13 Nature Walks in London You Can Reach by Tube, Overground or Bus

Do you need to leave London to go for a proper nature walk? Not at all! Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Epping Forest and Walthamstow Wetlands are all just a Tube, Overground or bus ride away. Most of them make a 5–12 km walk through heath, ancient woodland, marsh or meadow.

When I lived in London, Richmond Park was one of my favourite places, and I was lucky to live quite close to it. So here are 13 walking trails inside London, with the distance, nearest station and highlights for each, plus a comparison table. If you want proper countryside further out, like the Chilterns, the South Downs or the White Cliffs of Dover, see our guide to hiking near London by train, which covers day trips out of London.

Quick answer

• Best views: Hampstead Heath (Parliament Hill) and Richmond Park (King Henry's Mound, with a protected view of St Paul's).
• Best for wildlife: Walthamstow Wetlands (free), London Wetland Centre (paid) and Rainham Marshes.
• Best woodland walk: Epping Forest from Chingford, home to about 55,000 ancient trees.
• Most unusual: the Parkland Walk, a nature reserve along an old railway line from Finsbury Park to Highgate.
• Best riverside walk: the Thames Path from Richmond to Kingston (7.5 km).
• Longest option: the Capital Ring, 78 miles (126 km) in 15 sections around London.

Nature walks in London at a glance

1. Hampstead Heath

Distance: 8.4 km (5.2 miles) circular from Hampstead station. Allow about 3 hours. Stations: Hampstead (Northern line), or Hampstead Heath and Gospel Oak (Overground).

Hampstead Heath is about 320 hectares, so big that you really feel like you have left the city behind. It is beautiful in every season. A classic loop climbs Parliament Hill (98 m), where the view over the City and St Paul's is protected by law. Then it continues through ancient woodland to the Robert Adam gardens of Kenwood House, and drops down past the Highgate Ponds. Fancy a dip? The men's and ladies' bathing ponds are open all year, and the mixed pond is open from May to September.

2. Richmond Park

Distance: a 9.2 km (5.7 mile) loop from Pembroke Lodge, or the Tamsin Trail around the edge at just over 7 miles. Station: Richmond (District line, Overground and National Rail), then walk up Richmond Hill to the park.

Richmond Park covers 2,500 acres. It is London's largest Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. There are around 600 red and fallow deer here, so you can't miss them! Don't miss the view of St Paul's Cathedral from King Henry's Mound and the waterfowl on Pen Ponds either. The Isabella Plantation is a real hidden gem inside the park. It is a woodland garden, famous for its azaleas in spring. Please keep your distance from the deer, especially during the autumn rut.

Opening: pedestrian gates open at 7:30 am, and closing times vary, so check the Royal Parks website.

3. Epping Forest from Chingford

Distance: 7.6 km (4.7 miles) circular, about 1¾ hours of walking. Station: Chingford (Overground, from Liverpool Street).

Epping Forest stretches 13 miles from east London into Essex. It has around 55,000 ancient trees, more than any other single site in the UK. Just five minutes from Chingford station you will find The View visitor centre and Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge. Fun fact: Henry VIII built it in 1543 for watching hunts. A good loop goes around Connaught Water and climbs Pole Hill for a view of the London skyline, past old pollarded oaks and hornbeams. You can also start from Loughton, Theydon Bois or Snaresbrook on the Central line.

4. Walthamstow Wetlands

Distance: wander as far as you like, or follow the Ramblers' 11.7 km (7.3 mile) loop through the Walthamstow and Tottenham marshes. Stations: Tottenham Hale or Blackhorse Road.

Walthamstow Wetlands opened to the public in 2017. It covers 211 hectares and ten working reservoirs, and Thames Water calls it Europe's largest urban wetland. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its waterbirds. Look out for herons (the heronry is one of the biggest in the UK), kingfishers, great crested grebes and wintering ducks like shoveler and pochard. The café is in the restored Victorian Engine House.

• Prices: free.
• Dogs: only guide and assistance dogs are allowed.
• Bikes: cyclists must stick to the marked routes.

