Lady’s 21 Country Walks Near London You’ll Love

As much as I love London, I also like getting out into the countryside. One of the best things about living in the UK capital is that it’s easy to go and immerse myself in England’s natural beauty. If you feel the same way, today I want to share my favorite country walks near London with you.

Country Walks Near London

I’ve done a lot of walks, hikes, and rambles in the area around the city over the years. They’ve showed me that I don’t have to go far to get into beautiful landscapes and coastal scenery.

I’ve shared a lot of the walks I’ve done on the A Lady in London blog, and it’s been exciting to hear how many people have been inspired by them. I’m glad they’ve encouraged you to get out and explore more of England.

As such, I thought it would be helpful to put all my country walks near London into one blog post.

If you want to bookmark or pin it on Pinterest, you can use it to find them all in one convenient place. I’ll share more with you as I go on them, and will add the new ones to this post as I do.

Each walk on this list can be done as a day trip from London, so they’re straightforward and easy if you don’t have much time.

They’re great for visitors and busy locals alike, and they can all be reached by train from London if you don’t have a car.

Country Walking Routes Near London

The the walks I’ve done have been led by people who know the routes well.

Because of that, I don’t have my own detailed maps like I do for my self-guided London walks (it’s not always easy to plot a map on country walking paths anyway).

Thankfully, there are plenty of maps online that cover the same or similar routes to the ones I’ve written about. You can easily replicate my walks with them if you want to do them on your own.

You can also read about more walks and find further details in Time Out Country Walks: 52 Walks Near London. You can get it here.

So without further ado, read on for my favorite country walks near London…

1. Rochford Walk

My first walk starts and ends in Rochford, Essex. This circular ramble was my introduction to British country walks, and I’ll never forget the excitement I felt when getting onto the path.

I didn’t give as detailed a description of the route in my blog post as I wish I had, but there’s plenty of information online about Rochford walks if you want to get inspired by my experience and plan a similar walk for yourself.

It’s an ideal one if you want to see a different side of Essex than people usually think of. You can find the details here.

2. Country Walk Close to Cambridge

The second of my country walks near London is also in Essex. It’s up north near Cambridge, though.

Like the Rochford walk, it’s a circular. It starts and ends in Wendens Ambo, which is an easy train ride from London, if a bit longer than some of the others in this post.

This walk is stunning. It goes through some of the most beautiful villages in England, and there are photo opportunities galore.

There are thatched-roof cottages and idyllic streams everywhere, not to mention a great country pub for lunch.

This is another walk that challenges stereotypes about Essex. It’s perfect if you prefer the ease of beginning and ending in the same spot and taking in fairy-tale scenery along the route. You can find the details here.

3. Folkestone to Dover Walk

My third country walk is down on the south coast. This one will take you from Folkestone to Dover, clinging to the shoreline and ascending the chalk cliffs for panoramic views across the English Channel.

I was fortunate with the weather for this walk, and I recommend doing it on a sunny day if you can. That’s not least because you’ll be able to see France in the distance if it’s a clear day.

This one is for you if you like being by the sea and enjoy walking along the water.

It’s also a good one if you like historic streets, as Folkestone is full of lanes with cafes and shops. There’s one steep hill climb in the middle, so it’s ideal if you like a challenge, too. You can get the details here.

4. Arundel to Amberley Walk

The fourth of my country walks near London is perfect if you like a fairy tale. This walk is full of castles and towers. With a route starting in Arundel and ending in Amberley, it passes medieval fortresses throughout.

Arundel and Amberley are both home to some of the most impressive castles near London. In between, the route will take you up hills and into villages, so there’s a mix of scenery.

This walk is perfect if you like castles, country villages, and sweeping landscapes. It’s also fairly flat apart from a steep hill, so it’s a good choice if you want a bit of a challenge but not too much of one. You can see the details here.

5. Ely Circular Country Walk Near London

My fifth country walk is near Cambridge again. This circular begins and ends in Ely, a historic city in Cambridgeshire. The city itself is worth visiting at the beginning or end of the walk, as Ely Cathedral is stunning.

As for the walk itself, there’s great countryside to go through, including lots of fields that run alongside waterways.

It’s fun to see canal boats along the way, and there are pubs and picnic spots throughout the area if you want to stop for lunch.

This walk is ideal if you like history and classic countryside. The area around Ely is also flat as can be, so it’s a great walk if you don’t like hills.

I wish I had written a blog post about this one, but hopefully you remember it from my Instagram. Either way, there’s information about circular walks from Ely online so you can do a similar one if you’re interested.

6. Southbourne to Chichester Walk

The sixth of my country walks near London is back down south again. This one will take you from Southbourne to Chichester, another English cathedral city.

The walk goes along the channels around Chichester, taking you past waterfront scenery and pretty villages like Bosham. It also offers a reward at the end in the form of Chichester Cathedral.

This walk is for you if you like history, idyllic villages, and the water. There’s a pub with a beer garden in the middle, so it’s a great one if you want to have a leisurely day.

It’s also flat, so it’s another good one if you don’t like hills. You can get the details here.

