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Walk Directions Comments Map GPS Weather Photos Videos History Download Walk (pdf)

Thames Path: Westminster to Greenwich via the south bank walk

Easy London Thames Path

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Updated: Thu, 22-Apr-21

Date # Post
Thu, 15-Oct-20 11

Stargazer
Evening Walk: London Bridge to Greenwich along the Thames Path

Thames Path: London Bridge to Greenwich

Distance: 6 miles or 10 km for those more metrically minded t=swc.245
Difficulty: 1 out of 10
Meet: London Bridge Station, Tooley Street exit across from Hays Galleria (also, in front of the Shipwrights Arms)
Time: 18:30 – but if you miss our departure, you can certainly catch us up along the way…
Finish: Greenwich DLR, mainline train or Clipper service, take your pick
This segment of the Thames Path makes for an enjoyable evening outing along the river with the lights of the city aglow. It starts with the bustle of an urban center, but soon becomes much quieter…The route is all on pavements and reasonably well lit – so should not pose a problem in low light…. Plenty of historic (and not so historic) refreshment points along the way, including the Angel, the Mayflower and the Dog and Bell…then a variety of venues in Greenwich….. If only there is time to try them all before 10pm....
More information and the instructions can be found here.
Enjoy the walk!
Stargazer, 16-Oct-20
8 assembled outside London Bridge more or less on time....so 6 set off promptly leaving 2 to wait for a late arrival...The lead group stopped at the historic Mayflower for a drink on their patio....while the second group passed us up and stopped at one of the later watering holes....where we then passed them...in Deptford, we bumped into one more who waited to join the second group....In Greenwich, the first group managed to just scrap into an evening meal at the Old Brewery...at 9pm....to enjoy possibly one of the last indoor group meals for a while....so a total of 11 in most dry conditions. The night sky along the river was fabulous with the City and CW lights....the tide very low...and the fox count very high...
Sat, 30-Nov-19 8

Mike A
Westminster to Greenwich

I've had several requests for a walk from mud averse walkers, so here is a shortish jaunt along a southern section of the Thames Path from Westminster to Greenwich

Length 8 miles (13 km)
Toughness 1 out of 10

Getting there

Westminster underground station is served by TFL's Jubilee, District and Circle lines. There are also many bus routes through the area.
Meet at the exit of the Underground Station's ticket hall (with the Houses of Parliament opposite) for 10:30 am

Getting back

Catch a DLR from Greenwich which has many connections with the tube network, alternatively, stroll up to Greenwich mainline station with connections to Deptford and London Bridge and to Rainham in Kent

Tickets

An Oyster Card covering your starting zone and zones 1 and 2.


Overview

An easy flat walk on footpaths. This walk initially crosses Westminster Bridge turning left onto the Southbank to pass the London Eye and generally follows the river (on the left) to Greenwich. The suggested Lunch stop is the Mayflower Pub in Rotherhithe which should be reached shortly after midday.

T=swc.245



Tony, 01-Dec-19
I'm going to suggest 8 added their marks to the day's social canvass, with 5 tackling the full route, 1 starting early (to snare a rabbit at Borough Market) and finishing at lunch, my good self joining at London Bridge and a well known regular (perhaps a local?) popping in to sample a pie at lunchtime (at the Mayflower delicious even if the maître d' was a little firm).

The weather was bright and clear with good views and a keen Easterly breeze. As we approached our destination we could see the Cutty Sark from some distance away.

Thames Path closures and diversions kept us on our toes but we made it to Greenwich in good time to sample the hot desserts in the 'Spoons and, for those with more time to make a day of it, had a quick look around Greenwich Market.

There was no mud larking and no mud underfoot.

Overall just enough walking was had to justify the calorie intake.