5. Walthamstow Marshes and the Lee Valley

Distance: 3.2 km (2 miles) circular ("Walthamstow Wonders" route). Station: Lea Bridge.

Just south of the reservoirs, this short Lee Valley Regional Park route starts at the Lee Valley Ice Centre on Lea Bridge Road. It loops through Walthamstow Marshes, under the AV Roe railway arches, past Coppermill Fields and along the Lee Navigation. Suitable for children: yes, the paths are mostly surfaced, so it works well with kids. You can also combine it with the Wetlands for a longer day.

6. Parkland Walk

Distance: about 5 km (3 miles) one way. Stations: Finsbury Park (start) and Highgate (finish).

The Parkland Walk follows an old railway line from Finsbury Park towards Highgate. Passenger trains stopped in 1954. The line became a walking route in 1984 and a Local Nature Reserve in 1990, and it is said to be London's longest Local Nature Reserve. Look out for the green "spriggan" sculpture in an alcove near the old Crouch End station. Kids will love it! This section is part of the Capital Ring, so you can continue through Highgate Wood and Queen's Wood.

7. Capital Ring: Woolwich to Falconwood

Distance: 9.4 km (5.8 miles) one way, about 3 hours. Stations: start at the Woolwich foot tunnel (near Woolwich Arsenal), finish at Falconwood (National Rail).

The Capital Ring is a 78-mile (126 km) walking route around London in 15 sections, and section 1 is one of the greenest. It starts by the Thames with views of the Thames Barrier. Then it climbs through Maryon Wilson Park, which has a small animal enclosure with fallow deer, and Charlton Park to Severndroog Castle. At 128 m, this is the highest point on the whole Capital Ring. The route finishes through Oxleas Wood and Shepherdleas Wood. Expect some steep slopes and steps.

8. Sydenham Hill Wood and Horniman Gardens

Distance: up to 6.6 km (4.1 miles) one way, about 1.5 hours. Stations: Sydenham Hill (start) and West Dulwich (finish), both in Zone 3.

Sydenham Hill Wood is managed by London Wildlife Trust. Together with neighbouring Dulwich Wood, it is the largest surviving part of the ancient Great North Wood. You can follow the trackbed of a Victorian railway to a bricked-up tunnel. You can also stand on the Cox's Walk footbridge, where Camille Pissarro painted the view down the line in 1871. The Saturday Walkers Club route also includes Dulwich Park and the free, 16-acre Horniman Gardens, which have lovely views across London.

9. London Wetland Centre, Barnes

Distance: flat, easy paths around the lakes and hides. For a longer outing, walk in along the Thames towpath from Putney Bridge (about 25 minutes). Stations: Barnes or Barnes Bridge (about 20 minutes' walk), or buses including the 33, 209 and 378 to the Red Lion.

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust opened this reserve in 2000, on 105 acres beside the Thames. In my opinion it is the most family-friendly nature reserve in London. There are hides, otters, water voles, pond dipping and adventure play.

• Prices: unlike most walks here, it is paid. Adult tickets start from £18.10 (10% off online).
• Getting there: Hammersmith Bridge is closed for refurbishment, so check TfL for bus changes.

10. Wimbledon Common

Distance: 10.5 km (6.5 miles) circular from Wimbledon station. Stations: Wimbledon (District line and National Rail), or take the 93 bus to the Windmill.

Together with Putney Heath, the commons cover 460 hectares of heath, bog and woodland. Most of Wimbledon Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. It is also an important site for stag beetles. A walk linking the ponds (Rushmere, Queensmere and others) and Beverley Brook brings you to the windmill and its tea rooms. Fun fact: Baden-Powell wrote part of Scouting for Boys here.

11. Thames Path: Richmond to Kingston

Distance: 7.5 km (4.7 miles) one way, about 2 hours. Or you can do a 12 km circular from Richmond, crossing at Teddington Lock. Stations: Richmond (start) and Kingston (finish).