7. Overton Circular Country Walk Near London

My seventh country walk is a circular starting and ending in the village of Overton in Hampshire. This walk will take you past bucolic rivers, through golden fields, and beside fluffy sheep.

It also goes through Jane Austen’s birthplace, making for a great excuse to pay homage to one of Britain’s most famous writers. Elsewhere, you might spot a herd of buffalo used for making local mozzarella cheese.

This walk is a great one if you like a mix of countryside and village charm, a relatively short train ride, and a circular route that makes transportation easy and straightforward.

The path is relatively flat the whole way, so it’s ideal if you like even ground. Get the details here.

8. Goring Circular Walk

My eighth country walk is a circular in the Berkshire countryside. This walk will take you from Goring and Streatley station through pretty villages and fields of purple flowers.

It starts in the village of Goring on the River Thames. From there it winds past big country houses and through golden fields with some woodland areas thrown into the mix. There’s a great lunch stop at a 15th-century pub, too.

Like the previous walk, this British country walk is perfect if you like countryside, villages, a fairly quick train ride, and a circular route.

The path has a few hills (including one steep one), so it’s ideal if you like a mix of terrain. Get the details here.

9. Sevenoaks Walk

My ninth country walk is a point-to-point one in Kent. This walk will bring you from Sevenoaks station past stately homes and through wooded areas to the town of Westerham, which is known for its Winston Churchill connections.

This walk starts in the town center in Sevenoaks and quickly veers off into Knole Park, where you pass the famous stately home of Knole.

The route then goes through fields and forested areas before passing through a National Trust garden and past pretty country cottages.

This country walk in Britain is perfect if you want to do one of the closest walks to London. It’s less than a 30-minute train ride from the capital, so it’s convenient as far as location goes.

The path is relatively flat apart from one steep hill with steps, so it’s fairly forgiving in terms of topography. Get the details here.

10. Surrey Walk

My tenth country walk near London is a station-to-station walk in Surrey. It’s called Walk the Chalk, and it will guide you from Dorking to Godalming.

This walk starts at Dorking station, from where you’ll walk through woodland areas and chalk landscapes in the English countryside.

You’ll go by World War II pillboxes and wildlife habitats, and enjoy great views from God’s Seat. There are great country pubs in Godalming to enjoy when you finish the walk, too.

This ramble in Surrey is perfect if you want to do a country walk near London by train. It’s under an hour from the city and it makes for a great day out.

The route covers both flat areas and rolling hills, so it’s a good one if you like some variation when it comes to terrain. Get the details here.

11. Oak Trail in Epping Forest Walk

My eleventh country walk near London is a circular walk in Essex. The Oak Trail is one of nine signposted trails in Epping Forest, a woodland area on the border of Greater London.

This walk starts at the Theydon Bois tube station, from where you’ll walk through the village and into the English countryside.

The route will take you to pastures and forest land, and there are pubs and cafes along the way if you need a rest. You’ll walk by the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary as you go, too.

This Essex walk is for you if you want to do a country walk near London that’s accessible by tube. It’s less than 30 minutes from some stations in the city, and it’s one of the easiest walks to get to from the UK capital.

The walking route is mostly flat, so it’s a good one to do if you want a gentle ramble. Get the details on my Oak Trail in Epping Forest post.

12. West Chiltington Walk Near London

My twelfth country walk near London is in West Chiltington. A 5.7-mile (9.2-kilometer) ramble, it’s a good introduction to the villages and vineyards of West Sussex.

From West Chiltington, the route will take you through fields full of cows and up gentle hills with vineyards. You’ll go past idyllic cottages and country houses, alongside ponds, and through fairy-tale woods adorned with flowers.

This country walk takes around 3 hours to complete. It features a range of terrain, a few gentle hills, and lots of pretty scenery.

It’s great if you want to soak up the beauty of the English countryside. You can get the details on my circular walks in West Sussex post.

13. Knepp Red Walk Near London

My thirteenth country walk near London is the Knepp Red Walk. It takes place on the Knepp Castle Estate, a 3,500 acre (1,416-hectare) stretch of land just south of Horsham. It’s one of my favorite West Sussex walks.

The 5.8-mile (9.3-kilometer) Red Walk will take you past everything from cows, piglets, and deer to ponds, giant storks’ nests, and castle ruins. There’s even a windmill en route.

This circular walk takes around two-and-a-half hours to complete. It features flat terrain and is an easy route to ramble.

There are lots of little unexpected highlights along the way, too, so it’s a fun one if you like surprises. The details are on my West Sussex circular walks post.

14. Cissbury Ring Walk Near London

My fourteenth country walk near London is the Cissbury Ring walk. The second largest hill fort in England, Cissbury Ring is known for its ancient Neolithic flint mine and Iron Age history. It’s also one of the best places in Sussex to spot butterflies.

Situated on the South Downs near Arundel, Cissbury Ring is a beautiful place for a country ramble near London. The 2.1-mile (3.4-kilometer) circular walk around the hill is full of ancient history and panoramic views.

