London Thames DIY Walking Tour
Distance: 6 km (about 4 miles); Duration: 2-8 hours
London Thames DIY Walking Tour: Step-by-Step Walking Directions
[These are very thorough walking directions – you shouldn’t be getting lost in London following this guide. However, I definitely recommend that you follow the Google Streetview route of the entire London Thames DIY Walking Tour first, from the comfort of your own home before you head to London, as this will allow you to better visualise the entire route before you arrive].
Before reading the detailed, step-by-step instructions though, you should also watch the entirety of the London Thames DIY Walking Tour Video:
START - Westminster Abbey
[MAP]:
The walk starts on “The Sanctuary” (the front/main entrance to Westminster Abbey). Head northeast along “Broad Sanctuary” towards “Parliament Square” with Westminster Abbey on your right/behind you).
> Accessibility at Westminster Abbey London –>
Parliament Square [MAP]:
Rather than cross the grass of Parliament Square, remain on the right hand pavement that you have been following. The grassy Parliament Square will now be across a road on your left;
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
Junction of “Parliament Square” and “St.Margaret Street”. The road here is actually traversed by a two-stage crossing. After the second crossing, turn LEFT, towards Big Ben (as you walk towards Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament will be on your right).
Houses of Parliament & Big Ben
[MAP]:
When you reach Big Ben, turn RIGHT onto Westminster Bridge Road, remaining on the same righthand pavement (so Big Ben will be on your right, and the road/traffic will be on your left). You will see the Pedestrian Crossing that you will use in a moment – but first, remain on this pavement until you are midway across Westminster Bridge (this will give you the best uninterupted views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament).
Westminster Bridge - Houses of Parliament/Big Ben View
[MAP]:
Once you have taken in THE best view of the riverside aspect of the Houses of Parliament & Big Ben, retrace your steps until you reach the Pedestrian Crossing at the start of the bridge again;
Pedestrian Crossing [MAP]:
At the START of Westminster Bridge (with Big Ben directly behind you). Once you have crossed the road here, turn RIGHT (again heading across Westminster Bridge, with the traffic now on your right).
Westminster Bridge - London Eye View
[MAP]:
Midway across Westminster Bridge gives you another of THE best views in London (this time, you are treated to an uninterrupted view of the London Eye);
Step-Free Detour 1 [MAP]:
When you reach this point, at the “South Bank Lion”, there is a flight of steps, on your left, heading down onto “The Queen’s Walk” (the River Thames Walkway in central London).
Those who can manage steps, should take these steps, and continue in the direction of the London Eye.
Step-Free Detour #1
If you use a wheelchair though, continue following the road (now with the County Hall building on your left), until you reach the very first road junction (the junction of Westminster Bridge Road and Belvedere Road). Turn LEFT here (the County Hall building will be on your left again). At the end of the County Hall Building, turn LEFT again – you will see the London Eye directly in front of you (and the London Eye ticket office and accessible toilet will be in the County Hall building on your left).
London Eye
Golden Jubilee Bridges
In my opinion, the first bridge that you come to (BEFORE you actually pass under the bridge) is by far the best, as it offers amazing views of both the London Eye (on this bank) [PIC], and of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (on the other).
Wheelchair access to the bridge is available via a lift (which is located under the glass-walled steps).
Once up on the bridge, walk/roll to around midway, where you’ll have an amazing view. Before retracing your steps, and continuing along the river Thames walkway.
Southbank Centre
[MAP]:
You will next see the Southbank Centre on your right. There are wheelchair accessible toilets and many eating/drinking options here.
Viewpoint [MAP]:
Just before “Gabriel’s Wharf”, there is an excellent Observation Point, which has great views across the River Thames, and overlooks “Thames Beach”;
Tate Modern Art Gallery
Sidetrip to St.Paul's Cathedral
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
“The Anchor” (another riverside pub) [MAP]:
This is the trickiest part of the walk – as there is actually no riverside walkway between the next two bridges.
Turn RIGHT (ish) when you reach the outdoor eating area of “The Anchor” pub. Heading slightly away from the river.
