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Hiking Near London – The Most Beautiful Walks You can Reach By Train

If you are looking to do some hiking near London, look no further. Here are a few suggestions for the most beautiful hikes that you can reach by train from London, including tips for refreshment stops and interesting sights along the way.

Path leading up to a Victorian tower with trees behind it

You wouldn’t think a big city like London is a great place for hikers, but less than an hour away by train you have some spectacular countryside that’s waiting to be discovered on foot. Hiking near London is, in fact, super easy and there is a great variety of trails – from woodlands and open fields, to riverside and coastal walks.

Here are some of the best hikes from London:

Best hiking near London by train

The Seven Sisters Cliff Walk, East Sussex

Distance: 13.6 miles / Approx. Time: 6 hours

One of the best day hikes from London is the Seven Sisters Cliffs walk, located within the South Downs National Park. Famous for its white cliffs, the views along this walk are truly spectacular. 

A path leading to cottages by the sea with undulating white cliffs in the background. The Seven Sisters is one of the best spots for hiking near London

Sussex is well known for its idyllic villages all over the countryside, but with over 100 miles of coastline, this hike will show you an area that will take your breath away.

Starting in Seaford, which can be reached by train from London or by bus from Brighton, this undulating walk will take you from the top of the cliff to the sea level, and back to the top. This means that you will be able to access the beach for a different perspective of the cliffs.

Some spots worth mentioning along this walk are the view from the Coastguards Cottages, for the iconic view of the cliffs featured in Atonement, Beachy Head and its lighthouse, and the Birling Gap.

There are a few places where you can stop for refreshments along the way. The Birling Gap Cafe is pretty much at the halfway point, and it’s perfect for a cream tea pitstop.

The walk ends in Eastbourne Pier. The train station is not far from the Pier so it’s an easy return to London.

There is also an option to visit the Seven Sisters Cliffs on a small group tour.

HOW TO GET THERE
Trains to Seaford leave from Victoria Station (Change at Lewes)
Fastest train time: 1 h 24 mins
Check train times and ticket prices here

North Downs Way – Box Hill to Reigate

By Samantha from The Wandering Wanderluster 

Distance: 10 miles / Approx. Time: 4-5 hours

Trailing through 153 miles of stunning English countryside, the North Downs Way is one of the best places to hike near London and one of most popular walking trails in South East England.

Wooden sign in the woods showing the direction of the North Downs Way

Following the historic Pilgrims Way, the path runs from Farnham to Canterbury and on to the White Cliffs of Dover on the coast.

It goes through some of the most beautiful scenery in England, including the protected landscapes of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an area known for its grasslands, heaths and wildlife. 

A particularly favourite section of the trail is the 10 mile hike between Box Hill and the small town of Reigate in Surrey, a walk that is said to have been a favourite of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.

Great as a family day out, you’ll pass a few great pubs, the River Mole and some great views along the way.

The trail should take you around 4 to 5 hours (longer if you stop along the way or have kids in tow! Stroller is not recommended).

It is open all year around but the best time of year is during Spring or Autumn when the downs are alive with birds and blooming flowers, but be prepared for muddy puddles!

You can choose to do the hike in either direction as the starting points are roughly the same journey time by train (around 50 minutes). Most people choose to take the train to Box Hill & Westhumble from London Victoria and return from Reigate.

HOW TO GET THERE
Trains to Box Hill & Westhumble leave from Waterloo and Victoria Stations
Fastest train time: 48 mins
Check train times and ticket prices here

The Box Hill Hike

Distance: 8 miles / Approx. Time: 3-4 hours

For those looking for challenging hikes near London, Box Hill has an excellent circular hike that takes you through steep climbs, deep valleys and plenty of steps. This 8-mile hike covers a great part of the Box Hill estate, which is managed by the National Trust.

View of the countryside from Box Hill at sunset, one of the most beautiful hikes near London

Starting out at Box Hill & Westhumble train station, follow the road west until you reach the A24, where you’ll join the North Downs Way trail. Cross the road through the subway and stay on the trail until you reach the top of the hill.

The climb to the top is pretty steep, and you may need to stop a couple of times along the way to catch your breath. 

Once you reach the top, head to the Visitor Centre, where you’ll find the start of the trail, which is well signed.

