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Thames Walks

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London Bridge to the Tower of London

This walk begins at Monument tube station, which is on both the District and Circle Tube lines. It should take you a couple of hours of easy walking on a level gradient - depending on how many stops you make. There are many watering holes along the route and attractions to visit.

While you're feeling fresh at the start of the walk you could begin with a climb of the 300+ steps to the viewing platform at the top of the Monument. It was built by Christopher Wren between 1671 & 1677 to celebrate the rebuilding of the City after the Great Fire in 1666. The view of the City is worth the climb and you are given a certificate of proof that you climbed it on leaving!

The climb is entirely optional so, if you want to conserve your energy, cross London Bridge. A late morning start on a sunny day will light the City skyline and give you an impressive view. There is some confusion about London Bridge. Many visitors mistake Tower Bridge for it.

London Bridge is quite plain and not, as in the childrens' nursery rhyme, falling down. However, to confuse you even further, London Bridge is not the original London Bridge either. In actual fact the 'real' London Bridge was sold off and is now in a much less impressive setting at Lake Havasu in Arizona!

Once over the bridge you can make a slight detour from the route to see the Golden Hinde (Sir Francis Drakes' ship), Clink prison museum, Southwark Cathedral or, if you have a penchant for the grisley you can visit the London Dungeon.

If you press on towards Tower bridge you cannot miss a huge moored warship, the HMS Belfast. She is a cruiser launched in March 1938 and served throughout the Second World War, playing a leading part in the destruction of the German battle cruiser Scharnhorst at the Battle of North Cape and in the Normandy Landings. After the war, she supported United Nations forces in Korea and remained in service with the Royal Navy until 1965. In 1971 she was saved for the nation as a unique and historic reminder of Britain’s naval heritage in the first half of the twentieth century.

HMS Belfast with Tower Bridge behind

A tour round this huge and complex warship will take you from her Quarterdeck up to the top of her Bridge and all the way down through nine decks to her massive Boiler and Engine rooms. On the way you will see her triple 6-inch gun Turrets, the heavily armoured Shell Rooms and Magazines and experience what life was like for her crew by visiting the cramped Messdecks, Officers' Cabins, Galley and Sick Bay.

Around the same location is one of the Thames' many riverbus embarkation points at City pier. You can travel in both directions from here. Also nearby is Hay's Galleria a shopping arcade recommended for lunch! Continuing on foot you will see the Greater London Councils' headquarters, an interesting piece of leaning architecture that is the offices of the current Lord Mayor.

Staying on the Thames path will bring you to Butlers' Wharf an interesting collection of warehouses connected by aerial walkways, now converted into shops and restuarants. A set of steps on either side will bring you onto Tower Bridge. Not many people know you can actually get inside Tower Bridge to see its workings.

The culmination of our walk, and perhaps its’ highpoint is the Tower Of London. It’s history is well documented. It was used to hold many renowned and unfortunate nobles prior to execution. The prisoners were said to enter through Traitor’s Gate to incarceration and a bloody fate. The Tower is guarded by Beefeaters and Ravens. It is said that should the Ravens desert the Tower of London England will fall. The Crown Jewels can be viewed inside, including The Star of Africa, which at 530 carats is the largest diamond in the world.

Tower Hill tube is next to the Tower. Also nearby, if you still have the energy, is the Royal Mint and St Katherine's Dock.

This is the end of our second in this series of walks. We hope you enjoyed it!