The Rough Guide to
Walks in London
& Southeast England
42 walks within easy reach of the capital
Written by Helena Smith
I'd rather stay in bed. Inspire me
It couldn't be easier, honestly. Hop on a train and before you know it you'll be exploring some of the most beautiful and interesting places in Britain.
- Go east and take the ancient Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury.
- To the west there's an intriguing route across country to Stonehenge.
- Head north to Cambridge for a walk along the Cam to rustic Granchester.
- Hike the south coast cliffs from Hastings.
- Try green walks in London, from the vast open spaces of Richmond Park to Hackney's canals.
Contents
1 London
- Regent's Canal
- The Parkland Walk
- Hampstead Heath
- The Thames Towpath
- Richmond Park
- The Grand Union Canal
- Downe and around
- Limehouse Basin
- Walthamstow Marshes
- Epping Forest
2 The North Downs
- Boxhill
- Guilford to Compton
- Gomshall and the North Downs
- The Pilgrims' Way
3 The Weald
- The Eden Valley
- The Greensand Way
- The High Weald Walk
- Bayham Abbey
4 The South Downs
- Along the Arun
- Cissbury Ring
- Mount Caburn and the South Downs
- The South Downs Way - try for free!
5 The Saxon Shore
- The Saxon Shore Way
- The 1066 Country Walk
- Chichester Harbour
6 The North Wessex Downs to the New Forest
- The Ridgeway
- The North Wessex Downs
- Stonehenge
- The New Forest
7 The Thames Valley
- Windsor Great Park
- The Thames Towpath and the Chiltern Way
- Roman Silchester
8 The Chilterns and Blenheim
- The Misbourne Valley
- The Northern Chilterns
- Ivinghoe Beacon
- Around Blenheim Palace
9 St Albans to Bedfordshire
- The Lea Valley Way
- St Albans and around
- Woburn
10 Essex, Cambridge and the Fens
- Along the River Stort
- Uttlesford
- Along the Cam
- The Fens
Exploring made easy
I've done all the practical stuff so you don't have to. Each walk tells you everything you need to know.
- Detailed instructions guide you every step of the way.
- Maps sourced from the Ordnance Survey, with contours and local sites.
- Advice on the best rail routes and how to save money on your ticket.
- The perfect lunch stop, usually a rustic pub.
- Enticing tea rooms for an afternoon pick-me-up.
- Box features for surprising background information. Get the lowdown on everything from Sussex smugglers to Boris Yeltsin gatecrashing a Buckinghamshire boozer.
Try before you buy
Still not convinced? Just for you, here's the text of a favourite walk for you to print out and try. Enjoy!
The South Downs Way
Lewes to Eastbourne via Alfriston, Day One:
Reviews and recommendations
"This book changed our lives."
amazon.co.uk
"Has detailed local information that makes the Rough Guides series so popular."
Walk, the magazine of the Ramblers
"A really useful little book."
The Telegraph
"If you like to ramble, this companion to the southeast is ideal."
Book of the Week, Metro
"Suggests some excellent routes through the capital as well as longer trips into the countryside."
Book of the Week, Mail on Sunday
"Pornography for the desk-bound."
Will Self
"The best present we ever had. There is a walk for every mood and every season."
amazon.co.uk
"Incredibly detailed walking routes & nice country pubs - hooray!"
ciao.co.uk
Get in touch
Suggestions, advice, criticism, changes en route? Let me know and you'll be credited in the next edition. Contact mail at helenasmith.co.uk.
About me
I took my first steps in central Scotland, but now live in Hackney, east London.
I'm a freelance travel and portrait photographer as well as a writer, and am happiest when walking with friends in the direction of a country pub.
More about me: helenasmith.co.uk
Book details
Author Helena Smith
Publisher Rough Guides
Published January 2009
Format Paperback, 312 pages
ISBN 978-1-85828-154-4