The street is also cobbled here (but not boneshakingly-bad);
The “Anchor” pub will always be on your right/behind you. On your LEFT here, you will see a “Nando’s” and a “Wagamama” built into the arches below the bridge. Continue walking by them (and now heading AWAY from the river – but not too far away);
Tunnel [MAP]:
Immediately after “Wagamama”, turn LEFT into the tunnel below Cannon Street Railway Bridge. The tunnel leads to “Clink Street”;
Golden Hinde
Minerva Square [MAP]:
There is a great view of the river from the Southwark View Point at the end of “Minerva Square” (on your left);
"St.Olaf Stairs" (not actually stairs!)
Hay's Galleria
As you continue your stroll by the River Thames, the next notable place you will come to is Hay’s Galleria (it’s unavoidable, you actually pass through the riverside part of this indoor shopping area as you walk by).
Many of the shops in Hay’s Galleria are cafes, restaurants & bars – so there are numerous eating & drinking options. Many of these places also have accessible toilets (as does the “Horniman at Hays” bar at the entrance/on the Thames walkway).
There is also an accessible toilet in the nearby Southwark Crown Court.
HMS Belfast
[MAP]:
You can visit this former working warship on the Thames.
However, being a former working warship, means that there are steps and narrow passageways in many places. Some parts of HMS Belfast are wheelchair accessible (wheelchair users might be better just viewing it from the walkway as you pass by though);
After passing HMS Belfast, continue straight ahead to Tower Bridge.
Just BEFORE the tunnel under the bridge, you will find STEPS (which lead up onto this side of the bridge). Walkers who can easily manage steps should climb the steps up onto the public pavement which runs across Tower Bridge itself (street level);
For wheelchair users though, and those who have difficulty climbing steps, this is the start of Detour #2.
Step-Free Detour 2
[MAP]:
There is indeed a LIFT which will take you up to Tower Bridge – but it arrives on the far side of the bridge – on the wrong side of the road to where the Tower Bridge Visitors Entrance is.
To reach the bottom of this lift, simply ignore the steps, continue through the tunnel (UNDER Tower Bridge), and on your left, as you exit the tunnel, you will see the LIFT which will take you up to the street-level of Tower Bridge.
As you exit the lift (and have followed the little exit walkway), you will arrive on the pavement of the bridge. You now have a decision to make:
Either turn RIGHT, and cross the MUCH quieter eastern side of Tower Bridge (after crossing the bridge, continue to the traffic lights on your left, and cross to the other side of Tower Bridge Approach). Or;
And if you wish to actually visit the interior of Tower Bridge (or wish to simply enjoy the views upstream – of the Tower of London on one side, and HMS Belfast, and the Shard, on the other), turn LEFT and continue along this side of Tower Bridge Road, until you reach the traffic lights on your right (at the junction with Tooley Street);
There is a “Sainsbury’s Local” supermarket on the corner here [a great place to stock up on snacks and drinks – as other options around here are a bit on the pricey side].
After crossing here, turn RIGHT into Tower Bridge Road. You will now see Tower Bridge directly in front of you. Continue straight ahead, until you see the steps emerging (the steps which you have just bypassed);
Step-Free Detour 2 Ends
Tower Bridge
[MAP]:
Just before you reach Tower Bridge, you will notice the top of the steps (the steps that were the cause of this wee detour). Continue walking along the same pavement as you cross Tower Bridge. If you actually wish to visit Tower Bridge (which is also wheelchair accessible), then the visitor entrance is at the North Tower in front of you;
Tower of London (STEPS!)
[MAP]:
This is the quick way down to the entrance to the Tower of London. But is only an option if you can manage the steps down.
I DON’T recommend an actual visit to the Tower of London for wheelchair users in any case though (being a really old building, there are cobbles everywhere – and they can be pretty severe).
Instead, wheelchair users should continue along this same stretch of Tower Bridge Road – until you reach the statue of the Building Worker (at the front of the Tower of London).
YOUR LONDON DIY WALK NOW ENDS
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