This walk takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the usual Westminster tourist haunts, into uncrowded, little known gardens, yards and squares. There’s lots of history – huge centuries old mansions overlooking Green Park, one of which has a Lady Diana connection; amazing views of Buckingham Palace & Westminster as you cross St James’ Park; the best street of beautiful Queen Anne houses in London; a hall connected to the world’s greatest Victorian philanthropist; two Suffragette memorials; a famous public school; the venue of the first regulated football match; the oldest house in London; Westminster Abbey; the Houses of Parliament; a memorial to the end of slavery; and the pretty square where the father of investigative journalism lived. And once you’ve seen all that, you cross over the river (great views as you do so) to finish at the Garden Museum. This is a hidden gem. As well as being great for gardening enthusiasts, it’s also good for art and food. Some of the greatest botanical artists in the world have beautiful work on show here, and the museum cafe/restaurant is one of the best of its kind in London. And there’s even a very famous seafaring man’s tomb in the garden! You can finish at the museum or if you wish to carry on walking, you can also see a surprisingly green part of Lambeth with lots of nods to local history along the way, a spectacular zip wire ride, plus the amazing new memorial to a great Victorian nurse.

Start Green Park underground station
Finish Garden Museum or Westminster or Lambeth North underground stations