We know that many new year’s resolutions involve exercise; we are always striving to be a healthier and happier version of ourselves. Certainly the cheapest way you can get some daily or weekly exercise in is by running! South London is a beautiful place to live, and whether you fancy walking or running, these 9 running routes are some of our favourites to see the sights and work up a sweat at the same time! Whilst this list includes routes we have curated ourselves, we’d always recommend trying out your own routes in the various parks around South London too.
Peckham Rye and Camberwell Old Cemetery
Distance: 4 miles
Best enjoyed on a crisp morning or a sunny afternoon, this four mile route takes you around the many green spaces in and around Peckham Rye. You’ll spend the majority of this run around Peckham Rye Park, with scenic views of the River Peck, a perfect place for a quick rest stop! You’ll also, of course, pass through Camberwell Old Cemetery, where you may want to slow your pace and take note of the incredible architecture. You may even spot the grave of Horniman Museum founder Frederick John Horniman, amongst other thoughtful war memorials to take a moment of silence out of your day.
Loz Pycock
Richmond Park
Distance: 7 miles
Just one of the many parks on our list, Richmond Park is best known for its frequent sightings of wild deer, making it a perfect walking or running route. The route we have selected takes you through an easy to navigate path following the Tamsin Trail, leaving you with a neat closed circuit to follow either on your own or perfect with a friend on your next lunch break! Richmond Park welcomes runners of all abilities, accommodating visitors with a friendly cafe and several water fountains so you can stay hydrated during your exercise. There is even bike hire available at this park if you fancy increasing your speed!
Crystal Palace Park - Giclée Art Print
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Crystal Palace Park
Distance: 2 miles
The route around Crystal Palace Park is perfect for beginners that may feel intimidated by the other longer routes on this list. This is also a great spot to practice your short distance sprinting if you want more variety in your exercise routine! Crystal Palace Park has some fantastic and unusual sights to admire on your walk or run, including the infamous dinosaurs! In this enclosed circuit, you’ll also pass the Crystal Palace Stadium, the Crystal Palace Museum and the BBC Transmitter. This route is a great place if you want to show a friend around the local area!
Ian Wright
Around Tooting Common Lake
Distance: 3 miles
This 3 mile route can either be taken leisurely on a weekend afternoon or a burst during your lunch break! Tooting Common is another beautiful green space we think South London aspiring runners should take advantage of, with stunning views of the Tooting Common Lake too. There’s also drinking fountains to keep you hydrated during your run, as well as two cafes where you can rest. If you want to change it up from running, there are tennis courts and a cricket pitch too.
Herry Lawford
Merton Park
Distance: 3 miles
Another closed circuit route, this trail around Merton park is perhaps one of the less known parks, but no less scenic. You’ll start and finish your run at St George’s Church, passing Morden Hall Park, featuring views of the River Wandle, before circling round past Kendor Gardens and John Innes Park. Your last stop will be Mostyn Gardens before finishing again at the church! This route is a great way to get a sneak peek at the different green spaces in and around the Merton area, but we could also recommend doing your own running routes around any of these individual parks too!
Dudley Miles
Along the Thames from Battersea Power Station
Distance: 4 miles
The River Thames is one of the most iconic and beautiful sites of the City of London, enjoyed by both the North and the South. South Londoners can take the 4 mile running route from Battersea Power Station in a relatively straight line all the way up to cross London Bridge briefly over to the North side! We believe this is one of the most scenic running routes in South London, best enjoyed against the sunrise or sunset for a picturesque backdrop. Sites you’ll see along the way include the U. S. Embassy, Vauxhall Bridge, Lambeth Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe and many more!
Alberto Pascual
Greenwich Park - Giclée Art Print
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Greenwich Park and Blackheath
Distance: 2 miles
Regular South London runners will definitely be familiar with Greenwich Park, which is why we had to include it in our list! There are several stunning historical landmarks within the park itself, each making a great pit-stop for you to explore, before continuing your run. Whether it's the Royal Observatory you’re interested in, the Queen’s House or the National Maritime Museum, there’s something for everyone, making this route perfectly suited to family weekend walks too! One of our favourite spots to see on the run is the fenced Flower Garden, that has a quaint woodland area for the perfect escape; you may even see some deer in the deer sanctuary!
Tatters ✾
Wimbledon Common
Distance: 6 miles
This route is one of our favourites in Wimbledon, at a comfortable 6 miles that can easily be done as either a leisurely walk or a challenging run. Along this circuit, as well as doing the circumference of Wimbledon common, you’ll also pass Putney Vale Cemetery and the Richardson Memorial Playing Fields. There’s plenty of opportunities during this route to go off the path and explore the woodland areas around the common too and get lost in its natural beauty, particularly in the Spring and Autumn seasons.
Alexey Komarov
High Elms Country Park, Bromley
Distance: 2 miles
High Elms Country Park is a great location for a peaceful nature walk, especially to entertain the little ones! This nature reserve is designed with walkers and runners in mind, with plenty of unique spots to admire along your route, from stunning flower arrangements to tranquil ponds for a quiet moment. If you are planning on walking this route with your family, they provide a leaflet with specific flowers and insects to spot along the way, getting your children to interact with the nature around them.
Dudley Miles
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