Save money and discover London with these self-guided walking tours
If you’re fond of walking or simply want to cut down on your spending, we recommend getting out there and discovering London on foot. Prepare your best shoes and clothes because these tours might take some time to complete, and if you also want to enter some of the buildings during the walk, you might extend the walk.
Of course, you don’t have to travel alone, so take one or two friends with you. You could also become a local guide if one of your international friends or family members is coming to London. You’ll enjoy a free and educative activity without spending a penny, especially since the city is one of the most expensive to live in the world.
While walking around London is quite impressive, remember that it’s easy to get lost among so many buildings and shops, for which you may always need to have a map with you and an internet connection to access online guidelines. So, let’s get into it!
Identifying the Tudor architecture in London
Being one of the most prominent moments in the history of London, the Tudor period left the city with impressive architecture you can find in everyday buildings. You can start from Staple Inn, whose façade pops on the street due to the dark colours and arranged windows. Then, walk by the Henry VII Chapel, where many kings and queens of the Tudor monarchy are buried. Follow the way to ST Andrew Undershaft, St James’s Palace and St John’s Gate and reach Shakespeare’s Globe, where you can get tickets to a show and learn more about its history.
Then, stop by the Lambeth Palace, which is not open to the public and move on to the Inns of Court and St Bartholomew’s Gatehouse. Your final stop will be at the Tower of London, which was used for imprisonment during the Tudor period. The whole tour might last up to a day, so get ready to fill up your energy levels. Luckily, London is close to airports and transportation modes, so if you’re waiting for a friend to stop by, just make sure you get Heathrow parking for your car, whether rented or not, so as not to disrupt the traffic flow.
Unearthing the King’s Cross
Moving to another historical period, Victorian London was when the King’s Cross zone was an incredible social hub and an essential element in preserving the industrial heritage. From the King’s Cross Station, walk to the neo-gothic St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and the St Pancras Station, where you’ll identify similar architectures. Then, after you leave the station, head out to the German Gymnasium, now a restaurant where you can dine. The Stanley Buildings are next along with the Granary Square.
Now, you might enter a less agitated area from the Midland Goods Shed via the canal, where you’ll see more minor stops, such as the Coal Drops Yard, the Coal Office and the Canal Towpath. Then, cross the Victorian Water Tower and end at your destination at the Camley Street Natural Park, which was once occupied by coal drops. While the walk takes ten minutes tops when you’re in a hurry, exploring all these spots might take you more than one hour if you have the time to read all the information presented at these stops. If you’re in a hurry, however, and need to fly somewhere else, book parking at the airport with Parkos and leave your vehicle safely after finishing the trip.
Pioneering around London’s Roman Wall
If we look at London’s history, we might get overwhelmed by the number of changes over centuries, such as its link to the old Roman and mediaeval city walls. This route is roughly four kilometres long but full of mesmerising locations. The Tower of London is the starting point, with the Medieval Postern Gate as a highlight. Then, if you visit the Tower Hill Roman Wall, you’ll see the best of this walk, because here are some of the best well-preserved parts of the wall accompanied by a statue of Emperor Trajan. Then you go by Cooper’s Row and Aldegate.
Another stop includes Houndsditch and the Bishopsgate, and then follow the old wall line to discover remarkable ruins of old churches. If you continue to the Barbican Walls and Tower, you might get to visit the Museum of London Tower, but be wary about this street because you can easily get lost. If you can find your way out, know that the end of the trip is at Newgate, Ludgate and Blackfriars, whose history is believed to date back to the 12th century.
Strolling around countryside-like vibes in Highgate
The countryside in the UK is known as one of the most whimsical places to be outside the city’s agitation. But if you don’t have the time or resources to reach it, know that a simple walk around Highgate will propel you into similar places. It’s one of the most fancy and expensive places to live in London due to its history of being a particular spot for the rich since the 16th century.
Hence, start from the Whittington stone, which has a cat that symbolises Dick Whittington’s folklore tale. Then, walk by the Gatehouse, a great pub to stop at when you’re hungry and want to feel like a Tudor. The Highgate School and the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution are next. Another pub with unique architecture is the Flask of which patrons include famous names like Karl Marx.
Then, you stop by the Grove, the actual house of the rich, and the highest church in London, St Michael’s Church. You walk a little bit more to the Highgate Cemetery and reach the end at the Holly Village, which includes important buildings of Victorian neo-gothic architecture.
Wrapping up
What do you think about these unique spots? They might not be popular, but they genuinely showcase how wonderful London is and its importance during world history. Walking allows you to discover things as they were and enjoy the food at the ancient restaurants properly.
