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Walk 2651 - printer friendly version

The City of London from Hays Galleria Walk

Author - Chris Anthony

Length - 3.5 miles / 5.7 km

Ascent - 100 feet / 30 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference TQ330803
Lat 51.505989 + Long -0.085042661
Postcode SE1 2HW (approx. location only)

This is a short walk, which covers the City of London. During the walk you will pass several notable sites; all of which are worth visiting. The walk itself takes between 2 and 4 hours depending on how often you stop. There are numerous cafés, sandwich bars, restaurants and public houses on the way. Be aware that if you do this walk at the weekend, some of the pubs may be shut on Sundays.

The start of the walk is the River Entrance to Hays Galleria, which is a short walk from London Bridge Station. At the entrance to Hays Galleria and facing the River Thames, turn right onto the path running alongside the river. Directly in front of you, you will see HMS Belfast. Continue along the Queens Walk, passing the headquarters of The Greater London Authority.

Continue straight onto Tower Bridge and turn left up a set of narrow steps to the roadway above. Turn right at the top of the steps onto the path, and walk across the river towards the City of London. At the end of the bridge there is a set of steps going down. Take these steps, at the bottom turn sharp left (U-turn) into an archway. Continue past the Tower of London, taking great care on the cobbled surface.

At the end of the cobbles go through a metal gate and turn left towards the shops and the Millennium Tower Pier. Turn left onto a narrow path, Three Quays Walk, which takes you towards the river. Follow the river, going past The Customs House and the old Billingsgate Fish Market. Follow Old Billingsgate Walk, Dark House Walk and Grants Quay Walk. At the end of Grants Quay Walk, go down a set of steps, and in 20 metres turn right away from the river and towards the road.

Cross the road, either by the set of steps on your right or the pedestrian crossing on your left. Proceed up Fish Hill and cross over Monument Street. You will see the Monument on your right. Keep on up Fish Hill, passing the Monument Tube Station on you left. At the top of Fish Hill, cross Eastcheap and Gracechurch Street, take great care as these are very busy roads. Bear to your right into King William Street. Go up King William Street, crossing Clements Lane, Nicholas Lane and Abchurch Lane.

At the top of King William Street you will see the Bank of England. Cross the road using the pedestrian crossing into Poultry; crossing over Lombard Street in the process. Continue on up Poultry, on your left you will see the Mansion House, the official home of the Lord Mayor of London. Carry on along Poultry and into Cheapside. Go past St Mary-le-Bow Church. According to London legend, only those born within the sound of the church bells are authentic cockneys.

When you reach the end of Cheapside, you need to cross New Change, using the pedestrian crossing, and head towards St Paul's Cathedral. Go through the gate into the gardens. Proceed along the path keeping the cathedral on your left hand side, around to the front of the cathedral. St Paul's Cathedral is well worth a visit, and as this is the half way point of the walk, makes a convenient place to rest. You will find several cafes and restaurants around Paternoster Square.

If you are now ready, carry on along the road which goes around the Cathedral. Keep the Cathedral on your left. Ahead of you, you will see the Information Centre, and on your left will be some bus stops. Cross over St Paul's Churchyard Road using the pedestrian crossing, and bear right down St Peter's Hill towards the Millennium Bridge. Cross the river by this bridge.

At the end of the bridge is the Tate Modern. At the end of the bridge turn left onto the path alongside the river. Follow the path past the Globe Theatre. After going under Southwark Bridge, bear left and follow the path doing past the Anchor pub. The surface here is cobbled and is a one way street, so be aware of traffic. Bear left at Vinopolis and continue along Clink Street past Clink Prison Museum and Winchester Palace.

Continue straight on to Pickford Wharf, towards the Golden Hinde. Follow the pathway to the right, and keep following the path around to the left and into Minerva Crescent. Take great care as this section is used by cars and vans. Carry on along Minerva Crescent, keeping Southwark Cathedral on your right hand side, past the Mudlark Pub and under London Bridge. After London Bridge, continue along the pavement, and turn left to the river just before the London Bridge Hospital. There is a signpost which shows the way. Once at the river turn right and walk along Queens Walk, back to the Hays Galleria.

Walk 2651 Route Map

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