London Route 2

The Thames London Riverside Half Marathon Walk

Starts and finish : Battersea Park (Athletics Stadium). 
Distance : approx 13 miles
Summary: The walk follows the Thames Path (which is well signposted) passing many of London’s famous landmarks. It is a circular route and can start and finish at any point (there are lots of tube stations along the way). 
Facilities:  There are lockers and showers available at the running track. Car parking is also available. The nearest main line stations are Battersea Park Station and Queenstown Road Station (both within 5-10 minutes walk of the Queen’s Circus Gate entrance). 
 

Mile

Instructions

0

Leave the Stadium, turn left  and follow pavement round to the left and exit park. Cross road carefully keeping left of the roundabout. You are now on the Thames Path. Pass in front of garage and follow Prince of Wales Drive under the railway bridge. Bear left under second railway bridge,  (Battersea Park Road) passing Battersea Dogs Home. (woof woof)

Take first turning on left (Kirtling Street) cross Cringle Street.  Turn right and approx 70 yards (signed) turn left to the river side. Follow the walkway passing the Barge Bistro and then briefly rejoining main road passing industrial sites then back to the signed Thames Path. The path re-emerges onto the main road, turn left and bear left into Wandsworth Road  (new road layout and apartment blocks being built). Continue to Vauxhall Bridge. [Access to underground and mainline station]

3

Turn left onto bridge for a few yards then turn down steps  to go under the new subway emerging behind the MI6 headquarters. Follow the path which now runs parallel to the main road (Albert Embankment)

3.5

Take the underpass under Lambeth Bridge and continue towards Westminster (fine view of the Houses of Parliament across the river)

4

Go through the underpass under Westminster Bridge passing the "London Eye"  Millennium wheel.

Go under Hungerford Bridge continue on river side going underneath Waterloo Bridge.  [Access to Waterloo station to the right or cross bridge to Embankment tube station or Charing Cross mainline]. Continue on path to go under Blackfriars Bridge and Blackfriars Railway Bridge.  Keep the Founders' Arms pub to your left.

5.0

Pass Bankside Gallery and under the Millennium Bridge.

At the Globe Theatre, come off the main pavement.  Do not turn right into New Globe Walk - go straight ahead and under Southwark Bridge.

Pass in front of the Anchor pub and turn right, then immediately left in front of Vinopolis into Clink Street.

5.6

Turn right in front of the boat "Golden Hinde" and then sharp left at Southwark Cathedral. Follow the cobbled street round to the right.  Pass Nancy's Steps on the left and go under London Bridge.  Pass office Price Waterhouse Coopers on the left. [Access to London Bridge tube and mainline station]

At the end of PWC, just before St Olaf's House, turn left to  sign  "The Queen's Walk" and the river.  Turn right at the river, passing Hays Galleria to the right

6.0

H M S Belfast to the left

6.2

Go up the steps to the left on to Tower Bridge and cross Tower Bridge.

Go down the steps (as you pass under the last arch of the bridge)  under the bridge and on to Tower Wharf. (Thames Path) exit through gates and turn left down pavement passing Custom House at Lower Thames Street.  (If Tower Wharf is closed, you will have to continue on Tower Bridge Approach road with the Tower of London on your left, turning left into Tower Hill [Access to Tower Hill tube and Docklands railway station] go along  Byward Street. Turn left down slip road and cross with care.  Turn right and cross road by Custom House.

Turn left (signed Thames Path) down lane to river turning right towards London Bridge. Follow Path as it head back to road then turn left  then left again back to the riverside

7.0

Go under London Bridge and continue ahead to go under Cannon Street Railway Bridge [Access to underground and mainline stations]

7.5

Under Southwark Bridge (Paul’s Walk) and follow path as it turns right up Queenhithe to road (Upper Thames Street) then at footbridge follow sign back to the river

Go under the Millennium Bridge and on to go under Blackfriars Railway Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. [access to tube and mainline stations]  Go to the end of the path, up the stairs, and turn left at the top.

8.0

The footpath joins the Victoria Embankment (roadside)

8.3

Pass two dragons which mark the boundary of the City of London [access to Temple tube station on right]

8.5

Go under Waterloo Bridge and then under Hungerford Bridge [access to tube and mainline stations]

9.2

Stay next to the river, and go up the steps on to Westminster Bridge. Turn right and cross road. Continue down Bridge Street  with Big Ben on left. [Access to Westminster tube station on right] X road at light (towards Houses of Parliament) ie turn left at Parliament Square passing Houses of Parliament on your left. The Thames Path goes into Victoria Tower Gardens and emerges at Lambeth Bridge. Alternatively just stay on the pavement.

9.7

At Lambeth Bridge, cross the road at the zebra crossing - stay alongside the river. (on your left)  MI5 HQ on the right.

10.0

Continue on pavement (Millbank)  passing the Tate Gallery on the right.

10.2

Just before Vauxhall Bridge enter the small garden (with Henry Moore statute (Locking Pieces and fountains) climb steps to bridge and cross the road at the traffic lights, then either down step at the other side, or, continue on roadside. (Thames Path soon merges with pavement)

Continue along Grosvenor Road and under railway bridge then at Chelsea Bridge, carefully cross road at lights and continue down Chelsea Embankment. (Ranelagh Gardens on right). Continue to Albert Bridge.

Up steps to Bridge and cross towards Battersea Park. Turn into park at the first gate and turn right down gravel path. Cross roadway (main gate on right) keep heading in same direction (towards barriers) (new layout) down Carriage Drive West.

13

Follow main path around the park to athletics stadium and finish.