This is the prettiest stretch of the Thames Path in London. You pass Petersham Meadows and Eel Pie Island, then reach the footbridges and weir at Teddington Lock. Ham Lands Local Nature Reserve has wildflowers and flood meadow, and the walk ends at Canbury Gardens in Kingston. The circular version passes Ham House and Marble Hill House. If you would rather be on the water, see our guide to kayaking and canoeing adventures near London.

12. Fryent Country Park

Distance: 5.5 km (3.4 miles), about 1.5 hours. Stations: Preston Road (Metropolitan line, start) and Kingsbury (Jubilee line, finish).

Fryent Country Park is a real hidden gem in north-west London. It covers 103 hectares of rolling hay meadows, hedgerows and small woods. It is a Local Nature Reserve and has been called the best surviving example of Middlesex countryside. Climb Barn Hill (86 m), landscaped by Humphry Repton. At the top there is a pond and views to Wembley Stadium and Harrow on the Hill. Capital Ring signs guide you up.

13. Rainham to Purfleet via Rainham Marshes

Distance: 12.7 km (7.9 miles) one way, about 3 hours, and completely flat. Stations: Rainham (Zone 6, c2c) to Purfleet, one stop further on.

This walk starts in the far east of London and follows the Thames. You pass abandoned concrete barges from the 1944 D-Day landings and the large "Diver" sculpture. Then you cross into Essex at the RSPB Rainham Marshes reserve. From the hides you can spot water voles, marsh harriers, avocets and lapwings.

• Opening: the reserve closes at 4 pm from November to March and 5 pm from April to October. Check entry details on the RSPB website.
• Food: unfortunately the café closed in 2025, so bring a picnic.

Tips for walking in London's green spaces

• Plan with TfL: all these walks start at or near a Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, National Rail or bus stop. Contactless or Oyster works for most of the journeys.
• Choose one-way walks: routes like the Parkland Walk, Capital Ring and Thames Path end at a different station, so you never walk the same way back.
• Season by season: go to Richmond Park in spring for the Isabella Plantation azaleas, to Walthamstow Wetlands in winter for ducks, and to the woods in autumn for gorgeous colours.
• Footwear: most paths are surfaced, but Epping Forest, Wimbledon Common and Rainham Marshes get muddy after rain.
• Respect wildlife: keep dogs on leads around deer and ground-nesting birds, and stay on the paths in nature reserves.
• Short on time? London is full of smaller green surprises. See our list of off-the-beaten-path bucket list ideas in London.

Walks near London: inside the city vs day trips out

This guide sticks to nature walks inside London that you can reach on a Travelcard. When you are ready for hills and coast, our guide to 17 places to go hiking near London by train covers day trips out of London, such as Box Hill, the Seven Sisters and the Chiltern Hills.

FAQ

What are the best nature walks in London?

My top picks are Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park, Epping Forest from Chingford, Walthamstow Wetlands, the Parkland Walk and the Thames Path from Richmond to Kingston. They are all free and you can reach them by public transport.

Where can I find scenic walks near London without leaving the city?

For scenic walks without a train out, try Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath, King Henry's Mound in Richmond Park, Severndroog Castle on the Capital Ring, and Barn Hill in Fryent Country Park.

Are there long walking trails in London?

Yes. The Capital Ring is 78 miles (126 km) in 15 sections, and the Thames Path runs through the whole city. You can walk both in short sections between stations.

Which London nature walks are good for children?

The Walthamstow Marshes circular (2 miles), the London Wetland Centre, the Horniman Gardens and the flat paths at Walthamstow Wetlands all work well for families.

Where can I see wildlife on a walk in London?

You can see deer in Richmond Park, herons and kingfishers at Walthamstow Wetlands, stag beetles on Wimbledon Common, and water voles and marsh harriers at Rainham Marshes.

Do I need to pay for nature walks in London?

Almost all of them are free. The main exception is the London Wetland Centre in Barnes, where adult tickets start at £18.10.

What is your favourite green space in London? Let me know in the comments!