London is huge. Use this as a guide to find the best routes by area. Of course, London's excellent transport ensures that a great London run is but a tube or light rail run away!
An overview of the running highlights of London's famous central Royal parks: Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James Park. Create your own route along interior paths, grand Malls, royal sights, pastoral ponds, large fields.
One of the great urban runs in the world, this route incorporates London’s famous central Royal parks: Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James Park. It is a way-marked ‘figure eight” loop, in honor of the late Princess Diana.
Regent’s Park, at 395 acres, is one of the Royal Parks in north west London, straddling the Westminster/Camden areas. Lovely park with grand paths, large athletic fields, Queen's Gardens. Primrose Hill, across the way has great views.
Attractive towpath along a waterway linking Paddington Basin and Limehouse Basin, winding its way through numerous London neighborhoods and connecting several major parks and green spaces.
Running along the Thames River embankment is one of the running/tourist treats of London. A great way to see some of the sights, and enjoy crossing the numerous historic bridges, including the iconic Tower Bridge.
Parks, palaces, and views make this tourist run a highlight. Contributed by Hayden Shearman, A Runners Guide to London
A 14-mile run/walk tour of some of London’s highlights. Do it in segments. You’ll run past palaces, the UK’s most expensive street, iconic theatres, department stores, and the riverside vistas of Chelsea and Fulham.
Run between the Western and Eastern hemispheres across the Prime Meridian line at lovely Greenwich Park! 3-4 miles of criss-crossing paths, the Royal Observatory, Blackheath. Also, 4-5 miles of paths along the Thames, east to the O2 and along Olympian Way.
Docklands/Canary Wharf is a major area of office buildings and residential high-rises. There's a nice ~5 mile path around the perimeter. Also good running around the ExCel Center and from the O2 to Greenwhich Park.
A good exploration of London’s eastern end. There are three main “sites”: pathways along the several canals; a jaunt by the area built for the 2012 summer Olympics, and a run into Victoria Park.
A wonderful and hilly running area in the affluent Hampstead residential area. The historic heath is a great collection of views and landscapes, part open and part wooded. Great for hill training. We've included 3 trail options.
The largest of London’s eight Royal Parks, Richmond Park is 8 miles west of London and accessible by train. It has a more rural feel, with landscaped hills & gardens, woods, grasslands, and a great view of the Thames. 7 mile perimeter path & more options.
The second largest of London’s eight Royal Parks, 10 miles west of the city. Our 6-mile ‘perimeter’ route is a nice mix of terrain. Highlights include ‘Chestnut Avenue’ the Diana Fountain, & Hampton Court Palace in Home Park.
Our suggestions for the area near Heathrow: Moors (at the airport); Staines-upon-Thames; Hounslow Heath; Windsor; Richmond Park.
South of London, two highlights are Surrey Hills, a 163 sq. mile designated “Area of Natural Beauty”, dotted by hills, fields, vineyards, and quiet roads. A true destination run. The High Weald, is a medieval landscape of hills, fields, and farmsteads.
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