Thanks to Mike for posting this interesting urban walk.
Anonymous, 01-Dec-19
Rats looks like I should have kept going to sample some deserts

Thu, 24-Oct-19 13

Thomas G
Evening Walk - Thames Path: London Bridge to Greenwich (Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Deptford)

Length: 10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Net Walking Time: 2 ½ hrs
Meet: main Tooley Street exit of London Bridge Mainline Station, opposite Hay’s Galleria (i.e. not the tube station exit) at 18.15 hours.
Finish is at Cutty Sark DLR or at Greenwich Mainline station.
Drop-out points just off route: plenty of bus stops, Bermondsey Underground, Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays Overground, Deptford Mainline.
This walk along the Thames Path passes the HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and riverside pubs and restaurants. It then changes, as you leave the touristy section, and becomes quieter in nature, passing through residential areas with reminders of the areas’ industrial heritage, Dickensian in places. The contrast between the modern apartment blocks with riverside frontages, and the LCC 1920s blocks of flats on the other side of the road (away from the riverfront) is of interest to sociologists. 80% of the walk is along riverside paths (with views back to the City), 20% consists of short detours around riverfront buildings. It ends in Royal Greenwich. Throughout there are views across the Thames.
Navigation is easy - keep the river on your left-hand-side and follow Thames Path signposts and discs.
Eat/Drink: lots of choice en route and in Greenwich.
For walk directions, map, photos, and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.245.a
Gavin, 24-Oct-19
Whose planning to go this evening? Gavin
Anonymous, 24-Oct-19
at least 1
Thomas G, 24-Oct-19
After lots of heavy rain, the walk was entirely dry (from above).
12 assembled at LBG, 1 other joined at The Angel pub on Bermondsey/Rotherhithe borders: 13. We 'lost' 2 at The Mayflower (where we had a 15 minute break), as they decided to have dinner there, and then lost 1 other later on to a right turn to Surrey Quays Overground. Of the remaining 10, 9 went for a meal at the end of the walk in Greenwich at The Old Brewery.
The City, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, even Canary Wharf looked resplendent in the evening lights, the paths were adequately lit and apart from some groups of weed smoking youth there were no irritating or scary encounters.
All in, a very fine ending to this year's (summer) evening walk season.
Sat, 29-Dec-18 14

Mike A
North Greenwich to London Bridge - a wander along the Thames Path "Sowth of the River"

The Greenwich Peninsular, Greenwich, Rotherhithe, Shadwell and the Pool of London

How to get there:
Catch a Jubilee line tube or appropriate bus to North Greenwich tube station.
What tickets to buy:
Use your Oyster card or buy a ticket that covers your starting zone, zone 1 and North Greenwich tube which is in Zone 2+3.
Meeting point and time:
The main station atrium at the top of the station escalators for 10:30 am.

Walk Options:
There are three drop out points on this walk, so if you're planning to take up walking in the New Year, or you are a regular walker, there should be an option here that suits you.

  • North Greenwich to Greenwich Town 5 km (DLR station)
  • North Greenwich to Surrey Docks Farm 9 km (C10 bus to Rotherhithe)
  • North Greenwich to Rotherhithe 12 km (Overground station)
  • North Greenwich to London Bridge 15 km (Tube and National Rail)


If the London Bridge option doesn't cut the mustard, you can continue along the South Bank to the Tate Modern where there are free exhibitions by Christian Marclay (The Clock) and Jenny Holzer (Artist Rooms)
Walk highlights:
The walks starts by circling the Greenwich Peninsular alongside the O2 arena where there is artwork by Antony Gormley (Quantum Cloud), Gary Hume (Liberty Grip), Richard Wilson (A Slice of Reality) and an interesting piece on the Greenwich Meridian Line by Thomas & Graighead (Here) to exercise your brain cells.
There is a small diversion as the walk approaches Greenwich which takes walkers past the The Old Royal Naval College Chapel of Sts. Peter and Paul. Well worth a visit if time permits, The Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College opposite will re-open in March 2019 and that too will be well worth a visit then. You may find other points of interest in the TFL guide (see the link below)

Lunch Options:
If you are intending to end the walk at Greenwich, there are a good selection of pubs, food stalls in Greenwich Market, the Tai Won Mein noodle bar and many more establishments.
Further on there is:
The Piccalilli cafe at Surrey Docks Farm at 9 km.
The Mayflower t: 020 7237 4088 at 12 km (about three hours into the walk) so you may wish to book a table for 1:30 - 2:00 pm there
The route:
Leave the station following signage to the O2, but keep straight and slightly to the right towards Wagamama. Turn right here and continue alongside some parkland on your right for about 160 metres until you reach Edmund Halley Way. Turn left here and pass the Emirates Airline on the right until you reach Olympian Way. Turn left here keeping the river on your right. In about 150 metres the Quantum Cloud Sculpture can be seen on the right.
Generally, you now "keep the river on the right" as you walk towards the City of London.
However there are sections where you need to divert inland and these are detailed in the GPX route. There are also many Thames Path signs to assist too. Bear in mind this is an ever changing landscape so be on the lookout for recent alterations to the route.