Along the trail you will come across a number of viewpoints, including Broadwood’s Folly, a flint tower built in the 19th century, with excellent views over the Surrey Hills.

A little less than half way through the walk, you will go through the sweet village of Mickleham. The Running Horses pub is a great place to stop for refreshments.

Continue on the waymarked trail through a couple of steep descents and ascents on your return to the starting point, with expansive views across the North Downs.

This trail can get a bit muddy so make sure you wear sturdy footwear and pack plenty of water and snacks.

HOW TO GET THERE
Trains to Box Hill & Westhumble leave from Waterloo and Victoria Stations
Fastest train time: 48 mins
Check train times and ticket prices here

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Leith Hill, Surrey

Distance: 11 miles / Approx. Time: 4-5 hours

At 294 metres above sea level, Leith Hill is the second highest point in South East England. It is crowned by Leith Hill Tower, an 18th century Gothic tower built to raise the height of the hill to 1,000 ft (305 metres). 

Path leading up to a Victorian tower with trees behind it

Set within the Surrey Hills, there is a network of paths of different lengths, with the shortest being 1.5 miles. To get to Leith Hill, the closest train station is Holmwood, however please note that trains don’t operate on Sundays.

Starting your walk here, it will take you to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that inspired Charles Darwin while he conducted research in the area.

Along the way you will go through Anstiebury Hill Fort, and Iron Age hillfort with well-preserved earthworks, and the small village of Coldharbour, where you can stop for refreshments at the Plough Inn. 

When you get to Leith Hill Tower, reward yourself with a slice of homemade cake or an ice cream from the servery at the bottom of the tower. It is run by a local farm and their lemon drizzle cake is delicious. Please note that there are no toilet facilities at the tower.

Check if Leith Tower is open when you plan your walk, as climbing to the top is one of the highlights of this area.

There are 78 steps to the top, from where you can enjoy expansive views of Surrey, the South Downs and the London skyline. Some say that in a clear day you can even make out the Big Ben.

If you do this hike in May, make sure you add a walk around the Rhododendron Woods, and through Frank’s Wood for bluebells, when they’ll be in full bloom.

HOW TO GET THERE
Trains to Holmwood leave from Victoria Station (no trains on Sundays)
Fastest train time: 1 h 4 mins
Check train times and ticket prices here

Thames Path, Marlow

By Paul from Anywhere We Roam

Distance: 9 miles / Approx. Time: 4 hours

Cutting a swathe through southern England, and framed by wide open meadows and forested trails, the Thames Path is an idealised slice of rural Britain. At just over an hour via train, a circular walk from Marlow is an easy, yet beautiful day hike from London.

Boats on the canal moored by a house on the canalside

Start at Marlow train station, head west down Station Road onto Pound Lane and cross over Henley road to connect to the footpath directly ahead. Follow the trail through the beautiful beech-lined forest until you arrive at Homefield Wood – a lovely nature reserve.

Turning left, follow the path that joins Bockmer Lane down to the river at Medmenham. Here, a lovely patch of grass opens out in front of a particularly wide stretch of the river. It’s an excellent spot for a picnic and a great place to enjoy some wild swimming in the Thames.  

After a refreshing dip, follow the footpath east along the river to Hurley Lock. Here, a small island in the middle of the Thames has a shallow beach nestled among a large shaded green. Either relax by the river or enjoy a classic English pub lunch at the Olde Bell Inn.

Complete the hike by strolling along the river back to Marlow. 

This is an easy circular hike around 9 miles long. Except for a slight incline through the Homefield Wood, most of the path is flat making it an easy way to get some fresh air in beautiful countryside close to London. 

HOW TO GET THERE
Trains to Marlow leave from Paddington Station (Change at Maidenhead)
Fastest train time: 1 h 1 min

Check train times and ticket prices here

Little Marlow Walk, The Chilterns

By Kat from Wandering Bird 

Distance: 6 miles / Approx. Time: 2-3 hours

If you want to go hiking near London somewhere that’s easily reachable by train, head to the Chilterns to do the Little Marlow walk.

Path marked by wooden fences in autumnal countryside

There are two levels of hike you can do – a shorter 3 mile loop or a longer (and possibly prettier) 6 mile walk. Neither are crazy challenging, but for disabled access or those with pushchairs the shorter route is fairly flat, has no stiles and only a few kissing gates.

