Despite being a classic tourist walk, it’s undoubtedly one of our favourite walks in London. We start around the Tower of London, cross Tower Bridge, continue along the river, and finish by Big Ben.
This area is one of the reasons we fell in love with London in the first place. It’s a gorgeous walk during the day but even more special at night when the city is fully illuminated. If you have friends and family visiting from abroad and they don’t know where to start in London – walking along the Thames is the perfect place to begin 🙂
Ready to explore the 15 highlights of this Thames walk with us?
1. Tower of London
- Take the tube to Tower Hill station and start your walk from here
A glimpse to the past: The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the river Thames. Founded in 1066 by William the Conqueror, it has served various roles over the centuries, including a royal palace, fortress, prison, and treasury. Known for its iconic White Tower, the oldest part of the complex, the Tower of London is famously associated with the imprisonment and execution of notable figures, such as Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey.
Nowadays: The Tower is home to the Crown Jewels, a dazzling collection used by the British monarchy. Guarded by the colorful Yeoman Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters, and surrounded by legends, such as the ravens that are said to protect the kingdom, the Tower of London offers visitors a rich glimpse into England’s tumultuous history.
Our recommendation: Walk along the Thames with the Tower of London on your left. A visit inside is very worthwhile – we’ve been before and it was incredible.
However, tickets are quite expensive (34.80£ per adult), unless you live in the borough of Tower Hamlets (like us!). If that’s the case, you’ll only pay 1£ per ticket!
Related article: Find out another fun fact about the Beefeaters
⭐Click here to explore Tower of London website⭐
2. Tower Bridge
After all these years of living in London, Tower Bridge remains our favourite. You can walk along the bridge, take the bus or even ride a bike. It is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks.
- Completed in 1894
- It’s known for its distinctive twin towers connected by high-level walkways, offering panoramic views of the city
- Designed to allow ships to pass through, the bridge’s central bascules can be raised, making it a fascinating sight
- You might be lucky and be there when the bridge is open to clear the passage to the big boats
Our recommendation: Walk alongside the bridge. On the left side, you’ll see Canary Wharf, and to the right, panoramic views of the city. If you have the chance, you can also visit the museum, where you’ll learn more about its history and construction and even walk on the high-glass floor.
Tickets are around £13 per adult, unless you live in Tower Hamlets, in which case the price is the same as the Tower of London. Do you get why we love our borough? 😉
⭐Click here to explore Tower Bridge website⭐
3. City Hall and the Scoop
After crossing Tower Bridge, go down the stairs (you’ll find them alongside the bridge). As you go down on the stairs, you’ll see the “Real Greek” restaurant in front of you. Continue your walk along the Thames with the river on your right.
You’ll see the Tower of London and Tower Bridge behind you. As you continue walking, you’ll pass by the modern, iconic glass building of City Hall and the outdoor amphitheater, the Scoop (on your left hand side). This area often hosts free events and performances.
4. HMS Belfast
As you walk along the Thames, you’ll notice the WWII warship HMS Belfast, on your right hand side. HMS Belfast is a historic Royal Navy warship permanently on the river Thames. Launched in 1938, this cruiser played a significant role during World War II. After her active service, she was preserved as a museum ship and opened to the public in 1971.
HMS Belfast stands as a powerful reminder of Britain’s naval heritage and is a popular attraction for those interested in military history.
5. Borough Market
Continue walking along the Thames, and you’ll see London Bridge. Pass by “Hay’s Gallery” and, after about 15 minutes, you’ll reach Borough Market.
A short detour to Borough Market is worth it for food lovers. It’s one of London’s oldest and most famous food markets, with a vibrant atmosphere. Sometimes, on weekends, we go there in the morning to buy fish, seafood, and fruit.
We highly recommend stopping to grab a drink, snacks, or even a meal. There are many options and plenty of space to sit down.
Quick note: Be mindful that weekends are super crowded, so it might be difficult to find a seat.
6. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
After exploring Borough Market, you’ll pass by Southwark cathedral, and as you continue walking along the promenade, you’ll reach Shakespeare’s Globe.
Reconstructed near the original site, Shakespeare’s Globe offers a glimpse into Elizabethan theatre. The Globe remains with its circular shape as an open-air amphitheater.
There are guided tours available, or if the British weather allows it, you can even catch a play for £10.
