Discover London: A Walking Tour from Paddington Station
Plan Your Iconic London Walking Tour from Paddington
One of the best things about London is that many of the top things to see can be discovered on foot. While the city has an excellent public transport system, including trains, tubes, and buses, choosing to take a walking tour around London provides the opportunity to see more of the UK capital and spot hidden gems and places of interest along the way.
Travelling into London from Heathrow via the Heathrow Express means you can start your walking tour right away. The train conveniently arrives at Paddington Station, which is the perfect starting point for an iconic walk that takes in Big Ben, the Tower of London, and London Bridge. This walk is around six miles (9.5 kilometres) in length and will take around two hours without stopping.
Read on to discover how to find some of London’s top monuments via a walking tour from Paddington Station and tips for making the most of your walk, whether you’re staying in London for two days, three days, or even longer.
Explore the Magnificent Westminster Area and Big Ben
The first stop on your London walking tour is Big Ben, which is perhaps the world’s most famous clock and a must-see monument while visiting the city. Big Ben is an impressive 96m in height and is instantly recognisable as you approach it. The clock tower is located at the end of the Houses of Parliament on the banks of the River Thames in London’s historically important Westminster borough and is an unmissable part of London’s much-loved skyline.
Big Ben is approximately three miles from Paddington Station, and it will take around one hour to walk there. Spend 45 minutes to an hour admiring the architecture and taking photos of Big Ben and its surrounding London monuments, including the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. You can take a 90-minute guided tour of Big Ben by booking tickets through the UK Government website. The tour will take you up 334 steps to where the bell hangs and you’ll be able to see the intricate mechanisms housed behind the clock face. Big Ben tour tickets are released three months in advance on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am.
Journey Across London Bridge to Historic Landmarks
The next stop on your London walking tour is the remarkable London Bridge which is around two miles from Big Ben on foot. The bridge has seen many different forms over the years and is the River Thames’ oldest crossing. Originally built in 43AD by the Romans, the London Bridge you see today has a simple design made from a combination of steel and concrete. From London Bridge you can see many of London’s monuments as you look down the river, including Tower Bridge which boasts a beautiful design and a movable road that allows ships to pass through.
There are lots of great things to see in London set close to London Bridge, including the London Eye and the Tate Modern gallery where you can see modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day. There are also some different walking trails set around the monument, such as the peaceful Green Space Trail and the London Bridge Hidden Art Walk which highlights sculptures, street art, and much more.
Uncover Centuries of History at the Tower of London
The final stop on your walking tour is the iconic Tower of London which is just half a mile from London Bridge on foot. See the impressive Crown Jewels, a collection of over 100 pieces and over 2300 gemstones, learn about the tower’s fascinating history as a fortress, palace, and prison, and immerse yourself in dark stories of rebellion and execution. Highlights of a Tower of London visit include guided tours led by traditional Yeoman Warders (also known as Beefeaters), seeing the ravens thought to protect the kingdom that nest in the tower, and viewing suits of armour, including some worn by Henry VIII.
You should allocate around three hours for your Tower of London visit as this will give you time to explore the exhibits and learn all about the monument’s rich history. Queues can get long throughout the day, so book Tower of London tickets in advance where possible to guarantee entry.
Maximise Your London Walking Tour Experience
To make the most of your London walking experience, you should:
Book attraction tickets in advance where possible – for example for the Tower of London
Wear shoes that are comfortable to walk in
Get started as early as possible to avoid queues
Take bottled water and snacks or plan stops along the way
Check accessibility information for each attraction on their dedicated websites
Have your camera ready for both iconic monuments and hidden gems
Seamless Travel with Heathrow Express to Paddington
If you’re landing at Heathrow, the fastest and easiest way to get to central London from terminals 2, 3, 4, or 5 is to take the Heathrow Express directly to Paddington Station where this London walking tour starts. Whether you’re visiting the city for two days, three days, or even longer, you’ll want to make the most of your trip by getting into the city quickly and conveniently.
If you’re hoping to see some of the most famous monuments of London during your trip, book your Heathrow Express tickets in advance and enjoy a stress-free start to your visit.