The Queen’s Stroll is a 2-mile (3.5-kilometre) voyage that passes a number of the most iconic landmarks and artwork galleries in London. Right here’s our self-guided strolling route together with map and directions.
LAST UPDATE: 30 Dec 2023
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The Queen’s Stroll London (generally known as the Queen Elizabeth Stroll) is likely one of the finest walks in London. Heading alongside the South Financial institution it friends up at a number of the most well-known landmarks within the UK together with the Homes of Parliament, London Eye, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Alongside the way in which this self-guided strolling tour offers the chance to go to second-hand markets, the Shakespeare Globe and top-of-the-line trendy artwork galleries on this planet.
You’ll be able to merely stroll the route and be completed in about an hour, or pop into all of the sights and take the entire day.
ABOUT THE QUEEN’S WALK
The Queen’s Stroll is a well-liked promenade on the south financial institution of the river Thames.
It formally runs between Lambeth Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge, however Lambeth Bridge doesn’t have a tube station. So, we’ve picked a barely amended model that also sees all the long-lasting London landmarks however begins and ends at tube stations. It additionally consists of St Paul’s Cathedral.
QUEEN’S WALK MAP
Use our map to navigate the Queens Stroll route so that you don’t miss any of the key sights.
Learn how to use this map / Click on on the highest left of the map to show the checklist of places, then click on on the places to show additional data. Click on on the highest proper nook of the map to open a bigger model in a brand new tab or the star to avoid wasting to your Google Maps.
WHERE TO START?
We suggest beginning at Westminster tube station and ending at St Paul’s tube station. Nonetheless, you can additionally do the stroll in reverse.
HOW LONG?
The stroll is 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometres) which might take about an hour with out stops. Nonetheless, there’s lots to see alongside the way in which, so permit no less than 2 hours. In the event you visited all of the points of interest, you’d want an entire day.
PALACE OF WESTMINSTER
Take the underground to Westminster tube station. Exiting the station, the Palace of Westminster, some of the essential buildings in English historical past, is instantly in entrance of you.
Constructed within the 11th century, it was the first house of kings of England till 1512. Westminster Corridor (the oldest half nonetheless standing) was the place the predecessor to parliament (Curia Regis) met when the king was in residence.
Two fires destroyed a lot of the constructing, though Westminster Corridor survived. It was integrated into the present constructing which was accomplished in 1847.
The monarch departed a few years in the past, however parliament stays and nonetheless passes legal guidelines in its two well-known chambers – the Home of Commons and the Home of Lords.
BIG BEN
It’s a gorgeous constructing and the well-known clocktower, nicknamed ‘Huge Ben’ after its largest bell, appears to be like spectacular since its restoration was accomplished in 2022.
Excursions // Taking a tour of Westminster Palace is likely one of the finest issues to do in London.
NATIONAL COVID MEMORIAL WALL
Stroll over Westminster Bridge having fun with the wonderful views over the river Thames and again to Westminster Palace. On the finish of the bridge flip proper and take the steps right down to the riverfront.
You are actually on the official Queens Walkway which runs alongside the South Financial institution of the river.
Right here you’ll discover the Nationwide Covid Memorial Wall. Created in 2021, over 220,000 individually hand-painted purple hearts, every representing an individual within the UK who died of Covid-19, stretch alongside a 500-metre part of wall.
A number of the finest views of Huge Ben and Westminster Palace are simply reverse the wall.
KIDS’ ATTRACTIONS
The Queen Elizabeth Stroll now heads below Westminster Bridge and follows the south financial institution of the river because it heads east. The London Eye is in entrance of you however there are a number of good points of interest for teenagers alongside the way in which.
The Sea Life Aquarium incorporates 500 species in 14 themed zones. There are sharks, octopus, penguins, and jellyfish in addition to coral reef inhabitants.
Shrek’s Journey is an immersive expertise of the movies. It features a 4D flying bus, interactive conferences with characters, and a treasure hunt.
The London Dungeon is a mixture of themed rides and reveals that carry to life London’s haunted previous. Meet Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, Man Fawkes, and different murderers.
LONDON EYE
Proceed alongside the south financial institution to The London Eye, one of many iconic photographs of town. The 135-metre-high remark wheel makes a full rotation each half-hour offering a superb view over London.
Constructed for the millennium, it was initially meant to be non permanent, however 25 years later it’s nonetheless going robust.
London Eye Tickets // Queues will be lengthy so e book prematurely.
LEAKE STREET
The Queens Stroll continues alongside the south financial institution, however we extremely suggest making the detour to Leake Avenue (instructions are on the map above).
Leake Avenue is a pedestrian walkway that tunnels below the railway tracks exterior Waterloo Station. The partitions are a vibrant and vibrant mixture of graffiti and avenue artwork. The ceiling, which is tougher to succeed in, incorporates enduring photographs from well-known avenue artists.
The detour is 400-metres of additional strolling every method and takes 10-Quarter-hour. If, like us, you’re a fan of avenue artwork, strive our avenue artwork in Shoreditch self-guided stroll.
// brunch
The detour additionally passes close to the Black Penny, a great spot for brunch or a espresso.
SOUTHBANK CENTRE
Proceed alongside the pedestrian walkway and below the Golden Jubilee Bridges to succeed in the Southbank Centre. This arts centre combines a number of completely different points of interest.
