Free ‘Autumn Amble’ guided walk across the Capital

05 October 2015
Enjoy the changing autumnal colours on a free to all walk, no booking required
"Walking is the best way to enjoy the hidden treasures of this vibrant City and you'll be in the hands of experts who know about all the nooks and crannies of London"
Ben Plowden
Director of Surface Strategy and Planning, TfL
  • Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October
  • 40 walks to choose from

Get your best foot forward this autumn, and enjoy the changing landscape on one of Transport for London's (TfL's) 40 guided walks on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October. They are free and there's no need to book, just turn up.

The 40 guided walks, known as 'Autumn Ambles,' are spread across the Capital and take in spectacular views. Each walk is designed to showcase some of London's best attractions, parks, woodland, rivers, canals and open spaces. Experienced walk guides lead the way and provide fascinating facts that showcase London's curiosities and the cultural richness of one of the best cities in the world.

The range of walks on offer include short strolls as well as challenging treks, taking in some of London's famous landmarks and many hidden gems. All walks start and finish within easy reach of public transport and explore sections of the city's seven popular Walk London Network routes: Capital Ring, Green Chain, Jubilee Greenway, Jubilee Walkway, Lea Valley, London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP), and Thames Path.

Ben Plowden, Director of Surface Strategy and Planning at TfL, said:

'Walking is the best way to enjoy the hidden treasures of this vibrant City and you'll be in the hands of experts who know about all the nooks and crannies of London. There is something to suit everyone and I'd encourage everyone to come along and be inspired to walk more.'

The 40 guided Autumn Ambles walks include:

Saturday 17 October

  • Tales from the Riverbank - Waterloo to London Bridge at 10.30 (1.5 miles) this walk explores the crucial role played by the River Thames in London's development from a Roman settlement to a world-class mega-city. See views of the most historic and beautiful parts of the Thames shoreline, eight iconic bridges, two world-famous theatres, an infamous prison, a palace, and a buzzing open-air market.
  • Hidden Alleyways and Courtyards - St Paul's to Chancery Lane at 11.00 (1.5 miles) a unique walk that explores London's past including a monastery, hidden alleyways and the history of London's newspapers and journalism.
  • Secret Diaries and Public Spaces - The legacy of Pepys and Wren at 11.30 (1.5 miles) this walk along the Jubilee Walkway explores the aftermath of the Great Fire of London in 1666 and takes in places described by Samuel Pepys in his famous diaries.
  • Discovering Historic Southwark - in the Shadow of the Shard at 14.30 (2 miles) walk from London Bridge to Tower Hill. Learn about the Roman times to the present day, Southwark's famous landmarks and inhabitants, its seafaring past, its literary connections and some of its dark secrets too.
  • Mighty River and Royal Parks - A leafy and historic walk along the Thames path from Richmond, passing under Richmond Bridge and by Ham House. The walk takes in the whole of Bushey Park on the London Loop. This is original royal hunting grounds and herds of deer may often be seen.

Sunday 18 October

  • Tales from the Riverbank - Waterloo to London Bridge at 11.00 (1.5 miles) this walk explores the crucial role played by the River Thames in London's development from a Roman settlement to a world-class mega-city. See views of the most historic and beautiful parts of the Thames shoreline, eight iconic bridges, two world-famous theatres, an infamous prison, a palace, and a buzzing open-air market.
  • From Pirates to World Trade - The Transformation of the Thames at 13.30 (1.5 miles) explore the area around the Tower of London to the east of the City. From the Jubilee Walkway to fashionable St Katherine's Dock then along the river towards Wapping.
  • Gleaming Spires - Architecture and public art in the City of London at 15.30 (1.5 miles) explore the art and architecture in the vibrant City of London and experience its ever changing skyline.
  • From Romans to Norman Foster - City Hall to St Pauls at 10.30 and 14.30 (2.1 miles) the walk spans 2000 years of history taking in City of London Livery Companies, Wren churches, the Great Fire and the Blitz.
  • Seafaring London - Tower Bridge to Greenwich at 11.30 (6.5 miles) a special Walk Exploring Seafaring London.

Autumn Ambles is one of three TfL sponsored walking weekends held each year, to help Londoners enjoy the city's best walking routes and motivate people to walk more often.

The other guided walking weekends, 'Winter Wanders' and 'Spring into Summer' take place in January and May.

To find out more about the 'Autumn Ambles' guided walks near you, visit www.walklondon.org.uk

 

Notes to Editors:

  • More than eight million people walk on the Walk London Network each year.
  • Over 32,000 people have attended TfL funded Walk London's walking weekends since 2007.
  • All walks are accompanied by a trained Walk Leader and experienced Back Marker.