Walking in London 2652262 216364742 2008-06-01T08:52:28Z Maidenhead22 4605535 [[Image:hackney_wick1.jpg|frame|Walk along the River Lea]] [[London]] is a large but congested city. The public transport system is well developed and world-famous but operates at capacity, can be unpleasant to use and is relatively expensive. A [[London congestion charge|congestion charge]] is made for motorists to enter central London during busy times. For these reasons and others, walking has become increasingly popular for both recreation and as a means of transport in the capital. In addition, London is relatively flat, despite tourist mythology is not especially rainy, and is blessed with pavements on most roads. ==Walking routes== There are several key routes in London and [[Transport for London]] promote the use of several of them: ===[[Capital Ring]]=== [[Image:Capital ring.jpg|thumb|A Capital Ring sign positioned near the [[Preston Road tube station]],]] A circular route with 15 sections and a radius of approximately 4-8 miles (6-13 km) from [[Charing Cross]], mostly through the inner [[Outer London]] suburbs and partly in [[Inner London]]. The route forms a complete circuit, crossing the [[River Thames]] twice and with a notional starting point of [[Woolwich]]. ===[[London Outer Orbital Path]]=== [[Image:London Loop sign.JPG|thumb|Local authorities are responsible for route signage]] A 150 mile (240 km) circular route with 24 sections mostly through the [[Outer London]] suburbs and partly in the districts of neighbouring authorities. The "[[M25 motorway|M25]]" for walkers. The path is broken by the lack of crossing of the Thames between [[Purfleet]] and [[Erith]]. ===[[Jubilee Walkway]]=== A route through central London, originally called the '''Silver Jubilee Walkway''', laid down in [[1977]] as part of the celebrations of the [[Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II]]. The route takes in many of London's major attractions. ===[[Lee Valley Park|Lea Valley Walk]]=== The Lea Valley Walk starts outside Greater London but has around 12.5 miles (20 km) within its boundary. The route follows the [[River Lea]] and the [[Lee Navigation]]. ===[[Greenway, London|The Greenway]]=== [[Image:The Greenway East London.jpg|thumb|Land is reused for walking routes]] Reuse of the land above the [[Northern Outfall Sewer]] from [[Hackney Wick]] to [[Beckton]] as a walking and cycle path. ==Guided walks== Several companies provide guided walks around parts of London. These walks are aimed primarily at tourists and the guide will often be an expert in a particular area. Such walks often are around a theme, such as 'haunted London' or 'London of [[Jack the Ripper]]'. It is also possible to download a tourist guide of London onto an [[MP3]] player or use mobile phone-based services. There are also a number of volunteer led groups such as the [[metropolitan walkers]] of the Ramblers association, that offer walks for people in their 20s and 30s both inside and outside london. ==External links== *[http://www.walkit.com/london walkit.com Walking route planner] *[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2694.aspx Transport for London walking] *[http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround/walkfinder/ Key routes] *[http://www.innerlondonramblers.org.uk Inner London Area of the Ramblers' Association] *[http://www.londoncross.co.uk London Cross - A straight line walk across London] *[http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/ UK Pedestrian Advocacy Group] [http://www.metropolitan-walkers.org.uk Metropolitan Walkers] [[Category:Walking in London| ]]