When thinking about the best walks London has to offer, you probably picture scenes of the Thames path approaching Westminster, autumn leaves crackling beneath your feet in Hyde Park, or tossing a ball for your dog across Hampstead Heath. Yet the truth is that London is absolutely brimming with excellent trails, and sadly, the majority of Londoners remain oblivious to the absolute treasures located right on their doorstep.
This rings especially true for numerous South East Londoners, who have one of the city's best walking trails within easy reach. It's called The Line, and it's a firm favourite with art lovers - yet many Londoners don't even realise it exists.
The Line: An Award-Winning Art Walk
TimeOut once crowned it the best walk in London, surpassing the likes of Hampstead and the Jubilee Greenway. The artworks run along the Thames riverbank, stretching between The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Greenwich Peninsula. The Line walk takes you past colourful street art and imposing sculptures from some of the most prominent figures in the art world including Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin.
Starting Point: ArcelorMittal Orbit
The route starts at Anish Kapoor's ArcelorMittal Orbit, the distinctive red sculpture in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which claims the status of the UK's tallest sculpture at 115 metres tall. There's also The Slide encircling the ArcelorMittal Orbit which was designed by artist Carsten Höller and constitutes the world's tallest and longest tunnel slide. If you're travelling with youngsters, that particular stretch might require some patience, but ultimately the route guides you through Bromley-by-Bow, then onwards to Canning Town and the Royal Victoria Docks before finishing at North Greenwich.
Highlights Along the Trail
The collection includes 'Diver', a light installation depicting a figure diving into the water, and 'No. 1104 Catching Colour', an external artwork displaying clouds of coloured mesh floating in the air. These pieces, alongside works by Gormley and Emin, make the walk a must for art enthusiasts.
The Perfect Pub Finish
Finally, close to the finishing point in Greenwich, you'll discover the Cutty Sark pub. Here, you can enjoy riverside views from one of the waterfront benches or from the comfort of inside through the expansive, period windows. The Cutty Sark is a delightful pub boasting more than 200 years of history - so well worth stopping in for a pint. Whether you choose to relax outside with a view of the Thames or inside with its historic charm, it's the ideal end to a culturally rich walk.
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