Today I want to share my top picks for London walking books. Given many of you have told me you’ve enjoyed my self-guided London walks, I thought it would be helpful to share some more resources for walks in the UK capital. I hope you enjoy the list and that it inspires you to explore more of London on foot.
London Walking Books
I’ve published a lot of blog posts about London walks over the years. From self-guided walks in specific areas to themed walks and seasonal strolls, they’ve covered large areas of the city.
Some of the most popular ones are my Notting Hill walk, my Chelsea walk, my Hampstead walk, my canal walks in London, and my Hampstead Heath walks.
But today I want to dive into London walking books and bring you my favorites. Some are based on specific themes, others on areas, and still more on popular walking routes in London.
Whether you’re into secret walks or tree walks, loop walks or historic walks, there’s a London walking book for you. The books make great gifts for the walking lover in your life, too.
1. London’s Hidden Walks
If you’ve done any of my self-guided London walking tours, you’ll know I love London’s Hidden Walks. This trilogy is packed with great London walks that will take you to off-the-beaten-path parts of the city.
Each of the three volumes of London’s Hidden Walks is filled with detailed routes, maps, and photos. There’s lots of good information about the history of London in each one, too. They’re perfect if you love exploring secret parts of the UK capital.
If you want a copy of London’s Hidden Walks, you can get one on Amazon here.
2. 33 Walks in London That You Shouldn’t Miss
Next on my list of the best London walking books is 33 Walks in London That You Shouldn’t Miss. This book features unusual places and under-the-radar areas of London, so it’s ideal if you like getting away from the busy parts of the city.
The book is full of walks that will let you explore various London neighborhoods. It’s fully illustrated with hundreds of color photographs and detailed maps, so it makes for good armchair walking, too.
If you want a copy of 33 Walks in London That You Shouldn’t Miss, you can get one on Amazon here.
3. City Walks London
Less a London walking book and more a deck of walking cards, City Walks London is full of great routes and maps that will help you explore the UK capital on foot.
Each of the 50 cards comes with instructions for a self-guided walk in London on one side and a detailed map of the route on the other. They include numbered stopping points, so they’re easy to follow.
The cards in City Walks London include recommendations for restaurants, shops, sites of historic interest, and parks, so they’re great if you want an all-around overview of the parts of London you want to explore.
If you’re interested in the City Walks London deck, you can get it on Amazon here.
4. Walking London
Next on my list of London walking books is Walking London. As the name implies, this book covers a range of self-guided walks in and around the city.
From famous areas like Notting Hill and the City of London to green spaces like Regent’s Park and local areas like Islington and Dulwich, it has a lot of walks you can enjoy in both known and lesser-known parts of London.
Walking London has color photographs, complete route maps, and suggestions for pubs and restaurants to visit on each walk, too.
If you want a copy of Walking London, you can get one on Amazon here.
5. London Tree Walks
London Tree Walks: Arboreal Ambles Around the Green Metropolis is another of the best London walking books. Given how much greenery the city has, it’s perfect for gaining a greater appreciation of London’s natural highlights.
From Highgate to Canary Wharf, Ealing to Embankment, London Tree Walks reveals all kinds of great greens. The book features architectural, social, and natural history as well, so it’s a good one if you have a variety of interests.
If you want a copy of London Tree Walks: Arboreal Ambles Around the Green Metropolis, you can get one on Amazon here.
6. Walking Pepys’s London
Another of the top London walking books is Walking Pepys’s London. Samuel Pepys was a 17th-century English navy administrator and member of parliament who was famous for the diary he kept. This book covers London from his perspective.
The walks it contains combine Pepys’s diary with lots of historic facts and details about London. It’s a great book if you love history and want to dig deeper into the city’s past.
If you want a copy of Walking Pepys’s London, you can get one on Amazon here.
7. London’s Monumental Walks
London’s Monumental Walks is another of the best London walking books. As the name suggests, it covers the UK capital’s best public monuments, statues, memorials, and obscure public artworks.
The self-guided London walks in this book will take you around to see monuments dedicated to monarchs, military greats, politicians, local heroes, artists, writers, and other notable people. It’s a great one if you like history and art.
If you want a copy of London’s Monumental Walks, you can get one on Amazon here.
8. London’s Secret Walks
Another of the top London walking books is London’s Secret Walks. This one is packed with walking routes that are based around hidden attractions and secret places in London.
The walks will not only show you great local areas of London, but also pubs and restaurants you can enjoy along the way. It’s just the thing if you love discovering the unexpected corners of the city and getting a glimpse of local life.
If you want a copy of London’s Secret Walks, you can get one on Amazon here.
9. London’s Village Walks
London’s Village Walks is a great London walking book if you like exploring the UK capital’s many urban villages.
From Bloomsbury to Notting Hill, Barnes to Dulwich, it features lots of walks in London neighborhoods. The routes will take you around to places that feel untouched by modern times and let you imagine a London of a bygone era.
If you want a copy of London’s Village Walks, you can get one on Amazon. If you’re in the UK, you can get one here. If you’re in the US, get one here.
10. Walking London’s Waterways
If you love being by the water, Walking London’s Waterways is perfect for you. This London walking book has self-guided walks around the city’s canals, rivers, and docks.
From towpaths to off-road routes and riverbanks, Walking London’s Waterways will show you the best of the city’s waterfront areas and introduce you to aquatic areas you never knew were here.
The routes have details about the city’s architecture and history, so they’re great for learning while you walk.
If you want a copy of Walking London’s Waterways, you can get one on Amazon here.
11. The Capital Ring
Next on my list of London walking books is The Capital Ring. As the name implies, this book covers the famous 78-mile (125-kilometer) circular route around inner London.
The walk covers everything from green spaces to abandoned railway lines, towpaths, and nature reserves as it takes you around the UK capital.
Each of the 15 sections of this London walk features local landmarks like the Thames Barrier, Eltham Palace, Richmond Park, Oxleas Meadows, and the London Olympic Park. The book is a great companion guide as you walk the ring.
If you want a copy of The Capital Ring, you can get one on Amazon here.
12. The London Loop
Similar to The Capital Ring, The London Loop is another of the best London walking books for long-distance London walks. This book covers the London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP), a 140-mile (225-kilometer) ring around the city.
The London Loop splits the path up into 15 one-day sections. Each has a route and map that covers key points of interest and special sites along the way. They also have information about history, architecture, archaeology, flora, and fauna.
If you want a copy of The London Loop, you can get one on Amazon here.
13. Thames Path in London
Last on my list of the best London walking books is Thames Path in London. This book will take you along the river from Hampton Court to Crayford Ness. It covers 50 miles (80 kilometers) of riverside scenery as it goes.
With maps, color photos, and lots of folklore and history, Thames Path in London brings the river to life with great walking details. It will show you the best places on the Thames in London, including famous stretches like the one from Hammersmith to Chiswick.
If you want a copy of Thames Path in London, you can get one on Amazon here.
London Walking Books
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best London walking books and that it’s inspired you to head out and discover more of the city. Whatever your interests, I’m sure you’ll have fun exploring.
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