tours: Highgate

My thirty-seventh walk is in Highgate. This elegant London neighborhood is known for its famous Victorian cemetery and beautiful houses.

My self-guided walking route in Highgate will take you into the area’s many green spaces and along its high streets and side streets. As you go you’ll get a glimpse of the heritage details that make this one of the most beautiful parts of north London.

This one is just the thing if you enjoy discovering less touristy places in London and want to see a great local neighborhood. It’s one of my favorite unusual walks in London. Get the details here.

38. London Walking Tours: Harry Potter

My thirty-eighth walk is another themed one. It covers the main Harry Potter sites in London, from places that featured in the novels to ones that were used as filming locations for the movies.

The route of this self-guided London walking tour goes from Westminster to Tower Bridge. Along the way it will lead you through Whitehall, Covent Garden, King’s Cross, the City of London, and the South Bank.

You’ll see everything from Leadenhall Market to Platform 9 3/4, the Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and St Pancras station as you go. It’s a great way to indulge your inner Potterhead.

This London walking route is for you if you’re a Harry Potter fan and you want to see all things associated with the books and films. Get the details on my Harry Potter walking tour blog post.

39. London Walking Tours: Christmas Lights

My thirty-ninth walk is also themed. It spans the city center to highlight the best and brightest Christmas lights in the UK capital.

From Oxford Street and Regent Street to Carnaby Street and Covent Garden, it will give you a good overview of the city’s festive installations.

This walk is for you if you want to see the top Christmas lights in London. Get the details and map on my blog post about a Christmas lights walk in London.

40. London Walking Tours: Little Venice

My fortieth walk is in Little Venice. This beautiful London neighborhood is known for its canals. The Grand Union Canal meets Regent’s Canal here, and there are lots of places to admire along the waterways.

My self-guided walking tour in Little Venice will take you into the area’s pretty streets and by its colorful boats. As you go you’ll get to see everything from parks to cafes and Paddington Basin.

This walk is perfect if you like exploring off-the-beaten-path parts of London and you want to discover a local neighborhood. Get the details and map on my blog post about a Little Venice walk in London.

41. London Walking Tours: Paddington

My forty-first walk is in Paddington. This part of the UK capital is best known for its train station, but there are hidden mews all throughout the neighborhood. Exploring them is a fun way to get to know the area.

My self-guided Paddington walk will take you around to some of the best mews in London. You’ll even go through one that has working horse stables in it.

This walk is ideal if you enjoy seeing hidden streets and you love London’s mews. Get the details and map on my blog post about a Paddington walk.

42. London Walking Tours: Holborn

My forty-second walk is in Holborn. This part of central London is known for its rich history, long-standing legal institutions, hidden pubs, and leafy squares.

My self-guided Holborn walk will lead you around to the area’s best museums, passageways, and historic sites. Along the way you’ll get a glimpse of everything from Lincoln’s Inn Fields to Hatton Garden.

This walk is ideal if you enjoy a mix of history, architecture, and tucked-away surprises. Get the details and map on my blog post about a Holborn walk.

43. London Walking Tours: City of London Pubs

My forty-third walk is another themed one. It revolves around London’s historic pubs, and it will take you to some of the oldest and most famous watering holes in the UK capital.

The route of the walk will guide you around the City of London and show you a number of heritage pubs. From haunted ones to Victorian gin palaces, you’ll see a range of inns and taverns.

This walk is just the thing if you love pubs, history, and ghost stories in equal measure. Get the details and map on my blog post about a London pub walk.

44. London Walking Tours: Inns of Court

My forty-fourth walk is a hybrid between a themed tour and an area guide. It focuses on the Inns of Court, long-standing professional associations for barristers. Conveniently located near the Royal Courts of Justice, they’re called Inner Temple, Middle Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn.

The route of this self-guided walk will take you around to each of the Inns of Court and show you the heritage buildings, beautiful gardens, and famous filming locations within them (everything from The Da Vinci Code to Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation has been filmed in Temple).

This walk is just the thing if you love historic architecture, stunning gardens, and peaceful surroundings. Get the details and map on my blog post about an Inns of Court walking tour.

Self-Guided Walking Tours in London

Beyond these official walks, I’ve also written blog posts about walking along Regent’s Canal and walking in Hampstead Garden Suburb. I’ve put together lists of seasonal walks for spring, summer, autumn, Christmas, and winter, too.

You can read about more lovely walks in London’s Hidden Walks as well. You can get it here. There are more ideas in my London walking books post, too.

And like I said earlier, I have more London walks in the pipeline and they’ll all end up here and on my London walking map once I’ve published them.

I hope you enjoy these self-guided London walking tours as much as I do, and that you get a chance to explore all the city’s wonderful nooks.

Hidden details are some of the best things about London, and these walks are a great way to discover them.

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