Let’s face it – even Londoners have a bit of a love-hate relationship with London. Whilst the nightlife is great, the pubs are excellent and you’re never short of five different life-drawing classes to choose from on a Thursday night; it’s all too easy to get lost in the concrete jungle. Before you know it, three months have passed, and you haven’t set foot in a park or a natural space in what seems like forever.
Luckily, there really are some great pockets of natural beauty in and around London. From the deer-laden heaths of Richmond Park and the eerie tunnels of the Parkland Walk to the winding canals of the River Lee, ebbing and flowing as you fight away those ‘Sunday scaries’; if you just look a little closer, you can find hidden gems all over this minefield of a metropolis.
Credit: Sampajano-Anizza
With this in mind, what better way to explore these natural spaces than on two wheels? You get the benefit of avoiding the busy weekend tube, and the luxury of crossing more ground in less time, all in one fun adventure. If you’re new to the city, you can also soak up more sights and sounds, and get to know your local areas a lot better than from the depths of the underground.
So, without further ado, here’s a breakdown of our favourite cycling day trips in and around the city of London.
Credit: Harry Green
Whether you’re looking for a leisurely deer-spotting cycle, a quick Sunday morning ride, or a timed road race, Richmond Park has got a little something for everyone. Whilst the tarmac road extends for roughly seven miles in a circular loop around the park, there are also roads and paths transecting throughout the middle for a more spontaneous adventure. In this sense, you can spend as little or as much time as you like perusing its natural wonders. There are also multiple gates to access the park from, though if you’re coming from central London, Richmond Gate is a convenient place to start.
Credit: Pawel Pajor
The Thames Path is a long-distance trail that starts at the river’s source in Gloucestershire and meanders eastward via towpaths and bridges to reach the Thames Estuary. Whilst you could embark upon the 184-mile trail on a multi-day adventure, if you’re looking for a more manageable day trip, the section from Weybridge to central London is a great place to start. Covering approximately 23 miles, you’ll pass through Sunbury, Hampton Court, Kingston, Richmond, Putney, Tower Bridge and more. From Putney Bridge to Greenwich, you’ll cross the National Cycle Route 1 and National Cycle Route 4. The path is generally broad with smooth granite aggregate surfaces, though there are lots of tarmac sections too.
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Split into two sections, the Parkland Walk North extends from Cranley Gardens to Muswell Hill, while the southerly section runs between Highgate and Finsbury Park. With roughly one mile of cycling between the two sections, the overall length of the route totals around 3 miles, with the steepest inclines in the northerly sections. The trail itself is steeped in history, following London’s old railway lines dating back to 1867. Now a nature reserve, you can cycle along these tranquil paths – with occasional rocky sections – all while lapping up the beautiful, hidden scenery north London has to offer.
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Whilst the River Lee extends far and beyond England’s capital, the London sections offer some truly stunning scenes of natural respite from city life. Since it merges into the Thames at Bow Creek, one handy place to start cycling from is the Lee Valley VeloPark near Stratford. From here you can simply follow the canal path along the river as far as your legs desire. If, however, you don’t want to head too far from London, Brimsdown is a good place to turn back. On this route, you’ll pass through Hackney Marshes, the Middlesex Filter Beds, Walthamstow Wetlands and more. With plenty of opportunities to stop for food and drink or simply admire the unique marshland wildlife, following the River Lee makes for one epic day out.
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Much like the River Lee, you could spend all day exploring the ins and outs of the mystical Epping Forest. One fun route, however, begins at Epping train station and takes you through the forest on singletrack paths, past ponds and majestic trees southwards towards Hollow Pond near Leyton. From there, you could either head back home or travel northwards to where you began. Epping Forest is big enough that you can ride a different trail on your way back too. Famous for its Muntjac deer, other cool wildlife to watch out for include buzzards, heron, shrews, hares, the Daubenton's bat, barn owls and more.
Credit: Epic Road Rides
Southwest of London, the challenging Box Hill loop culminates in 1,138 ft of elevation gain. Starting in Richmond Park at Roehampton Gate, most cyclists head anti-clockwise round the park towards Kingston Gate, before heading southward past Hampton Court Palace towards Esher. From there, you’ll pass through Oxshott and Leatherhead before tackling the infamous climb that is Box Hill itself. Located just outside Dorking in Surrey, Box Hill actually featured in the London 2012 Olympics road race. Riding a zig zag tarmac road, you’ll eventually reach the crest of the hill, with stunning views across Surrey, before heading back northwards via Banstead and Motspur Park towards Richmond.
Credit: Bernd Brueggemann
London to Brighton is an iconic cycle ride taking you through the stunning scenery of Sussex. And where better to end a day’s cycle than right by the sea? From Clapham, you head south towards Croydon, following the signs towards Coulsdon, before heading through Reigate towards Crawley and the Downs & Weald cycle route. From there you pass through the High Weald Area of Outstanding Beauty, over Ditchling Beacon and the South Downs National Park, before reaching the famous beach fronts of Brighton. Taking in a fair chunk of southern England, this cycle ride is a great day out for exploring London’s environs.
Credit: I-Wei-Huang
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