Exploring London’s Cycle Routes

Residents, tourists, cyclists, eco-conscious travellers, and fitness enthusiasts favour biking for its relative ease, convenience, and affordability. 

Exploring the many London cycle routes is a fantastic way to get your daily exercise, enjoy fresh air, and save a few pennies on your daily commute. In addition, the city centre now boasts some of the best infrastructure, including quiet shared roads, biking superhighways, and segregated riding lanes. Plus, there are so many things to do in London, on a bike or on foot! 

The Best London Cycle Routes You Need To Try!

Cycling in London can be a minefield, especially when figuring out the best pathways. In this section, we'll examine what the capital has to offer.

1. Thames Path

The Thames Path provides bikers with a friendly, traffic-free ride along the River Thames from the village of Kemble in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier in Woolwich. The journey is 185 miles (298 km) long. A popular section known as the Thames Loop starts at Richmond Park and goes to Kingston. It takes in the sights of Richmond and Princess Diana's Memorial Fountain to Putney Bridge and Kingston Bridge.

2. Regent's Canal

The square mile is known for its vibrant rivers, not least Regent's Canal, one of the many cycleways in London that takes the stress away from the morning commute. Running for approximately 13 miles and starting from Regent's Park, expect stunning views, historical landmarks like the London Zoo, gorgeous green spaces, and the world-famous Camden Market. Known for fast stretches and corners, it's a segment for those pro cyclists amongst us. Stop for a bite to eat and indulge in some shopping before finishing your ride at Limehouse Basin.

3. Richmond Park

For tourists holidaying in the capital's West side, the Richmond area’s cycle path is perfect for those looking for a short burst of power cycling with family and friends. It's also ideal for beginner and fitness riders and boasts stunning scenic views, woodlands, and wildlife. The journey starts at the entrance of Richmond Park near Sheen Gate and ends at the exact same point. The ride is 7.35km (4.5 miles) of beautiful views and scenery, perfect for a relaxed commute or Saturday adventure.

4. Lee Valley Regional Park

If you enjoy cycling in a more rural countryside, Lee Valley is the place for you. Situated in Enfield, Middlesex, it stretches 26 miles along the banks of the River Lea from Ware in Hertfordshire through to Essex, and the North/East side of town finishing at the Thames. Why not combine a fun outing with the kids, wonderful open spaces perfect for a picnic, and leisure facilities like skating, canoeing, and horse riding? There's even a farm and historic gardens.

5. Victoria Park

Located along Quietway's London Route Six, now known as Cycleway 16. This cycle track is ideal for commuters who prefer cycling to work as it runs from Barkingside through Mile End to Hackney Wick. Savour a relaxed, quiet, stress-free journey in the mornings. Also, why not try the Victoria Circle loop, which is roughly 2.7 miles long and takes approximately 23 to 30 minutes to complete? Start at the pathway near Victoria Lake and conveniently connect to Regent's Canal, Bethnal Green, or Hackney areas.

6. Finsbury Park

Nestled in the borough of Harringay and steeped in historic relevance as one of the first recreation grounds created in the Victorian era. The common covers neighbourhoods in Finsbury, Stroud Green, Highgate, Crouch End, and Muswell Hill as it follows the path of a previous railway line. With a trail passing through Finsbury Park, Finsbury Pond, and Parkland Walk. Perhaps you could meet up with friends, hire a few Santander Cycles, and let the discovery begin? 

7. Notting Hill

Notting Hill is a famous district in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Renowned for the Notting Hill Carnival, Portobello Road Market, Ladbroke Grove, and the Museum of Brands. There’s also the excellent Notting Hill Bike Hire London tours, which take place seven days a week. The area is also synonymous with artists, musicians, and filmmakers, so there’s plenty of art and culture on offer. So, grab a bike and head out to see what you can see! Our guide to the best things to do in West London is packed full of stuff in Notting Hill and well worth checking out if you’re planning a trip!