TFL's Thames Path Booklet may be downloaded Here

The GPX route (helpful) may be downloaded Here
T=swc.245

Anonymous, 29-Dec-18
Thank you to Mike for posting and leading us on this walk,
very atmospheric.
PeteB, 29-Dec-18
14 on this urban Thameside ramble. I have walked this area for over 30 years and the transformation from 1980s ruined industrial landscapes to bright modernist buildings/urban dystopia (delete as appropriate) is startling.

With the tide out there were a few shoreline mudlarks and dectectorists out and on the route itself artwork to enjoy and information notices to peruse.

One SWC stalwart recovering from an Xmas illness stopped at Greenwich where we had popped into a gallery. 10 of us went on to the Surrey Docks Farm where the cafe is now sadly permanently closed. Here the group took an er... faster mode of transport than Shanks's pony to reach the splendidly atmospheric Mayflower pub. I was 80% sure there was another pub not bfar away en route so I walked on and I was right. I had a solo lunch at the Blacksmiths Arms and then met up with the others at the Mayflower. Here most ended their walk whilst 3 of us walked on with 2 having a quick snifter in the Angel before continuing on to Tower Hill and London Bridge (me) for the journey home.

A grand half day out and it was lovely to meet up with and chat with some old SWC salts. Weather cloudy and mild.
Fri, 23-Nov-18 22

Thomas G
Black Friday 2 For 1 Special Offer: Scandinavian Christmas Market plus Bermondsey Beer Mile

SWC 245 in reverse and with amended routing – Greenwich to Rotherhithe or South Bermondsey or London Bridge
Length: up to 10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Net Walking Time: up to 2 ½ hrs
Take the 12.35 train from Cannon Street (12.38 London Bridge), arrives Greenwich at 12.47 hours; or meet up with the group 5 mins later at Cutty Sark DLR.
Finish is at Rotherhithe Overground (Hi & Is to West Croydon/Crystal Palace/New Cross) or at South Bermondsey or London Bridge stations (on the Beer Mile extension).
This walk is a special pre-Christmas walk that combines a Thames side walk from Greenwich to Rotherhithe with a visit to the Scandinavian Christmas Market on Albion Street (turn left just before The Mayflower pub) between the Finnish and Norwegian Churches (the market is open 12.00-19.00 today, and also over the weekend).
An optional extension then follows through Southwark Park to South Bermondsey where we will join the Bermondsey Beer Mile – a collection of small breweries mainly under the railway arches between South Bermondsey and London Bridge stations. Here is a short route description of the extension: Continue a short distance along the Thames Path, then through King's Stairs Gardens and Southwark Park to the Fourpure Brewing Company. This is the start of the Bermondsey Beer Mile.

A map (and further links to more detailed maps of the Beer Mile) can be found here (scroll down to bottom of linked page). For those not wanting to imbibe, South Bermondsey Station is nearby for trains back to London Bridge.
Idea & Concept: John P, SWC Representative for Borough & Bankside
Administrative Assistance: Thomas G, SWC Representative for Bermondsey & Old Southwark
The walk will be led (the SWC does not have leaders, how many more times do I have to say this? – ed.) by the local SWC Representatives and we’ll attempt to rope in one or other volunteer who might know the Beer Mile even better.
Eat/Drink: Stalls on the Xmas Market, or The Mayflower or The Ship in Rotherhithe. Then the micro-breweries on the Beer Mile.
For map, photos, and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.245.b
Anonymous, 20-Nov-18
Is there an option to skip the walk and go straight for the beer? Richard
Thomas G, 20-Nov-18
'tis the SWC, you can do what you like, when you like! but we'll be there ca. 16.00 hours...
Sandy, 21-Nov-18
for reasons which will become apparent i won't be able to do any full day walks for a while but may be up for some or all of this just to clarify did you mean you'd be at the mayflower for 1600 or the start of the beer mile?
John P, 21-Nov-18
I think Thomas is referring to the time that we should arrive at the first stop on the Beer Mile – Fourpure Brewery (though it may be a bit later than 4 pm).