From the top of Cissbury Ring you can take in the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, the pebble beaches of Brighton, and the English Channel.

This country walk takes around an hour to complete. It’s great if you like a combination of ancient history, hills, horses, and vista points. The route and map are on my circular walks in West Sussex post.

15. Moreton-in-Marsh Walk

My fifteenth country walk near London is a Moreton-in-Marsh walk in the Cotswolds. This relatively flat 7-mile (11-kilometer) circular route is a great way to get out into the English countryside in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK.

Along the way you’ll see everything from picture-pretty Cotswolds villages to fanciful stately homes, country pubs, and an arboretum.

This Moreton-in-Marsh walk is ideal if you want to explore the Cotswolds without a car, as it starts and ends at the Moreton-in-Marsh train station. You can find the full route and map on my Moreton-in-Marsh walk post.

16. Burford Circular Walk

My sixteenth country walk near London is also in the Cotswolds. A Burford circular walk, it follows a flat 5-mile (8-kilometer) route through Cotswolds villages, across fields, and along the River Windrush.

As you go, you’ll spot quintessential thatched-roof cottages, historic churches, and bucolic waterfront scenery.

This country walk is for you if you want to explore the Cotswolds on foot and take in some of the lesser-known villages in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can find the full route and map on my Burford circular walk blog post.

17. Marlow Walk

My seventeenth country walk near London takes place in and around Marlow in Buckinghamshire. This 6.3-mile (10.1-kilometer) ramble is a great one to do if you want to walk along a flat route that’s accessible by train from the UK capital.

The path goes along the River Thames, then veers off into woodland areas. There are Tudor houses, eye-catching footbridges, and historic churches to take in along the way.

This country walk is perfect if you want to discover the Chiltern Hills and see some of Marlow at the beginning and end. You can find the full route and map on my Marlow walk post.

18. Tring Circular Walk

My eighteenth country walk near London is a Tring circular walk in The Chilterns. This 8.5-mile (14-kilometer) route is ideal for getting a taste of Britain’s unique chalk grassland scenery and spectacular views across the English countryside.

Along the way you’ll walk through nature reserves, over rolling hills, and up to the famous Ivinghoe Beacon. There are great pubs for lunch in the town of Tring as well.

This country walk is perfect if you want something relatively close to London and you enjoy hiking a few hills. You can find the full route, photos, and video on my Tring circular walk blog post.

19. Charlbury Circular Walk

Next on my list of the best country walks near London is a circular walk in the Cotswolds. The 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) route will take you into the pretty village of Charlbury and through the ancient Wychwood Forest.

Much of this ramble follows the Oxfordshire Way. It’s a famous long-distance walk from Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire to the Thames in Henley. Along the way it crosses over the River Evenlode and passes wooded groves and copses.

This one is for you if you’re looking for a shorter walk and you don’t have a car, as there’s a train station in Charlbury.

You can find the full route, map, photos, and video for this hike on my blog post about a Charlbury walk. There’s more on my post about spending 3 days in the Cotswolds, too.

20. Kingham Circular Walk

Next on my list of the best walks near London is a circular walk in Kingham. This 10.5-mile (17-kilometer) walk will take you into the English countryside and to some pretty Cotswolds villages and towns.

The route will guide you to a beautiful pub for lunch in Churchill, into Chipping Norton for some exploration, then back to Kingham at the end.

Along the way you’ll go up gentle hills, through stiles, over culverts, and past ha-has. You’ll also walk by the enchanting Bliss Tweed Mill, a historic building that looks like a cross between a factory and a stately home.

This walk is for you if you’re looking for a longer route with lots of countryside scenery and quintessential towns and villages. It’s also ideal if you don’t want to drive, as there’s a train station in Kingham.

The route is a combination of two separate walks. On the way out you can follow the Cotswolds Conservation Board’s “Walk Eight: Kingham and Churchill“.

On the way back, you can follow the board’s “Walk Eleven: Mills and Meadows” route backwards. There’s lots more about it on my blog post about a Kingham circular walk and my aforementioned post about 3 days in the Cotswolds without a car.

21. Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters

Another of the best country walks is an out-and-back route from Bourton-on-the-Water to the Slaughters. This 5-mile (8-kilometer) walk will take you to some of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.

From Bourton-on-the-Water the route follows the Warden’s Way through bucolic countryside to Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter. You can then retrace your steps back to where you started.

This walk is for you if you’re looking for a ramble that packs a lot of pretty villages into one route. You can see the details about this walk in my blog post about a Cotswolds day trip. There’s also a map that includes the route here.

More Country Walks in England

Beyond these walks, I’ve also written guides to my favorite country walks in Britain and coastal walks near London. As I mentioned earlier, I have more walks in the works and they’ll end up here after I’ve written about them.

Country Walks Near London

I hope you find these country walks near London as exciting as I have, and that you get a chance to do one or more of them soon. The English countryside is famous for a reason, and these walks are the perfect ways to go discover it.

If you want to see more, you can take a look at my blog post about the best circular walks in England. Happy hiking!

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