8. Hyde Park

Commencing around Lancaster Gate and blessed with a designated pedalling path running around the perimeter of Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park is conveniently car-free, so it’s perfect for a safe ride with the kids. It provides fitness fans with an easy, idyllic ride past some of Blighty's most famous green spaces. Prepare to cover approximately 4 miles, 6 km, as you pass spectacular landmarks like the Diana Memorial Fountain, Kensington Gardens, Speaker's Corner, and the Serpentine Lake.

9. Olympic Park

Lovingly referred to by Blighty's residents as the late Queen Elizabeth Stadium, purposely built for the 2012 Summer Olympics. This track starts and finishes at the iconic Velopark in the borough of Newham. You will experience stunning rivers and canals and enjoy a tranquil day out. The British Cycling Governing Body has assessed this path as suitable for most adaptive wheels. Thus, ensuring that London Cycling Safety measures are adhered to.

10. Regent's Park

For fitness fanatics, tourists, and eco-conscious travellers, the area around Regent's Park is split between the City of Westminster and the Borough of Camden and offers riders a wealth of impressive sights, including the Millennium Dome/Eye, The Mall, and Lea Bridge. Enjoy traffic-free exercise as you power through the River Thames, towards Westminster Pier and the Embankment. As you pedal through 22.3 miles of smooth surface, you experience the best cycling routes London offers. Shop, browse, and take in this famous part of the UK from your saddle. 

Family-Friendly Routes

The home of Big Ben offers families and friends a plethora of fun, entertaining, and informative outdoor activities alongside play areas and canals. Why not try the Green Belt Cycle Trail? Covering magnificent sights like Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the River Thames. Take this opportunity to explore family attractions such as the National History Museum, Science Museum, Shrek's Adventure, or Kidzania.

Or you could venture around a short but idyllic path through beautiful tree-lined streets and flat surfaces. Clapham Common has an abundance of open spaces for picnics, and both Clapham and Wandsworth Commons have spacious playgrounds that feature family favourites like slides, swings, sandpits, and spinning wheels.

Let's not forget the Wandle Trail. Tracking the path of the beautiful River Wandle, it’s the perfect country escape right in the city. Although this journey covers a vast stretch of peddling, you can break it down into smaller chunks by visiting attractions such as the historic Merton Abbey Mills and plenty of child-friendly nature reserves. This ride is an excellent option for family cycling in London as it's free from congestion.

Historical Routes

The capital boasts a rich history of over 2000 years, and biking offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the square mile. Cycle Superhighway 3 runs from Barking in the East to Lancaster Gate in the West. During your adventure, you'll see famous landmarks like Marble Arch, Buckingham Palace, Blackfriars Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and the Tower of London.

The fun doesn't stop there. Follow the Old Roman Road route from near Southwark, close to the Roman settlement of Londinium. From there, head southeast through Bermondsey and Deptford, ending at Shooter Hill, a significant Roman landmark.

There’s plenty of history to see on this route. You can marvel at St Paul's Cathedral, the Roman Wall, near Tower Hill, it was remarkably built around AD 200, the original Roman City Centre, once called the Basilica and Forum of Londinium, and, of course, Mile End, which still has the original Roman Road namesake. As you continue your sightseeing escapade, you'll reach The Temple of Mithras, situated near the Bank of England, and across the iconic Bridge, formerly known as Londinium Bridge. There’s so much history on offer in London. If you’ve got the legs for it, you could be cycling all day and still not see it all!

Let's Wrap This Up

So, there you have it, a comprehensive guide to enjoying all the spectacular cycling routes that the greatest city in the world has to offer. From the elegance of the Thames Path, the prestige of Hyde Park, and the regality of Regent’s green spaces, there are plenty of congestion-free, child-friendly places to satisfy your love of pushing pedals.

Are you considering moving to the city? Visit UNCLE today to browse our available flats across the capital.