The old image of London as a chaotic and smoky capital, where you can't walk around because the fog is too thick and with entire neighborhoods you don't want to enter is outdated. London is a young, dynamic city, full of opportunities, multicultural (although recently we hear more and more Italian being spoken), clean and without a trace of smog. Furthermore, to discover a city and really get to know it the only means to take are the feet. Follow me and I'll tell you about the 5 best walks in London that I have experienced.
Walks in London: along the Thames
I usually start from Waterloo Station, which is just behind Waterloo Bridge and the Royal Festival Palace. Going towards the river is a must stop from Vergnano coffee. Instead, just before the stairs that take you towards the Thames every weekend there is the Southbank Center Food Market, where to find street food from all over the world or almost. Turning right, without crossing the bridge but passing under it, there are several stalls (well stocked) with used books. Continuing to walk you pass near the skate park, you find a small sandy beach for children, you get to the Tate Modern (which among other things can be visited for free). Soon after you find the reconstructed Shakespeare theater, The Globe, londonbridge and Tower Bridge. Along the shore there are several historic pubs and cafes to stop and rest and enjoy the scenery.
Time: 1 hour minimum
Walks in London: the Docks
It is a redeveloped area, around which there are modern houses, libraries, shops, cafes and parks. It has long been a disreputable area, in memory of when it was the place where ships were built, loaded and started (in the days of the Empire and the colonies this was the port, one of the largest in the world). Today it is not only in full swing, but it is also very pleasant and peaceful for a stroll.
Again just follow the river, starting from Tower Bridge and always going east. Thus one enters the neighborhood of Surrey Quays and Rotherhithe. Here is a small museum perfect for anyone who loves transportation and engineering, or is curious about the men and history behind the first tunnel under the Thames and Tower Bridge, The Brunel Museum.
Continuing along the river you will find the only organic farm in the city, the Surrey Docks City Farm, which houses several animals and a cafe, and then you get to Greenwich. You can cross the waterway with the pedestrian tunnel, or stay on this side of the river and go to the O2, a shopping center with several pubs and restaurants, as well as a venue for great concerts and shows.
If, on the other hand, you cross the river at the Nelson Dock you will arrive directly in the second financial heart of London, Canary Wharf. Futuristic neighborhood, with large skyscrapers, square and shiny metal buildings, it is mainly home to banks. Warning: it empties on weekends.
Time: about 2 hours, depending on where you choose to go.
Walks in London: Whitechapel
Historically popular and run-down neighborhood, the heart of the East End and just outside the City, it took center stage for a few months in 1888 when Jack the Ripper killed his victims in its smelly, dark alleys. Today is an incredibly multicultural area and much more authentic. It houses the famous Brick Lan marketand with its street food stalls (and you can really find everything) at the weekend. To better appreciate Whitechapel I recommend a guided walk. For example, the Jack the Ripper Tour, a visit to the streets where the murders of the infamous serial killer took place and which takes you back in time, transforming you into a Victorian-era investigator tasked with examining clues and solving the case.
Time: about 2 hours.
Walks in London: Camden
North of London is one of the up-and-coming districts of the city, Camden. It was once only a residential area, but today, thanks to the development of the Grand Union Canal and the transport network, it is the beating heart of the city's cultural and nightlife. Since its population is young on average, you will find several alternative venues here, including Cyberdog, with its futuristic looks. Also I recommend you:
- wander around its five markets. They are a real outdoor labyrinth and a paradise for those who love vintage, second-hand and all that is original;
- try something new in one of the many stands selling food from all over the world;
- sit in one of the restaurants or pubs with outdoor seating. The most beautiful are those along the canal, but on a sunny weekend it is difficult to find a place;
- discover emerging bands and listen to the music that will be on the charts tomorrow in live music venues such as The Roundhouse, Dingwalls and The Dublin Castle;
- stroll along the banks of Regent's Canal and take a ride on the barge that runs through it.
Time: impossible to predict, but it is worth dedicating at least a day to it.
Walks in London: Hyde Park
Hyde Park is the top of the top of the London parks. I love it. Perhaps because it seems to enter another dimension, with the wide meadows and squirrels jumping around you. Or perhaps for the calm that the sound of the water of the canal that crosses it infuses me (pedal boats can be rented), The Serpentine. Or why it is a quiet, clean place where you feel relaxed and safe. Around you you will see people running, cycling or roller skating. Families with children having a picnic. Students reading, listening to music or sunbathing. People of all ages sitting on the grass just enjoying life. The park is large and there are tons of trails to follow. The main one goes up to the dock for boats and the cafe / restaurant.
Two iconic places. The first is it Speaker's Corner, where for two centuries whoever wants to can make speeches and harangue the crowd. As long as someone stops to listen to it. The other, more recent, is the Diana Memorial Fountain, dedicated to the tragically disappeared Princess.
Weather: Perfect for spending a lovely Sunday afternoon, just like Londoners do.
