The London Marathon is taking place this weekend, and whether you are running the race, cheering on a participant, or simply a Londoner planning to be anywhere near the city centre, you will need to know about the road closures caused by the event. As always, large sections of central London will be closed to vehicles, with some roads shut for the entire weekend.
When is the 2026 London Marathon?
The race will take place on Sunday April 26 2026. The event starts at Blackheath and finishes on The Mall, winding through areas such as Woolwich and the Isle of Dogs. Over the 26.2 miles, runners will pass landmarks including the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and the London Eye.
What time does the London Marathon 2026 start?
This year's race begins at 8.50am with the elite wheelchair races. Non-elite runners start at 9.30am, with the final wave at 11.30am. Each participant has eight hours to finish, meaning the last runners must complete the course by 7.30pm.
Which roads are closed for the London Marathon 2026?
Below is the complete list of road closures, organised by area.
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square and surrounding roads will close on Sunday April 26 from 7.30am to 10pm. Affected roads include Whitehall, Pall Mall East, Cockspur Street, Strand westbound (entire road), Strand eastbound (between Trafalgar Square and Bedford Street), Charing Cross Road (between Strand and William IV Street), and Duncannon Street.
Westminster
The Mall and Marlborough Road are closed from 5am on Thursday April 23 until 6pm on Monday April 27. Spring Gardens, Spur Road, Constitution Hill, Horse Guards Road, and Birdcage Walk (eastbound) will also be closed all weekend, from 6am on Friday April 24 to 6am on Monday April 27. Birdcage Walk (westbound) will shut at 6am on Saturday April 25 and reopen at 6am on Monday April 27. Queen Anne's Gate will be shut on Sunday April 26 between Broadway and the entrance to St James' Park from 11am to 6pm. Victoria Embankment and Parliament Square will also close from 7.30am to 10pm.
Westcombe Park / Woolwich
A section of Shooters Hill Road and Charlton Way will close from 4am on Sunday April 26 for start area setup. Little Heath, Artillery Place, and John Wilson Street will shut on Sunday April 26 from 7am to 2.30pm. The following roads will close at 7am and are expected to reopen by 3pm: Shooters Hill Road, St Johns Park, Old Dover Road, Charlton Way, Vanbrugh Park, Charlton Road, Charlton Park Road, Charlton Park Lane, Woolwich Church Street, and Woolwich Road (A206).
Greenwich
From 7am to 4pm on Sunday April 26, roads including Trafalgar Road, Romney Road, and Creek Road will be shut in Greenwich.
Canary Wharf
Montgomery Street, Water Street, and Charter Street will shut on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm. Additionally, eastbound traffic on North Colonnade between Westferry Circus and Upper Bank Street, and northbound traffic on Upper Bank Street between South Colonnade and Aspen Way will be closed from 6am to 8am.
Rotherhithe
From 8am to 4pm on Sunday April 26, roads in Rotherhithe will be closed, including Evelyn Street, Lower Road, Surrey Quays Road, Quebec Way, Salter Road, Brunel Road, and Jamaica Road.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge will shut on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm.
Isle of Dogs
The Isle of Dogs will be closed to traffic on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm.
Poplar
Poplar High Street will be closed on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm.
Wapping
In Wapping, the Highway will be shut both ways on Sunday April 26 from 8am to 8.30pm. A vehicle crossing point at Glamis Road will be closed from 9.05am to 6.30pm.
City of London
Byward Street, Upper Thames Street, and Lower Thames Street will be shut on Sunday April 26 from 7.30am to 9pm.
Other closures
The Greenwich Foot Tunnel will be one-way only (south to north) on Sunday April 26 from 10am to 12.30pm.
London Underground on marathon day
Expect the Tube in the city centre, particularly around popular spectator points, to be extremely busy. Consider walking to a stop further away from the marathon if possible.
London buses on marathon day
Buses that travel on roads affected by closures will be diverted or may stop short of their usual destination.
Santander Cycles during the London Marathon
Docking stations for Santander Cycles that are on the marathon route or on any closed roads will be suspended.
The best places to watch the London Marathon 2026
The marathon website recommends the following viewpoints for spectators: Cutty Sark (6.5 miles), Canada Water (9 miles), Bermondsey (11.5 miles), Tower Bridge (13 miles), Canary Wharf and Heron Quays (miles 18 and 19), Limehouse (21 miles), Tower Hill (23 miles), and Westminster (26 miles).