The longer route has a steady climb (up to 300ft) on unsurfaced tracks, although it has no stiles either.

Both walks start at Bourne End Railway Station, which can be easily and regularly reached from London Paddington. The journey time is around 50 minutes.

You set off along the Thames and around Spade Oak Lake, which is beautiful.

For the longer walk, continue on to Little Marlow (a pretty village with several cafes available, if you fancy a stopping point) and then head up to Bloom Wood, where you’ll enjoy incredible views over the Thames Valley.

Depending on fitness (and how often you stop for photos), you can complete it in 2-3 hours.

One of the interesting things to see along the route is the old wharf on the River Thames at Spade Oak, where tonnes of paper, barley malt and timber would have been loaded onto boats for transport downstream.

Spade Oak Lake is an old gravel pit and the area has been turned into a nature reserve, with large varieties of wildfowl and other birds enjoying the area. There is also a children’s quiz set up, so they can answer questions about what they see on the walk. 

HOW TO GET THERE
Trains to Bourne End leave from Paddington Station (Change at Maidenhead)
Fastest train time: 49 mins

Check train times and ticket prices here

Epping Forest Oak Trail

By Cass from Cassie The Hag 

Distance: 7 miles / Approx. Time: 2-3 hours

Epping Forest is one of the best hikes in London, and ideal for anyone who needs a quick break from the city.

Walks here are very easily accessible from London with a few stations around the area to choose from or a 40-minute trip straight to Theydon Bois Station on the Central Line.

Ancient oak tree with exposed roots on the edge of a path through the woods

There are many routes in and around Epping Forest, including a seven-mile circular walk along the ‘Oak Trail’. In my opinion, the best attraction on this walk is just getting into real greenery and wildlife so close to London, and breathing in fresh air just moments from a tube stop!

Along the Oak Trail, you will pass a deer sanctuary, Ambresbury Banks (which was once the location of an Iron Age hill fort), and there are some great countryside pubs to choose from, such as the cosy Queen Victoria.

This is a gentle walk with no big slopes and shouldn’t take much longer than a couple of hours. Enjoy the wildflowers and cattle as you pass through the fields and woodlands. The path is marked with green signposts.

For a longer walk, the Theydon Bois Walk is a 13-mile mostly flat walk from the same station which passes the Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve.

HOW TO GET THERE
Tube Station: Theydon Bois (Central Line)
Approx. train time: 40 mins from Central London 

Broxbourne Woods, Hertfordshire

By Annabel from Smudged Postcard

Distance: 6.5 miles / Approx. Time: 2-3 hours

Broxbourne Woods National Nature Reserve is located a mile’s walk from Bayford train station. The small village of Bayford is 40 minutes by train from Finsbury Park. Although it is under an hour from Central London, Broxbourne Woods feels like a million miles away.

Metal sculpture of a stag in the woods

The main trail is 11 miles in total but as it forms a figure of eight, it is also possible to walk one of the two loops if you are short of time.

The hike takes visitors through ancient woodland and fields, and also includes a short but delightful art trail, the Broxbourne Woods Sculpture Trail, which runs through the woods.

The hike is fairly flat but can get quite muddy in places after wet weather. Sections such as the sculpture trail are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. There are two pubs close by the trail offering refreshments.

The nature reserve has a good mixture of different woodland and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest being the habitat for the rare purple emperor butterfly.

Allow a full day if you choose the full figure of eight loop, otherwise smaller sections of the hike allow for a half day outing.

To reach the hike, head for the village of Brickendon when you arrive at Bayford. From there, walk along Brickendon Green until you reach Broxbourne Woods west car park where there is an entrance point.

HOW TO GET THERE
Trains to Bayford leave from Moorgate, Kings Cross and Finsbury Park Stations
Fastest train time: 45 mins

Check train times and ticket prices here

Map of hikes near London

Map pinpointing the locations of hikes near London
Click on map for interactive version

Do you have any other suggestions for hiking near London that you would like to see included?
Let me know in the comments!

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Hiking Near London - The Most Beautiful Walks You Can Reach by Train
Hiking Near London - The Most Beautiful Walks You Can Reach by Train

SNK Creation

Friday 10th of June 2022

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