First up, through the winter months, the Southbank Winter Market has pop-up bars and cosy igloos.
Subsequent is the Royal Competition Corridor, London’s main classical music venue, whose suspended auditorium and symmetrically designed staircases has grow to be often called an ‘egg in a field’.
The Queen Elizabeth Corridor and Purcell Room, housed in a brutalist field of concrete, holds gigs and efficiency occasions.
Behind them is the Hayward Gallery (£18) containing world-renowned up to date artwork. Each three months it showcases an adventurous or influential artist from the world over.
Whereas many of the reveals value, the odd one is free so examine the Southbank Centre web site.
SOUTHBANK BOOK MARKET
The Queens Stroll now passes below Waterloo Bridge. Tucked beneath its arches is the Southbank Guide Market. Open every single day from 10 am to five.30 pm, it’s been working for over 40 years and carries a whole lot of second handbooks, maps, and comics.
ROYAL NATIONAL THEATRE
Just a little additional alongside the river Thames is the Royal Nationwide Theatre, usually simply known as the Nationwide. It’s one other brutalist constructing, however the steadiness of horizontal and vertical parts inside has earned it a spot on each the ten hottest and 10 most hated buildings in London.
Whilst you can see the lobby free of charge, it is advisable go to a efficiency or be a part of a guided tour to get contained in the theatres. Test the Nationwide Theatre web site for particulars.
Don’t miss the Laurence Olivier statue and the opposite celebrating Pleasure simply exterior.
GABRIEL’S WHARF & OXO TOWER WHARF
The Queens Stroll continues eastwards alongside the Thames. As views open up in direction of St Paul’s Cathedral and the skyscrapers of town, it passes via a few points of interest.
Gabriel’s Wharf is a small sq. house to unbiased artwork galleries and garments shops.
Oxo Tower Wharf homes an eight-floor constructing with the underside two flooring house to unbiased artisans and design studios. Oxo Tower Bar & Brasserie, on the highest flooring, is a good spot for a pleasant lunch overlooking the river. There’s a free public viewing gallery, however the views are higher from the Tate Trendy Café which is developing.
BANKSIDE GALLERY
Proceed alongside the sting of the Thames, to Blackfriars Bridge. That is the official finish to the Queen’s Walkway, however moderately than get on the tube at Blackfriars station it’s higher to proceed on.
Go below the bridge’s arches and also you’ll discover the Founder’s Arms. It is a nice pub to seize a drink whereas sitting on the exterior tables taking within the views.
Behind the pub is Bankside Gallery. Owned and run by the Royal Watercolours Society, it presents a set of inexpensive watercolours which you should purchase. It’s free to enter.
TATE MODERN
Subsequent up is Tate Trendy which homes the UK’s nationwide assortment of contemporary and up to date artwork within the transformed Bankside Energy Station. It’s a powerful artwork gallery in a splendid constructing and it’s utterly free to go to.
The large Turbine Corridor usually homes monumental installations. The galleries comprise a number of notable works by Lichtenstein, Mondrian, Picasso and lots of extra.
Head to the Tate Trendy Café on Stage 10 within the Blavatnik Constructing free of charge views over town of London. Members can get a fair higher view from the Stage 5 Members Bar within the Natalie Constructing.
SHAKESPEARE GLOBE
Our self-guided stroll now heads over the pedestrian Millennium Bridge, however it’s value taking a brief detour additional alongside the embankment to Shakespeare’s Globe. This theatre is a practical reconstruction of the unique Elizabethan playhouse, first in-built 1599, for which Shakespeare wrote his performs.
True to the unique, the round design has seats operating alongside its edge and a big uncovered standing space for cheaper tickets.
Performs usually run from April to October, however you’ll be able to be a part of a Globe Theatre Guided Tour any time of the 12 months.
MILLENNIUM BRIDGE
Head again and cross the Millennium Bridge. This metal suspension pedestrian bridge was opened on 10 June 2000. On its very first day, as folks walked over the bridge, it started to oscillate and sway. It was closed later that day and nicknamed the “Wobbly Bridge.”
At present there’s no want to fret and it provides glorious views over the river and as much as St Paul’s Cathedral.
ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
As you head up Peter’s Hill and Sermon Lane, St Pauls Cathedral sparkles between the buildings. One of the recognisable buildings in London, it dates to a church based right here in 604 CE.
The current constructing was accomplished in 1710 by Sir Christopher Wren and has dominated the skyline ever since. Head clockwise across the church and peer up on the exceptional dome and sculpture-covered facades.
Inside (cheaper when you e book prematurely), you’ll be able to discover the towering nave, stained glass home windows, and tombs within the crypt. They embrace Nelson, Wellington, Joseph Turner, and Sir Alexander Fleming.
You may also climb the 1161 steps to the Whispering Gallery (beneath the dome) and the highest of the dome which provides panoramic views throughout London.
PATERNOSTER SQUARE
Paternoster Sq. is on the northern facet of St Paul’s Cathedral. The doorway is marked by Temple Bar Gate, the one surviving gateway to town of London courting to the late seventeenth century. The gate was on the junction of Strand and Fleet Avenue earlier than it was moved right here in 2004.
Go below the gate, flip proper via Paternoster Sq., to St Paul’s tube station the place our self-guided Queens Stroll ends.
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