If you would like to join us anywhere along the way, including those wishing to join us after work, I am happy to send you my mobile number so that you can call and check where we are.

Please send an email to john c powell AT Hotmail DOT com and I will send you my number. Additionally, if you are on WhatsApp, please send through your mobile number and I’ll set up a WhatsApp group to which I’ll endeavour to send out updates each time we move from one brewery to the next.

Thomas G, 22-Nov-18
Post now updated with a link to a map of the Beer Mile. As clear from that map: anyone wanting to join for just the 'socialising' part of the walk (the drinking), pls make your way to Bermondsey South station and from there to Fourpure Brewery as per the map.
Sandy, 22-Nov-18
thanks thomas and john i've already got your number john. i may go to canada water and try to intercept you around the mayflower, if i don' make it to the start.
Paul A, 22-Nov-18
(Unofficial SWC Representative for Pimlico & Belgravia, part time)

A map tracing a suggested route for the SWC Bermondsey Beer Mile stroll, from the Southwark Park exit to the Southwark Brewing Company, can be found here. (The map seems to work well in Google Maps on my Android phone.)

The route passes 9 breweries / brewery taps which will be open on Friday (and are listed in the directions), plus a distibutor, a bottle shop, a cidery & various other establishments (which are not listed due to constraints of space). From Southwark Park to Southwark Brewing Co it is a total staggering distance of some 2.4 miles (3.9 km)!

The first brewery Four Pure Brewing Company opens at midday, but the next few don't open until 5pm. The final destination, Southwark Brewing Co, closes at 10pm. Those needing something substantial to eat en route may be interested in Bone Daddies which is close to UBrew (the sixth brewery tap we get to) on the Old Jamaica Business Estate.

Happy staggering!
Thomas G, 23-Nov-18
5 off the train at Greenwich, a further 6 met at Cutty Sark DLR, and 5 stragglers who must have been on the next train/DLR, as they caught up with us pretty quickly. So 16 on the walk to Rotherhithe, about 12 of which had lunch at The Mayflower, the rest went straight to the Xmas market 2 mins away. A shoulder injured walker joined us at the pub, 2 others joined up at the Xmas market, and a further 3 met the Beer Mile walkers (just more than half of the original 16 plus teh joiners) at one of the first two breweries. So, 22 walked in total, at least some substantial part of the posted route, in dank and grey weather.
The food at The Mayflower was to everyone's happiness, as were the various food and drink offerings at the Scandi Xmas market. Lots of other wares on offer there, if you haven't been: it's on 'til Sunday.

We crossed Sothwark Park and made our way through South Bermondsey, but finding the Fourpure Brewery involved going deeper into a dark industrial estate than one would have liked to, but the brewery arches themselves are a sight to behold. And warm! And well frequented. And with about 20 different (keg) beers on sale, in thirds of a pint. And with some food options. We stayed there for quite a while, then moved on to Partizan Brewery, which in contrast was near empty and cold. And on the crowd went to the next site. They're probably still going...
Thu, 19-Jul-18 14

Thomas G
Evening Walk - Thames Path: London Bridge to Greenwich (Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Deptford)

Length: 10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Net Walking Time: 2 ½ hrs
Drop-out points: Rotherhithe and Deptford stations, just off route.
Meet: Tooley Street exit of London Bridge Underground Station (i.e. not the mainline station exit) at 18.30 hours.
Finish is at Cutty Sark DLR or at Greenwich Mainline station.
This walk along the Thames Path passes the HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge and riverside pubs and restaurants. It then changes, as you leave the touristy section, and becomes quieter in nature, passing through residential areas ('riverside living') with reminders of the areas industrial heritage, Dickensian in places. The contrast between the modern apartment blocks with riverside frontages, and the LCC 1920s blocks of flats on the other side of the road (away from the riverfront) is of interest to sociologists. 80% of the walk is along riverside paths (with views back to the city), 20% consists of short detours around riverfront buildings. It ends in Royal Greenwich. Throughout there are views across the Thames.
Navigation is easy - keep the river on your left-hand-side and follow Thames Path signposts and discs.
Eat/Drink: lots of choice en route and in Greenwich.
For walk directions, map, photos, and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.245.a
Mike A, 20-Jul-18
13 plus a latecomer who never caught up so 14 on this warm and slightly cloudy evening. The group managed to stay together as it passed the hustle and bustle of the footpaths along the pool of London and shad Thames gradually leaving the madding crowds behind as they travelled east towards Rotherhithe. An enormous ocean going yacht called the "Aviva" was spotted moored and apparently belonging to Joe Lewis (who also owns Spurs).
Looking back towards the City, a new pointy building was also spotted, newly arisen and just to the right of the Walkie Talkie.
The pacemakers pressed on but held their speed to sub light values so those without seven league boots (moi) could keep up. Some took light liquid refreshment at The Angel and viewed the Moated Manor House opposite. No sign of the latecomer so the group continued passing "The Mayflower" at Rotherhithe and on to Greenwich. Keen path watchers spotted the Thames path appeared to go through the lobby of a hotel more on this later I'm sure.
On the final approach to the Cutty Sark a refreshing breeze revived spirits and a red evening sun sunk towards the City of London Skyline. Here the group split some visiting The Sail Loft and others heading for The Gate Clock (Wetherspoons) and the Tai Won Mein Noodle bar.
All in all, a great evening walk and stress buster.
Wed, 23-Dec-15 12

