Discover the best waterside walks in London, from the South Bank and Greenwich to Regent’s Canal, St Katharine Docks and Battersea. Perfect for exploring during your Park Plaza stay.
If you love exploring a city on foot, London is one of the best places to do so. From big skyline views along the Thames to quieter canal towpaths lined with boats, leafy parks and waterside cafés, some of the capital’s most enjoyable walks follow the riverbanks, basins and canals that helped shape it. With Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge, Park Plaza County Hall London and Park Plaza London Riverbank all set on or near the South Bank, you are brilliantly placed to start with one of the city’s most scenic stretches and then branch out to even more waterside favourites across London.
The South Bank
If you only do one riverside walk during your stay, make it the South Bank. The Queen’s Walk is one of London’s best-loved promenades, with wide pedestrianised paths, river views, street performers, public art and plenty of places to stop for coffee, lunch or a sunset drink. While this relaxed stroll from Lambeth Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge takes around 30 minutes, the reality is it’s the kind of route where you’ll want to slow down and linger.
This stretch is packed with iconic viewpoints. Near Westminster Bridge, you have the Houses of Parliament, London Eye and Jubilee Gardens. As you continue east, you pass the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre and the famous South Bank Skate Space beneath Queen Elizabeth Hall, a site described by Southbank Centre as the city’s skateboarding heart for decades. Beneath Waterloo Bridge, the South Bank Book Market has been part of the area for more than 40 years, making it a great detour for a second-hand find.
Carry on towards Bankside and the walk becomes even more rewarding. Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Oxo Tower Wharf and some of the best river views in central London all sit along or just off the route, so it is easy to turn a simple stroll into a full afternoon out.
South Bank to Greenwich
If you are in the mood for a bigger day out, keep following the Thames east. The Thames Path route includes a South Bank section from Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge and then further sections from Tower Bridge towards Greenwich, making this one of the easiest ways to build a longer riverside itinerary around your stay.
This route works particularly well if you want to mix walking with food, views and a few landmark stops. Tower Bridge makes a natural midway moment, and once you reach Greenwich you have one of London’s most rewarding riverside neighbourhoods at the end of your walk. With the River Thames, Greenwich Park, Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich Market and the free National Maritime Museum all within easy reach, it’s a lively area to explore.
The final climb into Greenwich Park is worth saving some energy for and one of the most iconic views is from the Royal Observatory, with sweeping panoramas over the Thames and the skyline beyond. It is the perfect finish if you want your riverside walk to end with a proper London viewpoint.
Regent’s Canal towpath
For a completely different side of London, head to the Regent’s Canal. The Canal & River Trust describes it as an oasis of calm in the capital, and that is exactly why it is such a favourite. While the Thames gives you grand city views, the canal feels more tucked away and local, winding past narrowboats, waterside homes, park edges and the back doors of some of London’s liveliest districts.
One of the best sections is the walk from Little Venice to Camden. The two-mile route starts at the white stucco terraces of Little Venice before skirting Regent’s Park and arriving at Camden Lock. Along the way you pass colourful moorings, pretty gardens and stretches beside London Zoo, with Camden Market at the end if you want your walk to finish with street food, shopping and live atmosphere.
Little Venice is worth enjoying in its own right too. The area sits where the Regent’s Canal meets the Grand Union Canal and is known for narrowboats, floating cafés and boat trips. While this walk only takes up to one hour, so you can always walk one way and cruise back if you want a canal-side day with less effort on the return.
St Katharine Docks
For a shorter waterside wander with a slightly different feel, St Katharine Docks is a lovely add-on around the Tower Bridge area. As central London’s only marina, it has a rich history dating back to 1828 and a calmer, tucked-away atmosphere despite being just steps from some of the city’s busiest sights.
It is a good place to slow the pace after a busier Thames walk. Think boats, quayside dining, open water, tucked-away corners and a slightly more hidden London feel. If you are already walking east from the South Bank, this makes an easy extension that feels different from the more theatre-and-landmark energy of Westminster and Waterloo.
Battersea
If your idea of a great waterside walk includes a little more greenery, Battersea is a strong choice. Battersea Park is a 200-acre Victorian park with a riverside promenade, a large lake, notable trees and space to slow down, while nearby Battersea Power Station has become one of London’s newest riverside destinations for food, shopping and skyline views.
A simple plan is to walk along the river near Battersea Power Station, then continue into Battersea Park before crossing towards Chelsea via Albert Bridge. It is one of those routes that gives you a bit of everything: open river views, quieter green space and plenty of places to stop for lunch or a coffee. If you want a walk that feels a little less central but still unmistakably London, this is a very good pick.
Why river and canal-side walks work so well for a London stay
One of the best things about London’s riverside and canal-side routes is how flexible they are. You can keep things simple with a South Bank stroll before dinner, build a full-day Thames itinerary out to Greenwich, or trade big city landmarks for quieter canal scenes on the Regent’s Canal. Either way, walking by the water is one of the easiest ways to see more of London while keeping the day relaxed.
And when your hotel is already in a strong South Bank location, the city’s best waterside routes feel even easier to fit in. Start with the Thames on your doorstep, then let London’s canals, docks and riverside parks take it from there.