Related article: Click here if you would like to find out more about the Shakespeare’s Globe
7. Millennium Bridge
Ten minutes later, you’ll reach the Millennium Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge between St. Paul’s Cathedral and Tate Modern. We invite you to walk across it to admire the city views – you’ll see the Shakespeare Globe in more detail and other amazing modern buildings in the city. But looking at St Paul’s Cathedral, it’s definitely something else!
Recommendation: Stand at the beginning of the bridge and admire the view towards St Paul’s Cathedral. Absolutely spectacular!
Fun fact 1: The Millennium Bridge has appeared in various movies and television shows, including “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”, where it is dramatically destroyed by Death Eaters.
Fun fact 2: Pay attention as you walk along the bridge! You’ll see a lot of painted chewing gum pieces. Ben Wilson has transformed chewing gum into colorful miniature artworks.
8. Tate Modern
One of our favourite museums! Many times, we’ve started this walk along the Thames and stopped at Tate Modern to admire an exhibition or have a coffee while contemplating the view.
Tate Modern is one of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art museums. It is an iconic cultural landmark due to its industrial architecture. The museum features an impressive collection of international modern art from 1900 to the present, including works by artists such as Picasso.
Price: You can explore some exhibitions for free. There are also some temporary exhibitions that require a ticket.
Curiosity: On the last Friday of every month, there is “Late at Tate Modern”. The museum stays open later, with a mix of art, performance, music, workshops, and more. A very cool way of spending your evening!
⭐Click here to explore Tate Modern website⭐
9. Southbank Centre & Royal Festival Hall
After Tate Modern, continue walking, and you’ll reach the Southbank area.
Southbank Centre is a prominent cultural complex known for its vibrant arts and entertainment scene. The area is lively and dynamic, featuring outdoor exhibitions, food markets, street performances, and riverside views, making it a popular destination.
It includes several iconic venues, the most notable being the Royal Festival Hall, opened in 1951 for the festival of Britain. The hall is renowned for its excellent acoustics and hosts a wide range of performances, including classical music, contemporary concerts, dance, and spoken word events.
⭐Click here to check what’s on Southbank ⭐
10. Jubilee Gardens
As you continue walking along the river, you’ll reach Jubilee Gardens. Very near to the London Eye, it’s a nice spot to simply relax. You can sit down or even put a towel on the grass and chill for a bit.
By the time you reach this area, you’ve been walking for a while now. So, time for a break! 🙂
11. London Eye
By this time, you’ve reached the London Eye. The London Eye is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and was opened in 2000 as part of the millennium celebrations.
Curiosity: The London Eye features 32 glass capsules, each representing one of London’s boroughs, which slowly rotate to offer passengers breathtaking 360 degree views of the city’s skyline, including landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. It takes about 30 minutes.
Note: Would we recommend going on the London Eye? We don’t want to say it’s not worth it, but you could use the £29 (the price of each ticket if you buy in advance!) to do something else in London. Besides, the queues are always huge, and there are more places in the city with amazing views – for free.
12. Westminster Bridge
Shortly, you’ll arrive at Westminster Bridge. Opened in 1862, it is one of the oldest road bridges in London.
Historical fact: The current bridge replaced an older one that dated back to 1750, which was the second bridge to cross the Thames in central London after London Bridge.
Fun fact: Do you know the reason behind the bridge’s color? It’s green to match the leather seating in the House of Commons.
13. Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
As you approach the end of your walk and cross Westminster Bridge, you’ll immediately see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
It is such a stunning and impressive building! We still remember the first time we visited this area. Nowadays, Big Ben is much brighter (since the renovation), but it’s still special to look at. Did you know that the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Public tours: While the building is primarily a working parliament, it offers guided tours when Parliament is not in session. These tours provide a rare opportunity to explore the grand chambers and learn about the workings of British democracy.
Fun fact: Everyone calls it Big Ben, but that’s not the correct name! Many people think “Big Ben” refers to the clock tower itself, but it’s actually the nickname for the Great Bell inside the tower. The tower was originally called the Clock Tower but was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
A scenic walk along the Thames
This Thames walk, starting at the Tower of London and ending at Big Ben, is a classic tourist route and a personal favourite. It offers a blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty, perfect not only for visitors new to London but also for couples like us 🙂
We still remember the first few times we walked along the Thames together – it’s one of the reasons we fell in love with this city. Walking along the Thames is a mix of old and new, blending history from the 11th century to the present day.
We hope you make the most of this walk along the Thames and fall in love with London all over again! 🙂
Related article: Click here to explore cheap dates in London
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