Mike A
Mid-week day walk - The Thames Path

The Thames Path - Greenwich to the Tate Modern

The Greenwich Peninsular, O2 dome with views of Docklands. Tower Bridge, London Bridge and a Christmas Market at the Tate Modern

Book 3* Walk 245 (In reverse with a minor extension to the Tate Modern)

* on-line only
Length : 14 km or 8½ miles

Toughness : 1 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the Jubilee Line to North Greenwich (or any suitable bus, or the Emirates Chair lift etc.)

Meeting point : Top of the escalators at North Greenwich Tube Station for 11:00 am

Tickets : Buy a suitable Oyster card to cover zones 1, 2 and your starting zone. (if you have not already got one.)


Brief Description

An easy pre Christmas stroll "sauth of the river" along the Thames Path.
This has a good chance of being mud free, so no need for walking boots, gaiters, survival bags etc.
The walk continues past London Bridge (the end point) and passes the Clink Prison and Bills Restaurant arriving at the Tate Modern where there is a Christmas Market.

Christmas Market at Tate Modern

You may find full details of the walk here, but basically it's "keep the river on the right"

Walkers are encouraged to wear Christmas apparel such as Santa hats, Christmas jumpers, Antler hats, white beards, well you get the idea.

Suggested Lunch stop

Mayflower Pub t: 020 7237 4088
The Pub says booking is essential at this time of year, so I've booked a table for 8 at 1:00pm.
If you'd like to be one of the eight, may I ask you to email me at "arthur_at_quitenear_dot_me" (suitable emailified) - first come first served!)

Suggested Tea stops

So many choices! I suggest folks make a decision on the day.

Maps

Returning home

Lots of possibilities here which include ...

  1. Go back to London Bridge
  2. Cross the Millennium Bridge and jump on a tube at St. Pauls.
  3. Carry on along the South Bank to Blackfriars or Waterloo


PeteB, 23-Dec-15
12 on this walk with the weather sunny and mild. Four of us myself included just missed the main group who had set off promptly from North Greenwich tube station. Whilst I set off the short distance to the Thames path to start the circuit around the 02 with the Thames to my right the three others set off on a radical alternative route across the peninsula where heroically two of them achieved SWC immortality by managing to cross the Blackwall Tunnel Approach road. One sadly could not make it across and retraced her steps to head home. (These sarf Landoners eh!).
We eventually all met up near Greenwich (minus one) and walked on to the pub where the walks inspector was already installed and saving our pre booked table. (He and a companion had also taken a less fraught "peninsula route" claiming the lack of clear signage to the Thames path at the station had left him a bit confused! as to the correct direction. Just head towards the cable cars I say after all they are crossing the Thames......)
The pub was superb. I particularly enjoyed a fruit crumble one of the best I have tasted. After a relaxed lunch we ambled the remaining 3km to the Millenium Bridge where we went our separate ways. (Oh did I mention the walk was actually about 4km longer than specified because we did not factor in the distance from the tube station to Greenwich Cutty Sark!)
A great and for some an adventurous day out with SWC regulars and this walk or a shorter version of it would make a lovely evening stroll. Finally thanks to Mike for posting it and booking the table. Happy Xmas all.